“Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37) If we’re going to have a meaningful life, we must learn how and when to clearly say yes and how and when to clearly say no. So many people find it difficult to be …
Tag: Spirituality
The Lord God is Always With You
“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9) Once I was asked to give a graduation address to some men who, after leaving prison, had joined an intensive program to change their lives. Before giving …
A Wise Counsel of Elders
“The king answered the people harshly. He disregarded the advice that the older men had given him and spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, ‘My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’” …
Using Our Gifts and Talents from God
“Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.’” (Matthew 25:24-25) The Master gave five …
Embrace Living Into God’s Will
“This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.” (John 6:40) Sometimes we can make it sound like living into God’s will is a difficult duty or a terrible burden. We can …
Paying Attention to the Messages in Our Lives
“So from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.” (Dan. 5:24-25) The handwriting was on the wall, but he chose not to see it. His sweetheart had been sending him messages, but he refused to take her …
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Belonging to the Lord Jesus
“‘In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.’ Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.’” …
Entering the Kingdom of God
Jesus said, “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell…” (Mark 9:43) Jesus says these bracing and brutal words because He wants nothing to get in the way of our entering the Kingdom of …
Jesus is at Our Side
“If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post, for calmness will undo great offenses.” (Ecclesiastes 10:4) Today’s scripture can directly apply to our lives. In the first line, instead of reading “ruler,” substitute the important people in your life. So, if your spouse or kids or boss or employees …
Godly Grief Leads to Life
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.” (2 Cor. 7:10) I’ve made many mistakes. Some of my mistakes were fairly harmless, but some led to huge losses. Some were just dumb, but some were willful. Some caused great pain to others, and …