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!