“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep” (Lk 7:32). So did our Master speak of those who had lost their capacity to empathize? Locked in prisons of selfish living, they could no longer enter into others’ joys or sorrows. Lord, keep me […]
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt 12:36-37). “The tongue of the wise is health” (Prov 12:18). “Stick out your tongue […]
“I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning…Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you” (1 Jn 2:7-8). It isn’t new, and yet it is—the same old waterpot, but the water changed to wine. It is […]
“A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (Prov 29:11). A sharp tongue doesn’t indicate a sharp mind. We can’t afford to give people “a piece of our mind.” Note to self: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov 15:1). […]
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised” (1 Chron 16:23-25). Great God = great praise. If I have small thoughts of God, I […]
“‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth’” (Jn 18:37). A King with a borrowed coat, a crown of thorns, a reed scepter—but what […]
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). A sponge gives, but only when pressured. A fountain gives, but spontaneously, because it is designed to do so. God, help me to be cheerful like You (hilaros, “hilarious”) in […]
“Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? And you forget the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth” (Isa 51:12-13). Peter denied the Lord, not for love […]
“Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, ‘Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?’” (Jn 14:22). Christ went away, yet His promise is: “I will never leave you” (Heb 13:5). He comes in the Spirit’s power, in true fellowship, through the Word, or in blessing our work. […]