Posted on August 22, 2009 by thinkpoint
by Steve Cornell
Jesus began his kingdom manifesto (the Sermon on the Mount) with a pronouncement of blessing on the poor in spirit? This is what I love about the teaching of Jesus. Who would think of poor in spirit, mourners as blessed people? This breaks with all our expected categories! It challenges our cultural assumptions. [...]
Filed under: Beatitudes, Blessed are those who mourn, Christian life, Christianity, Comfort, Depravity, Encouragement, Godly sorrow, Grace, Holistic ministry, Manifesto, Poor in spirit, Religion, Sermon on the Mount | Leave a Comment »
Posted on June 7, 2009 by thinkpoint
“Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.”
“Yet Jerusalem says, ‘The Lord has deserted us;
the Lord has forgotten us.’ ‘Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even [...]
Filed under: Abortion, Christian life, Christianity, Comfort, Heaven, Reconciliation, Security of salvation, Worry | Leave a Comment »
Posted on January 14, 2009 by thinkpoint
by Steve Cornell
Have you ever felt discouraged? Who hasn’t? Discouragement is one of those universal human experiences. All people, in all places, at all periods of human history know what discouragement feels like. You’re not alone in this. But what is discouragement and what are some of its cures?
Defining discouragement:
Discouragement is a frame of mind [...]
Filed under: Anxiety, Burnout, Comfort, Complaceny, Contentment, Defeat?, Depression, Despair, Discouragement, Encouragement, Hope? | 3 Comments »
Posted on January 2, 2009 by thinkpoint
by Steve Cornell
In the summer of 1990, my wife and I had the privilege of attending a conference in southern California at the church led by Dr. John MacArthur. One afternoon on that memorable occasion, we were invited to the home of the Academic Dean of the Master’s Seminary (His brother was a former professor [...]
Filed under: Call to ministry, Christianity, Church Hoppers, Church Planting, Church growth, Comfort, Complaceny, Depression, Despair, Discouragement, God's Heart, God's Will, Guidelines for living, Holistic ministry, Mad at God, Mega Church, Pain, Punishment, Questioning God, Seeker Services, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Trials, True Christianity?, purpose | Leave a Comment »
Posted on September 10, 2008 by thinkpoint
Words of hope and guidance for tough times and discouraged hearts
God uses our suffering as His spiritual detox unit. Through hardships and even failures, God purges our inner life of the toxins that attach us to deeply too this world. He refines our character by refocusing us on eternity.
In God’s detox unit, we realize again that “…everything [...]
Filed under: Christian life, Comfort, Defeat?, Depression, Despair, Discipline, Discouragement, Encouragement, Spiritual growth, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Trials | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 16, 2008 by thinkpoint
A truth that has become increasingly real and special to me is found in the New Testament letter titled First John. I am sure you’ll find immediate application because of the opening line. Here it is: “…if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (I John [...]
Filed under: Afraid to die, Afterlife, Anxiety, Christian life, Christianity, Comfort, Confession, Defeat?, Depression, Despair, Discouragement, Encouragement, Eternal security, Fear, Fear of death, Forgiveness, God's Heart, Hamartiology, Hope?, Human depravity, Humility, Jesus Christ, Reconciliation, Salvation, Spiritual growth, Spiritual transformation, Trials, True Christianity? | 6 Comments »
Posted on March 22, 2008 by thinkpoint
Some definitions of death use the word “irreversible.” One, for example, defines death as, “The irreversible cessation of organismic functioning.” Another includes, “The irreversible loss of personhood.”
Those who know and serve a risen Savior cannot allow the word “irreversible” to apply to death. Jesus said,
“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their [...]
Filed under: Comfort, Death, Easter, Hope?, Resurrection | Leave a Comment »
Posted on November 12, 2007 by thinkpoint
His presence is unending and comforting
Matthew 28:19-20- “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
II [...]
Filed under: Christian life, Comfort, Despair, Discouragement, Encouragement, Hope? | Leave a Comment »
