Proverbs 28:11 You’ve probably heard the expression “Money can’t buy happiness.” Personally, I struggle with that statement because I can think of a lot of things I could buy that would make me very happy! At least for a while. That said, I can also very much affirm—based on personal experience—the absolute validity of theContinue reading “The Value of Money”
Category Archives: Spirituality
Heroes of Faith
No one but one who is God-man can make the satisfaction by which man is saved.” In the Middle Ages, it was customary for bishops-elect to make a show of protest to signify their modesty. When Anselm, an Italian monk from Normandy, was chosen to become archbishop of Canterbury, he protested too. The episcopal staffContinue reading “Heroes of Faith”
The Determining Influence of the Holy Spirit
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness. The Bible is chock-full of verses attesting to its inspiration, authority, infallibility, and usefulness. Perhaps the best New Testament texts on this subject are 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21. The latter says, in effect,Continue reading “The Determining Influence of the Holy Spirit”
The Word: Power Surge
Scripture: Ephesians 1:15–23, especially verses 19–23 …and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality andContinue reading “The Word: Power Surge”
Lasting Truths
God Responds to Our Sin (Gen. 3:15, 22–24) How does verse 15 offer hope to sinful humanity? What is the significance of the expulsion of the man and the woman from the garden? verse 15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruiseContinue reading “Lasting Truths”
It’s Still a Mystery
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 Some things in nature are a complete mystery to me. How can an insect that crawls on theContinue reading “It’s Still a Mystery”
Our Spiritual Teacher
With all this emphasis on practical Christian living, however, we must not lose sight of the fact that it is grace—not law—that teaches us. When I first became a Christian, I regarded the Bible largely as a rule book. My perception was that the Bible would tell me what to do (or not do), andContinue reading “Our Spiritual Teacher”
A Baby’s Laugh and An Ocean Wave…
“I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS … ” MATTHEW 28:20 FROM WHERE I WRITE I CAN SEE SEVERAL MIRACLES.White-crested waves slap the beach with rhythmic regularity. One after the other the rising swells of salt water gain momentum, humping, rising, then standing to salute the beach before crashing onto the sand. How many billions of timesContinue reading “A Baby’s Laugh and An Ocean Wave…”
Bankrupt
No one does good, not even one. (ROMANS 3:12) Bankrupt! The word has a dreadful ring to it. Even in our lax and permissive society, being bankrupt still conveys some degree of disgrace and shame. In the moral realm, the word bankrupt has an even more disparaging connotation. To say a person is morally bankruptContinue reading “Bankrupt”
The Spirit: There’s No Program for That
JOHN 15:1–4 I want to be a fruitful Christian. It’s pretty safe to assume that you do too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be using a guide like this. A fruitful Christian can make a difference in this fragmented world. Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,Continue reading “The Spirit: There’s No Program for That”
Intentional Faith 