Application Articles – GROW magazine

06 Jan

Becoming Like Jesus: Obedience

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Lee Elkins | Jacksonville, Arkansas

Without ever realizing it, most people would condemn Jesus because of what he believed and practiced. This is a serious charge here. How can I make such a statement about what others believe? It is a logical conclusion to the things that they believe and say, that’s how. In our article, we are going to be considering the realities of Jesus and His obedience. Not only would most people condemn Jesus, but many would verbally assault Him with “that is works-based salvation!” or “You are not teaching grace!” Allow me to state the obvious now. We cannot separate the realities of faith from obedience. Faith consists of belief, trust, and obedience (Hebrews 11:6). Read More →

15 Oct

Becoming Like Jesus: The Humble Servant

APPLICATION ARTICLE | John Maddocks | Toronto, Ontario

In a world driven by ambition, self-promotion, and the pursuit of power, the life of Jesus stands in stark contrast. Jesus, the Son of God, came not to be served but to serve, and His life offers us the perfect model of humility and selfless love. To become like Jesus is to embrace the radical call to servanthood, where humility is not just an attitude but a way of life. Read More →

20 Jul

How To Answer A False Doctrine

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Sean Cavender | in memoriam
– via Meditate On These Things, May 2014 [from Sean’s days in Bradley, AR]

Quite possibly one of the most difficult things you will ever have to deal with is your approach to false teaching. There are many factors that one must give thought towards in this important discussion. False teachers have been a plague to the Lord’s church since the days of the apostles. Paul identified false brethren who had snuck into the churches of Galatia (Galatians 2:4). Peter warned of how false brethren would distort the teachings of Scripture to suite their own purposes (2 Peter 3:16). John warned of many deceivers that were in the world, and identified their deception as anti-Christ doctrine (2 John 1:7). Jude dealt very plainly with false teachers, identifying their false teachings, and warned of how God deals with such false teachers (Jude 1:4). Read More →

17 Apr

Becoming Like Jesus: Forgiveness and Christ

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Tim McPherson | Marion, Indiana

Jesus’ words:
Jesus words from the cross in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” cry out the mission and heart of our Savior. Barnes commentary stated that this was a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12 in that, “He made intercession for the transgressors.” I love that expression “He made intercession.” In other words, Christ was offering forgiveness through his intercession. I want the same spirit as my Lord and Savior. Can I intercede in offering forgiveness like my Savior? I am not perfect like Christ, but I can be of His likeness in that I want to offer forgiveness to all. I want others to be forgiven. I don’t believe it is just a coincidence or inadvertent that Christ’s disciple, the first Christian martyr, Stephen, uttered these exact words when the crowd gnashed at him with their teeth and were stoning him. Act 7:60 (NKJV) “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Instead of anger or a heart that would seek their wrath, he offered forgiveness. Read More →

01 Jan

Becoming Like Jesus: Prayer in the Life of Jesus

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Bruce Reeves | Conway, Arkansas

Jesus was not only the Master Teacher; He was also the Master of prayer. He prayed so frequently and faithfully that Luke records that after He finished praying in a certain place one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1). There are times when we should turn to God in prayer, but don’t. Thus, it is very helpful to consider the moments when Jesus turned to His Father in prayer. While prayer was a constant spiritual discipline in Christ’s life, there were pivotal moments when prayer was a significant source of power for Him. By considering Jesus’s example we can follow our Savior more fervently and deeply in our prayer life. Read More →

10 Oct

Becoming Like Jesus: How to Handle Conflicts and Disagreements

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Lee Edgar Elkins | Jacksonville, Arkansas

How often have we mishandled a conflict or disagreement with someone? As currently practiced by our Western culture, anytime there is a conflict or disagreement, it is safe to say that an argument is likely to follow if it has not already taken place. Over the years, I started to see that I did not always have to attend every argument I was invited to. Another thing I began to realize in my life is that not every disagreement has to turn into an argument. Unfortunately, this is typically what takes place in our society. Read More →

28 Jul

The Hall of Faith: Abraham & Sarah : Faithful Strangers and Pilgrims On The Earth

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Jeremy Diestelkamp | Toronto, Ontario

Hebrews 11:8-19

Oftentimes, when we read Hebrews chapter 11, we believe that the Hebrew writer was penning this section in order to raise up the people found in it as examples of perfect faith, of people who lived sinless lives. Perhaps we come to that conclusion because of the first two examples of faith given: that of Abel and Enoch. All we really know about Abel is that he was a shepherd, he offered a sacrifice to God by faith that was accepted by God, and was subsequently killed by his hateful brother, Cain (Genesis 4:1-8). No words of Abel are ever recorded, yet though he is dead, he still speaks (Hebrews 11:4). And then when it comes to Enoch, if it weren’t for the Book of Jude, we’d know even less about him, for all the Book of Genesis tells us about him is that he was the father of Methuselah, and that he walked with God in faith three hundred years before he was taken directly to Heaven by God (Genesis 5:21-25). Read More →

28 Jul

Becoming Like Jesus : Love One Another

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Brian Sullivan | Jordan, Ontario

In Romans 8:28-30, the apostle Paul by inspiration gave a concise treatment of God’s Eternal Plan or Purpose for mankind. Within its context it is a clear demonstration of the principle expressed in verse 28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”. Every part of His plan and purpose is intended to bring us closer to Him. In verse 29, Paul writes: “For whom He foreknew”. That would be His choice to bless those who enter into Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5; 9-10; Ephesians 1:3; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-29). However, it is what we learn next that sets the stage for what we hope to develop in this article. “He also predestined (determined in advance, bvs) to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29b, NKJV). From eternity it was God’s will, desire, and intention for those who follow His Son to enjoy the blessings in Him (Ephesians 1:3; 1 John 3:1-3), but to also be like Him. Read More →

17 Apr

Fruit of the Spirit: Shining Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control

APPLICATION ARTICLE | T. Sean Sullivan | Paragould, Arkansas

Introduction
There is a lifetime of achievement in gaining all the blessings of God’s way. Each of us has our own time to walk, and no one has a guaranteed tomorrow (James 4:14). The application of the attitudes and actions involved in bearing the fruit of the Spirit is our responsibility. The results will significantly bless our soul’s hope and allow us to “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15-16).

Let’s continue to consider a life of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, and goodness, growing consistently with faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Let’s discover the value of these blessings and shine them brightly for all others to see. Read More →

28 Jan

Fruit of the Spirit : Shining Longsuffering, Kindness, and Goodness

APPLICATION ARTICLE | T. Sean Sullivan | Paragould, Arkansas

Introduction
We all, as Christians, have the responsibility to “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Paul writes about being a shining example in Galatians 5:22-25, with the “fruit of the Spirit.” We are blessed to live in a divinely designed way and directed to help all others see, seek, and find it too.

Let’s consider the life of love, joy, and peace being complemented by “longsuffering, kindness, and goodness” so we can discover the value of these blessings and shine them brightly for all others to see. Read More →