Opportunity or Obligation?
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2 How do we view each day? I know for me I usually feel like each day has a list of obligations and in many ways it does. However, each day is also filled with opportunity, but I often wonder am I treating opportunities like obligations? For example, we have studied brotherly love on the last couple of Wednesday nights. I now realize, while to love one another is a scriptural command (John 13:34-35), it is also an opportunity I have to show godliness and increase the quality of life for those I come in contact...
Read MoreThe Times Are Changing
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 No doubt we’ve all heard and most likely said the expression “times are a changin”. All it takes is a simple trip to the grocery store. Not only will one be floored by the high cost of the simplest items, we are also overwhelmed by the actions and attitudes of our fellow man. However, when we examine the Bible, we can see a consistency in the fact that the...
Read MoreFollowing Jesus
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 The Lord’s statement in John 14:6 is as well known as about any passage of scripture. In it we can see the entire gospel message and the hope of all mankind. The statement is so simple yet so profound. The simplicity of the gospel message is often what confuses men (John 3:9-10). However, when we accept the message in it’s pureness and simplicity, we can be assured we are following God’s will and obtaining what is extended to us through Christ. Jesus plainly shows us it is through...
Read MoreThe Good Samaritan’s Impact
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Luke 10:35 Typically when I read Luke 10 and the parable of the Good Samaritan, I usually only focus on his actions and how to emulate them as this is the motivation and reason for the parable (Luke 10:29,36). But, I began to think about the host of the inn and how being a witness to such a charitable deed would have affected him. While we realize these characters are all used in a parable which we...
Read MoreWhat Is It Worth to You?
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37 I recall an incident a few years ago, shortly after we had married, of a clerical error causing us to receive a bill that had previously been paid. When I presented the canceled check and explained the error to the receptionist, whose employer had sent us the bill, it was obvious she expected some type of anger from me. I thought to myself, “it’s not worth being so angry, it’s a small amount, really, and besides it’s easily taken care of”....
Read More