All the greatest inventions seem to have been answers to problems. No problems = no growth. Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously […]
Monthly Archives: March 2022
Properly Governing
Government among the Gentiles was formed by the power to dominate. Government in Jesus’ Kingdom was formed by the power to effectively serve. Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. But He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it must not be like that among you. On the […]
Blessed to Hear and Do
My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil excess, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and […]
Courage and Strength
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 HCSB ©®)
Receiving Wonderful Counsel
Paul had a revelation that he shared with the Roman Church in chapter 8 of his letter to them: that for Jew or gentile, the righteous requirements of the law are fully met in us if we walk after the Spirit, not after the flesh. “When we have a set of rules, we don’t need the Holy Spirit, because we know what is right and wrong, and therefore, we can […]
Being Really Awesome
When Jesus had finished giving orders to His 12 disciples, He moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns. When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: […]
Committed to the Project
Ben Simonton has managed people and taught others to manage people for a few decades. Some of his ideas include, “You can’t ‘engage’ an employee. You can only create an environment in which an employee can and will become engaged,” and “’Turned on’ people figure out how to beat the competition. ‘Turned off’ people only complain about being beaten by the competition.” These ideas brought to my mind the contrasts […]
Dreads and Hopes
What the wicked dreads will come to him,but what the righteous desires will be given to him.(Proverbs 10:24 HCSB ©®)
Life, Death, and Healing
In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis raised an encouraging image for believers who make mistakes. He pointed out that a natural body, as long as it has life in it, will be healed from many sicknesses and injuries. A dead body does not have such power. In a spiritual application of the concept, he suggested that the Spirit of Jesus wants to bring healing to the spiritual, physical, emotional and […]
Strengthened Foundation
Every day has the potential for being a day during which you could strengthen the foundation your life is built on. The parts of our lives that include practices and habits and values that disagree with and resist complete obedience to instructions we have received from Jesus are built on sand. The sand is deep. Small buildings have six to thirty cinder block pilings supporting them. They either sit on […]