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Cultivate & Motivate
Learnings, teachings, and theology for anyone to reference during difficult times, stressful workdays, and times of study and growth.
Is Hell Real?
Some people think hell isn't a real place, but rather just a scare tactic used to manipulate people into obeying God. In this article, Costi Hinn addresses the uncomfortable doctrine of hell and clears up common misconceptions and blasphemous views of the all too real place of suffering and separation from God.
What Is Jesus Doing Now?
We often reflect on Jesus' time on earth and what He accomplished through His death and resurrection, but have you ever thought about what Jesus is doing right now? In this article, Paul Pitts answers this question and talks about the comfort that we have in Jesus' intercession for us.
Three Views of the Millennium
Revelation 20 speaks of a thousand years in which Satan is bound and Christ reigns. This passage, among other biblical texts, has created debate as to how to interpret this millennium. In this article, Nathan LeMaster, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at The Master's Seminary, outlines the three major views of the millennium and what they mean for the church.
The Parable of the 4 Soils
Many seeker-sensitive preachers will teach that the Four Soils are the four stages of the Christian life, often to lessen the harshness of Christ's words in that parable. In the article, Costi Hinn explains the meaning of this parable and why it's so important to get it correct.
Suffering is Never for Nothing
It's hard to find the purpose of suffering when you're in the middle of it. However, it's essential that we consider all that God is doing amidst our sufferings. In this article, Paul Pitts III reminds us that with Jesus, suffering is never for nothing.
Transform How You Think
How we steward our minds is crucial for the Christian life. Every thought is an opportunity for worship and love. In this article, Paul Pitts III walks through six biblical commands to "consider" that will transform how you think.
7 Reasons You Should Pray
There are many reasons why Christians often struggle to pray. Perhaps it is because prayer is hard work, or we fail to believe what the Bible says about prayer. It could be the result of a host of other reasons: biblical illiteracy, busyness, a lack of discipline, a lust for ease, worldliness, carnality, and the list goes on. Although there are many reasons why we find it challenging to pray, we must understand that prayerlessness for the Christian is an oxymoron. The fact of the matter is that Christians pray.
A Case for “Digital Missions”
For years now in conservative circles, viral media is viewed as this sort of “wild child.” Like a Reformed church whose pastor has a kid with full sleeve tattoos and hipster hair, creative innovation and high effort on digital missions is tolerated with eye-rolling disdain. Whether subconscious or intentional, far too many people think of digital creativity as nothing more than the methods of false teachers. Some tend to view digital efforts as tolerable so long as they are filled with truth, but not enough of us have embraced digital efforts as essential. Allow me to propose an additional phrase for your vocabulary, your missions strategy, and your budget: digital missions. I would define this as: utilizing digital mediums to creatively and innovatively reach the lost, equip the saints, and support missionaries with gospel truth and sound doctrine.
Is Prayer a Two-Way Conversation?
Have you ever heard that prayer is a two-way conversation? Perhaps you’ve poured out your heart to God in prayer, only to feel like God is ignoring you or that you are doing prayer wrong because you don’t hear anything back? I have great news for you! You’ve been taught wrong, but there is nothing wrong with you.
Theology Terms Explained: “Ecclesiology”
Ecclesiology is the study of the church and deals with all aspects of the church including its purpose, structure, ordinances, and more. While some aspects of ecclesiology do not directly impact salvation, the way we honor God’s instructions as His church could make all the difference in the world — and in eternity.
Theology Terms Explained: “Repentance”
Greek word for “repent” is metanoia and it means “a change of mind.” Repentance is not just regret for being caught in sin or having to suffer consequences from your own sin, repentance is a change of mind about your decisions and the sin those decisions led to.
Theology Terms Explained: “Hermeneutics”
Hermeneutics is the practice and discipline of interpreting the Bible. It is incredibly important to have good (or “sound”) hermeneutics so that you can hear from God accurately through the Bible.
Hope Builders for Broken Hearts
The constant drumbeat of media, radio, podcasts, and social media can pump a steady diet of negativity and brokenness into our minds each day. Compound that with our own pain, sickness, and suffering and it is easy to understand why so many people experience the feeling of hopelessness on a daily or weekly basis. But for the Christian, don’t forget who gets the last word!
Why Do People Get Sick?
This is one of the most pressing questions when it comes to healing, and it must be answered by using the Scriptures. Opinions and abuses abound, so the only way to address this question is to cement ourselves in the truth of God’s unchanging Word.
Christians & Suicide: Biblical Truths for the Troubled Soul
Each time a pastoral suicide hits the news cycle, the Christian and secular publishing worlds forge an awkward alliance in an attempt to sort through the obvious question that is pressing in on everyone’s mind: how can—or how does—a pastor get to the point where he would make the decision to end his own life?
It’s a good question, and it’s a question that needs to be explored humbly and prayerfully for the sake of current and future shepherds and the overall health of Christ’s church.
Let’s Get Back to Gospel Power
Do you realize that you wield the greatest power on earth when you unleash the power of the gospel? We need not entertain the crowd or cave to culture; we need only to give them what they so desperately need – the truth and nothing but the truth! It is, and always will be the gospel that delivers unstoppable power.
A Seeker-Driven Church Would Fire Jesus
I recently met a pastor in passing who offered me encouragement regarding our upcoming church plant. He pastors a massive church (several thousand) so he took the opportunity to overflow some of his wisdom in our direction.
As we talked, I realized his methods would undoubtedly bring people in the door, but they seemed to miss the heart of how Christ Himself grew His church.
“Greater Works” Will You Do Than Jesus?
“Jesus said, ‘Greater works you will do!’ We are called to raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out devils, and make heaven come down to earth! You can do it! just step out in faith and walk in the power He has given to you.” So says the apostolic revivalist or televised faith healer as he or she revs up the crowd into a frenzy of self-confidence.
The Romans Road to Salvation
Every Christian should know the gospel and be able to explain the gospel. Sadly, some Christians struggle with knowing what passages or truths to reference when sharing the gospel, or they know a few basic truths like, “Jesus died for your sins,” or “God loves you.” As believers, we ought to “always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).
You Probably Think Sinful Anger is “Their Problem”, but It’s Yours
Every last person on earth.
That is who deals with sinful anger. Don’t believe me? This article will change that as we take a deeper dive into what the Scriptures have to say about sinful anger and some of the misconceptions that contribute to the church’s misunderstanding of what anger is. When we fail to understand anger in a biblical way, it becomes impossible to see the damage it does in our churches and our hearts.