“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). […]
“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 […]