It’s amazing how in a ball game that, from many spectators’ and players’ perspective, the score and the outcome are always the referee’s fault.  Every call the referees make is always the wrong one and is always against your team.  If your team loses the game, it is never because of your team’s play, but always someone else’s fault.  Recently I listened…

Oh, what we can learn when we take it one word at a time.  Look at James 5:19-20. “Brethren” – This is being addressed to Christians (very important to the context). “if” – There is something that is a possibility…it cannot be called impossible. “anyone” – This is not limited to certain Christians; it includes “any” Christian. “among you” – This is…

Have you seen the commercial where a lady (while talking on her cell phone) tries getting into a stranger’s high-class vehicle by pressing the keyless-entry remote for her “not-nearly-as-nice” car?  At first, she appears confused why “her key” will not get her into that luxury car, but to the informed observer, it’s pretty obvious. I wonder if, on the day of judgment,…

It is critically important that Christians have a proper view of themselves in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.  Our responsibility is to “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), and Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4 can help us to keep it all in perspective. We are to preach “Christ Jesus as Lord” (4:5), for that is “the light of…

In 1984, Tina Turner released her song, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”  Use that song title as a springboard to think about a couple getting married.  A young man and a young woman meet and begin to build a friendship, which leads to a more serious relationship.  Over time, they decide to get married and start a family.  If someone…

Are you tired of all the lies (and liars)?  Have you wearied of not being able to trust certain people because of their frequent choices to speak untruths?  Our typical reaction to lies is one of frustration, exasperation, anger, evasion, complaining and maybe even gossip.  Have you ever stopped and thought about praying for the ones who lie to you, about you…

The English word “ability” is found in four New Testament passages in the New King James Version.  (Interestingly, there are three different Greek words used for that one English word.)  In each of these passages, there is always a degree or measurement of the “ability” that is key to the context.  Think about these things in relationship to your ability and what…

Our societies dwindling interest in Christianity (and even the once expected Sunday activity of “church-going”) is becoming more and more apparent.  When businesses are now open on Sundays that once were not, when little leagues sports are now scheduling games for Sunday mornings, it is obvious that few have any interest in attending a “church service” themselves, and they have little regard…