Resources by Topic: Christian Life

I received a letter from a reader, who mentioned four nonnegotiables of the faith and asked for advice how to live those out. Here was my response.

Low expectations of God reveal a blind pessimism about the power of God’s work. We sometimes raise our expectations to insist upon—even demand—complete divine healing or the perfect mate or job or church or children. And other times, we lower our expectations closer to those of atheists than of believers. 

Randy, I understand that you and I have the same affection for animals under our care as I’ve read an article you wrote concerning animals in Heaven. Is spaying and neutering our pets allowed by our faith? Personally, I don’t like the idea as it seems to control and alter what God has designed/created.

I’ve recently been questioning my faith even though I believe God is real. If you ask forgiveness and for God to come into your heart, does that automatically mean you’re going to Heaven? 

The following paragraphs from Oswald Chamber’s classic, My Utmost for His Highest, really connect with Nanci’s four years of yielding to God about all the things she was constantly uncertain about.

On November 14, 2019, Nanci wrote the following in her journal: “Today I am thinking about faith. I have learned so much about faith. ...Faith is being assured that God Almighty always acts according to His character and works. He never waivers.”

We received some great responses on Facebook about memorizing Scripture, and I’m sharing some of them here. I also appreciated the example of positive and encouraging interaction on social media.

I’ve been finding treasures in emails that Nanci sent. For years she was part of a Moms in Touch group, praying with several friends for all their children, who are all now grown, many with children of their own. 

In this clip Randy Alcorn shares with Dr. Lee Warren about the work of Eternal Perspective Ministries, the nonprofit organization he founded and directs.

In this clip Randy talks about some important distinctions between “blessed” and “happiness.”

In this clip Randy talks about the words in Scripture that mean happiness and blessed and how culture shapes our understanding of words.  

In this clip Randy speaks with Dr. Lee Warren about the effect of a lack of gospel happiness in the church today. 

This article by Bobby Jamieson about growing in godliness is helpful whether you’re a new believer or you’ve known Jesus for years.

Abigail Dodds makes a series of balanced points that remind us we shouldn’t buy into the myth that when we have one belief we must dismiss as evil or stupid every belief of those who disagree. Read slowly and carefully and see if you can understand what she’s saying and whether or not she’s right.