Category Archives: Leadership

The Lesson in the Storm

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

During His time of ministry on earth, Jesus was constantly teaching His disciples and developing their walk with Him. This development required testing. Some of the situations the disciples faced were turbulent, which exposed their weaknesses and provided teachable moments. Because of positive volition, Jesus’ disciples would, over time, learn His lessons and advance to spiritual maturity. Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged A fortress in the soul, Christian suffering, Does God test our faith?, faith in Jesus, God uses trials to strengthen our faith, God's sovereignty, Growing our faith, How does God grow our faith, Jesus calmed the sea, Jesus calmed the storm, Living by faith, Matthew 8:23-27, Perception and reality, suffering, The Lesson in the Storm, The storm on the sea, The storms of life, the suffering of the righteous, The tests of life, What does it mean to have little faith, When God gives us a test, When life sends a crisis, When we face a crisis, why do the righteous suffer | Leave a comment

The High Calling of God’s Servant

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition” (2 Tim 2:24-25a). The Christian who properly represents the Lord Jesus Christ will possess certain qualities that are useful to the Lord, and these are developed over time. As Christians, we are to “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15), “with grace” (Col 4:6), and “with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15-16). There’s no place for hostility in the Christian life, for “the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (Jam 1:20). This is how the Lord Jesus conducted Himself, for “while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet 2:23). Paul handled himself this way too, saying, “When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we respond graciously” (1 Cor 4:12-13 CSB). The bar of Christian behavior is set very high, as it should be. Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian service, Christian Theology, Counseling, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Spirituality, Suffering & Persecution, Worldview | Tagged able to teach, Christian suffering, Christians are to be able to teach, Christians are to be gentle, Christians are to be kind, Christians are to be patient when wronged, Christians must not argue, faith alone, Hos did Jesus deal with opposition, How Christians should behave, How did Jesus deal with attacks, How God's children should behave, How should Christians behave when faced with opposition, How should Christians respond when attacked, Kind to all, patient when wronged, Satan's world system, saved by grace through faith, Should Christians fight back?, suffering, The calling of the Christian, The High Calling of God’s Servant, The high calling of the Christian, The Lord's bond-servant, The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, the Lord's servnat, The right Christian attitude, the suffering of the righteous, why do the righteous suffer | 2 Comments

Knowing and Doing the Will of God

Posted on December 18, 2021 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The Bible reveals various categories of God’s will, such as His sovereign will, directive will, permissive will, overruling will, and providential will. There are some aspects of God’s will that are secret, but what He has revealed in Scripture is sufficient to answer life’s biggest questions and to provide the Christian with the necessary knowledge to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Counseling, God, Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living | Tagged Christian suffering, Does God hide His will?, Doing God's will, How can I know God's will?, How can I know the will of God, How does God reveal His will?, Knowing and Doing the Will of God, Knowing God's directive will, Knowing God's mystical will, Knowing God's overruling will, Knowing God's permissive will, Knowing God's providential will, Knowing God's revealed will, Knowing God's sovereign will, Knowing God's will, the Bible reveals God's wiill, Theological categories of God's will, What are the categories of God's will, What is God's will for me?, What is God's will?, why do the righteous suffer, Why does God keep His will secret? | 5 Comments

The Qualifications for a King in Ancient Israel

Posted on December 12, 2021 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, Moses addressed Israel’s future request for a king, and then specified the requirements of that king that he might serve as the Lord’s viceregent. The Mosaic Law placed limitations on the role of the king in Israel because of the tendency of those in power to become corrupt, because the proclivity of the human heart is bent toward self-interest rather than God’s interests. However, if the king in Israel learned God’s Word and followed His directives, stayed humble and faithful, he and the nation would know ongoing blessing Continue reading →

A Biblical View of Work

Posted on November 21, 2021 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The Bible promotes a strong work ethic. Solomon wrote, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Eccl 9:10a). And the work we perform is not merely for self or others, but unto the Lord. Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col 3:23-24). With this realization, we should work wisely and with good energy, producing a good product or service, knowing we are working and serving the Lord Himself. Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Worldview, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living | Tagged A Biblical view of labor, A Biblical view of work, A Biblical work ethic, A Christian view of labor, A Christian work ethic, Aer Christian required to keep the Sabbath, finding time to rest, If you don't work then you don't eat, No communism, No socialism, Should Christians keep the Sabbath?, should the poor work?, Taking a break from work, Taking time off from work, the lazy person, The sluggard, The workaholic, what does the Bible say about helping the poor?, what does the Bible say about work?, Work life balance | 2 Comments

