Jesus used the word “friend” three times in three consecutive verses in John 15.  Look how Jesus described the perfect (the friendliest) friend in John 15:13-15.  First, the friendly friend exercises agape love.  Agape love is an unconditional, unselfish love for another.  And, yes, it is a love that is exercised, not just felt.  Second, the friendly friend makes sacrifices.  This is…

When scheduling their homecoming games, most football teams don’t schedule their fiercest rival or the league’s most dominant team.  Instead, they want a “lesser” team to go up against, so that they can get an “easy win” and leave feeling like they can conquer the world. As Christians, it’s a little different.  We don’t have any “homecoming” games, for our home field…

One older faithful gospel preacher saw another older faithful gospel preacher in a restaurant one afternoon.  The first preacher said to the other, “How are you doing today?”  The other well-known preacher said, “I’m doing as I please!” What!  He’s doing as he pleases?  That’s not what a preacher is supposed to say! His friend knew exactly what he meant.  Brother Nichols…

Sometimes when someone has delivered bad news and the recipient of the message reacts harshly, the messenger will respond, “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.”  In other words, I had and have nothing to do with this message.  I am merely the one carrying it from A to B. Too often, some Christians seem to live by the philosophy that says, “I’ve got…

Lindsey (Jenkins) McPherson found out last week that Gary and Jacqui’s first grandchild is going to be a boy!  (Don’t worry!  They have received the message that “David” is the most suitable name for him!)  Technology is such a marvel today!  Isn’t it amazing how much we can know before a child’s birth that folks in Bible times could not!  (Or, can…

In Bible times, a customary greeting from person to person was a kiss on the cheek or forehead.  This greeting did not originate with Paul or Christianity (it was already a custom in that time), but God wanted Christians to regulate the greeting and keep it sincere, genuine and holy.  Thus, multiple times in Scripture, Christians are exhorted, “Greet one another with…

The Bible describes God as the “God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).  Read Isaiah 51 and see what “ALL comfort” from God involves (read slowly and consider each of these thoughts).  “Joy and gladness…thanksgiving and the voice of melody… My righteousness…My salvation…My arms…They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (51:3, 5, 11). The Great Comforter tells…