Bringing Scripture to Life

Practicing Greatness is a book that should be read by every leader on the planet, as it is filled with incredible insight on how to most effectively understand and manage ourselves, so that we can begin operating in a more consistent manner as we lead others. Excerpt from the Inside Sleeve: Based on his extensive experience as coach and mentor to many thousands of Christian leaders across a broad spectrum of ministry settings, Reggie McNeal helps spiritual leaders understand that they will self-select into or out of greatness. In this important book, McNeal shows how great spiritual leaders are committed consciously and intentionally to seven spiritual disciplines, habits of heart and mind that shape both their character and competence: The discipline of self-awareness —the single most important body of information a leader possesses The discipline of self-management —handling difficult emotions, expectations, temptations, mental vibrancy, and physical well-

One of the more controversial issues in the church today is the subject of women in leadership. I was recently asked what my view on this subject is.  I believe that women are gifted by God to be leaders within the Body of Christ. The leadership roles that women can hold are vast and wide, depending upon the giftings and talents that God has given to them. When looking through Scripture, we see that the Bible mentions women serving in the church of God on several occasions.  We know that Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, taught the great preacher Apollos (Acts 18:26).  Phoebe was a servant of the church in Cenchrea, and a helper of many saints, which seems to indicate her being in some type of leadership role (Rom. 16:1-2).  Paul tells us that he had women who did the same work as he did, by “sharing” in his struggle in the cause of the gospel at Philippi (Phi. 4:3).  We hear about a disciple named “Tabitha” who seems to have been a leader of her people, and who aboun

What does the Bible say about the Return of Christ?   The Bible says that Jesus will return in a sudden, personal, and visible way (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11), at which time He will establish His kingdom (2 Timothy 4:1).  The Bible teaches us that in the “twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52), the last trumpet will sound (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and “we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them (who have died) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).   It is at this point in time that all  believers will be raised incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:52), and will be perfected and spend eternity with Christ (Philippians 3:20-21).  This is known as the "blessed hope" that all believers have in Jesus (Titus 2:13), and it has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of each believer (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). RELATED ARTICLES 1.   The End   2.  Eschatology

I do not know anyone who has mastered the art of prayer, nor do I know anyone who feels like they pray enough. The Bible doesn’t tell us how many times a day we should pray, nor does it instruct us on how many minutes or hours per day is the required amount in order to hear God’s voice, or see God move mountains on our behalf.  The purpose behind this article is to encourage you to simply do your best to spend that alone time with God, talking and listening.  The inspiration behind this article came from a conversation with a young mom I had the privilege of leading to the Lord, and was eager to begin her new journey with Jesus, but was unsure of how to  pray to God . Below are some of the simple suggestions and practices that I gave to her that day. I list them as suggestions for the fact that prayer is a personal thing between you and God, and just like I wouldn’t want someone to ever tell my son how he should talk to me, I too am hesitant to give instruction to you on ho