Have you ever struggled to understand how to forgive someone who has wronged you? Have you ever wondered why you even should? If you're a Christian, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:21-35 answers those questions.
“I don’t read the Bible because I’m a slow reader.”
If it took you five minutes to read one page (at a below average reading pace), and you read twelve pages each day (a total of 60 minutes), you could read the entire Bible in less than 3 months. Still too much to chew? Split those twelve pages/60 minutes into six pages in the morning … Continue reading “I don’t read the Bible because I’m a slow reader.”
GPS—3 Ways to Love Your Pastor Well
Pastors have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. When I served in full-time vocational ministry, a slow week was easily 60 hours of work. I'd like to give you a GPS system for loving your pastor well...
The Thorn Bush of Theological Pride
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” — 1 John 4:7,8 ESV “Men must not be too curious in prying into the weaknesses of others. We should … Continue reading The Thorn Bush of Theological Pride
God’s Gifts Often Look Different Than You Expect
God's good gifts sometimes don't seem so good. We think that all of God's blessings will be things that bring instant gratification and will make our lives easier. But then Jesus says to us in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) that those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek are the … Continue reading God’s Gifts Often Look Different Than You Expect
Sneaky Little Idols
We can idolize just about anything. Even good things.
Ministry. Work. Family. Sports. TV shows. Celebrity preachers. Worship bands. You name it, we can idolize it.
Spiritual Fitness Check-Up
There is a lot of junk food available here in the U.S. And let's be honest—a lot of it tastes really good. My favorite has always been Reese's peanut butter cups. Oh, and I'm a sucker for ice cream too. A few years ago I was at a birthday party for an extended family member … Continue reading Spiritual Fitness Check-Up
Pray Like This
I pray. Not as often as I'd like, but more frequently each day. Most of the time, unless I'm asking the Lord for some specific need or desire, I use the words Christ gave us in Matthew's account of the gospel, known commonly as "The Lord's Prayer" from Matthew 6:8-13, where Jesus says, "...your Father knows … Continue reading Pray Like This
Boasting About My Endurance
I can't boast about the fact that I was born. It was the work of my parents. Neither can I boast of my rebirth. It was the work of the Holy Spirit. I also cannot boast about my perseverance or faith. These are also the works of the Holy Spirit. I thank God for my … Continue reading Boasting About My Endurance
God is Good. Even When Our Circumstances Aren’t.
I've been seeing people use the hashtag on Facebook and Twitter #godisgood. And that's true. And I love seeing people recognize that fact. The problem is, it's almost always in response to obvious blessings. I've yet to see someone use that hashtag at the end of a tweet or status update saying something like, "Just … Continue reading God is Good. Even When Our Circumstances Aren’t.