Joshua Janavel and the Plight of the Waldensians
These details included reminders to stay repentant and prayerful, to always begin by humbly taking their requests to the governing authorities, and to take arms only when absolutely necessary.
In 1685, with the Edict of Fontainebleau, the French government placed new restrictions on the Huguenots, and the new duke of Savoy, Victor Amadeus II, decided to follow suit. He banned Waldensian pastors, forbade their public worship and forced parents to give their children a Roman Catholic baptism. When the Waldensians rebelled, many were again... Continue Reading
Stress in the Body
Take your eyes off the waves of dissatisfaction, look to Jesus, and go out of your way to love one another.
It is easy for a group of believers to experience stability for so long that their eyes begin to look more to the body’s health and benefits than their Savior. When the manifestation of stress begins to show in the congregation, we begin to realize, even as a church, we all still have a chronic... Continue Reading
How the Pandemic Will Change Evangelism for Good
This COVID-19 period is a golden opportunity, partly because culture has changed. We must all hear and heed afresh the rebuke of Jesus, “Why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (Luke 12:56).
The silver lining of COVID-19 is it gives church leadership a chance to change its entire thinking on what its members must do to reach this world. Because the world is now even more suspect to the invasion of their space, we will have to learn how to get beside others in a way that... Continue Reading
Stumbling Over Stereotypes
Let’s change the stereotypes and become known as a church who loves our neighbor enough to tell them the truth about how to find eternal peace with the One who created them!
I don’t care what color or creed or faith background they come from. I am seeking to share the good news of the gospel with a person made in the image of God so that they might be reconciled to their Creator; and when a person understands that, false stereotypes quickly fall by the wayside. What... Continue Reading
Seeking the Lost
How much more joyous it should be to us when a lost sinner, made in the image of God, returns to his Maker and Redeemer!
Do we have the faith, encouraged by Luke 15, that lost people, pictured as straying sheep, misplaced coins, and wandering sons, will eventually return to their rightful place? Do we anticipate rejoicing wholeheartedly when what is lost is found by Christ? A few weeks ago, we returned home after a wonderful family vacation... Continue Reading
An Open Letter to the Overcommitted Pastor
“Never confuse activity with accomplishment.”
Your personal devotional life will be the easiest thing to sacrifice, and the one thing you cannot afford to lose. The congregation will not know right away if your time with the Lord is suffering. You will still be able to preach sermons on Sundays, and you will be capable of recalling Bible verses when... Continue Reading
Pastor John MacArthur Responds To California’s Threats Of Imprisonment: ‘Bring It On’
Church attorneys argued in response to the letter that Newsom’s lockdown order violated half a dozen parts of the California State Constitution.
Grace Community Church received a cease and desist letter in August for holding in-person services banned under Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s pandemic lockdown order. The letter threatened the church with $1,000 daily fines and MacArthur with imprisonment if the church did not comply. Grace Community Church Pastor John MacArthur fired back a response... Continue Reading
‘Pastor, Why Aren’t You Preaching About What’s Happening?’ [Part 2]
In a world enamored with whatever seems most urgent, even Christians can lose sight of what’s truly important and lasting.
Undoubtedly, some in our church take our leadership’s lack of frequent and persistent addressing of current events as though we are just trying to avoid conflict, or that we are monks retreating from culture, or that we are ostriches with our heads in the sand. I don’t think such criticisms are valid. Really, we’re trying to... Continue Reading
Warnings in the PCA
Seeing prominent voices within the PCA embracing critical theory should deeply bother the leaders and members of the denomination.
The PCA has always set itself apart as curious and intellectual. But I would remind them that the things of the world hate the things of God and Marxism is inherently a thing of this world. A Christian who thinks he can co-opt Marxist thought for the church is a Christian whose pride will come... Continue Reading
The Reputations of Tent-Makers
No conspiracy. Just good Christian work, done to the glory of God – and the kind of reputations that follow.
To be known all over the city as offering an excellent product and to be known as a place where people can learn about Jesus – that’s just about as ideal a reputation as you could ask for when running a business or NGO among an unreached people group. Our partners had truly done some... Continue Reading
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