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…

There are all kinds of people in this world! Let me ask you, “What kind are you?” Specifically, what kind of neighbor are you? What kind of employee are you? What kind of citizen are you? What kind of customer are you? What kind of sports fan are you? What kind of student are you? What kind of boss are you? What…

Can you imagine Jesus looking in your eyes and asking you, “Do you love Me?” Oh, what a captivating experience that would be! What a rush of emotions would fill your soul! How would you respond? After gathering ourselves together, most of us would probably respond something like Peter did, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You” (John 21:15-17). But, how…

In the closing hours of Jesus’ life, His closest friends argued in His very presence about “which of them should be considered the greatest” (Luke 22:24), they slept repeatedly while He was deeply distressed (Matt. 26:36-43), they “all…forsook Him and fled” (Matt. 26:56), and one of His very dear friends even invoked a curse and swore vehemently that he did not even…

In the Marvel film, Doctor Strange, the Ancient One was trying to get a message through to the heart of a very self-centered man. These words seemed to hit the spot: “Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all…It’s not about you.” The Ancient One absolutely nailed it! But, that truth did not originate…

One weekday morning recently, a tiny bird somehow got inside the lobby of our church building. It was definitely unexpected to see the little guy flying against the front glass trying to escape. We immediately began to try to gently usher him out, but it proved to be more difficult than anticipated. We did not want to hurt him (which we didn’t),…

How often have you looked into a child’s face and seen her mother or his father in the eyes, the nose, the smile, etc.? When they’re born, so many kids resemble their parents in various ways. But, as they grow older, they begin to resemble their parents in other ways. While every child is unique and all of them will not necessarily…