When you look at a child’s face, can you sometimes see the resemblance to their parents? Maybe their eyes or their mouth reminds you of their parent’s eyes or mouth. As you know, it is not just the physical features that they will mirror, but their behavior will follow suit as well. This is especially noticeable in the church setting. The children that you see…

The challenge of preaching is to make sure to proclaim “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), and still, to regularly (and repeatedly) cover Biblical matters that require regular (and repeated) attention and action by children of God. Sometimes there is a sense of, “You don’t need to hear this again, but I’m going to say it again anyway.” Actually, there is Biblical precedent…

What is necessary in order to be a faithful Christian? Many answers could be given to that question, but how often do we think about “discernment” as a critical Christian quality? Paul prayed for his brethren in Philippi, “that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment” (Phil. 1:9). God ties our discernment to our growth in “more and…

The Little Mermaid Ariel expressed the hearts of many. She had lots of “neat” “stuff.” Most would think her “collection’s complete” and that she was “the girl who has everything,” with “treasures untold…gadgets and gizmos a-plenty…whooz-its and whats-its galore.” Even with all that she had, her heart poured forth, “No big deal. I want more!” Are we like that? Look around at your “neat stuff.” Look around at…

The Bible draws a sharp distinction between that which is “temporary” and that which is “eternal.” Unfortunately, we have a hard time keeping that distinction clear and foremost in our minds. It is so easy to get “fixed” on money (having it or not having it), houses or cars (having nice ones or needing new ones), our jobs (having one or not having one,…

One of the greatest, most comforting, most reassuring, most empowering verses in all of the New Testament is Romans 8:1. After establishing that those seeking to be justified by the law were in fact condemned by the law, Paul assures New Testament Christians, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the…

We like to receive credit for things that we do. We like to receive recognition and a pat on the back. And, if someone else receives credit for something we did, it almost feels like we’ve been robbed. But, is that really a big deal? Think about some Biblical principles. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each…

Of course, we know that we need to be a good example around everyone, but sometimes we may be tempted to think, “Well, they don’t even realize this particular thing is a right/wrong issue, so they won’t know that I’m even setting a good example for them.” Does that matter? When it comes to remaining sexually pure before (and after) marriage, to being…