Resources Archives - Page 19 of 21

December 30, 2019

Standing Up

“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:11-12). Have you ever been ashamed of the Gospel? It’s not something Christians like to admit, but we all have experienced this feeling at some point. Sometimes it’s easier to hide our faith than to stand up to the pressure around us. We may keep quiet when non-believers criticize Christianity or the church. We may back down from our stand on sin when someone calls us narrow-minded or judgmental. We may feel embarrassed when our godly lifestyle sets us apart from our peers. Even Jesus’ disciple Peter succumbed to the temptation to publicly hide his faith in the face of antagonism. After […]

December 23, 2019

Delivered from the Evil One

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Jesus’ words were not random when He prayed what we now know as the Lord’s Prayer. His prayers were logical and sequential petitions that ended with this last prayer: “Deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). As the chief angel in heaven, Lucifer thought he could take God’s rightful throne. It was pride that turned the chief angel into the chief devil. It was pride that took him out of the courts of heaven and put him into the pit of hell. And it is pride that he is always trying to replicate in us. This particular petition has to do with our wills. Satan’s original sin was the sin of pride, and pride attacks the will. We can memorize Scripture and read it for hours on end, but […]

December 16, 2019

The Cost of Freedom

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). To know Christ is to know true freedom. Jesus is the only way for us to be freed from the enslavement of sin. We owe our spiritual freedom to Jesus Christ, who paid for it on the cross. Jesus Himself said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). God’s sacrifice for us was not measured in financial expense or political cost. When Jesus came to earth, He sacrificed His untold glory and splendor in heaven to walk among us. He endured more physical and emotional pain in His final days than we can imagine. He experienced the spiritual pain of being separated from the Father while He hung on the cross. He paid for our sins with His own blood. God Himself—the almighty Creator of infinite value […]

December 15, 2019

The Honor to Be Dishonored: Rejoicing Even in Our Trials

Many Christians in the United States are finding it difficult to live out their faith. In a recent Barna study, 60 percent of American evangelicals reported experiencing opposition from their surrounding culture. As societal values and morality have shifted, these Christians have felt caught in the transition. They see traditional Christian values mocked in the public square and those who express them facing rejection and financial loss. In light of this cultural pressure, some Christians have chosen a path of silence. Others have questioned their traditional beliefs. A few have spoken up and faced the consequences. What is the answer to this problem? How should we as the church in America react to the increasing animosity toward our faith? Jesus answered this question in His introduction to the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is […]

December 2, 2019

No More Night

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light” (Revelation 22:5). Throughout the Bible, we see God leading and comforting His people with the presence of His holy light. In Exodus, the ninth plague upon the Egyptians was one of darkness so great that the people could not see one another. However, the children of Israel had light in their homes (see Exodus 10:21-23). Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, shines not only in the hearts and minds of those who follow Him, but also in their homes and dwelling places. Once Israel was released from Egyptian bondage, the Lord led them out: By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, . . . Neither the […]

April 21, 2019

The Resurrection and the Life – Michael Youssef

“The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). Martha’s brother Lazarus had been dead in his grave for several days. Although Martha had seen Jesus heal many in the past, she was doubtful that Jesus would raise Lazarus to life in the present. However, there is no “too late” for the Lord Jesus. In the very presence of a dead man, Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), declaring that this resurrection was not just a future hope, but a present reality. Soon after, Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave, demonstrating His power over death. In the moment when resurrection was needed most, Christ proved that He was the only way for this man to be revived. Not long after He made this claim, Jesus endured the cross and then rose from the grave Himself. He proved […]

April 15, 2019

Leaning on the Word

“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30). With so many people and influences trying to mold us into their version of “truth,” how are we to withstand their pressures and continue to reflect the light of Christ? We need to lean on the Word of God. Paul said, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Whatever encounters we face with the ungodly, we can find wisdom and guidance and comfort in the Bible. When we share the Good News, the Bible will equip us with the Truth. When we experience rejection, the Word of God will comfort and soothe our wounds. When we fear persecution, God’s promises will give us the strength to overcome our anxieties. When we begin to […]

April 8, 2019

Empty Vessels – Michael Youssef

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). When Elisha looked into the widow’s situation, he immediately told the woman about three conditions under which her jar of oil could become her miracle. Today we will look at the first condition. The first condition was this: Get lots of empty jars. “Go around and ask your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few” (2 Kings 4:3). What are these borrowed vessels? These borrowed vessels represent her capacity to receive from God. The more vessels she had, the more she was going to receive. For, every jar she gathered in faith would be filled—the oil would continue to pour. The moment the widow ran out of empty vessels, the oil stopped flowing. God blesses you to the capacity that you make yourself available for Him to bless. If you close off […]

April 1, 2019

Spiritually Open – Michael Youssef

“The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees” (Psalm 119:64). Praise opens our eyes and ears to God. When we focus on the Lord in praise, we are much more likely to hear what He has to say to us. Praise opens us up spiritually to hear God’s commands. In fact, that Truth helps explain why praise is often so difficult for us: Praise demands that we make changes in our lives, and most of us do not welcome the prospect of change. It takes courage to reexamine what we believe to be true about ourselves and about God and to realize what we need to change about our lives. Sometimes the change God commands will require us to confess and repent of a sin and to make adjustments in how we live, especially in how we think of others and relate to others. We cannot harbor anger, resentment, or hatred toward others and at […]

March 24, 2019

Our Spiritual Operations Manual – Michael Youssef

“Blessed is the one . . . whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). How often do you read instruction manuals for new appliances, toys, or gadgets? Most of us are guilty of either not following the directions closely or tossing out the booklet completely. But there is one instruction manual we cannot afford to ignore—the Bible. It is our spiritual operations manual. And when we ignore it, the consequences can be eternal. Scanning through the Scriptures for the main points won’t stretch us. Randomly flipping through the pages won’t develop our spiritual maturity. We can’t skim the surface and expect to find the pearls. We need to dive deep under the surface to find the treasure. To truly grow spiritually, we need to devote time, effort, and focused attention to learning from God’s Word. Before we begin reading God’s Word, we need to prepare our […]

March 17, 2019

Steps for Discerning the Mind of God – Michael Youssef

“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:12). When I am seeking to discern the mind of God, the first thing I do is examine my life to be certain that every area of my life comes under His lordship. The second thing I do is try to put my desires in neutral so the Holy Spirit can work His will in me. And the third thing is that I expect God to speak to me. I expect to hear from Him through His Word. I expect the Lord to speak to me through open and shut doors, through godly, praying friends, and through circumstances. The fourth thing I do to discern the mind of God is test the spirits. Ask the question: Is what I am doing or what I am about to do […]

March 11, 2019

Asking for Wisdom – Michael Youssef

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17). James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” What a relief! God will not only give us wisdom in our moments of need; He will give it generously. Many ask for wisdom and direction with the assumption that God is a reluctant giver, but He, more than anyone, wants us to walk in righteousness. The problem is that many who ask for God’s wisdom are not willing to obey it. Often we ask God for the answer to our problem or situation, only to ignore Him when He actually responds. But we cannot pick and choose when to obey God and when to go our own […]