It is interesting to hear what some people think about the church sometimes. So many folks look at the church like some kind of human organization, which they think they can “take it or leave it” (which usually means they’re going to “leave it”). Sometimes they will make comments like, “I’ve got my relationship with Jesus. I don’t have to be part of the church!” Is…

Have you ever reached the “end of your patience” with someone—maybe with your children or a sibling or a coworker? You had been extending patience for a long time, but you reach your end and just cannot extend any more? What happens when you reach the “end of your patience”? Do you know how much patience God is extending to us? SO MUCH! The Bible plainly…

It may seem strange (and even counterproductive) to us that after certain miracles Jesus told the individuals to keep the news to themselves and to “tell no one” (Matt. 8:4; 9:30; 12:15-16). Why would Jesus command such? Didn’t He want everyone to know about Him?  Think about what did happen when “everyone” found out about Him. On the one hand, those who legitimately were trying…

The apostle Paul had been arrested, imprisoned and confined without cause for well over two years because he preached “the resurrection of the dead” (Act 23:6; 24:21; 28:20). When he finally stood on trial before King Agrippa, Paul asked the question to the king and the multitude that was gathered, “Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?”…

You control your perspective! Do you believe that? So often “bad things” happen in our lives and we think the worst, we fear the worst and we look for someone or something to blame. But, you control your perspective! Every single time! Recently, I was on the phone with one of our “older” members (you decide what you think that word “older” means). This older member was…

There is a difference between right and wrong. The world, under the influence of the evil one, may try to convince you otherwise, but the God who made us defines right and wrong, and He puts within us the sense of right and wrong. Although children do not have “knowledge of good and evil” (Deut. 1:39), as they mature, they grow to both know…

When hearing someone share one side of some incident or situation, it can be so easy to be drawn into their version of things and believe that is the only way of seeing things. It is so very critical when listening to someone at a time like that to remind yourself of two things. First, there is a very good chance that YOU…

Many circumstances in life are out of our control. Perhaps it is the way people treat us. Perhaps it is trials that press upon us and test our faith. Or perhaps it is just “life,” or what Solomon called “time and chance” (Ecc. 9:11). Whatever it may be, while we may not be able to control the circumstances, we can definitely control our response. Habakkuk prophesied…