In 2013, we featured more Bible study articles, blog posts, and videos than ever before to help you dive into Scripture. So, what made the cut as the most-used resources? We'll count them down:
Bible Study Articles
5. How God Uses Stress for Our Good and His Glory
Ever been to a football game at half time when the band forms words or pictures in the middle of the field? They look great from up in the stands. But have you thought about what they look like from the sidelines? Pointless, confusing, apparently meaningless. We see life from the sidelines. God sees it from the stands. As we gain perspective, we leave the sidelines and start working our way up.
With that as background, I turn now to consider some of the most frequently-asked questions about heaven. But before I jump in, I should make one preliminary point. The only things we can know for certain about heaven are the things revealed in the Bible. Everything else is just speculation and hearsay. The Bible tells us everything we need to know and I believe it also tells us everything we can know for certain about heaven.
3. 10 Essential Truths about Christian Giving
Very often, people ask or wonder "what are the basic biblical principles for Christian giving?" As we seek God's answer to that question and as we contemplate our own giving to the Lord's church in response to the clear teaching of His Word, perhaps it would be wise and helpful to review those principles here.
2. Five Steps to Peace in a Really Bad Situation
We can see what God was up to in part, and we get a measure of peace from that. But how can we get peace if we're headed into or in the midst of a crisis? God tells us how to do just that in Philippians 4:4.
1. Spiritual Warfare: Understanding the Battle
In warfare, battles are fought on different fronts, for different reasons, and with varying degrees of intensity. The same is true in spiritual warfare. Our spiritual battles are real, even though we cannot physically see the attacker. But, we can educate ourselves on how the battles are fought and how they impact our lives on a daily basis.
Blog Posts
What is the point of it all? Why should you keep investing yourself in a person when you are seeing zero fruit? Why should you keep working on a relationship that just doesn’t seem to be working?
Have you ever noticed how many times and how many ways the Bible warns of being deceived? By clear admonition as well as by graphic example God repeatedly calls us to be on our guard against believing lies.
We often think of the unique challenges and opportunities that facing lack/need presents. In those situations we are faced with the choice of trusting God for provision, or grumbling as the Israelites in the wilderness did (cf. Exod 16–17). But less frequently recognized are the dangers that abundance/prosperity brings. There are at least four that come to mind...
2. Four Words That Change Every Situation
Have you ever had one of those, “Woah, wait a minute!” times when reading the Bible? You’re slowly meandering your way through a chapter, trying to clear your sleep-fogged head, when suddenly a verse jumps out and slaps you in the face. I had one of those moments this morning.
1. 5 Principles of Making Disciples and Enabling Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth of believers should be the goal of any church. We are to reach unbelievers and introduce them to Christ, but the end goal according to the command of Jesus is making disciples.
Videos
3. Why Does James 2:17 Tell Us that Faith Without Works Is Dead?
2. Jonah and the Whale: Real or Symbolic?
1. Who Was Melchizedek and What Is His Significance (Genesis 14:17-24; Hebrews 5:10, 7:1)?
We thank you again for making 2013 such a great year for studying God's Word!