Video/Audio | AGW MINISTRIES

Should You Make Promises to God?

September 11, 2018August 16, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

Should you make promises to God? It’s tempting to make a promise to God after you sin in some terrible way, “God, I promise I will never do that again if your forgive me.” Or when you want something desperately, it’s easy to say something like, “God, I promise I will serve you my whole life if you do this one thing for me.”

To cut right to the answer for the question, “Should you make promises to God?” the answer is “No.” Christianity is not about making promises to God. Christianity is about relying on the promises of God.

What Is the Difference Between Condemnation and Conviction?

May 28, 2018August 2, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

Is there a healthy guilt and an unhealthy guilt according to the Bible? Is there a biblical difference between condemnation and conviction? Does the Bible say Christians should still experience condemnation, conviction, both, or neither?

In short, there are many differences between condemnation and conviction. When the two are confused, great harm can occur in the Christian soul.

9 Christian Marriage Principles

March 8, 2018July 28, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

In light of just celebrating my ninth year of marriage with Bethany, here is a list of nine Christian marriage principles we’ve learned together.

Intertwined (2 Free Sample Chapters)

November 25, 2018July 25, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

Read two free sample chapters from my newest book, Intertwined: Our Happiness Is Tied to God’s Glory (Two Free Sample Chapters PDF)

Intertwined by Mark Ballenger — Click the book cover to read two free sample chapters.

As children we imagined we would find the perfect spouse, the perfect job, buy the perfect house, go on perfect adventures, and well . . . have the perfect life. Somewhere along the way, however, we quickly realized we will experience many things on this earth, but perfection is certainly not one of them.

3 Ways to Prepare for Marriage as a Christian Single Man

January 4, 2018July 18, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

I started dating my wife right after a seven month long mission’s trip in Liberia, West Africa. I had no intentions of this being my relationship timeline, but looking back, I can see how God used this mission’s trip to prepare me for marriage. I feel like God had to teach me to serve before he would allow me to lead a wife.

How Does God Tell You Who to Marry?

May 28, 2018July 4, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

how to know who God wants you to marry — Proverbs 3:5-6

When you are a Christian single who desires to please God, one of the most pressing questions is often, “How will I know when I meet the person God wants me to marry?”

Identity Vs. Roles

April 14, 2018July 2, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

difference between identity and roles bible — To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi . . . –Philippians 1:1

What’s your calling? Who are you? How would you define yourself? These are the questions we seek to answer about ourselves from a young age.

The Biblical Difference Between Discipline, Punishment, and Consequences

June 9, 2018June 30, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

difference between punishment discipline bible — Hebrews 12:11

According to the Bible, God’s grace saves Christians from the punishment we deserve, but it does not always save us from the consequences of our actions and it never saves us from God’s discipline.

When it comes to leading, parenting, responding to offenses, or just having authority over people in all the varies roles that exist on earth, it is crucial to know the biblical differences between punishment, discipline, and consequences.

Abusing Grace

January 20, 2018June 30, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

If you were forced to explain the difference between Christianity and every other religion that has ever existed, you could do so in many ways, but also with just one word, “grace.” Grace is God’s gift. Grace is undeserved. Everything good God gives us, including our very salvation, is through Jesus Christ and then given to us in grace. Grace, however, can be abused so easily.

Theological Differences in Marriage, Dating, and How to Handle Both

August 18, 2018June 22, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

theological difference in marriage dating — Romans 12:9-10

What should you do if there are theological differences in your marriage? Is interdenominational marriage acceptable? Does the Bible forbid interfaith marriage? Can a Calvinist marry an Arminian? Can a complementarian marry an egalitarian? Can a Baptist marry a Pentecostal? If you are dating to figure out if you should marry someone, but theological differences arise, is this a sign you should not get married?