Christians are commanded in Scripture to “love one another” (1 John 4:7). This “love” is the Greek agape love that unconditionally and unselfishly sets others above self. Christians are also to continue in “brotherly love” (Heb. 13:1). This “love” is the Greek philadelphia love that emphasizes a tender affection to have for each other. But there is another love. There is an…

It was the last note that her son ever wrote to her. He had been fighting in the war for almost two years, but she had not heard from him since he was deployed. Finally, a short note: “I want you to know that I love you! I would do anything for you! Can’t wait to see you!” Two weeks after receiving…

As a kid growing up in the church, it used to bother me when preachers would refer to Christians as “aliens.” I had never seen a green, monster-like creature with spaghetti antennas on his head at church! Why must they insist on using that word? Such is the way that God refers to His people in the Bible! The Lord pleads with…

I remember the wise counsel that I was given as a young man: “There is a difference between truly being in love with someone and being in love with being loved by someone.” “Being loved” by someone makes us feel good, feeds our self-esteem and builds our confidence. It usually makes us want to love in return. NONE of that is a…

It’s the day after. (The day after “what” is somewhat immaterial.) It could be the day after you got an unexpected diagnosis. It could be the day after you lost someone very dear to you. It could be the day after the loss of a job or after a hard-fought proposal or after some catastrophe. Regardless of what transpired the previous day,…

The apostle Paul endured “persecutions” and “afflictions” more than any Christian in America today can fathom. Yet, he said, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:11-12). He looked toward the future and foretold of a time when “evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (3:13, ESV). The…

One of the most memorable parts of the Disney movie “Up” is the dog that is repeatedly distracted by the “Squirrel!” While trying to pay attention (“Squirrel!”) to some very important instructions, the dog has a hard time not being distracted (“Squirrel!”). What a silly dog! Fortunately, as humans, we have advanced completely beyond such distractions in our lives. Right? Um, wrong!…

One of the qualifications for a deacon is that he must not be “double-tongued” (1 Tim. 3:8). The expression describes a man who says one thing to one person and then something different to another person. A deacon must be honest and straightforward in his dealings with all people. So, is that just a qualification for deacons, or is that a responsibility…