“One day David asked, ‘Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive – anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT) Saul, who was Israel’s first king, had a son named Jonathan. Jonathan was in line to become king upon his father’s death, but he recognized that he was notContinue reading “What Is Brotherly Affection?“
Tag Archives: love
Loving Without an Agenda
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, isContinue reading “Loving Without an Agenda”
The Crisis of Meaninglessness
“’Everything is meaningless,’ says the Teacher, ‘completely meaningless.’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT) In a recent article by John Stonestreet of the Colson Center, he highlighted the teen mental health crisis. One New York Times journalist noted that “major depressive episodes” and teen suicides have increased by 60% since 2007. Stonestreet wrote: “The factors behind this tsunamiContinue reading “The Crisis of Meaninglessness”
To Know and Be Known
“It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.” (2 Peter 2:21 NLT) To have knowledge of the Bible and/or the ways of God and to have a personal love relationship with God through faithContinue reading “To Know and Be Known”
What’s the Cost?
“But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted.” (Matthew 14:6-7 NLT) Have you ever expressed your intent to commit to something before you knew the cost? I have, and it cost me more than IContinue reading “What’s the Cost?”
Have You Let Jesus Change Your “Want to?”
“He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.” (Philippians 3:21 NLT) Our progress in conforming to the likeness of Jesus is in direct proportion to our willingness to obey His commands. Ultimately, our goalContinue reading “Have You Let Jesus Change Your “Want to?””
The Purifying Power of Prayer
“Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” (James 5:15 NLT) In the last church I served something that elicited the greatest positive response was our time of prayer on Sunday morning. As James 5:13Continue reading “The Purifying Power of Prayer”
A Closer Look at Kindness
“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NLT) One of the definitions of kindness in Strong’s Concordance that caught my attention is “benignity.” Not a word you see every day, huh? Yeh, I had to look itContinue reading “A Closer Look at Kindness”
A Closer Look at Love
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:Continue reading “A Closer Look at Love”
What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT) In the above Psalm, David outlined a strategy for spiritual growth that is too often overlooked in our fast-paced culture.Continue reading “What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?”
Walking With Jesus 