In 1 Corinthians 12–14, Paul responds to Corinthian church members’ questions about the use of spiritual gifts in corporate settings (12:1, cf. 7:1). Corinthian worship included uninterpreted tongues (14:1–25) and prophecies delivered chaotically (14:26–40). These misuses of those gifts resulted … Continue reading Six Tests of Pentecostal Worship
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Biologically speaking, none of us would be here without our moms. So make sure to honor your mom this weekend — if not every day — for the gift of life! We have moms to … Continue reading The Story of Scripture in Four Moms | Influence Magazine
Since 2014, researchers at Chapman University have conducted the Survey of American Fears. Their most recent reportcatalogues 88 things of which Americans are “afraid” or “very afraid.” The top 10 fears include corrupt government officials, pollution and climate change, loved … Continue reading Do Not Be Afraid!
What is God’s will for my life? The question is an important, if not all-important one. If God loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives, as that old evangelistic tract puts it, then we need to know … Continue reading What Is God’s Will for My Life? | Influence Magazine
Let’s start with two questions: On a scale from 1–10, how confident do you feel about your future? Why? Your answer to the first question describes your current mood, but your answer to the second explains it. For example, say … Continue reading The Confident Christian | Influence Magazine
When Jesus Christ was born, the most eminent rabbis in Judea were Hillel and Shammai. They approached Torah — Old Testament law — differently. Hillel typically interpreted Torah leniently, Shammai strictly. The Talmud records stories about the debates between the … Continue reading A Simple Rule for a Complex World | Influence Magazine
This past Wednesday, Joseph R. Biden was inaugurated president of the United States of America. Despite our nation’s name, we are a divided people. Many Americans voted for Biden and support the public policies he pledged to enact. Many others … Continue reading What Christian Citizens Owe Government Leaders | Influence Magazine
The older I get, the more I appreciate how important people are to my spiritual journey, and yours, too. Americans tend to think of spirituality as something we do by ourselves, but for Christians, the spiritual life is something we … Continue reading Four People You Meet on Your Spiritual Journey | Influence Magazine
The year 2020 will not be forgotten soon, but it also will not be missed. Although it has been a frustrating time, its frustrations have fostered greater faith in God, who loves and cares for His people. That increased faith … Continue reading “Your Crown the Year with Your Bounty”
In 1 Peter 3:15, the apostle wrote: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” The Greek word the NIV translates as “answer” is apología, from which we … Continue reading A Better Way of Doing Apologetics | Influence Podcast
