Here is a collection of good reads gathered from across the internet this past week. Enjoy!
On keeping control over what we say: Taming the Tongue by Jeremy Wilson
Words are powerful. Remember, the pen is mightier than the sword. And if you got to the bottom of every sword fight, you’d find most were fueled by words, too. Words remain. You can probably quote your favorite book, Bible verse, movie, and song. You can also probably quote the meanest and nicest things ever said to you… and maybe the meanest that you’ve ever said. Words can haunt. So, what is the Christian to do about the tongue? This tiny member of the body, packed with the power to lift up and lay low? Here are three keys from James 3 about taming the tongue. (click here to read more)
On the Christian’s identity in Jesus: You’re Not the Old You Anymore by Mark Altrogge
Many Christians, describe themselves this way: “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.” This is true, and good to remember. Some, genuinely seeking to be humble say, “I’m the worst of sinners,” referring to Paul’s statement in 1 TI 1:15 about being the foremost of sinners. When Paul said that he was referring to Christ’s mission to come into this world to save sinners, even someone like him who persecuted the church. But Paul didn’t mean that he continued to be the worst of sinners. That was in the past. It was good to remember in order to be grateful, but he didn’t continue to be the worst of sinners. After Christ saves us, though we still sin and must fight daily to put it to death, our PRIMARY IDENTITY is NOT sinners. (click here to read more)
On waiting for God to move in a situation: Five Things To Do When You’re Waiting on God by David Qaoud
Are you waiting? Not only are you not alone, but you’re also in good company. Maybe you’re married and waiting to have kids. Maybe you’re single and you desire a spouse. Or maybe you hate your job and you’re waiting to really start the career of your dreams. Whatever it is, you’re waiting. And you want to know what to do. Here’s at least 5 things. (click here to read more)
On hope for Christians struggling with same-sex attraction: Ten Empowering Truths for the Same-Sex Attracted Christian by Matt Moore
My drawings toward the same gender lingered after my conversion. However, the Holy Spirit has so softened my heart and enlightened my mind that I now believe what the Bible says – not what I say or a therapist says or what Oprah says – about my feelings. Homosexual desires . . . my homosexual desires . . . are not something God encourages me to embrace in the context of a monogamous relationship, but something he commands me to flee from no matter the context. Whether in drunken promiscuity or committed monogamy, homosexual behavior is a detestable evil – along with fornication, adultery, and every other form of sexual sin. (click here to read more)
On one lady’s journey to faith in Jesus: From the Baha’i Faith to Porn to Alpha to Jesus by Emily Armstrong
Even so, there’s so much in the Christian life that gives me joy. When our 5-year-old sees a piece of garbage in the street and declares, “I bet that person isn’t going to heaven” (true story), I remind her that access to heaven has nothing to do with being good and everything to do with God’s goodness. I know that when I pray, God hears me, because he responded to my prayer the night he saved me and has continued to provide for us through the years. I can see how much he loves me when I reflect on the experiences he has led me through, slowly, sometimes painfully shaping me into his image. And I no longer have to strive for perfection, because Christ is my perfection. Even though I don’t always like it, his grace is sufficient, and I would be foolish to disagree. (click here to read more)
First Baptist Church 