“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1-2 NLT) Highlighters are useful little tools for highlighting important information. A few years ago, a family member used theContinue reading "Drop the Highlighter"
Keep It Secret
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1 NLT) The need to show off our good deeds is great. Impressing others with our good works gives us satisfaction. However, in Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus taught us to keepContinue reading "Keep It Secret"
Be a God Pleaser
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. (Galatians 1:10 NLT) For a long time, I was a God pleaser and a people pleaser at the same time. So you can imagine how convicting the above passage wasContinue reading "Be a God Pleaser"
The Golden Rule
Do to others as you would like them to do to you. (Luke 6:31 NLT) It amazes me how quick we are to criticize the way people treat us and forget how we might have treated others. Jesus gave His hearers what has come to be known as the Golden Rule, “Do to others asContinue reading "The Golden Rule"
Alone With God
But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor didContinue reading "Alone With God"
Living a Life Worthy of Our Calling
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. (Ephesians 4:1 NLT) This is one of those passages in Scripture that penetrates to the very core of my being. It strikes a chord when I’m not walking in aContinue reading "Living a Life Worthy of Our Calling"
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 NIV) Many people aren’t happy with how their lives are going because they aren’t in tune with God’s timing. They often try to run ahead of His schedule. I loveContinue reading "A Time for Everything"
Laugh Along with Him
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. (Psalm 2:4 NIV) The more we get to know God, the more we will begin to understand His ways and assume His character. When the devil comes along and attempts to threaten our wellbeing and peace, we can do what God does and "laugh,"Continue reading "Laugh Along with Him"
Baby Boomers
By now you should have been teachers, but once again you need to be taught the simplest things about what God has said. You need milk instead of solid food. People who live on milk are like babies who don’t really know what is right. (Hebrews 5:12-13 CEV) The church is still experiencing what IContinue reading "Baby Boomers"
Let’s Grow Up!
We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. We shouldn’t need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God...Let’s grow up, if God is willing. (Hebrews 6:1,Continue reading "Let’s Grow Up!"