The Holy Spirit gave my congregation a healthy dose of things to think about this Thanksgiving season, especially regarding our gratitude for all that God’s done for us. In light of His teachings, it’s difficult not to be humbled by His grace. Sincere gratitude bears much fruit in the soul. “For from his fullness we have […]
Ingratitude Is Toxic Read More »
OUTLINE: Barnes on Pr 20:30The open sores of wounds left by the scourge, unclean and foul as they seem, are yet a cleansing, purifying process for evil; so also are the stripes that reach the inward parts of the belly, i. e., the sharp reproofs, the stings of conscience, which penetrate where no scourge can
Part 25 – The Lord Is Our Confidence Read More »
OUTLINE: Passive Learning & Lazy ThinkersA person who doesn’t see the need to be challenged by the Truth is a person who thinks they already know everything. (Ref. Ro 12:3; 1Co 3:18; Gal 6:3) Say What You Mean, Mean What You SayFor words to have meaning, they must be true. Vapid words of love mean absolutely
Part 21 – The Lord Is Our Confidence Read More »
OUTLINE: EncouragementDon’t be an island, or think others are OK being that way. Heb 10:25, Ro 1:12 Ro 1:12 [NLV]Both of us need help. I can help make your faith strong and you can do the same for me. We need each other.Do Not Be DeceivedIt’s a privilege to have the time/energy/opportunity to encourage another human being. (Ref. Jn
Part 72 – The Deceitfulness of Sin Read More »
OUTLINE: Ro 1:12 [NLV]Both of us need help. I can help make your faith strong and you can do the same for me. We need each other. Do Not Be DeceivedIt’s a privilege to have the time / energy / opportunity to encourage another human being. (Ref. Jn 15-10-13) Escaping Misery It’s impossible to remain miserable if we focus
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Being present. Why is that so difficult? Is anyone actually “there” anymore when they are conversing with another? Go to the local fast food restaurant and watch how people, families even, treat each other. Their actions say, “You’re not worth my full attention, so I’ll offer you an occasional acknowledgement, either verbally or visually, so
Practicing Being Present Read More »
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it captures nothing at all? — Amos 3:5 No and no, to answer the prophet Amos’ questions. What’s he getting at, though? The simple gist of his wisdom is that if
The Bible Says to Run Away!!! Read More »
What is compassion? Think about that for a moment on your own… It’s a great question, isn’t it? It’s also a very interesting one in the sense that if you were to take a sample of definitions for the word compassion, you’d likely end up with a hundred different versions before too long. To me,
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Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Following the completion of my stint in the U.S. Air Force, I was tasked with, as they say, “working my way through college”. Until being hired into a formal engineering internship, I worked primarily as a waiter at the breakfast diner my mom owned and operated. I also worked nights at a Chinese restaurant not
How to Carry a Cup of Coffee Without Spilling It Read More »