Bible | AGW MINISTRIES

Part 3: How to Overcome Sexual Sin

January 11, 2016 by Mark Ballenger

How to Overcome Sexual Sin (Part 3)

If you choose to deny your disease, you will also ignore the Cure, Christ Jesus. Without a deep and sincere disgust for sexual sin, you will never overcome the lusts that plague you.

It’s crucial to notice that the first word in Psalm 51:3 is “For.” This word is like “because.” This means that that what was said in Psalm 51:1-2 is being said “because” of the truth found in Psalm 51:3.

David pleaded for mercy and love because of God’s loving and merciful nature. But he would never have done this action if he was not first convicted of his sin. Psalm 51:2 says, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” Why? Psalm 51:3 explains, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” If you don’t come to grips with how evil your sexual sin really is, you will never truly cry out to God for deliverance.

How to Resist Temptation (James 1:25)

December 18, 2015December 18, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.-James 1:25

It had been a very, very long Sunday. Setting up the church in our rented space for the morning service, navigating a few difficult personalities in the foyer, trying to make new people welcomed, trying to make sure no one goes into the children’s ministry whose not supposed to, trying to stay in a good spirit even though where I was stationed in the church there was no air conditioning and it was now a humid 90 degrees, and a whole host of other random tasks a pastor ends up doing on Sunday where beginning to take their toll. As I was driving into our night service, McDonald’s golden arches seemed to be shining a little brighter to my weary eyes.

How to Fight Against Satan

September 10, 2018December 14, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Satan is a liar (John 8:44), Satan is a deceiver (Revelation 12:9), and Satan is an accuser of Christians (Revelation 12:10). Satan is the Christian’s chief enemy, for we fight not against flesh and blood, but against Satan’s spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). And we are to resist him (James 4:7), but how? How do we fight against Satan?

Not Knowing God’s Word is Like . . .

November 9, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path.”

What Does 1 Timothy 2:15 Mean? “women will be saved through childbearing”?

October 10, 2015October 10, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

But women will be saved through childbearing–if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.-1 Timothy 2:15

The meaning of 1 Timothy 2:15, particularly the phrase, “women will be saved through childbearing” is a notoriously difficult passage to interpret. Therefore this post is more technical and a bit longer, for as C.S. Lewis said about Christian reality, “So let us leave behind all these boys’ philosophies–these overly simple answers. The problem is not simple and the answer is not going to be simple either.”

3 Biblical Ways From Psalm 19 To Get Out Of A Spiritual Rut

September 12, 2016September 28, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

If you are stuck in a rut spiritually, Psalm 19 provides a blueprint for connecting with God. It provides the three staples every Christian should regularly engage in to stay spiritually awake.

There are many other devotional practices which can and should be done to connect with God, but Psalm 19 gives these specific three which will help us immensely in staying alive and sensitive in our relationship with God, protecting us from spiritual ruts.

Psalm 19 is broken into three sections. Psalm 19:1-6 explain how nature is God’s mouth piece. Psalm 19:7-11 describes how the word of God also speaks but actually instructs the human heart. Lastly, Psalm 19:12-14 is a personal prayer from the heart to God for holiness.

Bible Verses on Church Discipline

December 15, 2015September 28, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Below are Bible verses on church discipline. While “church discipline” usually only refers to “casting the immoral brother out,” this article takes a wider lens. Church discipline in its most broad sense includes all the acts in which church leaders employ to “discipline” their church.

By “discipline,” this does not only mean correct; in its most general meaning, “discipline” translates to “disciple.” This type of discipline includes instruction, encouragement, correction, and many other actions done for the benefit of those being led.

While these Bible verses primarily relate to church discipline, these leadership qualities can be used by any leader in any sphere of influence.

Not all leadership comes in the same package. Not all situations require the same actions. Therefore, leaders should show their love through different levels of discipline. So here are 9 levels of discipline supported in the Bible through which Christian leaders can love those they lead.

What Does It Mean to “Crave Pure Spiritual Milk”? 1 Peter 2:2

December 18, 2015September 24, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verse: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation . . . -1 Peter 2:2

If you’ve ever been around a newborn baby, you know that the one thing they need above everything else is there mother’s milk. My daughter came out of the womb hollering, kicking and screaming. She was completely unappreciative of all the work that the hospital staff, myself, and especially her mother had just done to get her out safely. No “thank you,” no smiles, no warm hugs upon the first time she felt her parents’ warm embrace. Just passionate screams. All the girl wanted was milk!

As soon as she latched on to her mother, she went completely silent. This is how Peter tells believers they should act towards the word of God in 1 Peter 2:2. Newborn babies instinctively know how in need they are of their mother’s milk. Besides it providing fuel to live, a mother’s breast milk provides essential vitamins and immune fighting nutrients to strengthen the infant’s weak system. Aside from the physical health factors, psychologically the baby feels warmth and loved by snuggling up to her mother skin to skin.

Does God Speak through the Bible or the Holy Spirit?

August 7, 2018September 24, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

How does God speak to us? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit teach us everything we need to know about God? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit lead us to an intimate relationship with the Father? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit fill us with the power to obey and have the knowledge to please God? According to the Bible, the answer is “the Holy Spirit” to all of these questions.

What the Bible does claim, however, is that the Holy Spirit will speak through the Scriptures to teach us about God.

Proof the Bible is God’s Word: The Clear, Consistent Call of the Gospel

June 11, 2016September 23, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

proof the bible is Godsword_ telephone — Bible Verses: 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. – Galatians 3:7-9

What proof is there that the Bible is truly inspired by God? Is there any concrete evidence that the message of Scripture is truly divinely authoritative in a way no other book is? What support do Christians have for claiming the Bible is really God’s written, perfect, infallible word?

Have you ever played the game “telephone?” If not, you start with a large group of people sitting in a circle.