“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.” — Titus 2:11 The gospel isn’t just a message — it’s an invitation. Not to religion. Not to rules. But to relationship. The Creator of the universe saw our brokenness and didn’t turn away. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us. We were dead in sin, unable to save ourselves. But Jesus lived the life we couldn’t live and died the death we deserved. His … Continue reading →
According to 1 Corinthians 13:4 “love does not envy.” (NKJV) To envy is to want what another has. Once again this morning I had to look at another translation other than the NLT because I did not feel comfortable with how it read. Maybe I am getting a message here. Who knows. The NLT says “love is not jealous,” however, I can read elsewhere that God is a jealous God so I decided to look at the NKJV for a … Continue reading →
“Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up,” according to 1 Corinthians 13:4. “Look at me” says our world and those who dwell in it. Recognition is something we all want, but when is it wrong to be recognized? It becomes wrong when you yourself are the one recognizing and then demanding that others recognize what you have done. Pride motivates this and God humbles the proud. Now you don’t want him to do that do you? “Blessed are … Continue reading →
According to 1 Corinthians 13:5 love “does not behave rudely.” (1 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV) Said another way love behaves like a gentleman, not like a child wanting his own way. Yes there is such a thing as appropriate behavior for where you are and whom you are with. Love respects such boundaries. I remember being told as a child to be on my best behavior at certain times. Love promotes our best behavior. You see love cares enough about others … Continue reading →
“Love is patient and is kind” according to 1 Corinthians 13:4. Today we take a look at the love is kind part. Again, as I did yesterday, I think looking at it from the other view helps. If love is kind then a lack of love shows up in the reverse. Thus love is not harsh, just my opinion though, as I define this. Let us see then what scripture adds to this. “Instead be kind to one another, tender … Continue reading →
We continue to look at love this morning. According to verse 5 of 1 Corinthians 13 love does not “seek its own.” I pondered this phrase and considered its meaning. The best I came up with was this. Love does not have a “my way or the highway attitude.” It doesn’t have to get its own way in everything. Let’s think about that. In a marriage you at times see this play out in the evening meal. He comes home … Continue reading →
As we approach Valentine’s Day much is said of love, but what is love? For a few days I want to explore this topic and see what the Bible has to say. “Love is patient” we read in 1 Corinthians 13:4. I can thus reverse it by saying that love is not impatient. Love gives the object of itself time. Love does not therefore require instant gratification. I see this as a stumbling block in our time. So much in … Continue reading →
“Be still in the presence of the LORD and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry. Turn from your rage. Don’t lose your temper. It only leads to harm.” Psalm 37:7-8 Oh how easily we get all worked up. So much stupid currently is happening in our nation that it tends to make me want to scream. How about you? And how would God have … Continue reading →
“Loving God means keeping his commandments and his commands are not burdensome.” 1John 5:3 Oh the beauty of a man or woman in love. At such times he or she will change. See because of this love he adapts his behavior to suit the one he loves. Maybe before this relationship he hated seafood, but she loves it so they take Sunday dinners at Red Lobster. He didn’t care much for cologne, however, she gave him this nice smelling stuff … Continue reading →
“Desire without knowledge is not good and whoever hastens with his feet misses his way.” Proverbs 19:2 We live in a hurry up world, a world of convenience and ease here in the United States. As I read this admonition from Proverbs I can’t help looking back at how life has changed. Growing up doing a report involved going to the library, using books, actually having to search out a matter. Now if I want to know something I can … Continue reading →
“Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence. Take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12 Only God can create. Man merely finds ways to use what is already created. A clean heart, only God can do that. This prayer of confession we see in Psalm 51 provides for us … Continue reading →
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” 1Timothy 2:5 Sometimes life is simple. At times there is only one way and it is good to know that way. I think about that when I go to prepare a frozen dinner. First I must read the instructions on the box. That way I know just how long it should take to heat it up and not burn it. By following the given … Continue reading →
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2 In times of trouble our natural tendency is to fear. When the bank says no money, when the doctor says you won’t get better, when the fire or the tornado or whatever takes your home what do you do? For most folks such times bring … Continue reading →
“So God created man in his own image. In the image of God he created him. Male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 Look to science we are told and yet the current world ignores it. Science teaches us what the Bible clearly states here, that we are either male or female. So much for gender neutral. All through creation we see our point proven. Dogs are male or female and we breed them to get puppies. You wouldn’t … Continue reading →
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them. Intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” 1Timothy 2:1-2 At this point I must confess that I do not do this like I should. That part about being thankful, well I find it frustrating when I see … Continue reading →
