Would you say that Christians in general are showing a lot of love these days? Well, to “each other,” would you say Christians are showing a lot of love? Remember that Jesus said, “… as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). But, what about to those who are not part of the “one another”? What about…

If someone were to write about you and state that something was your “custom,” what would they mention? “Every morning, his custom is to…” “When she gets to work, her custom is to…” What do other people know to be “customary” for you?  Is it something you’d like for them to write to the world about? Like Jesus before him (cf. Luke…

The emergence of gift cards into the market place has altered gift giving for many people. In some ways, gift cards have taken the thought and effort out of gift buying. No extra time or energy is required to wrap or ship. Just stick it in an envelope. It’s almost effortless. Receiving gift cards has likewise altered the gift experience. Now, with…

When Paul was trying to join the disciples in Jerusalem but was not being accepted, thank God for brothers in Christ like Barnabas, who stood in the gap and brought brethren together (Acts 9:26-27). When Paul was thrown in prison for preaching the gospel, thank God for brothers in Christ like Epaphroditus, who came and ministered to Paul’s needs (Phil. 2:25-30). When…

Making peace is easy…when most everyone is peaceful, or when the circumstances are mostly peaceful, or when the situation is already headed for peace. But, when making peace isn’t so  automatic or easy or expected, that’s when the true peacemakers step up. Are you a true peacemaker? Do you promote unity and pursue harmony with brethren even when…it is not popular, or…

When we pray, we sometimes (maybe most times) expect God to give us exactly what we ask for and exactly when we ask for it. It is a hard lesson to learn, sometimes, that true prayer doesn’t work that way. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane and facing a physical torture, death and separation from the Father while on the…

“I want people to like me. I want people to say nice things about me. I want to be accepted and popular. I don’t want people to say disparaging things about me.” This thought process is common to all of us. But we should be careful. Jesus said, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their…

In Acts 2, Peter told individuals in Jerusalem, “Repent and be baptized…in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (2:38). But, then in Acts 8, Peter told someone else, “Repent…and pray to the Lord that…the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” (8:22). Now, which one is it? Is someone supposed to “repent and be baptized” in…