Question: What will happen if, in your spiritual walk, you turn lukewarm instead of steadfastly seeking the Lord? The answer is, nothing will happen. Meteors won’t fall from the sky and hit you. Nothing that is not common to man will happen to you. You will simply remain the same as you have been: unchanging. An unchanged life is judgment enough. If we don’t steadfastly walk with God, we simply cannot be transformed. Yes, one’s spirit can still be saved... Read more
Isaiah 40:31: But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV) I always wanted to be able to fly. Have you ever felt this way? Did you ever have a dream where you could fly over the countryside? You know, like Peter Pan. It looks like this will never happen in my natural life; or could... Read more
“Your spiritual journey often takes you through difficult situations rather than around them. All adversity in your life builds character and strength, and every valley experienced prepares you for tomorrows victorious mountain tops. Lessons are learned through our own mistakes as well as the missteps of others, and failure becomes success through the wisdom gained. These painful occasions make way for grace to appear, hearts to be transformed, and an empowered life to be realized.” What difficulties are you facing... Read more
Jesus called us into friendship, not just with Him but also with His followers. I don’t like goodbyes, especially on the mission field, because sometimes I get emotional. Last week it was really bad. I had spent six days with a church in Tarapoto, Peru, and I invested a lot of time and energy encouraging the people—especially some young adults who are emerging leaders. When it was almost time for me to go through the security checkpoint at the airport,... Read more
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens—no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground. (Genesis 2:4–5 NIV) How many professing Christians struggle with the question: Ministry or business? This question... Read more
Friends, the recent earthquakes, hurricanes and flooding in the US have become fodder for another round of “God is judging” announcements from various religious leaders and self proclaimed prophets. This piece has been sitting ever since the quake/tsunami in Japan. How we think about natural disaster and the resulting suffering is a perennial problem. Some might find this helpful. Yes, getting tired of those trying to make judgment, prophetic hay out of natural disasters and people’s suffering. You prophesied an... Read more
(Joel Osteen Ministries) Joel Osteen, the popular televangelist and pastor of Lakewood Church in Texas, is taking heat for preaching prosperity. Critics are hounding Osteen for limiting his teaching on sin and for preaching a success gospel. Osteen’s newest book Every Day a Friday: How to be Happier 7 Days a Week is just one item critics are using to establish that the Lakewood pastor focuses too strongly on personal fulfillment. But Osteen is responding, saying he is teaching in the same... Read more
“God put the seed of everything within itself. An apple seed carries within itself the potential for a forest of apple trees. A seed that never takes root is a forest that never becomes realized. You carry the seed of eternity within you, the forest of “all things possible.” Plant your seed in good soil and allow Living Water to nurture your harvest? You are maturing through the elements of life as the seed for a forest of God’s love.”... Read more
“We must do the right things in order to accomplish the great things. While we engage in our present labor, we must also dream and have vision for tomorrow. While our vision matures within us, we can begin to strategize and plan for our future. Faith is the power and fuel that carries us through the successes and adversities of today and every tomorrow. By believing in who we are, what we do, and in knowing we have godly vision... Read more
“Challenges give us the opportunity to reveal ourselves to ourselves. In the midst of struggle, is it fear or faith that is winning the battle for our soul? Are we trusting in man’s limited ability, or are we trusting in limitless power of God within us? How we react during a challenge or crisis reveals much, teaches us much, and most importantly, realigns and expands our world-view. Renew your mind, see with the eyes of God, let fear subside, for... Read more
Robert Ricciardelli
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