John 21:15 “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’” Now, these words Jesus spoke to Simon Peter after Peter had denied Jesus … Continue reading Do You Love Me More?
Be Fervent in Serving the Lord
Romans 12:9 ESV “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” What kind of love? The kind of love that comes from God, that is centered in moral preference, which prefers (chooses) what God prefers, which is what is holy, righteous, godly, moral, honest, faithful, upright, kind, and generous, … Continue reading Be Fervent in Serving the Lord
Trials Which Spare us Harm
James 1:2-4 ESV “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Count it All Joy When we pray for God’s intervention in … Continue reading Trials Which Spare us Harm
When Others Revile You
Matthew 5:10-12 ESV “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they … Continue reading When Others Revile You
Saved for Good Works
Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of … Continue reading Saved for Good Works
Choosing Rather to Be
Hebrews 11:6 ESV “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Faith is not some innocuous (lacking in qualities that stimulate or challenge) belief in God – Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit. … Continue reading Choosing Rather to Be
When Friends and Family Reject Us
1 John 4:1-3 ESV “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and … Continue reading When Friends and Family Reject Us
No Opportunity to the Devil
Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, … Continue reading No Opportunity to the Devil
When Each Part is Working Properly
Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to … Continue reading When Each Part is Working Properly
I Urge You to Walk
Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” A Manner … Continue reading I Urge You to Walk
Run With It 