“But this I say, brethren, the time is short…For the form [present state] of this world is passing away” (1 Cor 7:29-31). In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday. We shouldn’t live FOR the present, but we need to use the present wisely, buying up opportunities while we have them to invest in eternity. […]
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps 23:1). Hebrews 13:5 says to resist covetousness by being “content with such things as you have,” but look what we have! “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Is He enough? […]
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Php 3:12). Who you are now and who you hope to become requires a bridge of honest reality between the two. Today I need […]
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov 27:6). Some of us are good at dishing it out, but find it hard to take correction. But friends who know and love us should be encouraged to give it to us straight. Like God, they hurt to heal […]
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8). God’s simple program for your success: First, stand up for what’s right; second, speak up for the needy; and third, show up […]
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Php 1:6). Setting expectations for others so they meet our goals leads to frustration; desiring them to grow into God’s design—at the Spirit’s pace—is the path of encouragement and success. […]
“Bless the Lord, O my soul…who satisfies (fills) your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps 103:2, 5). An empty bucket doesn’t pour; we need to be taking it in as fast as we’re sharing heaven’s blessings with needy ones around us. Thankfully “the river of God is […]
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (Jas 5:16). An apology may express my regrets at the way I handled a situation, but seeking forgiveness means my relationship is too precious to lose, and I want it fully restored. […]
“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov 29:25). What would you do differently if others’ opinion of you didn’t matter? We wouldn’t worry so much about what people thought of us if we realized how little they did. […]