From the book of Exodus through the book of Joshua, the Bible reader learns of a special relationship that God initiated with the children of Israel. He brought them out of Egyptian slavery and into the beautiful land of Canaan. They had so much going for them. Then, you get to the book of Judges. Seven times in that book, you read “the children of…

When I begin to think it’s all about me and that people should focus on me and do what’s best for me…are there perhaps some other things I should consider? Am I aware of the needs of others around me? Do I recognize that there are others around me who are seriously hurting—physically, emotionally and spiritually? Do I realize that I am not perfect and…

Have you ever sent an email or text and then thought, “I shouldn’t have done that…I shouldn’t have said that”? It is so easy today to say things to others—with the simple tap-tap-tap on a keyboard or device—that we should not say at all, and things that we would not normally say with our mouth in person.  The same verses that apply to…

“I think I should talk to people about the gospel. I think I should invite people to worship. I think I should ask someone if they’d like to have a Bible study. I think I should check on and encourage folks from church. I think I should tell the elders how much I appreciate what they do. I think I should study my Bible more often and…

There was something that God thought was pertinent for man to know throughout the ages about the Athenians. It was not something that was flattering by any means, but a grave concern in the eyes of God—enough to inspire Luke to write about it. The Athenians wanted to hear Paul’s so-called “new doctrine,” because “all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent…

There is certainly nothing wrong with having earthly treasures, but that is not the same thing as “laying up treasures.” The act of “laying up treasures” is a deliberate and persistent effort to (1) focus one’s life in a particular direction, (2) devote one’s time and effort toward a particular end, and (3) seek the reward that comes from these efforts. Jesus makes…

Daniel and his three friends were taken as teenagers from their home in Jerusalem and forced into a three-year training program to serve before King Nebuchadnezzar in the foreign (and pagan) land of Babylon. Yet, even as a teenager, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” with the king’s food (Dan. 1:8). The Bible does not tell us the exact…

It’s disheartening sometimes that we have allowed certain religious groups to redefine how we use Bible words. The word “saint” is one such word. In some circles, a “saint” is one who lived a highly virtuous life and has been responsible for two posthumous miracles. Others think of a “saint” as some perfect person and will exclaim at times, “Don’t look at me!  I’m no…