Author: Chris Payne

Strength in Weakness

“God helps those who help themselves.”  75% of Americans agree with this statement. 68% of Evangelical Christians agree with this statement. (George Barna, 2001) According to Talbot Seminary 80% of people believe that the statement “God helps those who help themselves” is a Bible verse! (Biola Magazine, Spring 2014). I have a lot of emotions when I read these statistics – sad being first and foremost. It worries me about the condition of the Church. It makes me angry, too. I’m angry because behind these statistics are people who don’t know… Continue reading Strength in Weakness

The Marriage Picture

  Every time a beautiful bride walks down the aisle to meet a much anticipating groom, we are reminded of what awaits those who love the Lord. We are going to a wedding one day. We’re walking down the aisle to be with the one who Knows us the Best, and Loves us the Most. The marriage relationship is the closest relationship on earth to the type of relationship that God desires with people. Think about that. There’s love, trust, fidelity, conflict, respect, struggle, etc…  Marriage is meant to be… Continue reading The Marriage Picture

A Time for Growth

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for everything under the sun.” Lots of songs have been written about this Biblical truth…most of us can sing right along and relate. Change is the song of our life. God works in different seasons in different ways. Each of us is in a unique place and goes at a unique pace when it comes to the work of God in us. I think these unique “growth” seasons generally reflect the climate seasons of summer, winter, spring and… Continue reading A Time for Growth

Flowing in the Spirit

  In a recent sermon, I talked about the final instructions you receive before embarking on a whitewater rafting trip. It goes something like this…” If you fall out of the boat, make sure you don’t try to stand up and walk out. Rather, point your feet downstream, let the current take you and wait for us to rescue you.”  Hearing these words for the first time can be disconcerting to say the least. I was just here to have some fun, not to be rescued. Truth is, this instruction is… Continue reading Flowing in the Spirit

Faith Finds Value in its Object

A few years ago, a mentor of mine said to me, “Faith finds value in its object.” Admittedly, at first I really didn’t understand what he was saying. I was too busy lamenting about some problem I was facing and I just blurted out, “I hope I have enough faith to believe God for this!” He looked straight at me, and said these now, memorable words: “Your faith is as strong and sure, as the one that you are putting it in.” Hebrews 10:23 proclaims, “Let us hold unswervingly to… Continue reading Faith Finds Value in its Object