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6 Ways to Read the Bible Better

September 5, 2017August 30, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

better bible reading — BibleGatway: Psalm 119:18

If you struggle reading the Bible, you are not alone. Some people find it hard to read the Bible consistently, others find it generally hard to comprehend, and some just find a few sections of the Bible difficult to understand.

The mere fact that the Bible exists is evidence that God desires Christians to understand what has been written. Whether you are a seminary professor or a brand new Christian who just started reading the Bible, we can all improve our biblical comprehension.

So here are 6 ways to read the Bible better.

4 Ways to Help the Needy Like Jesus

August 30, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

How can you help the needy? Are Christians supposed to focus on the material needs and hope the person will ask about the spiritual side? Or are we supposed lead with a verbal gospel presentation and then offer material assistance afterwards?

How to Overcome Your Past

August 28, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

How can you overcome your past? In this video I talk about how your past often dictates your present. The passion, or lack of passion, you have for God is often controlled by what you have previously done in life.

But if you can’t change your past, what can be done? What hope is there for a better future if your past is constantly controlling your present?

What Does the Bible Say About Inconvenience?

August 26, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

On many days it’s no problem for me to just jump in and help wherever and whenever needed. But all too often, if I’m being totally honest, I only like serving Jesus and other people when I was planning on it and I had time to mentally prepare for it. I struggle with being inconvenienced.

What Does the Bible Say About Being Liked?

April 14, 2018August 24, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

what does bible say about being well liked — Romans 15:1-3

What does the Bible say about being liked? When I first thought of this question, it felt the “right answer” was to say that Christians should not worry about being well liked at all.

5 Ways to Avoid Ministry Burnout

August 1, 2018August 22, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

how to avoid ministry burnout — Mark 12:30-31

Ministry burnout. It can be so frustrating. You love your ministry so much it causes you to work too hard and eventually you burnout. The more you burnout, it seems the more fires start popping up in other parts of your ministry, causing even more stress and exhaustion. It’s a vicious cycle.

3 Ways to Hear God’s Voice (Video Series)

August 20, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

How do you hear the voice of God and know his will for your life? That’s exactly what I cover in this 3 part video series.

There are at least three common ways through which God speaks: Through his word, through his Spirit, and through our circumstances. When you can combine these three, you can have more assurances you are truly hearing the voice of God.

5 Ways to Have More Passion for God

August 19, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

How can you have a greater passion for God? Many of us want to love God more than we do. We wish we had a stronger desire to serve him, obey him, and tell others about him. Apathy, shyness, shame, fear, and so many other roadblocks can stand in the way.

Perhaps one of the most lavish expressions of love for God took place in John 12:1-11 where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had a dinner for Jesus. By studying this Bible passage, we can identify at least four ways to have more passion for God.

Get Your FREE Copy of My New Book: Intertwined (But Just for Today!)

August 17, 2017August 17, 2017 by Mark Ballenger

Get Your FREE copy! Just click the book cover!

While a perfect world would be great, that’s not the solution God is offering us right now. God isn’t going to always change our life circumstances every time we feel unhappy. But he can always change our perception of our circumstances.

If you give your job, your friends, your social media account, your spouse, your kids, your health, your boyfriend or girlfriend, your ministry, your finances, or anything else the power to make you happy . . . you also give these things the power to make you unhappy.

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.