“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 June 5, 2023 C.S. Lewis in his essay,“The Great Sin,” offers the unsettling assessment that “unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison” to pride. King Solomon throws a knockout punch to pride: Wisdom tells us that pride […]
“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” John 15:6 June 2, 2023 Pruning is the cutting away of plant parts, such as branches, shoots, buds, or roots. Jesus spoke to His disciples in language they
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” John 15:10 June 1, 2023 It has become a habit of some Christians to offer thanksgiving for God’s unconditional love. But such an unqualified assertion has to be consistent with what
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“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” John 15:10 May 31, 2023 Flourishing and growing in the faith is the way Christ wants us to live. Jesus’ upper room challenge to His disciples is about fruit bearing. He
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“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4 May 30, 2023 What must it have felt like to know the next day you would be landing on a Normandy beach (think of
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“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that they may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 May 29, 2023 It was recently reported that “a British artist
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“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”‘ Luke 12:19 May 26, 2023 Decades ago there was a TV series called “The Millionaire.” A million dollars was then considered quite a sum of money. In every episode a gift of one
“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 1:3 May 25, 2023 “Man stuck in Alaska mud flats reportedly drowns as tide comes in.” In
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Romans 12:19 May 24, 2023 What does it mean to present our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:2)? It means not to get in the way of God in
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“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18 May 23, 2023 The ideal for believers in Jesus Christ is to live at peace with others, if they will let you. The best option is what may be called full reconciliation. This is when needed forgiveness has been given
