The church must face today’s challenges by returning to the original plan. by Mike Apodaca Has the church lost her way? Some church leaders are looking to AI to help them grow their congregations because their churches are stalled or failing. And why is this? Perhaps because many Christians are living a fleshly life based […]

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Simply put, it means to allow the Holy Spirit freedom to work in the individual and community of believers. So the phrase “quench the Spirit” can be understood as actively hindering the Spirit’s work by extinguishing, suffocating, or ignoring His leading. More specifically, and in context with the next verse, “Do not despise prophecies” (v. […]

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Oh, Jesus, You are very near but You’re so busy that I fear You’ll hurry on and pass me by. And yet, I hope my heart You’ll hear. I reach a timid, well-worn hand to grasp Your cloak — even just a strand. And before I can utter a tiny cry, I feel something in […]

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by Anonymous Jesus taught the disciples about serving through His words and actions. In the Sermon on the Mount, He explained that public displays of good works did not please God: “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed […]

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Every believer has a role in the kingdom of God. by Stephen R. Clark When God instructed Moses and the Israelites to build the tabernacle, He didn’t just stand back and watch them try to figure it out. God instilled in various individuals all the skills and giftings needed to complete the work. For example, […]

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by Whaid Rose The history of the world has turned on ideas. From those of ancient philosophy to modern science, and from the American experiment to global politics, ideas have shaped the course of world history — with intended and unintended consequences. Yet none has more positively impacted human history than the idea of the […]

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Learning about a life of service from a model believer. by Caroline S. Cooper The book of Acts, Luke’s historical narrative, details the mission and ministry of Christ’s church. In Acts 2:44, 45 we read that the believers came together, had all things in common, sold their possessions and goods, and shared with those in […]

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Being the visible hands and feet of Jesus. by Jamin Teran When someone is asked at church, “What is your gift?” ninety percent of the time they answer, “Service.” Most people consider themselves able to help those in need. This response fits the biblical model for believers. The words servant, service, and serve appear in […]

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Not always glamorous but always God glorifying. by Denise Kohlmeyer Not all of us can be upfront pastors, worship leaders, or talented musicians — those who seemingly hold more exciting and engaging ministry positions. Their service is noticed and often rewarded with public recognition like compliments and even applause. Quite frankly, most believers serve in […]

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by Oscar Mata Several weeks ago, someone asked me to visit one of their friends who was hospitalized. The patient was a man over seventy years old, English speaking, with the distant demeanor of someone who hadn’t set foot in a church for decades. He received me only because I came at his friend’s request. […]

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Learning the meaning of true service. by Dr. David R. Downey Speaking to a class recently while discussing the office of deacon in the church, I said, “This is a very high calling, as the deacon responsibility is rooted in service to the church and, in this, imitates the Savior who revealed Himself in exactly […]

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by Bonita Jewel Hele “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased” (Matthew 12:18). When my younger brother, the youngest of six children, was two or three years old, we would sometimes play a game where he was the prince and my sisters and I were his […]

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