In Preaching Articles: "Devotional Life"

Eight Reflections On 40 Years Of Marriage

By Thom Rainer on Nov 25, 2022

I want to share with you readers eight of the most powerful lessons I have learned in 40 years of marriage.

Tags: Marriage, Thankfulness, Personal Life, Marriage Commitment, Marriage Faithfulness, Lessons in life, marriage and family, blessing children  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 8—reinforce Life Application (Transfer)

By Charles Stone on Jan 4, 2024

Reinforce Life Application is the final instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: James 1:22

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, Preacher, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching, preacher, church, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Shouldn't Read Anonymous Notes

By David Whiting on Dec 24, 2021

Pastors and church leaders often receive anonymous comments, mysteriously appearing in the church office,the offering plate, or the “comments” section of the Sunday communication card.A few years ago, I stopped reading them. They don’t even get passed onto me. Asa church leader, I recommend that you do the same thing.

Tags: leadership, Boundaries, ignore, influences in life, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Journey In The Dark

By Peter Mead on Jan 14, 2022

God delights to transform lives. There are many ways to depict this journey of transformation, but let’s focus on one example from the Old Testament.

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3, Psalm 130:1-8

Tags: Psalms, Transformation, transformed life, Christian Maturity

Shut Down The Bus Tours: What Older Members Should Really Be Doing

By Carey Nieuwhof on Aug 9, 2023

What if this one generation actually just sacrificed for the sake of another? What if they gave up their preferences in music, style and taste so that others could come to know Christ?

Tags: God's family, Life Mission, mission, Intergenerational

When I Don't Feel Successful

By Rev J.r. Vassar on Mar 21, 2022

From small mistakes to colossal meltdowns, we are all too familiar with the pain and shame of failure.

Scripture: Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:8

Tags: failure, idolatry, Success In Life, success in ministry

Can I Preach It If I Haven't Mastered It?

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 5, 2025

Should pastors preach on topics where they have no life experience or areas they haven't yet mastered?

Tags: Teaching, Trust, Preaching, preaching, teaching, Life Experience  (view more)  (view less)

Are You A Pastor Stuck On Hurry?

By Charles Stone on Nov 26, 2019

Hurry is an enemy of learning. Leaders are always looking ahead for the next hill to climb. But sometimes we must pause and make ourselves fully present in the moment so we don't miss God's subtle, but important lessons.

Tags: Learning, life lessons, God's timing, hurry, slow down, Hurry, Slow down, Hectic Pace, Life Lessons, God's Timing  (view more)  (view less)

14 Ways To Help Unborn Babies And Their Mothers

By Randy Alcorn on Mar 9, 2020

How do you help millions of needy people? One at a time. Learn how to start helping now, choose which ministry suits your gifting and your resources.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 139:1-24

Tags: Church, Preaching, Abortion, mothers, Sanctity of Life, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

12 Things I’d Tell My 25-Year-Old Self (About Life And Leadership)

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 19, 2024

There are so many things I would do the same, but there are more than a few things I’d do differently.

Tags: Leader, Security, passion, godly character, productivity, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, church leadership, leader  (view more)  (view less)

Get It Right Before You Start: Safeguard Your Sermon Series

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 30, 2020

Avoid these ten critical mistakes that could prevent an effective evangelistic sermon series at your church.

Tags: Truth, Preaching, repentance, eternal life, New Way, Repentance, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Necessary Thing

By Thomas C. Brown on Jul 11, 2022

Greater is the value of personal intimacy with God than busyness for him. Service must follow surrender and solitude.

Scripture: Luke 10:42, John 17:3, Philippians 3:8-10

Tags: Scripture, leadership, devotion, priorities, God's Word, pastoral leadership, Intimacy With God, Pastoral Ministry, soul care, Guarding Your Soul, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Whether we are a critic or a lover of the church — or for some of us, both — it's important to remain balanced.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Bust Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Sep 28, 2022

"Discouragement is a universal experience for ministry leaders and the word actually self-defines itself…dis-courage meaning no courage. Some of the Bible’s greatest characters faced it: Moses, David, Paul, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the apostles. Nehemiah, the great Old Testament leader faced it when he led the Jews to rebuild the wall. Yet, his response offers us hope when we face it."

Scripture: Psalm 77:11, Nehemiah 4:10-21

Tags: Nehemiah, leadership, Discouragement, thought life, pastoral leadership, Blessings, Burdens, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

4 Tips For Understanding Any Passage Of The Bible

By Brandon Smith on Dec 1, 2022

Whatever you do, just read the Bible.

Tags: Study, Prayer, BIBLE STUDY, godly character, Bible Study, Reading God's Word, Christian community, personal holiness, Personal Devotions, bible study  (view more)  (view less)