"Giving" can mean many things. God gives many kinds of blessings.In the Old Testament, God instructed the Israelites to give a tenth of their produce and livestock to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30-33). There were also admonitions to be generous (such as Proverbs 11:24, 25) and [...]
Galatians 6:7-8 read, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit [...]
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he [...]
The bearing of the cross is the way of growth in character and experience for the consecrated child of God. When we have trials that interfere with our human desires and appetites, then we know we are His disciples. We are to consider trials [...]
Yes, Christians can set limits. Not knowing the circumstances behind the question and the wrongs committed, we can only briefly deal with the principles. We can’t change others or society; we are only responsible for ourselves. Jesus did turn the other cheek when smitten [...]
James 1:6-8 and 4:8 tell us: "One who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea, that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything (he [...]
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3 New Living Translation) This does not mean a person must be in poverty. Poor in spirit is referring to our heart’s sadness because [...]
All scriptures are quoted from the NIV Bible. Yes! Gentleness, kindness, compassion, and tenderness are all expressions of love. God is love; and "the Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." (Hebrews 1:3), so Jesus is also [...]
The highest eternal purpose in life is to live for God. Footstep followers of Jesus would have the same purpose he had. “For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world--to give testimony for the truth. Everyone [...]
First, I’d turn to Ephesians 5. The first verse says, “…be imitators of God…and walk in love as Christ has also loved us and given Himself for us….” With that in mind, let us consider how Christ loves us and is also our head.1 [...]
It is wonderful you are getting closer to Christ and looking to see what His will is in your life. This is a path which grows nearer and dearer to your heart as you go along it. There is a principle found in scripture [...]
The last supper was the only event that Jesus asked his followers to annually celebrate: "The Lord Jesus took a loaf and after thanking God he broke it, saying, 'This means my body broken for you. Do this in memory of me.' In the [...]
God told Israel in Leviticus 19:28 (ESV), “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.” Christians are not under the Law Covenant. Therefore, its commands are not binding for Christians. Yet, it may [...]
Matthew 18:21, 22, “Then Peter came to Him (Jesus) and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you up to seven times, but up [...]
We can get along only with the aid of the Lord’s Holy Spirit and with humility. Sadly, Christians fight due to the lack of both. Proverbs 13:10 (NIV), “Where there is strife, there is pride…” As it is stated in Psalm 133:1, “How good [...]
Proverbs 20:19 & Proverbs 11:13(NIV), “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much…a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Both scriptures define gossip as a betrayal of a confidence. When people spread secrets (whether true or false), they are engaging in [...]
In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV) God [...]
Physical pain consumes our thoughts and body. It demands our attention to fix whatever is wrong. Sadly, not all things can be fixed; some pain needs to be endured. Focusing on the scriptures is a helpful way to refocus the mind. Proverbs 17:22 ”A [...]
The Lord requires certain conditions of one who desires wisdom. The Psalms tell us to be humble, to recognize and admit our weak, sinful condition, and then to seek His wisdom. Psalm 25:9 “… He teaches the humble His way,” Psalm 111:10 “Reverence for the Lord is [...]
The world news is sobering and scary. The Bible tells of "a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation" (Daniel 12:1). Jesus called it "great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled [...]
