Mark Virkler is with Christian Leadership University. CLU is a Christian University and Online Bible College offering Christian education including Christian counseling and Christian theology seminaries and offers certificates, undergrad, Masters, and Doctorates in the various Christian colleges of CLU.
Learning and growing often involve coming to grips with new ideas which challenge, expand and sometimes even counter previously-held ideas. It requires of the learner that he have largeness of heart to be able to embrace much.
“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore.” (1 Kings 4:29)
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those with an openness to learn] for they shall be filled. Blessed are the meek [the humble] for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:6,5). Ask God for largeness of heart and meekness that you may receive all that He wants to give you.
Becoming a Berean
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, to see whether those things WERE SO.” (Acts 17:11, emphasis mine)
I can either try to prove things “so”, or I can try to prove them “not so”. If I try to prove them not so, I have taken the accuser's stance, which, of course, is satan's. As I teach my Christian University students, we must be Bereans.
The Stretching of Growth Generally Produces Temporary Pain
When you begin a new exercise, there is generally some stretching and pain involved as you master it. This should also be true of your education, whether personal or at a theological seminary. You should anticipate stretching to learn and discover new skills, as well as stretching to get more things done in a week, and being stretched financially as you invest in your future development. Do not shy away from this discomfort. Embrace it and seek it out. Make sure you are placing enough demand on your life so that you are indeed stretching and multiplying gifts as the Lord Jesus commanded in the parable of the talents. Know that if you let the stretching process do its work, it will make you a larger person. Let that vision take you courageously through the discomfort you temporarily feel. Seek direction on how to best respond to the stretching in a wise and godly manner.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Six Training Objectives Christian Education Should Incorporate
- The Lamad Method of Christian Education
- Similarities of Aquinas View With Ellen G. White of Philosophy of Christian Education
- Restoring the Paradigm of “Delight-centered Education”
- 5 Things You Should Look For In A Christian College
- The Top Twelve Reasons NOT to Follow a Traditional Educational Approach
- Look What Happened When God Was Removed from American Education
- How Attending a Christian College Can Change your Life
Hold On Just A Little While Longer
By: Joshua J Reed | 06/01/2010The Bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Many of you are running on empty when it comes to faith. You are almost at the point where you have given up hope for what is to come and have very little to hope for. The reason for this is because life has let you down. You feel as though troubles have surrounded you and set up camp. In fact, you can not even see past the problems you are facing.
Passion for Jesus and a Passion for Fashion?
By: Shaila D Touchton | 06/01/2010You are a child of God if you live godly and you resemble God and You are a child of the devil if you do not live for God and your lifestyle is ungodly and if you resemble the devil which rebels against God for sinfulness, and living in evil pleasures and lusts.
The Gift Comes With Directions
By: Dee Bedwell | 05/01/2010Spiritual gifts are a blessing from God. Don't forget to read the directions that come with them!
Who Is Setting Your Goals In 2010?
By: Joshua J Reed | 05/01/2010It is now 2010 and many of us have already set goals and made plans for what we would like to accomplish in the year. Some of us spend hours trying to figure out what it is that we want to do in 2010. However, most of us never take the time to consider what God wants us to accomplish through us this new year.
Stay away from Ungodly People!
By: Shaila D Touchton | 04/01/2010Ungodly people are the people whose lives are not godly and are ALWAYS opposed to God and his ways.
Stay away from Ungodly People!
By: Shaila D Touchton | 04/01/2010Ungodly people are the people whose lives are not godly and are ALWAYS opposed to God and his ways.
Keep Your Gifts Alive in the New Decade
By: Joseph Jagde | 04/01/2010These verses from Timothy encourage us to bring our gifts to life with the backdrop of a sincere faith and the companionship of the Power and Soundness of the Holy Spirit.
New Wisdom for the New Decade
By: Joseph Jagde | 04/01/2010These verses from Ephesians cite the important of keeping up the prayers for wisdom and revelations both for yourself and others, The idea of interceding for widsom for others has been given proper emphasis and this is something that is important going forward. The overall invitation is towards getting to know the Lord better.
Seven Reasons We Should Listen to Our Dreams
By: Mark Virkler | 21/12/2009 | ReligionDo dreams carry meaning? The Bible tells us that dreams DO sometimes carry meaning. So, it is important for us to know how to interpret our dreams and understand what God is communicating. Here are seven reasons we should listen to our dreams.
Revelation Knowledge Versus Reasoned Knowledge and the Implications for Bible Colleges
By: Mark Virkler | 12/12/2009 | EducationGod designed man to be a daily recipient of revelation knowledge. In the Garden of Eden, man walked and talked with God. Adam and Eve were receiving revelation knowledge daily from Almighty God. Satan introduced man to reasoned knowledge and that has been man’s focus for understanding since the fall. But how should Bible colleges teach, revelation knowledge or reasoned knowledge?
Principles for Interpreting Dreams
By: Mark Virkler | 06/10/2009 | EducationDo dreams carry meaning? The Bible tells us that dreams DO sometimes carry meaning. So, it is important for us to know how to interpret our dreams and understand what God is communicating. This article gives a simple method for interpreting dreams.
My Confession Concerning Who I Am in Christ – Part 3
By: Mark Virkler | 05/10/2009 | ChristianityWho are we in Christ? What does the Bible tell us about God and our relationship with him through Christ. This is the third of a three part confession of who I am in Christ according to Christ.
My Confession Concerning Who I Am in Christ – Part 2
By: Mark Virkler | 01/10/2009 | ReligionWho are we in Christ? What does the Bible tell us about God and our relationship with him through Christ. This is the second of a three part confession of who I am in Christ according to Christ.
My Confession Concerning Who I Am in Christ – Part 1
By: Mark Virkler | 30/09/2009 | ChristianityWho are we in Christ? What does the Bible tell us about God and our relationship with him through Christ. This is the first of a three part confession of who I am in Christ according to Christ.
May You Have Largeness of Heart as You Train
By: Mark Virkler | 28/08/2009 | ChristianityLearning and growing often involve coming to grips with new ideas which challenge, expand and sometimes even counter previously-held ideas. It requires of the learner that he have largeness of heart to be able to embrace much.
Learning to Use the Eyes of Your Heart
By: Mark Virkler | 27/08/2009 | ChristianityI desire earnestly to live as Jesus did, out of the Father’s initiative, doing only what He saw His Father doing (Jn. 5:19,20; 8:38). However, before I could live that way, I needed first to learn how to become a seer.