“From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.” II Corinthians 5:16 The first-century church, like ours today, was often fractured by divisions based on race, language, and culture. Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Corinth to help them respond to those who were more concerned with outward appearance than with what is […]
“Take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning”. Exodus 23:8 Not all bribery is overt; some is more subtle. And not all bribes are financial. Flattery is a type of bribe that uses words as currency. If we give people preferential treatment for saying something nice about us, it’s similar to taking a bribe. To God, any kind […]
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.” Matthew 5:16 Sometimes you’ve got to “show up” before you speak up. No one really wants to hear what we have to say about the love of Jesus until they’ve seen it in our lives. People don’t care how much […]
“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all.” I Thessalonians 3:12 Congregations, church buildings, and budgets come in different sizes. The true measure of success is demonstrated by followers of Christ who love God and each other and are committed to living holy lives. Our challenge can be found in […]
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23. All of us have a secret garden of the heart. How we tend it will determine what speech and behavior it produces. Guarding what we take into our hearts and monitoring our response will determine what takes root there. As we […]