For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:15–16, esv) According to the apostle Paul, you stink. […]
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life (Galatians 6:7–8, esv). We’ve gotten our circumstances and […]
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain (Psalm 127:1a, esv). There’s no pain like family pain. “Unless the Lord builds the house,” the house will be built in vain and filled with pain. Family life is delightful and dynamic if prioritized, but difficult and draining if neglected. If life […]
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 Paul’s words in these verses are so practical we may gloss over their radical nature. Serving Christ isn’t just about obvious […]
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29, esv). The Bible says, “You do not have, because you do not […]
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them” (Exodus 20:4–5, esv). When we allow anything to accumulate on the […]
He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour” (Matthew 26:40, esv)? Most likely, you’ve read and heard the story so often, you could almost quote the narrative by heart. You’ve spent time trying to picture what Jesus was enduring, both […]
He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart (Luke 18:1, nasb). “Once I get to feeling better,” you may sometimes think, “I’ll start praying again with more regularity.” “Once I’m not so upset, once my heart is not so overwhelmed, maybe I’ll […]
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save […]
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7, ESV). God allows bad things to happen to good people. The phrase “good people” is a […]