When God looked down at His “servant Job,” His evaluation of this man was that he was “a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8). Job wasn’t perfect. But he cared deeply about the ways of God and walking faithfully with Him. As such, this man proclaimed, “I have made a covenant…
Brother Dowell Flatt taught Greek at Freed-Hardeman University. I loved that man. He was such a precious soul. I remember him emphasizing to his Greek students to never think that knowing Greek elevated us above anyone else. He told a story about teaching against the sin of racism and quoting James 2:9, “If you show partiality, you commit sin.” Someone…
As we grow in faith, discipline and endurance, Peter next instructs us to “add…to perseverance godliness” (2 Pet. 1:6). Godliness refers to a life that is centered on God—a reverent, devoted way of living that seeks to please Him in all things. The word carries the idea of a “God-ward attitude,” where one’s conduct flows from a deep respect for and devotion…
Do you remember that Bible character who heard the gospel proclaimed, learned of God’s simple plan of salvation, recognized the requisite place of baptism to obtain forgiveness, and then said, “I know I need to be baptized. I plan to do it really soon, within the next week or two”? Oh? You don’t recall that in reading the…
How much do we actually want to help someone? It might be (but not always) found in how we word our willingness to help. If we tell someone—“Let me know if I can help”—then they may never ask, as it’s on them to initiate the request. If we ask someone—“Do you need any help?” or “Is there something…
It is one thing to begin doing what is right—it is another to keep doing it. That is why Peter says to “add…to self-control perseverance” (2 Pet. 1:6). Perseverance (or “steadfastness,” ESV) means endurance. The Greek word carries the idea of “remaining under” or bearing up under pressure. It is the ability to stay faithful through trials and difficulties. This quality is…
I saw this little shoe in a parking lot all by itself this morning. It made me sad to think about the little toddler who got home without a shoe and for the parent who probably searched the car and bags diligently looking for a lost shoe. All the while, the shoe is here by itself, of…
We may not normally think that our actions are inviting the devil to “come on in,” but do they? Eve would have never dreamed of the consequences that would follow eating that fruit. She just saw something that, in her mind, was “good,” “pleasant” and “desirable” (Gen. 3:6). Yet, in so doing, she was inviting the devil to…