The old comic of a century ago started a saying that has continued even until today—“Keeping up with the Joneses.”  In the comic strip, “the Joneses” were not based on any one particular family, but it was a generic expression to capture any neighbor’s social or economic status.  If someone else was getting ahead in life and prospering, the average person tried…

When Paul met with the elders from Ephesus in Acts 20, he not only prepared and warned them for those things that were shortly to happen, but he also reminded them of his work among them for three years.  In the 400 words that he spoke to them on this occasion, twice he assured them that he did “not shun (shrink, NASB)…

We hear a lot of talk today about “Wall Street and Main Street.”  Especially in the political world, we hear about the emphasis that many “politicians” put on “Wall Street” and the impact that has on “Main Street.”  Then, we hear of politicians who say they are focused on “Main Street” and say that “Wall Street” will follow the successes of “Main…

How much do you KNOW about the love of Christ?  “Jesus loves me, this I KNOW, for the Bible tells me so!”  If you know He loves you, how much do you KNOW about that love?  “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (Eph. 5:2).  If you know His love prompted Him to give Himself for you and me,…

On more than one occasion, the scribes and Pharisees complained that Jesus was “a friend of… sinners” (Luke 7:34), had “gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner” (Luke 19:7), and “receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2).  Jesus approached their complaint head-on, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:32). …

Look around our nation today.  How much actual parenting is happening?  Moms and dads are relying on schools to do all the “important” teaching and letting the schools decide what is taught and how it is taught.  Moms and dads are letting the television, computer and video games serve as the babysitters and total entertainment services.  Moms and dads have permitted our…

The Roman soldiers, who scourged Jesus, “twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head” (John 19:2).  How long do you think that took?  They conceived the idea, searched for a thorn bush, cut offshoots, carefully weaved them into a crown-like shape and mashed it on his head.  While they were doing this, what do you suppose was running through…

On the surface, one would definitely think that serpents and doves can have no fellowship whatsoever.  However, Jesus used these two creatures to illustrate two character traits that needed to be possessed by His apostles then and are needed by all Christians today. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matt. 10:16a).  As a Christian, do you…