Blueprint
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. . . . and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:11, 17, ESV). In the construction world, nothing good is built without a […]
What Love Looks Like
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. […]
Speak Up!
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits (Proverbs 18:21, esv). How many adults still feel the sting of angry words they heard as children? And how many of us have said words we later regret? The tongue has the power to destroy. “Death […]
Yes, But . . .
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you (Genesis 28:15, ESV). Sometimes, we just won’t take yes for an answer. God’s promises to us in Scripture are so clear. Promises […]
Be Shrewd
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16, ESV). Know any people who are “wise as serpents” or, in some translations, “shrewd as snakes” (NIV)? Who comes to mind—a savvy business manager, a wily investor, a friend with […]
What to Wear
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (Colossians 3:12, nkjv). How do you expect you’d be received if you were to come to God, admitting need, admitting failure, admitting you haven’t lived in a way you’re proud of? Whatever you might expect, here’s what you’d […]
Forgiveness: The Crisis and the Process
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31–32, esv). True forgiveness is a miracle, but there are no enduring relationships without it. Choosing to put others’ […]
The Lion
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up” (Hosea 6:1, esv). Hosea 6:1 includes an intriguing phrase: God “has torn us, that he may heal us.” The word torn describes how a predator grabs its […]
A Tale of Two Itineraries
“Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt” (Numbers 14:3, esv)? Have you ever wondered what part of “Promised Land” they didn’t understand? Israel’s whole objective, after packing […]
Jesus on Repentance
From that time Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17, esv). Repent is such an Old Testament word, right? We picture grizzled prophets, screeching at guilty sinners.That couldn’t be the heart of our sweet Jesus, could it? Actually, we’d be so wrong to think repentance isn’t of […]