Mark Ballenger | AGW MINISTRIES

A Bible Study for Men’s Accountability Partners

October 14, 2017April 3, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

A Bible Study for Men’s Accountability Partners

Men who are accountability partners with one another often start their relationship with good intentions. Most often they want to be accountability partners because of the lustful temptations that swirl around them on a daily bases. Having another Christian man who wants to obey God’s lessons in the Bible, who will ask you hard questions, who will pray with you, and who you know is fighting sexual temptation right alongside of you is truly a great advantage in the war against lust.

So why do accountability partners so often fail? Not to oversimplify the answer, but often times men’s accountability partners fail because this relationship is based on talking, emotional transparency, and difficult conversations. In other words, men’s accountability partnerships require men to do what does not come natural to them.

How Much Money Should a Pastor Make?

March 31, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

How much money should pastors make_ — 1 Timothy 5:17-18, 1 Corinthians 9:9-14

If you want to make everyone at church uncomfortable, just start asking questions about the pastor’s salary. Money is always a touchy subject, but opinions abound even more so when the church is factored in.

Should a pastor take a vow of poverty? Should a pastor’s salary be more than those he leads as an example of how generous God’s people should be? Does the Bible really say how much money a pastor should make?

Should You Be Baptized More than Once?

May 28, 2018March 25, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

There are many questions regarding Christian baptism, but perhaps one of the most asked questions is, “Should you be baptized more than once in life?” To answer this questions, it helps to know what water baptism is truly symbolizing?

Knowing When to Die

March 24, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.-John 12:24-26

32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.-John 19:32-33

Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence. – Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, December 9th

Looking Up While Letting People Down

March 14, 2016March 13, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

Life is full of disappointing people. A swirl of emotions can overcome us when we hear the unspoken words written all over our spouse’s face, our boss’s tone, or the long pause on the phone with a friend. Our feelings of rejection, anger, annoyance, or despair in response to letting people down can completely take over our life. Letting someone down is something we all just want to avoid.

What Does the Bible Say About Busyness?

March 14, 2016March 8, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” -Psalm 46:10

The Bible says that busyness leads to doubt and a spiritual disconnection from God. In Psalm 46:10 there is a direct link between being still and knowing that God truly is God. If we are too busy for God, our stillness before the Lord will vanish, along with our peace.

The sinful nature, the world, and Satan thrive when we are too busy for God. The Bible says, therefore, that if you want to know God, then you must avoid busyness.

How to Overcome Temptation (Mark 14:26-42)

August 9, 2017March 3, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

How to Receive a Spiritual Healing from Jesus

August 9, 2017March 3, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

Why Did Jesus Stay Silent?

March 4, 2016March 3, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

Why did Jesus stay silent before Herod? Why did he answer some questions but then at other times he gave no answer? At times silence may be perceived as weakness, but in Jesus’ case, he stayed silent for the exact opposite reason. The reason Jesus stayed silent was because Jesus was expressing his strength, power, and authority.

How to Know If God Is Calling You to Singleness

July 7, 2018February 26, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

Perhaps one of the most prevalent questions amongst single Christians is, “How will I know if God wants me to get married or remain single?” Marriage is a big deal to God. Marriage is central to reflecting the gospel (Ephesians 5:22-33), it is the way God has ordained the human race to be populated (Genesis 1:28), and thus most Christians are called to be married. There are many Christians, however, who are called to singleness. So how will you know if God is calling you to singleness?

(Watch this short video to help you know if God is calling you to singleness.)

You May Be Called By God to Singleness If You Know Your Whole Focus Should Be on Ministry

Often times the problem is that the church you attend values marriage or singleness more than the other. The Bible makes clear, however, that both marriage and singleness are equally important callings from God. 1 Corinthians 7:38 states, “So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.”