“Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” (Romans 12:14-16 NLT) AreContinue reading “Ordinary?”
Tag Archives: sin
Distractions
“I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.” (1 Corinthians 7:35 NLT) What distracts you? When you’re trying to focus on reading or studying God’s Word what is the “something else”Continue reading “Distractions”
Temporal or Eternal?
“And what do you benefit if your gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NLT) Being human beings, having flesh and blood, having appetites and longings that draw us to the world and the things of the world, create a hard sell when itContinue reading “Temporal or Eternal?”
Imitation or Original?
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander othersContinue reading “Imitation or Original?”
Burden Bearers Beware!
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you thinkContinue reading “Burden Bearers Beware!”
Denial
“Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I haveContinue reading “Denial”
The Meaning of Grace
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 KJV) The longer I know, love, and serve the Lord, the greater my sense that we’ve cheapened His grace to mean something it wasContinue reading “The Meaning of Grace”
Avoidance Isn’t Obedience
“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2Continue reading “Avoidance Isn’t Obedience”
Injustice
“I was living quietly until He shattered me. He took me by the neck and broke me in pieces. Then He set me up as His target, and now His archers surround me. His arrows pierce me without mercy. The ground is wet with my blood. Again and again He smashes against me, charging atContinue reading “Injustice”
Unhealthy Habits
“A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.” (Proverbs 22:15 NLT) Habits form our lives and, far too often, interrupt or even block our progress as children of God. Why is that? One reason is we’re too quick to believe we can’t change negative or harmful habits. WeContinue reading “Unhealthy Habits”
Walking With Jesus 