Posts from 2022 (Page 6)

Authentic Love [Jesus said,] “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 34-35 People around us aren’t transformed by fancy church buildings, dramatic lighting, or exciting props in messages. They might be impressed by those things on a superficial level, but what they’re really looking for…

Always Within Reach God has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far each one of us. Acts 17:26-27 In his famous speech to the Greeks in Athens, Paul didn’t begin with the death and resurrection…

Cheap Imitations Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house; he took everything. He also carried away the gold shields which Solomon had made. Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who guarded the doorway of the king’s house. 2 Chronicles 12:9-10 Rehoboam was embarrassed. He was the…

If You Know, You’ll Obey We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 1 John 2:3 John had heard Jesus say that we can identify the type of tree by the fruit it produces.(Luke 6:43-47). John explained that people who claim to know Christ demonstrate their faith by obedience in following His commands. If they don’t obey, and if there’s no intent to obey, then we have reason to wonder whether their faith is…

Each One Reach One Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you]. Colossians 4: 5,6 Most of us are around unbelievers every day, but sadly, we often don’t even think about the opportunities God gives us to touch their lives. We’re…

Rude Leads To Rude A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention. Proverbs 15:18 We don’t need to be wise as Solomon to see this proverb in action every day. The pace and pressures of life have escalated in recent years. Only two generations ago, most Americans lived on farms, where the pace was measured in seasons, and the expectations were far lower than today’s. A generation ago, many people still walked to…

Get Busy This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. Titus 3:8 Contrary to popular opinion, the Christian life isn’t a spectator sport! Certainly, reflection and meditation are important elements of a life of faith, but not to the exclusion of action. Martin Luther called people who hid behind spiritual reflection to…

The Cure For Conceit I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 People have an amazing capacity for self-deception- either thinking too highly of themselves or too lowly. Both bring a lot of trouble. Inflated egos lead to boorish behavior, hurt relationships, and using people…

What’s Your Story? [The man who was blind] answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not, I do not know: One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25 Theologians have written thousands of books (some thrilling, some boring) about what happens when people trust in Christ and experience forgiveness. At that moment of conversion, their eternal address changes. All their sins are forgiven, and they become children of God. Guilt and shame…

Make Yourself At Home Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23 In one of His last discussions with His closest followers, Jesus makes the same point three times in quick succession: Love for God is inextricably linked to obedience to Him, and God richly rewards our faithfulness(John 14:15-18, 21, 23). In the…