Can I sin then ask for forgiveness later

Can Christians sin and then just ask God to forgive them later?

PHYSICAL EXPRESSION IN WORSHIP (PART 5)

In both the Old Testament and New Testament, God expects our bodies to show our heart in worship. God has given us many Biblical examples: singing, shouting, dancing, lifting hands, bowing, kneeling, clapping...and so on. But what if Christians or church leadership are resistant to it? Bob Kauflin offers a few questions that can be asked to these people. This is part 5, the last part of this series.

PHYSICAL EXPRESSION IN WORSHIP (PART 4)

Our bodies naturally reflect what affects us. Our bodies are reflecting what's in our heart and in our mind...and everything impacting our lives. If God has (and is) profoundly affecting our lives, we should not be surprised that there is a natural desire to reflect that through our bodies in worship! This is part 4 in the series.

PHYSICAL EXPRESSION IN WORSHIP (PART 3)

Why do some Christians feel uncomfortable using physical expression in worship to God? Here's a few possible reasons. This is part 3 in a series.

PHYSICAL EXPRESSION IN WORSHIP (PART 2)

How much should we encourage Christians to use physical expression in worship? Any physical expression in worship needs to come from the heart. If worship does not come from a holy heart, any physical expression to God in worship will not be accepted. This is part 2 in the series.

PHYSICAL EXPRESSION IN WORSHIP (PART 1)

Is physical expression in worship acceptable to God? This is part 1 in a series.

WHY SO MANY CHRISTIAN COUNSELLORS?

Why do so many churches now have full time Christian counsellors on staff? Why are so many Christians lining up to see Christian counsellors? There's obviously a need! Pastor John Piper has a theory that church life today (and for many past generations) has missed out on one essential biblical ingredient. What is that ingredient? Having the WHOLE BODY causing the WHOLE BODY to grow...through small groups (Eph. 4:16)!

GOD'S JOY

Do you feel uncomfortable about the idea of repenting before God? Do you postpone it because you don't know what God will think of you and what He will do to you? Pastor Mark Driscoll says, that when a person repents, there is "joy in heaven" and "joy in the presence of the angels"...meaning that there is joy from God Himself! Boy! With truth like that, there's no need to be shy about repenting!

VICTORY THROUGH SINGING

When you find yourself in a very difficult situation, have you ever thought of singing praises to God? Well, maybe you should. There are a couple of examples in Scripture, that as soon as the singing of praise begins, God's power for the situation also begins!

ARE YOU STUCK IN A BAD MARRIAGE?

Do you feel stuck in a bad marriage? Do you feel there's no hope? Ready to give up? Watch this video and learn what's possible!

FREEDOM FROM THE CONSCIENCE OF OTHER CHRISTIANS (Part 6)

Why is it important to understand the freedom that Christians have? First, confusion leads to insecurity...and understanding leads to confidence. Second, many Christians (and unbelievers) mistakenly think the Christian life is about what you can't do. The truth of the Christian's freedom needs to be shared! This is part 6 in the series.

FREEDOM FROM THE CONSCIENCE OF OTHER CHRISTIANS (Part 5)

Christians should not judge other Christians with regard to 'secondary' issues (issues that the Bible does not deal with). Each secondary issue is between the Christian person and God. But does that mean Christians should never judge other Christians? What does the Bible say? This is part 5 in the series.

FREEDOM FROM THE CONSCIENCE OF OTHER CHRISTIANS (Part 4)

In Romans 14:13-23, Paul explains that the 'strong' Christian has a responsibility toward the 'weak' Christian. In love, the 'strong' Christian must be willing to give up certain freedoms if their freedom is causing the 'weak' Christian to violate their conscience. This is part 4 in the series.

FREEDOM FROM THE CONSCIENCE OF OTHER CHRISTIANS (Part 3)

In the Christian community there those who are 'strong' (realize their Christian freedom) and those who are 'weak' (do not realize their Christian freedom). But how are they to relate to each other? Paul, in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10 answers that question. This is part 3 in the series.

FREEDOM FROM THE CONSCIENCE OF OTHER CHRISTIANS (Part 2)

In Romans 14, Paul explains that within the Christian community there are those who are "weak" (those who do not realize their Christian freedom)...and those who are "strong" (those who do realize their Christian freedom). Paul explains that the "weak" Christian must not judge other Christians and force them to believe the same way as they do on secondary issues. This is part 2 in the series.

