Search results for: matthew 5:4

It is one thing to have a relationship with the Lord; another is to experience intimacy with Him. Join the apostle John in the pursuit of fellowship with God through chapter 4 and beginning of chapter 5 of 1 John. Together, we will explore the portrait of perfect love—the mandate to love, the manifestation of love, and the motivation for love. Experience God’s perfect love and Maximum Joy!

Life hurts. We’re no strangers to this fact. It’s why we're writing this. And not simply because life hurts, but because there’s hope even when it does. There’s more to our suffering than meets the eye. Walking through 2 Corinthians 4 and 5, this plan is from Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton’s new book, “Hope When It Hurts.”

How can we clearly distinguish God’s voice? By creating a culture of wisdom and faith as a safe place for developing spiritual discernment and receiving God’s revelation. Foundational elements include: (1) authentic faith, (2) Godly core values, (3) walking in Christ’s authority, (4) walking in community, and (5) powerful proclamations. Ultimately, God’s revelation transforms us so we can embody Christ to the world. The holy progression is relationship, revelation, incarnation.

Deep within us is a desire to live an integrated life, especially when it comes to our faith. In fact, the "greatest commandment" in Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) exhorts Christians to live this way, loving God with our whole being - heart, soul, and strength. In this 5-day plan, you will learn more about this "greatest commandment" and how to live it out. Ultimately, loving God not only impacts your inner life, but also extends to your external life, including your work and wealth.

What does the Bible say about temptation? Discover how to stand firm, stand in the love of God, and walk in freedom! Freedom is when temptations become a training ground—for strengthening us and developing our character. This is PART 4 of the PureHeart Challenge—a 5-Part Bible Plan for men and women on the topic of sexuality and purity.

Everyone loves a comeback. The masses cheer for the underdog in sports just so they can get the emotional high of watching a comeback. They inspire us because they help us believe that whatever we might be facing, hope is just around the corner. Now, take the next five days and find out how you can pick yourself up off the mat and make your spiritual comeback!

In Nehemiah 1-4, we read the story of Nehemiah’s journey of rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. Within this text, there are 5 key steps Nehemiah took to pave the way for his team's success in this endeavor. This plan will walk you through practical, Biblically rooted advice that will encourage you to take a new approach to leading your next project.

In part four of this verse-by-verse breakdown of the Gospel of Matthew, we'll work our way through Matthew 13-20.

Christians often have this misconception that the Old Testament Law is irrelevant, but that was not Jesus’ approach to the Law. After establishing the significance of the Law in Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus proceeded to expound on how specific laws were meant to be lived out. In fact, Jesus actually intensified them to reveal their heart requirements. The truth is, beyond the surface observance of external rules, the Law was meant to point God’s people towards underlying attitudes required of them.

Could you explain concisely why Christians believe in (1) a God, (2) who’s made himself known through history, (3) who has a good plan for us, (4) put into place through Jesus, (5) that’s working to make a difference in our lives? This devotional explores some of the amazing reasons and a fresh look at believing this faith – so we can share it with clarity and hope!

Did you know that YOU were made to shine? The Bible says that God made you in His image (Genesis 1:27). You are a unique image-bearer of God and He has planned good things for you to do with your life (Ephesians 2:10). That’s right! You were made to shine (Matthew 5:16)! In this study, we will look at different character qualities that can be used to shine God’s light and share God’s love with the world.

In the “What Do You Want From Me?” Bible study, we’re going to take a closer look at Peter's redemption in John 21 and discover five things Jesus wants from His followers: 1. Humility; 2. Time; 3. Love; 4. Boldness; 5. Contentment. Prayerfully, this study will serve as a reminder for faithful disciples of Jesus as well as a roadmap for those seeking a deeper relationship with Him!

Amos is often called a prophet of doom. When you begin to read his prophecy, it doesn’t take long to realize that nickname fits. On the surface, his prophecy doesn’t sound like a happy formula for the good life. However, every condemnation he gives serves as an invitation, a cry for us to “seek God and live” (Amos 5:4). This kind of living will bring us peace and true prosperity.

