Are you a strong Christian? If so, how do you know? If not, how do you know? What makes a strong Christian? How can a Christian truly know if he is weak or strong? It is not a matter of feeling — “I feel strong.” That’s not the gauge. It is not a matter of other’s opinions — “You are a strong…

While preaching in Corinth on his second missionary journey, some Jews rose up in opposition to Paul (as they were accustomed to doing) and hauled him before the local court system, accusing him of things “contrary to the law” (Acts 18:12-13). Gallio, the local proconsul, responded forthrightly, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes” (i.e., against the law of…

Some people have a warped view of law, particularly God’s law — they have the idea that “law” is some kind of rigid system of rules that is independent of love. Some people have a warped view of love, particularly  God’s love — they have the idea that “love” is some kind of demonstrative broadcast of emotions that is independent of law.…

Winning and losing are complete opposites; they are usually contrasted with considerable distinction. However, in the Christian life, it is interesting that winning is impossible without losing. Jesus said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:24). Paul explained, “What things were gain to me, these I…

Have you ever asked someone how a certain outfit “made you look”? Do you suppose that anyone has ever asked God how a certain outfit “made her look” in His eyes? In First Timothy 2:9-10, Our Father says, “I desire…that women adorn themselves” in “modest” (NKJV), “proper” (NASB), “respectable” (ESV) apparel. He goes on to use two words to expound on what…

How do you decide if it’s going to be a good day or a bad day? How does your heart make the call if you’re safe or out, complete or incomplete, winning or losing, being rewarded or punished? There is a verb used in Colossians 3:15 that is not found anywhere else in the New Testament. Most English Bibles translate the word…

If you believe in the one, true, living God (Eph. 4:6; 1 Thess. 1:9), you can be tremendously blessed! If you believe in the deity, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9; 1 Thess. 4:14), you can be tremendously blessed! If you believe in the inspiration, inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jas. 1:25; 1 Cor. 2:9-13), you…

Ok, admit it. There are some people that just have a knack for getting under your skin. What kinds of folks really irritate you? Young people? Old people? Slow people? Fast people? Rich people? Poor people? Talkative people? Loud people? Quiet people? Smart people? Not-so-smart people? Busy people? Lazy  people? Opinionated people? Non-opinionated people? Serious people? Silly people? People like you? People…