Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2025, Christianity.com Mon, 27 Jan 2025 03:35:48 -0500 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/10-reasons-why-it-is-more-blessed-to-give-than-to-receive.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/10-reasons-why-it-is-more-blessed-to-give-than-to-receive.html David Murray https://www.christianity.com/author/david-murray/ The most unbelieved beatitude in the Bible is: “It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). The giver happier than the getter? Surely some mistake? Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:00:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/family/homeschool/3-vital-words-for-successful-teens.html https://www.christianity.com/family/homeschool/3-vital-words-for-successful-teens.html David Murray https://www.christianity.com/author/david-murray/ Based on my experience of parenting teens, pastoring teens, and being a teen, I’d like to burn three words into the hearts and minds of all teens: FOCUS, FORCE, FAITH. Wed, 10 Jul 2019 11:49:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/overcoming-drug-overdose-stigma-a-mother-s-plea-to-pastors-and-parents.html https://www.christianity.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/overcoming-drug-overdose-stigma-a-mother-s-plea-to-pastors-and-parents.html Lia Martin https://www.christianity.com/author/lia-martin/ Americans are said to consume about 80% of the world’s supply of opium-derived painkillers. More than two million of us are addicted to oxycodone and hydrocodone, and another 460,000 to heroin and fentanyl. The threat of opioids killing someone you love is not a scandal, or a secret. It is an imminent cry for action. To understand what’s at the heart of society’s call for change, I was honored by the heart of one mom, Jennifer Alba, who is fighting the good fight. Jennifer courageously shares her son’s heartbreaking story of death by overdose, and invites others to freedom – on her mission to save lives. Starting with marijuana use at 13, Jennifer’s son Joseph became addicted to crack cocaine, Xanax, and alcohol for 16 years. Suffering with ADHD as a child, Jennifer shared that mental health challenges drove most of his addiction. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Katarzyna Bialasiewicz Wed, 24 Apr 2019 03:29:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/newsletters/church-matters/eighteen-easter-sermons-11570920.html https://www.christianity.com/newsletters/church-matters/eighteen-easter-sermons-11570920.html Dr. Ray Pritchard https://www.christianity.com/author/dr-ray-pritchard/ Here are eighteen Easter sermons. You are welcome to use this material in any way that might be helpful to you as you prepare your heart for the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead. Wed, 17 Apr 2019 05:36:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/slideshows/10-facts-about-pastors-churchgoers-need-to-know.html https://www.christianity.com/slideshows/10-facts-about-pastors-churchgoers-need-to-know.html Joe McKeever https://www.christianity.com/author/joe-mckeever/ In a panel discussion, several pastors' wives were talking about the uniqueness of their ministries. One lady, married to a well-known evangelist, said, "I tell my man, 'Don't get too uppidity for me. I have seen you without your pants on!" Some of her hearers were offended by the remark. I wasn't. I know the point she was making: He is a flawed, fallible human like the rest of us, and not some saintly somebody unacquainted with temptation and failings. Here's a test you will benefit from: Find the journals of some "truly great" man or woman of God from a past generation, and read them. Notice the paradox: at the very time the world is acclaiming him/her for holiness and Christlikeness, they themselves are struggling with inner conflicts of one kind or the other. They appear to have a leg up on intimacy with the Lord to the rest of the world, but to themselves, they are babies in the faith barely able to walk spiritually and completely at the mercy of a benevolent God. Far from refuting their holiness, the journal affirms it. But not in the way most people expect. [Here are 10 things you need to know about your pastor.] Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock Wed, 10 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/newsletters/church-matters/how-to-avoid-burnout-as-a-church-volunteer.html https://www.christianity.com/newsletters/church-matters/how-to-avoid-burnout-as-a-church-volunteer.html Misty Honnold https://www.christianity.com/author/misty-honnold/ As we fall more in love with God, working for the Kingdom of God becomes natural expression of that love. Wed, 03 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/slideshows/4-ways-america-and-the-church-are-on-the-wrong-track.html https://www.christianity.com/slideshows/4-ways-america-and-the-church-are-on-the-wrong-track.html Shane Idleman https://www.christianity.com/author/shane-idleman/ "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" Psalm 85:6I'm not referring to all churches collectively in this article, but to the large majority who have drifted away from God. The present condition of the church leaves one to wonder if the lack of the fear of the Lord is contributing to her spiritually dead condition.With rapid fire changes within a culture saturated by political correctness and relativism, we are inclined to ask if there is any hope for America. If we continue down this slippery slope, there is little hope. Apart from a national spiritual awakening, it will be difficult to turn the Titanic around—the vessel has been struck; what's inside is spilling out. But if God brings revival...if we once again set our hearts and minds on Him...there is tremendous hope. Revival means to awaken, restore, renew, or repair. In churches across America, crowd appeal and pleasing the masses tends to be the goal rather than calling out destructive lifestyles, which can result in revival and renewal.A deathlike, deep slumber, has overtaken the church: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead" (Revelation 3:1). The beacon of light has faded, the salt has lost its savor, and the message of the cross has been edited out of most sermons. We have lost our fervor for the truth. Have we considered that we may have offended God? Consider the following:Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Enterline Design Services LLC Wed, 03 Apr 2019 01:00:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/newsletters/church-matters/10-ways-to-make-this-year-s-easter-service-the-best-ever.html https://www.christianity.com/newsletters/church-matters/10-ways-to-make-this-year-s-easter-service-the-best-ever.html Rick Whitter https://www.christianity.com/author/rick-whitter/ Easter Sunday will be a great time of celebration for Christians around the globe, and we should make the very most of this holy season. Statistics tell us that churches have more guests on Easter Sunday than any other Sunday of the year. Will we be ready for them? Will they return to our church after Easter is over? Here’s how you can prepare for Easter service at your church: Photo Credit: ©Thinkstock/Digital Vision Wed, 27 Mar 2019 01:00:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/blogs/joe-mckeever/20-questions-a-pastoral-candidate-should-ask-a-search-committe.html https://www.christianity.com/blogs/joe-mckeever/20-questions-a-pastoral-candidate-should-ask-a-search-committe.html Joe McKeever https://www.christianity.com/author/joe-mckeever/ After the committee has grilled the pastoral candidate and the tables are turned, what information should he want from them? Wed, 20 Mar 2019 01:00:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/slideshows/10-mistakes-we-make-in-women-s-ministry-and-how-to-overcome-them.html https://www.christianity.com/slideshows/10-mistakes-we-make-in-women-s-ministry-and-how-to-overcome-them.html Chara Donahue https://www.christianity.com/author/chara-donahue/ What ministry pitfalls should we be watching out for? This is a question many women’s ministry teams have asked. They know there is something holy about the way women minister to women, but also are aware that as programs, people, and politics of local churches push in, problems can arise. If you see any of the following cracks in the foundation of your ministries there is still time to fill them before they widen into dangerous pitfalls. Photo Credit: Priscilla Du Preez/Unsplash Wed, 13 Mar 2019 10:09:00 -0400 2025-01-27T03:35:48-05:00