In the early years of the divided kingdom, “there was war between” Judah and Israel (2 Chron. 13:2).  “Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind [Judah]; so they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.  And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear; and they cried out to…

Some folks have better memories than others.  Usually we think of that as being a good thing; however, remembering everything is not necessarily “a good thing.”  When others make mistakes, is it always a good idea for you to remember everything?  When others commit offenses against you, is it always a good idea for you to remember everything?  When others sin, is…

At one time or another, we’ve all pressed onto our chest one of those fancy peal-and-stick nametags that says, “Hello!  My name is ______.”  We’ve worn them at meetings or events where not everyone knew who we were, except maybe a few others.  Thankfully, at those meetings/events, everyone else was also wearing a nametag, because we didn’t know who they were either. …

Sometimes Christians look at their non-Christian, worldly friends and wonder, “Why do they get to do whatever they want…and I don’t?”  That is dangerous territory in which to let the mind wander.  Think about these passages.  “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; for there will be no prospect for the evil man” (Prov. 24:19-20).  “Do not…

It is discouraging how disrespectful our society has become and how these attitudes have invaded the church.  It is obvious (or, maybe I should say, “It should be obvious”) that those who are younger ought to show a healthy amount of respect to those who are older.  But, just in case it’s not obvious, God commanded Christians to do it. In 1…

Now, that is a scary question!  Who, in their right mind, would ever think of setting their heart on the death of their child?  Such a possibility is ludicrous and even discussing the idea seems border-line insanity.  However, the Bible indicates that plenty of parents operate in this realm. The end of Proverbs 19:18 urges, “Do not set your heart on his…

Those who treasure their marriage put their whole heart into building a solid and meaningful relationship.  Those who treasure their children put their whole heart into raising them in the way they should go.  Those who treasure their home put their whole heart into keeping it beautiful.  Those who treasure their job put their whole heart into doing their work well and…

The Bible draws a line of distinction between what it calls “godly sorrow” and what it calls “the sorrow of the world” (2 Cor. 7:10).  “The sorrow of the world” is probably something we have seen and understood—sorrow that individuals “feel” or “express” when they get caught in a misdeed, but not actually a genuine sorrow that leads them to make any…