“For the body does not consist of one member but of many . . . But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.” (I Corinthians 12:14, 18, ESV) The Bible paints rich pictures of some very interesting and colorful characters.…
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17, NKJV) A friend at work had a habit of referring to others as “a good Christian man” or a “good Christian woman.” But he used the term in a…
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25, ESV) Have you ever had to forgive someone and, truthfully, you just didn’t want to? If you’ve lived any time at all…
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13, ESV). I almost always carry…
“Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” (Genesis 40:23, NKJV) It’s easy to feel forsaken and alone when you are falsely accused and imprisoned for something you did not do. But this latest blow was only one of several things that had plagued Joseph in recent…
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” (Psalm 119:37, ESV) Have you’ve ever gone shopping for one small item but came home with an armload of things you just couldn’t resist? It happens — more than we want to admit. For a…
“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you . . .” (Isaiah 43:4, ESV) This happened many years ago, but I still remember the day I met Precious. Let me tell you her story. A nurse in the hospital unit where I did volunteer work…
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13, NKJV) Many things in life excite us — a birth, a first date, reconnecting with an old friend, a wedding, or going on a special vacation. We dream about it, talk about…
Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18, ESV) Luke 17 tells the story of ten lepers and the encounter that changed their lives. To understand their plight, we need to…