FREEDOM FROM THE CONSCIENCE OF OTHER CHRISTIANS (Part 1)

Did you know that Christians have three kinds of freedom? First, freedom from God's judgment (Romans 8:1). Second, freedom from the control of sin (Romans 6:14). Third, freedom from the conscience of other Christians (Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10). This is part 1 in a series looking specifically at the third kind of freedom...freedom from the conscience of other Christians!

START BY BEING FAITHFUL WITH SMALL THINGS

If you want to be involved with serving the Lord, what's the first step? The first step is to start by being faithful with the small things. When you are faithful in that, then you will be ready for more responsibility.

BROKEN

Have you ever heard of a horse being 'broken'? That's when a horse, that resists being controlled (or resists being ridden), surrenders to the trainer (or rider) and obeys what is commanded. In the same way, God wants us to be 'broken'. God wants us to surrender to Him, humble ourselves before Him, and allow Christ to live through our lives. When we are broken God can use us...just like a horse can be used once it is broken!

LEARNING TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH DIFFERENCES

Do unbelievers have a difficult time connecting with us. Do they feel uncomfortable with us? Maybe it's time for us to start focusing on ways for unbelievers to identify with us. Not by compromising or watering down the gospel, but by making them comfortable enough to want to be with us and talk with us.

HOW IMPORTANT IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD?

Sometimes we Christians see the world disobeying God and God doesn't seem to do anything. In fact the world seems to prosper! Sometimes we may feel tempted to disobey God because we feel God won't do anything. But does the Bible say God will do nothing?

SHARING LEADS TO BLESSINGS

If you haven't felt the joy of the Lord in your life, if you feel spiritually weak, or if you feel a lack of spiritual interest,...then maybe what you need is to start sharing your faith, sharing God's word and sharing your blessings with others. The Bible tells us that when we share our blessings, then God will bless us (Proverbs 11:25 Luke 6:38)...restoring our Christian joy and fire!

HUNTING FOR EASTER EGGS

When I was a little boy, I remember how my mother and father would hide Easter eggs, candies, and toys...then my sister and I would go hunting for them. It was exciting and lots of fun! In the same way, that's how we should be with God's blessings. We should be hunting for God's blessings in each new day.

GOD GIVES THE DESIRE TO SERVE

Have you noticed that the closer you get to God the more He gives you a desire to serve? Why is that? And what should we do with this desire?

CHRISTIAN HOPE LEADS TO CHRISTIAN FRUIT (PART 5)

It's amazing to see Christians, who have gone through extremely difficult situations, share that they have a profound peace and strength to keep them going. How is this possible? When God's hurting children have Christian hope (confidence), God gives the ability to go through anything. This is part 5 of 5.

CHRISTIAN HOPE LEADS TO CHRISTIAN FRUIT (PART 4)

Christian hope (confidence) is the cause of boldness in the Christian life. If you are not bold in your Christian life, if you are not courageous and not taking risks in sharing the gospel, maybe your hope needs encouragement. It's amazing how bold a Christian can be simply by having confidence in what the Lord can and will do!

CHRISTIAN HOPE LEADS TO CHRISTIAN FRUIT (PART 3)

Christian hope causes Christian love! When Christians are focused on the 'hope' they have in Christ, they are willing to give up so much in order to love others. Hebrews 10:34 and Hebrews 11:24-26 are perfect examples of this. Christian hope leads us to the fruit of Christian love! This is part 3 or 5.

CHRISTIAN HOPE LEADS TO CHRISTIAN FRUIT (PART 2)

Christian hope (confidence) leads to Christian joy. If you don't have Christian joy, maybe there's something wrong with your Christian hope. You can have joy, even in the midst of the most difficult times of your life, if you understand the hope that is yours in Christ! This is part 2 of 5.

CHRISTIAN HOPE LEADS TO CHRISTIAN FRUIT (PART 1)

Pastor John Piper describes Christian hope (or Christian confidence) as a tree. From this tree of hope will grow Christian fruit (joy, love, boldness, endurance)...so we should be rejoicing in our hope. If we are not rejoicing in our hope, maybe we don't understand our hope. This is part 1 of a series showing that Christian hope leads to Christian fruit.

IMPUTATION:THE KEY TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Did you know that "IMPUTATION" is the only way you can be saved from your sin? In fact, "IMPUTATION" is the key to the Christin faith. It's the one thing that separates us from all other religions. Praise the Lord that God provided for us a way to be right with Him!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:YOU CAN TRUST GOD!

Do you doubt that you are in God's will because there is so much suffering in your life? Do you sometimes feel that God has forsaken you and is not helping you in your Christian life? Then what you need is a closer look at God, and a closer look at how God works in the lives of His children. You can trust God!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:FLEXIBLE WITH THE GOSPEL?

