“Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 Jn 5:21). Wycliffe translates this, “Keep yourselves from puppets.” Do I like to “pull the strings”? That’s the point with idolatry—keeping control. But what peace when the gracious, all-wise Lord reigns! […]
And David said, ‘What have I done now? Is there not a cause?’” (1 Sam 17:29). Look at the victories David won before he faced the giant: over his temper (v 28); over his fear (v 32); and over unbelief (v 36). Battles won or lost in secret often herald how it will go in […]
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Col 3:13). Can I both forgive and forget? Look how we set aside a thousand wrongs that we do ourselves! The appreciation of Christ’s grace to us is both our […]
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love…” (Eph 3:17). Love is the ground where the vast array of God’s plantings grow. The same soil feeds plants with different uses, colors, and fragrances. Celebrate the exotic varieties among God’s people today! […]
“Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass” (Job 14:5). There is “a time to die” and we cannot extend life by human effort; yet “violent and deceitful men shall not live out half their days” (Ps 55:23). Let’s use […]
“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). […]