Would you say that you’re “wise”? Do you realize that being “wise” is not the same as being “smart”? Some of the smartest people in the world are not very “wise.” James teaches us much about wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (1:5). True “wisdom” is given by God “from above” (1:17). Later in the book,…
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Posts by David Sproule (Page 135)
If someone were to write about you and state that something was your “custom,” what would they mention? “Every morning, his custom is to…” “When she gets to work, her custom is to…” What do other people know to be “customary” for you? Is it something you’d like for them to write to the world about? Like Jesus before him (cf. Luke…
The emergence of gift cards into the market place has altered gift giving for many people. In some ways, gift cards have taken the thought and effort out of gift buying. No extra time or energy is required to wrap or ship. Just stick it in an envelope. It’s almost effortless. Receiving gift cards has likewise altered the gift experience. Now, with…
One of the hardest things to do is to visit a church, especially if you have never been there. Questions flood the mind: “What will this church be like? Will they be friendly to me? What is their worship going to be like? Are they going to make me feel uncomfortable? What does this church even believe or teach about certain things? …
When Paul was trying to join the disciples in Jerusalem but was not being accepted, thank God for brothers in Christ like Barnabas, who stood in the gap and brought brethren together (Acts 9:26-27). When Paul was thrown in prison for preaching the gospel, thank God for brothers in Christ like Epaphroditus, who came and ministered to Paul’s needs (Phil. 2:25-30). When…
Making peace is easy…when most everyone is peaceful, or when the circumstances are mostly peaceful, or when the situation is already headed for peace. But, when making peace isn’t so automatic or easy or expected, that’s when the true peacemakers step up. Are you a true peacemaker? Do you promote unity and pursue harmony with brethren even when…it is not popular, or…
In the first preserved letter that Paul wrote (chronologically), the inspired apostle gave some very explicit instructions to Christians regarding their responsibilities to one another. He emphasized that members of the Lord’s church are “taught by God to love one another,” and even to “increase more and more” in their unconditional, unselfish elevation of the needs of others above their own (1…
When we pray, we sometimes (maybe most times) expect God to give us exactly what we ask for and exactly when we ask for it. It is a hard lesson to learn, sometimes, that true prayer doesn’t work that way. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane and facing a physical torture, death and separation from the Father while on the…