I walked by a store the other day that had a large sign in the window that said, “Love is Love is Love.” I get what they are trying to say, but it’s not true. Love is applied to many things, but I don’t love ice cream the way I love my wife. As Christians,…
Read MoreHave you ever gotten impatient with God? Did you think that His timing is slower than you would prefer? Maybe God is not being slow to respond; instead, He is being patient so that his entire plan would come to fruition. When we learn to trust Christ’s process, we also learn patience along the way. God…
Read MoreLet’s be honest. It’s easier to tell others what they want to hear than to be honest. We are afraid to hurt their feelings, and telling the truth can make us uncomfortable if we are honest. Dishonesty was an issue in the early church, as it is today. Paul encourages us to be honest with…
Read MoreOne of the best acts we can do is refresh the heart of others. You can never fully know the struggles and pain people are enduring. When we come to encourage and strengthen them, it brings a breath of fresh air to their heavy hearts. A simple act of helping them complete a task can…
Read MoreI’ll be honest. Most Christians are clueless about the spiritual warfare that goes on in the heavenlies. They are surprised when they come under attack. In their mind, good people should be left alone, and only those who are really bad should have to deal with demons. James is very clear that we should resist…
Read MoreThe gifts of the Spirit are a facet of our faith that needs to be exercised. Paul clearly states that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts meant to build up the body of Christ. Each believer is given certain gifts. They aren’t for our benefit but the edification of others. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 To each…
Read MoreAs I watch my children play basketball, I am surprised by some of the players’ bravado. They make a simple shot, and they have to motion to the bench and bleachers how good they are. You could blame the kids for imitating the pros, but that is too easy. It is in our human nature to brag about ourselves. As a follower of Jesus, we need to Boast in the Lord.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:17-18
“But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”
The Corinthians were full of themselves and would often tell people about it. The culture was vain, with physical appearance and wealth more important than character or integrity. Unfortunately, this carried into the church, and they were constantly criticizing Paul for his unsightly looks and boring speaking skills. They boasted about how their appearances made them better than Paul. Then he let them have it. He tells them he could brag about all he has done and endured, but he chooses to boast of what the Lord has done.
Read MoreIn Medevil times, whenever a king would enter a city or a room, there would be a herald who would announce his coming. People would make way for his vehicle and bow when he entered the room. It was a signal to prepare the people how to act. Before Jesus came, God sent a messenger…
Read MoreNo one likes a fake person. You get that feeling when you talk to someone, and you can sense that there is nothing genuine. Christians can be accused of being fake. When you go to church, and someone asks you how you are doing, and your response is, “great!” If that is not true you…
Read MoreOne of the struggles in life is misplaced trust. It’s when we put our trust in someone we thought was a good person, but they ended up betraying us. It often is someone close to us, like a family member or longtime friend. It hurts and usually costs us something, but we can recover from…
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