Is it possible for humans to see the heart like God sees it? We can open up our bodies and view the physical human heart, repair it, and even replace it with a different heart, even an artificial heart. But what about the metaphorical heart? Our motivation, will, desires, emotions, fears, beliefs? God knows allContinue reading “Seeing the heart like God sees it – 1st Samuel 16, Part 5”
Tag Archives: church growth
What happened when the first Christians gathered for prayer – Praying together, Part 2
In the previous post, we observed the prayer meeting the followers of Jesus held right after he ascended back to his father in heaven. The book of Acts tells us that at the 10-14 mark of their nonstop prayer meeting, something powerful happened. Look at Acts chapter 2, verses 1-4: “When the day of PentecostContinue reading “What happened when the first Christians gathered for prayer – Praying together, Part 2”
Why we cannot manufacture a movement of God (and what we should do instead) – John 15:1-10, Part 5
The theme of my denomination this year is “A Dynamic Movement of God.” This theme comes from the denomination’s vision statement which was created in the early 2000s. While we definitely want to participate in the movement of God, let us not believe that we can manufacture a movement of God. Many Christians claim thatContinue reading “Why we cannot manufacture a movement of God (and what we should do instead) – John 15:1-10, Part 5”
Jesus’ most important parable/analogy? – John 15:1-10, Part 1
Before each worship service, my church has a brief prayer time before each worship service. The host, worship leader, singers, and preacher gather in a small circle to pray that the Holy Spirit will work in and through us, because we desire our worship services to be meaningful, formative. When we pray, there’s a passage ofContinue reading “Jesus’ most important parable/analogy? – John 15:1-10, Part 1”
What the “Lost” history of Christianity can teach us – John 15:1-10, Preview
One of most discouraging books I ever read is The Lost History of Christianity by Philip Jenkins. I found the book discouraging because it tells the sad story of the Christian church in places where the church started and thrived. The book’s subtitle says it all, “The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in theContinue reading “What the “Lost” history of Christianity can teach us – John 15:1-10, Preview”
What churches need to be devoted to (and a building is not one of them) – Acts 2, Part 5
What would your church do if God brought revival to your church and in a relatively short time period thousands of new people started coming to your church? What we have seen in the first church was that 3000 people were added to their number that day in Acts 2. If that happened to us,Continue reading “What churches need to be devoted to (and a building is not one of them) – Acts 2, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 