I’ll Take Him

Years ago, when I was a student at the University of California at Berkeley, I developed a friendship with a fellow student who had suffered a terrible loss. His child had died and his wife had left him because she couldn’t deal with the pain.

Something To Declare

It was just a routine baggage inspection, but there was nothing ordinary about the contents of the suitcase. The Swiss customs agent who examined it discovered 14 original drawings by Pablo Picasso. The artwork, which was contained in a sketchbook, was estimated to be worth as much as $1.5 million, yet the passenger indicated “nothing to declare” to customs authorities.

“Me First”

A man once asked me, “What is your biggest problem?” I replied, “I see my biggest problem every day in the mirror.” I am referring to those “me first” desires that lurk in my heart.

In James 4:1 we read: “Where do wars and fights come from among you?

The Slippery Slope Of Success

Among the more than 19,000 original epigrams penned by chemist and writer Dr. O. A. Battista is this wise observation: “You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity.” Unfortunately, just the opposite often happens when something we have done is praised and rewarded.

A Word To The Weary

The people of Israel were struggling. They had been taken captive by the Assyrians and forced to live in a country far from home. What could the prophet Isaiah give these weary people to help them?

He gave them a prophecy of hope. It was a message from God relating to the promised Messiah.

You Fool!

It seems to me rather contradictory that Jesus, who was so gentle at times (Matt. 19:13-15), would call some people fools. Yet, as recorded in the Gospels a number of times, our Lord used this derogatory term to describe those He spoke about—especially the Pharisees

Celebrate The Fruit

It’s easy to develop a critical spirit toward people who are not growing spiritually according to our expectations. We can easily spot areas of concern that need correction, but we also need to take note of what’s right. In his letters, Paul often needed to correct churches, but he also celebrated what was good.

Shine Anyway

To be honest, I wasn’t happy to be making another trip to the store. For the previous 4 weeks, my wife and I had been trying to get a refund for a bad refrigerator. As I spoke with the manager—again—it seemed that we were heading down another dead-end road. As we talked, I wondered if we would ever get our money back, but I tried to be gracious.

Find lessons on faith that apply to our lives right now

Friday, March 9, 2012, Part 3

“By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29).

Idea: The crossing of the Red Sea was an act of faith on the part of the Hebrew people.

Purpose: To help listeners appreciate why crossing the Red Sea was a great test of faith for the Hebrew people.

No matter what we’re facing today, God is working things out for our good!

Thursday, March 8, 2012, Part 2

“By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29).

Idea: The crossing of the Red Sea was an act of faith on the part of the Hebrew people.

Purpose: To help listeners appreciate why crossing the Red Sea was a great test of faith for the Hebrew people.

God is trustworthy no matter what comes our way!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012, Part 1

“By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29).

Idea: The crossing of the Red Sea was an act of faith on the part of the Hebrew people.

Purpose: To help listeners appreciate why crossing the Red Sea was a great test of faith for the Hebrew people.

In This Very Room

At our church we often sing the beautiful song by Ron and Carol Harris: “In This Very Room.” It begins, “In this very room there’s quite enough love for one like me.” This song reminds me that although there is great encouragement in gathering with other Christians for worship, the important thing is that Christ is present.

Caricature God

Caricature artists set up their easels in public places and draw pictures of people who are willing to pay a modest price for a humorous image of themselves. Their drawings amuse us because they exaggerate one or more of our physical features in a way that is recognizable but funny.

I’m Good

When someone asks, “How are you?” it has become common for the response to be, “I’m good.” When we say this, we are really saying, “I’m well” or “I’m doing fine,” speaking of our general well-being and not our character. I have answered with that response more times than I can count, but lately it has begun to bother me.

A Man Of Warmth And Wisdom

When Dr. Vernon Grounds, former president and chancellor of Denver Seminary, went to be with the Lord at age 96, tributes and remembrances poured in from former students, colleagues, and friends. Almost everyone recalled a time when Dr. Grounds had personally encouraged them through his teaching, his counsel, or simply his warm smile. He believed in the value of training pastors, teachers, and counselors who had a vital relationship with Christ and a willingness to serve others.