Grow in Contentment Through Worship
Unlocking the Bible
by Colin Smith
5M ago
I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty or hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13) Paul had experienced the best and the worst of life in this world. He knew what it was to be “brought low” and he knew what it was to “abound.” He knew what it was to have “plenty” and he knew what it was to be in “need.” Paul had experienced life at the top and life at the bottom. He knew the f ..read more
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How Christ Changes the Way We See Others
Unlocking the Bible
by Colin Smith
5M ago
What does it mean to regard someone according to the flesh? 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 says: From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. The Bible says, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It is natural for us to form impressions from the most obvious things about other people. Here are ten factors that distinguish us “according to ..read more
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How to Discern Promptings from the Holy Spirit
Unlocking the Bible
by Tim Augustyn
5M ago
Question: I will sometimes wake up prompted to pray for someone. Last month I was prompted to pray something very confusing for someone I know. What exactly does this mean, and how can I best discern promptings from the Holy Spirit? Answer: Promptings or leadings are a common experience for the Christian believer: Simeon was “moved by the Spirit” to go into the temple where Joseph and Mary were dedicating Jesus to God (Luke 2:27). Jesus was “led by the Spirit” into the desert to be tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1). Paul was “compelled by the Spirit” to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22). But ..read more
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How to Plan Your Daily Prayer Routine
Unlocking the Bible
by Kevin Halloran
6M ago
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6) Prayer is an offer of a lifetime. The God of the universe invites us into His presence to worship Him, confess our sins, present our requests before Him, and intercede for our broken world. It's like having a direct line to the president, except infinitely better. We never go to God's voicemail. God's will can't be blocked by congress. God's power isn't confined by term limits. And what president can say, "If you ask me anything in ..read more
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Seven Blessings for Empty-Handed Believers
Unlocking the Bible
by Colin Smith
6M ago
Empty-handedness is where the blessing of God begins. People who feel they have something to offer God come to him with their hands full, but as long as our hands are full, we are not in a position to receive. As Thomas Watson says, “If the hand is full of pebbles, it cannot receive gold.” [1] People who are poor in spirit drop the pebbles because they want the gold, and they know that it can only be received by empty-handed believers. When you know that you have nothing to offer God, you are in a position to receive all that he offers to you. When you accept tha ..read more
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Let the Lord’s Prayer Change You
Unlocking the Bible
by Open the Bible
6M ago
Pastor Colin Smith preached the sermon "How the Lord's Prayer Can Change You" at The Gospel Coalition's Chicago Conference in late 2022. You can enjoy that message below. (Listen to Pastor Colin's full sermon series on the Lord's Prayer on our site or on YouTube.) As part of the same conference, Pastor Colin led a panel discussion titled "How to Strengthen Your Prayer Life" with Kevin DeYoung, H.B. Charles Jr., and Juan Sanchez ..read more
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Five Blessings of Marking Up Your Bible
Unlocking the Bible
by Kevin Halloran
6M ago
I love the feel of a new Bible: turning those crisp pages, enjoying the feel of something so new and precious in my hands, even sticking my nose in a book and admiring the scent of the fresh-off-the-presses pages. It sometimes pains me to "ruin" the pristine-ness of a new Bible by letting the stroke of a pen or the tip of a highlighter tarnish the perfection of a new Bible—but I’m entirely convinced it’s worth it. Early on in my Christian life, I would avoid marking up my Bible for the reason mentioned above, but now, I can’t read it without a pencil and highlighter in hand. I’m convinced the ..read more
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God Speaks Through His Word
Unlocking the Bible
by Open the Bible
7M ago
Your conviction about Scripture will shape your life and drive your ministry. Join Pastor Colin in this teaching session to learn how Scripture came, what Scripture is, and what Scripture does. This session will bolster your confidence in the Bible as the Word of God and its utmost importance in ministering others.   This session is part of the free Watch Your Doctrine course. Learn more about our Open the Bible for Leaders courses designed to equip you for fruitful service to Christ ..read more
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Five Common Hindrances to Bible Reading
Unlocking the Bible
by Kristen Wetherell
7M ago
What often keeps us from engaging with Scripture? See how many of these five hindrances apply to you. 1. Distraction We are living in an age of unparalleled opportunities and unrelenting stimulation, when the influence of technology has greatly affected our desire and ability to receive God’s word. The digital hubbub has rewired our brains, making us obsessed with noise and newness, addicted to instant gratification, and unable to focus, all of which can make hearing and reading God’s word—a practice that is helped by concentration, commitment, and quiet—difficult. You know the scenario. You ..read more
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Ten Ideas for Cultivating Small Group Prayer
Unlocking the Bible
by Kevin Halloran
7M ago
If you're looking for a Bible verse about group prayer, James 5:16 isn't a bad choice:   Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. By God's grace, praying with and for one another is powerful. I've experienced this in countless ways in the men's group I lead. I often arrive at our group struggling in faith, motivation, or a particular life challenge, and leave with confidence in God and my burdens lifted. I wouldn't trade our weekly prayer time for anything. And yet ..read more
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