It Goes Without Seeing
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8, esv). I’ve often heard enthusiastic preachers lead their congregations in kind of a cheer: “God is good!”—to which the people respond, “All the time!” And of course I couldn’t agree more. God is good, all […]
The Sower
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6–7, esv). When the Apostle Paul set out to develop a case […]
Just Keep Walking
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him (Colossians 2:6, esv). While the writers of Scripture use many vivid metaphors to describe the Christian life, by far the most common one in the New Testament is a walk. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the […]
The Opposite of Stingy
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6–7, esv). When the apostle Paul set out to develop a case […]
You: Be Filled
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, ESV). On your own, you cannot be like Jesus. You can’t will yourself to change your sinful patterns or to choose right. So how do you live a powerful life in Christ? How do you live out […]
Don’t Look Back
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18–19, esv). So much time is wasted by looking back. In the world around […]
Choice Considerations
Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding (Romans 14:19, esv). Life is full of gray areas, choices that individuals or families can make—and even biblically defend, whichever side of an issue they may come down on. The drinking of alcohol, for instance, is one of those debatable areas. On one hand, […]
Eliminate the Competition
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you” (John 21:17, esv). Can you feel the tension and heartache […]
He Sees, He Knows
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him (Nahum 1:7, esv). God knows. Not just every fact that can possibly be known. He doesn’t just know, for example, which of His children are in bankruptcy court this morning, or how many of us could […]
Appreciating Life’s Good Things
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in […]