Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4, ESV). In Philippians 4:4, Paul made his point quickly and clearly. “Rejoice . . . Rejoice!” Preachers can relate to using repetition. Sometimes while preaching we survey the congregation and wonder, Are they getting it? So we repeat ourselves to make sure they’re tracking. […]
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11, nasb). In sports, they call it “playing not to lose”—trying not to make mistakes, being hesitant to take risks or push the boundaries, doing just enough to win. Yet in almost every case, it’s a sure way […]
Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing (John 9:6, esv). The call to live for […]
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10, esv). God promises in His Word to bless the giver—He just comes right out and says it. Not once or twice but numerous times. Yet as […]
For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths (Proverbs 5:21, esv). That’s right, God sees you. He “ponders all [your] paths”—He doesn’t miss a single detail of your life. He hears your conversations with your spouse. He sees your checkbook. He knows your unspoken fears. Your […]
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He […]
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14, ESV)? As the Bible describes it, fellowship only happens among Christians. Fellowship refers to far more than association—and something much deeper than even friendship. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul uses a simple […]
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word” (John 17:6, esv). Could life really be as simple as keeping His Word? Sometimes when our spiritual life doesn’t seem to be moving fast […]
Good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened (Hebrews 4:2, esv). Have there been times when you’ve wondered why, even though you know the promises of God, you don’t seem to experience them with […]
There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want (Proverbs 11:24, nasb). On days when the chance of rain is ten or twenty percent, you prepare as if it’s zero percent. You assume the game will […]