Focus on those things that build others up instead of tearing them down. Life is much more satisfying if we focus on what is going right instead of always pointing out what is wrong with the world. We want to be builders who leave things better than when we got them. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 All…
Read MoreThe Apostle Paul knew the emptiness of people’s praises. Several times people thought he was a god because of the healing that God did through him. In response to these healings, people started to worship him. There were also times where Paul was criticized for telling the truth. We can’t put any hope in people’s…
Read MoreCoaches always tell us to keep our heads in the game, our minds ready for action that is going to take place. The same is true for those who follow Christ. We need to be alert to what is about to come and prepared to react to it. We can’t roam aimlessly through life. 1…
Read MoreWe all love an underdog story. Someone, who wasn’t picked, becomes the hero through spectacular effort. God’s chosen instrument is often someone everybody else would ignore. They are passed over, but God sees the potential. God’s chosen instrument is someone who is open and willing to be used by him. Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord…
Read MoreThere are a lot of angry people today. Pick any cause and you will find someone upset and offended. A lot of those people are hostile towards God. They feel like they have been slighted and dealt a bad hand and it is all God’s fault. They don’t understand why there is so much evil…
Read MoreNothing gets us into more trouble than our words. Taming the tongue is the most difficult task a person will ever take on. There is just an impulse in us to say things that we will regret later. James tells us that the tongue is like a rudder that steers a large ocean liner and…
Read MoreThe love of money has destroyed many peoples lives. All throughout the Bible, we are warned about pursuing riches. James tells us instead to be rich in faith. Our faith and trust in God should always be more significant than our bank account. We can’t buy happiness. James 2:5 “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:…
Read MoreGod gave a powerful tool when he created our tongue. It has the ability to build up and to tear down. James writes “Control your tongue.” Left to its own our tongues can weapons of mass destruction leaving a wake of hurt people behind us. Control your tongue and your life gets easier, James 1:26 “If anyone…
Read MoreJesus was tempted in the desert after 40 of fasting. There is nothing his body wanted more than food. Satan told him to turn stones into food. Jesus knew that being faithful to God was more important than food. He knew the bread of life would sustain him. Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led up…
Read MoreOne of the pictures we have in our mind of heaven is when the clouds part and rays of light shine down. We speak of it as the heavens were opened up and God’s face was shining down on us. When Jesus was baptized the heavens were opened up, literally, and God showed his pleasure….
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