Why God Judges Nations

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

When individuals, groups, cities and nations turn away from God, He will judge them according to His righteous character and moral laws. The Bible reveals “God is the King of all the earth…He reigns over the nations; He sits on His holy throne” (Psa 47:7-8). It is God “who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings” (Dan 2:21), and “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men” (Dan 4:17). The Bible reveals “The LORD is King forever and ever” (Psa 10:16a), and the “LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all” (Psa 103:19), and He “works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph 1:11b). God is supreme over all His creation, for “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps” (Psa 135:6), and “He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Dan 4:35). As sovereign God, He judges His world in righteousness. Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Behavior, Biblical Worldview, God, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Israel, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution, Worldview | Tagged Can America turn back to righteousness?, Christianity in America, Christians in America, Forces of darkness at work in America, God will judge America, Is God's judgment upon America?, Is Satan destroying America?, the moral decline of America, The spiritual decline of America, When God judges a city, When God judges a group, When God judges a nation, When God judges a person, When God judges nations, Why does God judge a nation?, why God judges a nation, Will God judge America? | Leave a comment

God Used Jonah to Change a Culture

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

God used the preaching of Jonah to change the corrupt culture of Nineveh. Around 760 BC, God sent His prophet, Jonah, to preach a message of judgment to Nineveh, a major city in Assyria. The reason for the message was, as God declared, “their wickedness has come up before Me” (Jon 1:2). As “the Judge of all the earth” (Gen 18:25), God had paid attention to the wickedness of the Ninevites, and the time was near for Him to pour out His wrath. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Righteous Living | Tagged Changing culture, Christian influence on culture, God spared Nineveh because they humbled themselves, God spared Nineveh because they repented, God used the preaching of Jonah to change the corrupt culture of Nineveh, God will judge America, How America's preachers have failed, improving a corrupt culture, improving culture, Jonah's preaching to Nineveh, Righteous living in America, When God judges nations, Will God judge America? | 1 Comment

Improving Culture – A NT Example

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Culture represents the values, traditions and behaviors of a society, and though culture is improvable, it is not perfectible. And even where positive change occurs, it’s difficult to perpetuate, largely because the people needed to sustain the change are few, flawed and temporary. A society’s culture is no better or worse than its leaders and the citizenry who support them; and at the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart. Apart from regeneration and a transformed mind and will, people will default to selfishness and sin, and so social problems continue. Furthermore, if we did make great improvements, we cannot guarantee succeeding generations will follow the good pattern set for them. Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Acts 19 and Paul preaching in Ephesus, Acts 19:8-41, Are there any biblical examples where society was made better, Biblical examples of improving culture, Biblical examples of making society better, Biblical teaching on how to improve society, Does the Bible give ways we can make society better, Finding the lost scroll in the temple, How can Christians improve culture, How can Christians improve society, How can Christians make American better, How to improve culture, Paul preaching in Ephesus, Paul teaching at the school of Tyrannus, Sharing the gospel to make society better, The riot that occurred in Ephesus, Ways Christians can improve American society, Ways to improve culture, What does the Bible say about improving culture | 4 Comments

Improving Culture – An OT Example

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Posted in Christian Theology, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living | Tagged Are there any biblical examples where society was made better, Biblical examples of improving culture, Biblical examples of making society better, Biblical teaching on how to improve society, Does the Bible give ways we can make society better, Finding the lost scroll in the temple, How can Christians improve culture, How can Christians improve society, How can Christians make American better, How King Josiah improved culture, How King Josiah made Judah better, How to improve culture, Paul preaching in Ephesus, Paul teaching at the school of Tyrannus, Sharing the gospel to make society better, The riot that occurred in Ephesus, Ways Christians can improve American society, Ways to improve culture, What does the Bible say about improving culture | 5 Comments

King David – the Good and the Bad

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The Bible describes David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22). This is a huge compliment, but what does it mean? God certainly knew David’s heart and what kind of king he would be, for He informed His prophet, Samuel, saying, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). However, we should not conclude that David was perfectly obedient and kept the Lord’s will in all matters in his life. He did not. No believer ever does, for there are none who are sinless, except the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Jo 3:5). But David obeyed the Lord in important matters, and apart from a few major offences, he did not generally commit egregious sins. Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, God's Grace, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Leadership | Tagged 1 Samuel 13:14, A man after God's own heart, David and Bathsheba, David confessed his sins, David has Uriah killed, David practiced polygamy, David practiced the sin of polygamy, David takes a census, David the good king, David was a man after God's own heart, David's affair with Bathsheba, David's humility, David's sins, God's grace, grace is a chief characteristic of God, He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Humility is a lowliness of mind, King David, Why could God call David a man after His own heart? | 1 Comment