Should "Born-Again" Christians partner with other religions? Should "Born-Again" Christians be more flexible with the gospel? Are there any situations that "Born-Again" Christians can partner with other religions?

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:THE GOAL TO LOVE OTHERS

When you get up every morning, what's your goal for the day? One of the most important goals is to love others by putting them first!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:GOD WORKS IN HEARTS

The Bible says that God works in the hearts of people. He can soften or harden a heart, He can lead a heart in the way He wants, and He can put within us a desire for a more profound relationship with Him. He can do all this without going against our will. When we understand this truth, it should make us fall on our knees desiring God to change our hearts for His glory!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:FREE TO SERVE

In 1 Peter 2:16 Christians are told to 'live as free people', but in the same passage Christians are told to submit to our government, submit to our boss, and submit to our husbands. How can you be free if you have to submit? Christians need to realize that we are free, as we live under God's authority, to bring others to Christ. That's what our freedom is for!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:WHICH FAMILY?

Did you know that everyone is either a child of God's family or a child of the devil's family. Everyone that is born physically into this world belongs to the devil. But, everyone that is born spiritually (through faith in Jesus Christ) is transferred from the devil's family into God's family. If you are born again (born spiritually) then you can be sure that you belong to God's family!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:TO DIE IS GAIN

Have you noticed the difference between a Christian and non-Christian funeral? Some Christian funerals are like revival meetings! Why should Christians not be afraid of death? Why did the Apostle Paul say 'To die is gain'?

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:FEELINGS OF GUILT

When you do something wrong, are those feelings of guilt good or bad? The psychological community say that guilt feelings are bad for your emotional health. But the Bible (God) says that guilt feelings are good. Find out why guilt feelings are a gift of God!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:EVEN THE BAD

George Matheson (a Scottish preacher) and Job ( a man who lived in Old Testament times) were able to thank God and worship God even in the bad times. When we go through bad times, how do we respond? How should we respond?

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:JUST DO IT

Do you spend lots of time studying God's word, discussing God's word, thinking about God's word and praying? That's all good...but eventually you have to move your feet and begin serving God. At some point you got to just do it!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:HOW ARE YOU?

Nancy Leigh DeMoss said that you can tell a person's heart by how they answer one question. The question is, "How are you?" How would you answer that question? Maybe we should stop and think of what Christ has done for us before we answer!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:GOD DOESN'T REMEMBER

When a Christian comes before God and confesses their sin with a repentant heart, God removes the guilt and never remembers that sin again. If you are depressed because of past sin that God has already forgiven, it's time to realize that sin is gone. Look to Christ and give him all the praise!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:JESUS WILL DIVIDE YOUR FAMILY

When a person becomes a Christian they should not be surprised that some family and friends are not supportive of their decision to follow Christ. In fact, in some countries and cultures, Christians are completely disowned. Jesus said this would happen.

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:A REASON TO HUG

In a blog by Pastor John Piper, he explains how he found a reason to hug, after a woman in his church was addicted to cutting herself so that she could be touch by someone in the emergency room. Some people need hugs, so for this reason, he decided to become a hugger.

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:GOD CAN SAVE THEM

Have you given up praying for loved ones because you know them so well that you know they'll never accept the Lord and never change their life? Sometimes we need to be reminded of what God's power is capable of doing. Don't give up on praying for your loved ones. Continue to bring them before the Lord in prayer!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:PLAYING THE BLAME GAME

Have you heard of someone playing the 'blame game'? That's when a person blames someone or something for the problems in their life, instead of accepting responsibility for the choices and decisions they have made in the past. The Bible says that if we sow the seeds of living for God, then we will reap eternal life...the best possible life!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:UNQUALIFIED

Have you decided not to serve God because you feel unqualified? Did you know that God used many unqualified people in the Bible? Why can't He use you?

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:GOD'S MOVIE

Your life is like a movie. God wrote the script even before you were born (Psalm 139:16), and He's the director. When you go through a hard time in the middle of your movie (your life), don't get discouraged, because at the end of the movie there will be great rejoicing. Guaranteed!

CHRISTIAN JOURNEY:SEEK HIS PRESENCE ALWAYS

In Psalm 105:4, it tells us to seek God's face always. Actually, the Hebrew word for 'God's face' can be interpreted 'God's presence'. So we are to seek God's presence always. But aren't Christians already in the presence of God always? The answer is both 'yes' and 'no'. Find out in what way God's presence is not always with His children!