Have you ever slipped on a wet floor because you weren’t paying close enough attention to your surroundings and the conditions? Did you anticipate that you would slip? No, that’s why you slipped. If you had seen the wet floor, could you have avoided it? Yes, if you were watching. Sometimes the devil gets us to sin because we are not paying close enough attention to…

There are some folks who have tried to separate the idea of “sound doctrine” from one’s behavioral choices. For example, some have categorized (in their minds) “doctrinal” matters, such as the organization or worship or various practices of the church, to be different from “personal” matters, such as one’s speech or behavior or habits, and they may suggest that “sound doctrine” dictates the…

A child’s natural reaction when startled, scared, intimidated, overwhelmed or even tired is to run into a parent’s arms and bury his/her head in mom or dad’s chest. How many times have you seen that? A little boy or girl finding comfort, refuge, peace and rest in the safety and security of the one who is always there and has proven to be the…

Sometimes it may be the sight of a wedding ring or a photo on your desk that tells another person that you’re “already spoken for.” Or maybe it’s a friend of yours who speaks up for you to let others know that you’re “already spoken for.” Being married is exclusive. And when you’re “already spoken for,” you know what that means and so does everyone…

The devil “transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). The devil can take darkness (i.e., sin that is unacceptable to God) and make it look like light (i.e., something acceptable to God). And all the while, he deceives you into not seeing what is so plain. Friends, please, do not be deceived! Do not be swindled into taking a little money or…

Extending forgiveness to someone is hard! It is especially hard when we have been hurt deeply and even repeatedly. Sometimes a person will ask for our forgiveness, and we will be hesitant or resist completely. Sometimes we will not accept a person’s apology because “they didn’t say it just right.” There are many layers to the matter of forgiveness, but consider an example. Stephen was “a…

Just because you “have a right” as a citizen of this country does not necessarily mean that you have approval from God for such. Regardless of when one has a right to have an abortion in this country does not change God’s view of the sanctity of life and the sinfulness of murder. Just because you have a right to freedom of speech does…

If you believe in the sovereignty of God, you know that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men” (Dan. 4:17, 25, 32; 5:21). If you believe in the sovereignty of God, you know that God not only “raises up kings,” but He also “removes kings” (Dan. 2:21). If you believe in the sovereignty of God, you know how often nations fell throughout…