“So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:13). Inward honesty is far better than outward display; I must remember that my reputation—what people think of me—is of no […]
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Lk 6:46). God keep us from the sham in Western Christianity: Jesus uses “and,” not “but,” showing the assumption that these go together—calling Him “Lord,” then doing whatever we want. […]
“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes” (Song 2:15). Relationship are rarely jeopardized by great tragedies or insurmountable crises, but by the slow erosion of corrosive attitudes, words and actions. Let’s repent and forsake such things! […]
“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind” (Eccl 1:14, Darby). The “pursuit of happiness” is described by Solomon as chasing after the wind; instead, happiness sneaks up on you as you serve others and pursue the will of God. […]
“So He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:…Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins…’” (Lk 11:2-4). “Give” and “forgive”: think big eternal thoughts, but rejoice in small daily pleasures—remember the same God who gives you everlasting life also gives you your daily food. […]
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:4-5). If what you believe doesn’t affect how you live, it’s […]
“The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down” (Ps 145:14). When our little ones fall in learning to walk, what do we do? Just what our Father does to us: lifts us up, wipes away our tears, and encourages us to try again. So don’t lie there—up you get! […]
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Mt 16:25). One of the great secrets in life is that you only get to keep what you give away; love, joy, truth—they act like boomerangs that always return to us whenever we pass […]
“Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest…I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor 9:26-27). The world is full of gifted failures. What marked the patriarchs and prophets, conquerors of Canaan and the early Church, […]