David – A Better King

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

David was a good king who reigned in Israel from roughly 1010 to 970 B.C. David’s life was intermingled with Saul, Israel’s first king, who failed to walk with God and do His will. David was better than Saul. He was better because he was a man of faith, and faith always pleases the Lord (Heb 11:6). Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Leadership, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged A man after God's own heart, David, David and Goliath, David cared for his father's flock, David fled from Saul for fifteen years, David kills a lion and a bear, David was a better king than Saul, David was better than Saul, David would not kill Saul, David's rise to kingship, King David, Saul tried to kill David, Sin and mental decline, The Lord's anointed | 3 Comments

Saul – The King who Failed

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Saul had the outward appearance of what most people look for in a leader, for he was “a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people” (1 Sam 9:2). Often when we search for a leader, we want someone who looks and talks a certain way, has the right credentials and preferably a good work history. We shouldn’t diminish those things, but simply put them in their place, as being below the things God desires, “for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Leadership, Righteous Living | Tagged but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7), David, David the son of Jesse, foolishness, for man looks at the outward appearance, God does not see as man sees, God looks upon the heart, God sees not as man sees, Israel selects Saul as king, Israel's first king, King Saul's anointing, Samuel anoints Saul, Samuel anoints Saul as king, Saul - The King who Failed, Saul and David, Saul as king of Israel, Saul did not obey the Lord, Saul the handsome king, Saul tries to kill David, Saul was a king after the people's hearts, Saul's rejection as king, The good qualities of king Saul, The life of king Saul, Why Saul was rejected as King | 6 Comments

They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Numbers chapters 13 & 14 reveal the biblical concept of blessing and cursing by association. In this section of Scripture, God disciplined the Israelites in the wilderness because of their disobedience, and that discipline had direct impact on their children. The key verse in this article in Numbers 14:33, which reads, “But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness.” Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith | Tagged blessing and cursing by association, blessing and cursing by association is biblical, Choices have consequences, Choosing faith over fear, Choosing fear over faith, growing spiritually, how we live impacts the lives of others, Israel in the wilderness, Joshua and Caleb, Live by faith, Living by faith, My Godly grandmother, The spies in the land, They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness, Trust in the Lord, When bad choices impact others, Why children suffer for because of bad parents, Why Israel was denied entrance into the Promised Land | 2 Comments

Being the Good Boss

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

On a day to day basis, the good leader is one who will listen to you, stand up for you, trust you and not micromanage every aspect of your work. She communicates clearly, constantly, and in a collaborative manner. He seeks your advice, listens to your concerns, and consults you on the best solutions for success. She sets high expectations and encourage you to be the best you can be, operating according to agency standards, and striving for new heights of excellence. He also cares about your life outside of work and wants you to have good physical, social, and mental health. Lastly, the good boss can be tough when needed. She lives in reality and knows there are some who will not respond to her leadership, and, may be required to use her authority to reprimand and/or terminate staff; however, this is always a last recourse after all other positive strategies have failed. Overall, I see the good boss as one who lives sacrificially for the benefit of others, always desiring their success as well as the success of the agency. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Marriage, Righteous Living | Tagged Being the good boss, Being the good leader, characteristics of a good boss, Characteristics of a good leader, Describing the good boss, How to be a good boss, How to be the good leader, Servant leadership, The Christian boss, The Christian Leader, What are the characteristics of a good boss? | 1 Comment

Chasing After Donkeys

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

God’s providence refers to His wise and personal acts, whereby He creates and controls circumstances in order to direct history according to His predetermined plan, all for His glory and the benefit of His people. As Christians, we live in the flow of history, and are moved by the circumstances He controls, for the Lord “does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Dan 4:35). Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Living by Faith | Tagged Chasing after donkeys, Does God direct us through circumstances, election, God's control over his creation, God's influence in the world, God's providence, God's sovereign control, how did Saul become King?, how do we know God's will?, How does God direct our lives?, How God directs our lives, How God directs our lvies, How God leads, King Saul, Knowing God's will, Providence, Providential control, Providential sovereignty, When Saul became king | 6 Comments

Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective

Posted on July 27, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

When Israel was a theocratic kingdom, God legislated certain benefits to the poor, widows, orphans and sojourners in order to meet their daily needs, and these were to be given by those whom He’d blessed with abundance. God instructed His leaders to uphold and defend the rights of the vulnerable, knowing there would be wicked persons who would seek to exploit them. Sadly, much of Israel’s history was marked by a breakdown among His people, as the leaders and wealthy in the land exploited the poor they were called to defend. Now, in the Church age, God provides care for the needy in society through human governments, as well as through individual Christians and local churches. Lastly, perfect government will come in the future when Jesus Christ returns and establishes His kingdom on earth and provides righteous reign and care for all. Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living | Tagged A Christian view of social justice, caring for the por, Christians and social justice, helping orphans, Helping the homeless, Helping the poor, helping widows, Scripture for social justice, social justice, social justice and Christians, Social justice and the Bible, Social justice and the church, Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective, The church and social justice, what does God say about social justice, what does the Bible say about helping the poor, What does the Bible say about social justice?, what is social justice | 6 Comments

Submission to Authority – Part III

Posted on January 26, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Christians will, at times, suffer unjustly at the hands of those whom God has placed in authority over us, like the suffering Hagar experienced at the hand of Sarai. And, the harsh or immoral character of leaders should never dictate our response; rather, we should be governed by God’s Word, as we look to Christ as our example of unjust suffering. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged 1 Peter 2:18, Abram and Sarai and Hagar, Genesis 16, Jesus as our example of submitting to authority, Living by faith under a harsh boss, Should I submit to my boss when he's a jerk?, Should we submit to abusive authority?, Should we submit to harsh leaders?, Submission to authority, Submitting to the boss, The conception of Ishmael, When should we say "no" to authority?, Why did God make Hagar submit to Sarai? | 8 Comments

Submission to Authority – Part II

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Rebellion against God’s authority started with Satan, an angelic creature who, at an unspecified time, led an angelic revolt against God and created a kingdom of darkness. Afterward, God created Adam and Eve to serve under His authority, as mediatorial administrators who cared for the earth. However, God permitted Satan to tempt Adam and Eve to rebel against His authority, and when they agreed to follow Satan, his kingdom of darkness was expanded and he became the temporary ruler of this world. According to God’s wise plan and sovereign will, He sent His Son into the world and the Son added humanity to Himself, lived an absolutely righteous life in obedience to His Father and went to the cross and died for sinful humanity. At the cross, Jesus reclaimed this world and pronounced judgment and sentencing for Satan, who will eventually be cast into the Lake of Fire forever. Until that time, Satan continues as a subversive living in God’s world, and he has many followers who are used by him to subvert God’s will on earth. These enemies of God seek to infiltrate governmental systems and command people—both saved and lost—to disobey God. Though Christians are commanded to obey human leaders, we can never obey a command that is contrary to God’s will. Continue reading →

Posted in Angels & Demons, Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged Adam and Eve rebelled against God, Adam and Eve submitted to Satan, Civil disobedience, God intended Adam and Eve to rule over the earth, God is always sovereign, God permits Satan to act, God permits Satan to tempt His people, God's sovereignty, Good end evil coexist, Is Satan the god of this age?, Is Satan the god of this world?, Is Satan the ruler of this world?, Is there a time when Christians disobey authority?, Jesus reclaimed the world, Satan convinced Adam and Eve to rebel against God's authority, Satan has planted subversives in the world, Satan is the god of this age, Satan is the god of this world, Satan led an angelic revolt in heaven, Satan rebelled against God's authority, Satan's world system, Submission to authority, the fall of Satan, The parable of the wheat and the tares, When did Satan fall?, When should the Christian refuse to obey authority?, Why does good and evil coexist? | 8 Comments

Submission to Authority – Part I

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

God is the supreme Ruler of His creation, and He has established human governmental authorities to promote law and order. This means He has delegated authority to persons and groups who serve as administrative overseers to others. As Christians, we are commanded to submit to those in authority over us, whether it is the president, state governors, local city officials, police officers, employers, parents, teachers, etc. Failure to submit to human authority is regarded as failure to submit to God, Who has placed those persons over us. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution | Tagged 1 Peter 2:13-14, Biblical examples of submission to authority, Christian citizenship, God delegates authority, God is the supreme ruler over creation, hupotasso, Pray of those in authority, Romans 13:1, Should believers submit to human authority?, Submission to authority, Submit to authority, what does it mean to submit to authority?, What does the Bible say about submission to authority?, when can the believer say no to authority? | 8 Comments

Twelve Ways to Deal with a Bad Boss

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The purpose of this article is to provide several tools for the Christian who is struggling under a bad boss. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership | Tagged Applying Scripture to a bad work environment, Bad boss, bad leadership, Characteristics of a bad boss, characteristics of a good boss, Christian answers to dealing with a bad boss, coping with a bad boss, familiar traits of a bad boss, Good boss, How to handle the bad boss, identifying the bad boss, praying for leadership, Scriptures pertaining to the bad boss, Submission to authority, surviving the bad boss, Twelve Ways to Deal with a Bad Boss, Ways to deal with a bad boss, ways to deal with bad leadership, what does the Bible say about dealing with a bad boss?, What makes a boss good? | 9 Comments

Contrasting Good and Bad Leaders

Posted on September 8, 2018 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

A leader is one who influences the thoughts and actions of others in order to achieve a specific outcome. The Bible differentiates between good and bad leaders, between the righteous and the wicked. Bad leaders exclude God from their daily thoughts and activities and selfishly pursue their own desires, even if it means harming others. In contrast, the good leader is first and foremost a follower of God who wears a crown of humility and derives his values and strength from the Lord.

