[W]atch out for those who cause divisions . . . Keep away from them. —Romans 16:17 Sooner or later nearly every church is contaminated by contention. Like cancer, it infiltrates furtively at first. But eventually, it metastasizes and permeates the body, resulting in severely depleted strength. Or death. The apostle Paul exhorted Christians to […]
Contaminated by Contention Read More »
[G]od did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. —2 Timothy 1:7 Greek philosopher Epictetus said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Author Ryan Holiday
Reaction Determines Destiny Read More »
[T]he Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. —Luke 19:10 As the Son of Man, he hungered. As the Son of God, he is the bread of life. As the Son of Man, he thirsted. As the Son of God, he offers the thirsty the water
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What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him. —Matthew 8:27 “A mature hurricane is by far the most powerful event on earth,” writes Sebastian Junger, in The Perfect Storm. “The combined nuclear arsenals of the United States and the former
Your Storm Shelter Read More »
Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. —Matthew 22:21 Do you know anyone who likes to pay taxes? Neither do I. The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus on taxes: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” If Jesus said “No,” he was in trouble with
Government and God Read More »
Come to the wedding banquet. —Matthew 22:4 Jesus spun a story about a king who invited some well-heeled friends to a wedding banquet for his son, only to be insulted by their refusal to come. First impulse is to brand these invitees as a wicked, wretched, worthless brood. But not so fast.
The Good and the Best Read More »
Bring them here to me. —Matthew 14:18 Jesus’ disciples asked him to dismiss the crowd so the people could go buy themselves some dinner. He said, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they protested. “Bring them
Jesus Can Do a Lot with Your Little Read More »
Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? —Matthew 18:1 Jesus’ disciples jockeyed for prominent positions (Mk 9:33; 10:37, 41). “Who is the greatest in the kingdom?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt.
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I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend. And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. —Louisa M.R. Stead I love that old hymn. Trust isn’t easily achieved, and it doesn’t survive unchallenged. It’s tested when life dumps you in a dark patch where
[T]hey saw no one except Jesus. —Matthew 17:8 It was a spine-tingling experience: Jesus’ face shone like the sun, his clothes were eye-squinting bright, and Moses and Elijah were right there talking with him (Mt 17:2–3). Then a bright cloud blanketed them, and God spoke. Peter, James, and John
