Our Prayer; God’s Will
The handwritten prayer request was heartbreaking in its seeming impossibility: “Please pray—I have multiple sclerosis, weak muscles, trouble swallowing, increased pain, diminishing sight.” The woman’s body was breaking down, and I could sense despair in her plea for intercession.
Practical tools for ridding our hearts of envy, and finding freedom in Christ
“Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, . . . not in strife and envy, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:12-14).
Tear-Flooded Table
By Megan Low, Australia My childhood friend Hannah Modra committed suicide on the 30th of January, 2008. It was the first day of our final school year, and she had just been elected school captain when she returned home and decided to end her life. The last time we saw each other was at my [...]
Change: Following God Through Life’s Crossroads
No matter how you view change, it’s an inevitable part of life—you can’t experience anything new without it. In Change: Following God through Life’s Crossroads, Bill Crowder examines the life of the apostle Paul and offers insights to help you overcome fears, doubts, and resistance to change. Discover how you can draw closer to God...
A Life Of Honor
In 2010, my brothers and I cele- brated our dad’s 90th birthday. We hosted an open house with great food and fellowship. In the living room, family and friends took up banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, and Irish drum to play and sing all afternoon. A big cake was prepared with this written on it in frosting: “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord—Psalm 112:1. Happy 90th birthday, Hal.”
The impact of envy on our relationships with others, and with God
“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there” (James 3:14-16).
IDEA: Envy is a poison that destroys relationships that ought to matter to us.
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand the power of envy to destroy relationships.
Bookmobile
Before the electronic gadgets and distractions of today, the long summer days of my boyhood were brightened each week when the bookmobile arrived. It was a bus lined with book-filled shelves that were transported from the regional library to neighborhoods so that those without transportation could access them. Because of the bookmobile, I spent many a happy summer day reading books that would otherwise have been inaccessible. To this day, I am thankful for the love of books that the bookmobile fostered in me.
Discover what God’s Word says about envy
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in the past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14).
IDEA: God doesn’t forbid envy to deny us pleasure but to guard our joy.
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand that envy destroys us as well as others.
What We Take For Granted
By Julian Abraham Chua, 20, Singapore Ever threw your tantrum before? Ever felt dissatisfied with your life? Ever battled with lust, selfishness, jealousy or greed? Perhaps, that is because we often take life and the privileges we have for granted. For instance, having good health, being able-bodied, having our five senses intact, having close friends [...]
More And More
A rallying cry often heard today in our economically challenged world is “Less and less.” Governments are called to balance their budgets. People are urged to use less energy and decrease consumption of limited resources. It is good advice that we should all heed. In the realm of faith, however, there are no shortages of love and grace and strength. Therefore, as followers of Christ, we are urged to demonstrate His love in our lives in ever-increasing measure.
Get a clear understanding of envy, so we can recognize it, and choose a better path
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, not his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17).
IDEA: Covetousness and envy are similar but not the same: covetousness is wanting what someone else has; envy is simply begrudging what someone else has.
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand the difference between covetousness and envy.
Are Media Claims that Jesus Christ Is Legendary True?
What should I think of recent claims made in the media that Jesus Christ is legendary and never existed?
Love Finds A Way
Years ago I saw a cartoon that depicted a sour, disgruntled, elderly gentleman standing in rumpled pajamas and robe at his apartment door. He had just secured the door for the night with four locks, two deadbolts, and a chain latch. Later he noticed a small white envelope stuck beneath the door. On the envelope was a large sticker in the shape of a heart. It was a valentine. Love had found a way.
How Should Christians Respond to Government
Understanding how to balance earthly and heavenly citizenship without compromising accountability to God has been an issue for many Christians since the beginning of human government. In the booklet How Should Christians Respond to Government? author Mart DeHaan shares historical perspectives and wisdom from the Word to help you recognize what belongs to God and...
Let’s look at the story of Leah and Rachel, two sisters whose envy gets the best of them
Monday, November 26, 2012
IDEA: Envy doesn’t get us what we lack, but it does make us miserable.
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand the self-defeating nature of envy.
