“Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21, NKJV). Friendship is a great thing. Before opening ourselves up to a new friend, we usually look for qualities like common interests, trust, loyalty, dependability, supportiveness. So it was puzzling when…
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. (Psalm 119:105-106, ESV) There’s a saying that rules are made to be broken. But is this really true? Do we even want it…
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22, ESV) Looking out my window this morning, I saw sunshine and the promise of a new season. I live in an area that has four distinct seasons, each with…
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in…
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1, NKJV) As a prisoner of Rome, the apostle Paul could not move freely about to continue ministering to the believers. He could, however, strengthen and encourage the churches…
“For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). Today many people will celebrate Valentine’s Day, a holiday where flowers, chocolates, and special dates show love. Some Latin American countries call it the Day of Love and Friendship. In the Philippines it is a popular…
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.” (Isaiah 55:10, ESV) As I look out my window this morning, the snow is…
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” (I Peter 2:9, KJV) God’s people have always been special to Him. The King James Version of Exodus 19:5 describes them as a “peculiar treasure,” a possession He values and holds dear to Himself. The…
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a…