As believers, we are always to pray for those in leadership positions. Paul writes, “I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Continue reading →

Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership | Tagged Biblical leadership, Characteristics of a bad leader, Characteristics of a good leader, Contrast between good and bad leaders, Contrasting Good and Bad Leaders, Leadership, Oppressive eladers, praying for leaders, Servant leaders, The bad leader, The Christian Leader, the good leader, the qualities of a bad leader, the qualities of a good leader, Tyrannical leaders, what does the Bible say about bad leaders, What does the Bible say about good leaders, what does the Bible say about servant leaders, What makes a bad leader?, what makes a good leader | 12 Comments

Reasons why we obey God

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

I ask myself, “Why should I obey God? What’s my motivation to do good?” I ask myself this because I find that motivation drives much of my behavior, good or bad. I also find that some motivations are more powerful than others, as love is a greater motivator than fear. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living | Tagged Future rewards, Is fear a good reason to obey God?, Obedience pleases God, Obey God, Obeying God brings joy, Reasons why we obey God, We obey God because, We want God's blessing, what are reasons for obeying God?, what does the Bible say about why we should obey God?, Why do Christians obey God?, Why obey God?, Why should anyone obey God?, why should we obey God? | 13 Comments

Christians Paying Taxes

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Paying taxes is a form of godliness for the believer, for we support divinely established institutions of government and believe in the rule of law (Rom. 13:1-5). As submitting Christians, we pay taxes to our city, state, and federal government. Paul writes, “For because of this [submission to government] you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Rom 13:6-7). Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership | Tagged Christians paying taxes, Christians should obey the government, Did Jesus pay taxes?, Does the Bible teach Christians should pay taxes?, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, Should Christians obey the government?, should Christians pay taxes?, Should Christians submit to authority?, Should Christians submit to government?, The Bible and taxes, What do my taxes pay for?, what does the Bible say about paying taxes? | 2 Comments

The Characteristics of a Christian Leader

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

A Christian leader is marked by how he/she serves and treats others. The biblical teaching is that one who wishes to lead must make himself/herself a servant to others. This requires a biblical mind and an attitude of humility. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Leadership, Marriage, Righteous Living | Tagged Christian character, Christian leader, Christian service, godly character, How should a Christian leader behave?, humble service, leading others, Servant leader, serving others, The biblical characteristics of a Christian leader, the biblical characteristics of a servant leader, the characteristics of a Christian leader, the characteristics of a godly leader, The Christian Leader, the godly leader, What are the characteristics of a Christian leader?, What are the characteristics of a servant leader?, what does it mean to lead? | 13 Comments

What is Integrity?

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Christian integrity means being genuine in character, honest in speech, and faithful to promises (both to God and others). Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Righteous Living | Tagged being faithful, being genuine, Christian conduct, Christian integrity, God's integrity, honest speech, integrity, keeping promises, telling truth, the meaning of integrity, what does it mean to have integrity?, what is Christian integrity?, what is integrity? | 11 Comments

Walking with God

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living | Tagged Christian living, Enoch did not see death, Enoch walked with God, Faith in God, Gal. 5:16, Genesis 5:22-24, Genesis 5:24, God took Enoch to heaven, Life and death, Marcus Dods, the Christian walk, the walk of faith, Walk in the Spirit, walking by faith, Walking with God, walking with Jesus | 48 Comments

The Biblical Qualifications for Church Elder

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The Bible states qualifications for church elders. Paul lists 15 qualifications for elder in his letter to Timothy (1 Tim. 3:1-7), and 17 qualifications in his letter to Titus (Tit. 1:5-9). The two lists differ slightly, both in number and characteristics mentioned. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Leadership | Tagged 1 Timothy 3:1-7, can women be elders?, church elders, elder, elders and deacons, elders in the church, pastors and elders, qualifications for elder, The Biblical Qualifications for Elder, Titus 1:5-9, what is the difference between an elder and pastor?, who can be a church elder? | 4 Comments