Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; conies are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it …
Love Increasing and Overflowing
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you….We love because He first loved us….If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is …
Soar, Run, and Walk with Christ (Part 2)
The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who trust, wait, and hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be …
Soar, Run, and Walk with Christ (Part 1)
The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who trust, wait, and hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be …
Think and Behave Lovingly
Jesus said: The Father Himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God….Think about and practice whatever is lovely, lovable and peaceable, kind, winsome and gracious. (John 16:27; Philippians 4:8-9, my paraphrase following AMP) This builds on Christ and GIGO (garbage in, garbage out); Jesus’ Noble Ones; and Righteous and Pure in Christ …
Righteous and Pure in Christ
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6 NLT) This builds on Christ and GIGO …
Jesus’ Noble Ones
The Lord says of His holy people: They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight….We have happy memories of godly people, but the name of a wicked person rots away. (Psalm 16:3; Proverbs 10:7) This builds on Christ and GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) Royal People, Royal Behavior Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, the Scottish theologian, told a story …
Christ and GIGO (garbage in, garbage out)
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it….A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say and do flows from what is in your heart. (Proverbs 4:23; Luke 6:45) Input and Output I took …
Hospitality Ministry (Part 2)
Note: I wrote this before the COVID-19 pandemic, but we still need to find ways to practice hospitality in creative ways despite the current troubles. Social distancing cannot mean social disconnection. Jesus taught us: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.1 …
Hospitality Ministry (Part 1)
Note: I wrote this before the COVID-19 pandemic, but we still need to find ways to practice hospitality in creative ways despite the troubles. Social distancing cannot mean social disconnection. My recent post about Dr. John Skilton, a life-long bachelor, reminded me how he preached and practiced the value of hospitality in evangelism. Some people who are not initially persuaded …