Following 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 MoreAre Others Really Influenced by Us?
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9 Last week we looked at who we are to listen to and hear from. Sometimes though we ask ourselves, are we really being heard or seen by other folks as we strive so hard to set a good example (Matt 5:13-16) or as we try to get them to give ear to the gospel (Matt 28:18-20)? It seems as though most of the time our efforts go unnoticed and unappreciated. While that may be true in many...
Read MoreStarting Over
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12:13 As we wind down yet another year, many of us may resolve to do something new. It may be something educational, recreational, or likely something for our physical health. It could be that we will not, in reality, begin a new path but rather begin again to do what we know has worked for us in the past. We decided to start over. Starting over is often the best way to achieve any goal. We just stop, clear the slate and begin anew. Spiritually this is accomplished in...
Read MoreHow to Overcome
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 As we go through our daily lives we must overcome many things. Different obstacles, whether they be internal or external, are always going to persist. Simply put, life has its challenges (Job 14:1). For us to be successful we must work past these things and find a way to accomplish what is set before us. The Bible speaks often and plainly about overcoming obstacles in our spiritual life to obtain the goal of heaven as well. Hebrews 12:1 states, “Wherefore...
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