Purpose/God's Will | AGW MINISTRIES

How To Be Pruned by God, Not Cut Off

December 24, 2015December 23, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. -John 15:1-2

Try as we might, no one can avoid getting cut or pruned by God in this life. God touches everyone, and many times his touch hurts. How we respond to these trials will be the evidence of what type of wound we have received. God cuts everyone but everyone who is cut does not experience the same outcome.

How To Be A Christian Leader

December 18, 2015December 17, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

How can someone become a Christian leader? The only way to be a Christian leader is if other Christians follow you as you follow Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). But, ironically, the hardest part of Christian leadership is that no one naturally wants to follow because of sin.

Sin is rebellion against God’s authority and leadership. Therefore, human nature, because of sin, simply does not like Christian leadership either since it is a delegated leadership role from God.

So what’s a Christian leader to do? How can you be a Christian leader if no one wants to follow you? The only hope a Christian leader has is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What Should You Do When You Hit Rock Bottom?

December 4, 2015December 4, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verses:

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. – Luke 22:61-61

Follow me. – John 21:19

What should you do when you finally hit rock bottom? Where can you go when you’ve landed face first? What should you do when you don’t know what to do?

If anyone knew the feeling of being at the lowest point of life, it was Peter. Peter truly hit rock bottom when he betrayed Jesus. But the thing that Peter learned, the thing that we all must learn when we are at our lowest, is that rock bottom is the best foundation to build upon.

Grace and Sanctification

September 26, 2016October 14, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verses: 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 5:12-14, 2 Peter 1:3-7

Just because the gifts of God are free does not mean following Christ isn’t going to cost you. Our works and efforts can never earn us the salvation and regeneration that Jesus acquired for us through his death and resurrection, but this does not mean you are not going to have to work. God gives us everything that we need for life and godliness, but this doesn’t mean we will not have to put forth effort in the sanctification process.

What Is the Point of Creation?

February 1, 2016October 12, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Our Purpose Is to Glorify God

December 24, 2015October 5, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verses:

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.-Genesis 1:27

Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.-Isaiah 43:7

“What is our purpose?” is perhaps the most asked question in the human heart. To answer “What is our purpose?” perhaps it would help to ask a few more questions.

Why do people want to be at the center of the story, to be famous, to have more followers on their social media platforms? Why is there even a need for words like “selfies”? Even the recluse is often a loner not because he hates the attention of people but because he wants it so bad it has paralyzed him, making him so fearful of rejection he would rather avoid everyone all together.

The Christian knows in their spirit this desire is wrong, even if they don’t know why it is wrong. Aside from the fact that there are plane verses all over the Bible condemning all forms of idolatry, including the idolatry of people, I think there is one main reason the Christian feels the guilt of self-exaltation. It has to do with our purpose and God’s glory.

How to Figure Out God’s Plan for Me

January 15, 2019September 29, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

How do I figure out God’s plan for me? What does God want me to do with my life? How do I know God’s purpose for me? What’s God’s calling on me? How can I know God’s will for my life? How do I know if God is leading me down this path or that? God, please help me figure out your plan for me!

It can be confusing to know what God has called us to do. One way to figure out God’s plan for you is to look at what you have a longing to do.

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.