“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” (Proverbs 11:17, ESV) We’ve often heard that we reap what we sow, and according to Galatians 6:7 that is a true statement. A farmer cannot plant beans and then hope to reap corn. The same is true in everyday life. We cannot sow hatred and expect to reap love. We cannot hold a grudge and expect to reap forgiveness. Nor can we sow anger and reap peace. That’s why we must be careful to only sow good things in life. Only plant what you are willing to…
I betrayed myself with a smile and an empty sentiment: “It’s okay; I understand.” I offered this deception to my “friend,” but the truth was—I didn’t understand, and it was not okay—not in the least. I was hurt, let down, and shocked. The details of the situation will remain unsaid; they are not for the world to know. But I want to share how God attended to my spirit afterward and helped me move past it. We all experience moments like these, and perhaps how God ministered to me will minister to you. Moments like these should remain just that—moments—and not linger for days, months, years, or a lifetime. This particular moment came with a friendly strike—a solid hit. It awakened an intrusive belief hidden deep within my core: a belief that I am not good enough, insufficient, unlovable, and easily discarded. In one deplorable, catch-all phrase, it screamed, “I lack value.” That single phrase, in my mind, explained so much—why I’ve been hurt by others, why I’m not chosen, why I fear opening my wings and taking flight. It was a lie straight from the pit, a seed that had taken deep root within me. It was equivalent to…
“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands . . . The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” (Proverbs 14:1 and 11, NKJV) Have you ever visited a home where you just weren’t comfortable? Oh, it may have had nice furniture and expensive décor, but the atmosphere of the home was not warm or welcoming. You step into another home and feel the difference. Although the furniture is worn and the floors are scarred, love and happiness seem to embrace you. Why is the atmosphere of these two homes so different? Because of how the home is built. I don’t mean the actual construction of wood or brick. Those living in the house create the atmosphere found within its walls. How they choose to live, the values they choose to live by, determine if it is joyful, comfortable, safe, and peaceful. A godly home feels different from one where the Lord is not recognized or honored. a godly life As I read Proverbs 14:1, I asked myself, “What inner qualities should a wise woman build into her life?” I knew the place to start…
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (II Kings 6:16, NKJV) The odds were against Elisha. After all, he was only one man with an entire army looking for him. Now that’s being outnumbered! This is an interesting story, but wait for the surprising twist at the end. The king of Syria was at war with Israel, yet time after time Israel seemed to know their plans and avoided the attack. Finally, the king called his servants together and demanded to know who the traitor was in their midst. One of the men…
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (I Peter 4:9, ESV) When I think of hospitality, I think of my mother. She was happiest when cooking a meal for someone or finding some small gift to give them as they left our home. I can’t remember Mom ever displaying “grumbling hospitality.” She just loved people and enjoyed offering hospitality. I can’t say the same about myself. As a child, my mom’s hospitality meant I slept on the couch when overnight guests were given my bedroom. According to dictionary.com, hospitality is “the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.” The New Testament Greek word translated hospitality means “love of strangers.” Hospitality isn’t just receiving people into your home; it’s loving them too. As I searched out passages in the Bible on hospitality, I found several different types of guests mentioned. Fellow Believers and Friends In I Peter 4:8-10, we see the phrases “among yourselves” and “one to another.” This speaks of hospitality among the believers, our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Acts 2:44-47 says the believers “broke bread from house to house” and ate “with gladness and singleness of heart.” These times of fellowship helped them form strong bonds…
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV) According to one source, the richest man in the world is currently worth $424 billion dollars. It’s difficult for me to imagine that many zeros after a dollar sign. Do I feel envious? Not really. I’m not wealthy, but I am content with the blessings I’ve received from the Lord. Does the richest man have that same contentment? Contentment is not based on circumstance. The apostle Paul had none of the things that many would consider a good life. Scripture says nothing of him having wealth or an abundance of possessions. Material goods did not attract him. Paul’s passion was lost souls, not money. The apostle traveled 10,000 miles or more during his missionary journeys, much of the time on foot or by ship. He endured many hardships through his years of ministry. In II Corinthians 11:25-27, Paul describes the difficulties he faced. “Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on…