The last enemy to be destroyed is death. —1 Corinthians 15:26 A head cold or sinus infection is a short-term enemy; we face it, fight it, and beat it. But fear of death is a lifelong enemy (Heb. 2:15). Death is the last foe left standing. We want to […]
He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame. —Proverbs 18:13 “The first duty of love is to listen,” wrote theologian Paul Tillich. Think you have nothing to give? You do. Your undivided attention. In The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck wrote, “You cannot truly listen to anyone
Care Enough to Listen Read More »
Each will receive his praise from God. —1 Corinthians 4:5 Our talents and possessions are gifts of God’s grace: “Isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God?” (1 Cor. 4:7 MSG). Our individuality is a gift of God’s grace: “[By] the grace of
Your Father’s Applause Read More »
Do not neglect your gift. —1 Timothy 4:14 We think of Changemakers as super-gifted and well-positioned—speakers, writers, singers, politicians, CEOs. But for every Changemaker in the spotlight, there are a dozen in the shadows that don’t make speeches, draw crowds, sell books, or set policies. You don’t have to have major talent to
You Are a Changemaker Read More »
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. —Psalm 33:21 Trust and thankfulness are joined at the hip. We have both, or we have neither. Trust and thankfulness are the outgrowth of our conviction that some things are unquestionably and irrevocably true. If you believe it is
A good name is more desirable than great riches. —Proverbs 22:1 Names given to Bible characters often carried a meaning that defined them . . . Eve – “to breathe” or “to live” Abraham – “father of many” Ishmael – “God will hear” Isaac – “he laughs” Jesus – “the Lord
What Word Describes You? Read More »
The bigwigs huddled in secret, hatching a plan to arrest and kill Jesus. But they had a problem: pilgrims were pouring into Jerusalem by the tens of thousands to observe Passover, and they were in a frenzy of excitement about Jesus. Jesus had to be eliminated. “‘But not during the Feast,’ they whispered, ‘or there
What is impossible with men is possible with God. —Luke 18:27 Matthew 13 records Jesus’ parable of the soils: four different kinds of soil (hard, shallow, worldly, receptive) that depict the condition of the hearts
God Can Change People Read More »
Ah, Sovereign Lord … Nothing is too hard for you. —Jeremiah 32:17 Abraham and Sarah would soon have a hundred candles on their cake. They had no children, so when God told them their descendants would be as numberless as the stars they cracked up. “Is anything too hard for the Lord? .
Nothing Is Impossible With God Read More »
I am the Lord . . . Is anything too hard for me? —Jeremiah 32:27 Matthew 19:26 says that “with God all things are possible.” There are people in your circle who don’t doubt his power, but question his concern. His concern was clear at the Cross. But the Cross of the first
You’re Building a Bridge Read More »
