It is interesting how easily we can justify certain desired behaviors in our minds. We are sometimes our own worst manipulators. Sometimes a Christian can convince himself that cheating on a test, just once, is the right thing to do to help his GPA. Sometimes a Christian can steer himself into believing that pornography is a “victimless crime” and is better than…

Are you a following leader? That’s not the same as a leading follower. Of course, you may look at both concepts as oxymorons (like jumbo shrimp, pretty ugly, virtual reality, definite maybe, etc.). But, being a following leader does not have to be a contradiction. First of all, as a Christian, you are a follower. You are a follower of Christ (Mark…

Most of us are likely familiar with Paul’s challenge in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” And, most of us are probably very familiar with Paul’s challenge in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing.” Both of those can be quite challenging to live, and yet even more rewarding! But, how familiar are we with the challenge sandwiched between those two? The…

In his very practical epistle to Christians, James provides real-to-life instructions for children of God to learn and practice in their everyday lives. Some of the applications have to do with one’s own personal relationship with God, and some of them have to do with our relationships with each other. On two occasions, he tells us something that we are not to…

The last verse in the Bible says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Rev. 22:21). Some readers might think that is a bit anticlimactic, since nearly every New Testament epistle begins and/or ends with a similar greeting. But, don’t let the abundance of emphasis on grace in the New Testament make you think it is something ordinary. Without…

What kinds of hopes do you have? Do you hope that Elvis is still alive or that the Beatles will tour again? Well, that’s a dead hope! Do you hope that you’ll walk on the moon or that Donald Trump will write you a big check? Well, that’s a wishful hope!  Do you hope that zombies will attack or that Superman will…

Jesus met a blind man and did something rather unusual. “He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay” (John 9:6). Then, he told the man what to do: “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (9:7). There are two conditions in that statement: “Go” and “wash.” Both…

In writing to a group of Christians who were on the verge of turning from Christ and drifting away into disobedience, the writer of Hebrews urged his readers to not neglect “so great a salvation” (Heb. 2:1-4). Contemplate that for just a moment. What is “so great” about “salvation”? Salvation is “so great” because it is given by a great God, purchased…