Since God is the Creator of children, He must certainly know how our kids ought to be raised and how our families should function. Indeed, He does! We find in His Word a very consistent and easily understood prescription for parents who want to do things His way. Let me quote a few verses that illustrate this divine wisdom. Note three concepts within them that I have emphasized: (1) The ...
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For some, grace is like an injection of God’s power to be administered by trained professionals only. For others, it’s an entirely subjective transaction – a feeling I get as a customer at God’s eternal storehouse. Some imagine grace as a kind of eternal fire insurance. For others still, it’s a vague energy like the Force in Star Wars or a system of justice like the Hindus’ karma.
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One young, single woman quit her job in the city and moved back to her small hometown, abandoning her career, and leaving a place of service in the church she had joined. When asked why, she replied, "I just got tired of eating supper alone." No one is immune to it. Even one of the most brilliant men who ever lived, Albert Einstein, complained, "It is strange to be known ...
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Psalm 47:1 says: "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy." Most people have no problem clapping and shouting for their favorite sports team, but when it comes to church, they become tongue-tied, merely mouthing the words. Some don't even do that. They come to praise God, but they never do. They keep their mouths shut.
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Never in human history have people been so busy saying so much that, in the end, means so little. From morning to night, we make phone calls and texting. Our cars have become extensions of our offices, and even in-flight airline passengers are able to talk to those on the ground. The business of life is unavoidable, but what about the most important business of all… that of our Father?
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Many interpret Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13 to mean Christians have the power to be successful at anything in life. However, the passage is actually talking about contentment in any circumstance, whether difficult or easy. Paul speaks of having little (poverty) versus having much, and going hungry versus being filled. His point is that Jesus Christ is our life in every circumstance we face. This is a far cry from the idea ...
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For a Christian to be willfully unforgiving is unthinkable. We who have been forgiven by God Himself have no right to withhold forgiveness from our fellow sinners. In fact, Scripture plainly commands us to forgive in the same manner as we have received forgiveness: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
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Have you ever sighed while setting your alarm clock on a Saturday night for church the next morning? After a week of waking up early for school, homework and extracurricular activities, sleeping in on Sunday can sound refreshing. There’s always the option to watch the sermon later online, right? So, why not hit the snooze button?
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When we love, we utilize all parts of ourselves. You literally bring your entire being to bear toward helping and becoming close to someone, God or human. This is why love cannot be reduced to simply an emotion, a thought, a behavior, a choice or a commitment. It involves the whole person, investing our very souls for the sake of another, loving with heart, soul and mind (Matt. 22:37).
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The number one source of marital conflict and divorce in America is around the subject of money. It’s no surprise considering the infinite number of differing perspectives on the subject.
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