The Perfect Gift
By Cindy Tan, Malaysia Jesus Christ was conceived miraculously by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. His life was unique. As a man, He lived in our world yet He was without sin. His death was also unusual. He died but the grave could not keep Him there. He rose from the dead. [...]
How an eternal outlook displaces envious attitudes!
“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:1-3).
Unlikely Encouragement
Are you looking for encourage- ment? Do you need a little boost today amid all the bad news coming your way? The psalmist David can lift your spirit in an unexpected way through some words we often think of as negative.
Discover a powerful antidote for the poison of envy in our lives
“Love does not envy” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: . . . envy . . . and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love . . . And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:19-24).
Barriers And Blessings
What did Jesus see when He looked at the woman at the well in John 4? He saw someone who wanted acceptance and desperately needed to know she was loved. Most of all, He saw someone who needed what only He could give—a new heart.
Leaning on God’s Grace
By Cynthia Ayuningtyas, 18, Indonesia On November 6th, I had a drawing exam. I didn’t prepare for it as I figured it didn’t require any studying. When the exam began, I was nervous because I didn’t know how to answer the question. I was stuck! So, I decided to ask my friend who was sitting [...]
Open-Handed Help
A homeless man spends time in our local library. One afternoon, while I was writing there, I took a lunch break. After I finished the first half of a turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich, an image of the man’s face came to mind. A few minutes later, I offered him the untouched part of my lunch. He accepted.
Discover another crucial step in overcoming the issue of envy
“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:4).
The Spirit Of The Age
Every age has its own thoughts, ideas, and values that influence the culture, the “spirit of the age.” It is the kind of growing consensus that morally lulls us to sleep, gradually causing us to accept society’s latest values.
The apostle Paul called this corrupting atmosphere the “course of this world.” Describing the lives of the believers at Ephesus before they encountered Christ, he said that they were “dead in trespasses and sins” and “walked according to the course of this world” (Eph. 2:1-2). This is the world’s peer pressure—a satanically inspired system of values and ideas that cultivates a lifestyle that is independent of God.
Find a fresh perspective for overcoming envy
“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:4).
Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves
By Alvin Veron, Philippines “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” —Matthew 10:16 NLT I came across this very powerful verse in Matthew recently. Jesus is warning His disciples for the certain danger and suffering they will face as He send them [...]
We Need Hope
Adam and Eve didn’t need hope because they didn’t lack anything they needed. And they had every reason to think that life would go on as pleasantly as it started—with every good thing that God had given them to enjoy. But they put it all at risk for the one thing the serpent said that God had withheld: the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:17; 3:5). So when the serpent came with his offer, Eve was quick to indulge, and Adam quick to follow (3:6). They got what they wanted: knowledge. But they lost what they had: innocence. With the loss of innocence came the need for hope—hope that their guilt and shame could be removed and goodness restored.
Do We Matter To God?
When I consider Your heavens,” wrote the psalmist, “what is man that You are mindful of him?” (Ps. 8:3-4). The Old Testament circles around this question. Toiling in Egypt, the Hebrew slaves could hardly believe Moses’ assurances that God would concern Himself with them. The writer of Ecclesiastes phrased the question more cynically: Does anything matter?
