As far as historical documents go, the Christian Scriptures by far surpass the nearest reliable historical documentation in both quantity and quality.  No other records in the history of humanity come anywhere close to the number of real, certifiable manuscripts of the Christian Bible.

How do we know that everything in the Bible is true? How do we know that Jesus did all the things that the Bible says He did?

Our faith isn’t about us – it’s about the thing we are putting our faith in.  In this case, our faith is not in our own strength or abilities, but in the nature and character of God.

“Faith is living as if the promise of God for the future is certain and the power of God for the present is real.” – Dr. Gary Cockerill

Ephesians 6:16 says, “Take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”  When I recently read this verse, I thought, “how is faith like a shield?”  

So often in life, we don’t know what to pray for.  Particularly when the circumstances seem overwhelming , we come to God, and we are… wordless.  Flip open your Bible to the Psalms, and you will find 150 sample prayers that hundreds of millions of believers have lifted up to God over thousands of years.  

John Ortberg: “If a person wants to grow spiritually, what would your advice be?  Where should they start?” Dallas Willard: “Do the next right thing you know you ought to do.” 

God calls each one of us to do lot of different things – big and small – all throughout the course of our lives.

James 5:16 teaches us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another.  We need each other.  We cannot battle our sin alone.  But I submit to you that confession and prayer within the community of faith does not have to wait until sin has already occurred...

Today, I have a question for you to consider, followed by a story to share.  Here’s the question: should I do good, even if I have the wrong motives?