Dads have an incredible influence on their kids. Your words are powerful in the life of your child. In this 4-Day Bible Plan, Evangelist Matt Brown shares one of the most important biblical keys for dads.

Jacqueline Bussie brings to light unspoken “laws” that govern the Christian life: #1: Never get angry at God; #2: Never doubt; #3: Never question; #4: Never tell your real story; #5: Always speak in clichés about suffering; and #6: Always believe hope comes easy for those who truly love God. Each day of this devotional begins to unpack a "faith-law" and counters it with healthy, life-giving, authentic, biblically-based truth.

In his second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul encourages believers to live in the identity Christ has provided for them. Although as fragile and mundane as jars of clay, God’s people hold the inestimable treasure of the gospel in their lives (2 Corinthians 4:7). 2 Corinthians reminds us that we are ambassadors for Christ, tasked with showing and sharing God’s good news of reconciliation for all who believe (2 Corinthians 5:20).

"There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian. But most people never read the first four." Jesus intends for ordinary Christians to live lives that visibly display the Good News of salvation "The Fifth Gospel" will prepare you to represent your Savior well and communicate your faith in a way that makes sense to a watching world.

The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are four accounts of one extraordinary life. Each book tells the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These books aren't fairytales, fiction, or legend; they are gospel truth. Our eternal future hinges on whether or not they are trustworthy testimonies of the events of Jesus’s life and accurate records of His teaching. Join Rebecca McLaughlin in Navigating Gospel Truth, a 5-day study on faithfully reading the accounts of Jesus’s life. Through this journey, your confidence in the truth of Scripture will be renewed and you'll gain a more captivating view of the Savior. And along the way, you'll acquire skills that will help you become a better student of all of Scripture.

Have you ever wondered if your prayers look like the prayers in the Bible? In this 4-Day Bible Plan, Evangelist Matt Brown shares encouragement and insight into how to pray more like the Bible, making our prayers even more powerful and in alignment with God's will.

Deeper into Scripture is a methodology of scripture reading that instructs, encourages and equips people to read God’s Word daily and deeply. To accomplish this we have created a unique four-fold method of bible reading that directs the individual to read a short passage of scripture (usually 5-15 verses) 4 times. Each reading is done with a different question, instruction or objective to be considered. This repetitive reading and instruction takes us deeply into the Word of God and draws us closer to Him.

This plan views the Bible as spiritual nourishment, and just as the best, most enjoyable diet is one of balanced variety, this plan offers daily readings from 6 spiritual "food groups" like this, for example: Each day you will have a 1) CREATION/LAW appetizer, a 2) HISTORY main entrée with a side dish of 3) POETRY and 4) PROPHECY with 5) GOSPELS/ACTS to drink and 6) LETTERS for dessert. ENJOY!

Matthew, one of Jesus’ inner circle, was inspired by God to write one of the four biographies about Jesus, and it can change your life. From the ultimate message on Christian living (Sermon on the Mount) to the invitation to find rest in Jesus, from the parables to understand God and grace to the final week of Jesus’ life, Matthew offers us a Jesus Christ Crash Course.

You can find incredible fulfillment in God, more than any source in the world. God wants to give you peace, hope and joy, no matter what is going on in your life. In this 5-Day Bible Plan, Evangelist Matt Brown shares 5 keys to help you move into a life of fulfillment.

A staple in the artistic and songwriting community, 5 time Grammy nominee Matt Maher is an outspoken champion of unity and collaboration. Over these next 7 days of walking through The Overflow devotional with Matt, we're reminded that the process of being transformed is sometimes a really messy process, and our conversion stands as a testimony to God's mercy and gives us a way to relate to others.

This 21-day fasting and prayer guide will look first at the example of Jesus’ fasting and temptation in the wilderness. Then we will draw out important biblical teachings to edify our souls as we fast from food and feast on God. The goal is to experience what it means to live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).