We are living in interesting times, especially when it comes to an individual’s perception of self and of his/her perception of how the world should treat him/her. There is a strong entitlement mentality among us today. Some people feel a sense of entitlement to all sorts of things–to food, to shelter, to healthcare, to money, to a car, to a phone, to…

Good feelings feel so good! Well, that’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? If good feelings didn’t feel so good, we wouldn’t want to experience them. But, just because something makes us feel good does not necessary mean that it’s a good thing to do! Our feelings are not a safe guide in determining what we should or should not do. But, the Bible…

Have you ever borrowed someone’s car? Did you find that you drove that car differently than you drove your own car? What if it was a really nice car–top of the line, all the bells and whistles, and in pristine condition? Would you treat it with extra care? Would you take care of it exactly as the owner would like? Or, do…

As we enter this season of receiving, remember that it’s not the wrapping job but how much the person spent on the gift that matters. Remember that it’s not the thought but the cost of the gift that counts. Remember those two little words to say after opening the gift–“That’s it?” While these opening words are intended to be a bit satirical,…

There is a certain element within our culture that has created in many of us an automatic reflex that disagrees with and is offended by every action that someone in authority takes. It doesn’t matter what the action is–we’re not going to like it, we’re going to automatically think it is wrong. This is the mindset many have toward the boss, toward…

Did you know that God is in the restaurant business? Yes, He is! Jesus said that “your heavenly Father feeds” the birds (Matt. 6:26). Did you know that God is in the fashion business? Yes, He is! Jesus said that God “clothes the grass of the field” (Matt. 6:30). What was Jesus’ point? Why talk about how God “feeds” birds or “clothes”…

When you think about a Christian “laboring fervently” (NKJV) or “laboring earnestly” (NASB) or “always striving” (ASV) or “always struggling” (ESV), what do you think about it? I’m sure the constant struggle of faithful living comes to mind. But what if two words were added to the end of each of these phrases above: “laboring fervently… laboring earnestly… always striving… always struggling…

As Paul closed his letter to the church at Colosse, he mentioned several of his “fellow workers for the kingdom of God,” and he had this to say about them: “they have proved to be a comfort to me” (Col. 4:11). What a great compliment! But, it’s even better than that! The Greek word for “comfort” in this verse is paregoria (only…