But the Lord said to David my father, “Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless, you shall not build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name” (1 Kings […]
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23, esv). One of the driving forces behind Western prosperity was the Protestant work ethic, which attributed value and virtue to hard work and self-discipline. Our society, though, continues to slip more toward entitlement—the belief that people deserve something for nothing. […]
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13, esv)! What have you finally given up on? What are you thinking you’ll never see, never do, never have? Maybe you’ve been trying to salvage a particular relationship for so long now—and with so little […]
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17, esv). Can God’s Word get your attention? The verse above should have you reaching for your Bible. Ephesians 5:17 is basically saying, “Hey! Pay attention and don’t be foolish! Understand the Lord’s will.” We can be sure of this: […]
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (1 Peter 4:1, esv). When was the last time the consequences of sin, with all its guilt and shame and disappointment, were raining down on your head? When was […]
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor […]
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23, ESV). Who are you? The world would like to answer that question for you. Let’s debunk five identity lies the culture promotes and the Church too often parrots. 1. […]
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings […]
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). Human beings, we know, are born with an innate need to be loved. In certain Newborn Intensive Care Units, for example, volunteers come at scheduled intervals to hold the tiny preemies […]
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1-3, ESV) The Bible doesn’t hesitate to urge us to thank God. If […]