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We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (1 John 3:14 NIV84)
The Bible is abundantly clear that when a person follows Jesus Christ there will be defining elements that emerge in their lives. True transformation leads to a change — life that is reflective of the One who wrought the change — Jesus. Understanding the key qualities in the life of Jesus, therefore, and assessing whether those same qualities are found in increasing measure in our own lives, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is very important. John tells us that loving others around us is a critical marker in the life of…
Have you ever known someone that was really hard to love? So hard in fact that you chose not to love them? I had a neighbor who made my life miserable for several years. When my husband and I first moved next door, I was nine months pregnant. We worked furiously to get me moved-in quickly. In the midst of it all, Bob rang the doorbell. Rather than welcome us to the neighborhood, Bob reprimanded us for leaving our unpacked boxes at the curb (two nights before pick-up). Another time, he scolded us for having our sprinkler too close to his yard—it was getting the end of his driveway wet. I wondered if he scolded God when it rained! Time…
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NASB)
When we read the Bible we are reading a love story — God’s love story — His creation of all life; His relationship with man; His forgiveness of…
The buzz of Multiply was in the air! There were orange T-shirts, orange books, and even Pastor Lon had on orange shoes. How could one not notice something was happening? As our family was driving home from church that Saturday night in September, my fifth-grader was asking questions about getting involved in Multiply. He wasn’t really clear about how to ask his question. He knew something exciting was going on, but he didn’t quite understand it all. Then, he asked, “Can I do Multiply?”
I was thrilled to hear of his own personal interest about being involved and said I would be happy to read the book with him, and we could talk about it. That wasn’t quite what he…
…shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness. (1 Peter 5:2 NASB)
We know God looks after us as our Shepherd, but what does it look like for us to be a spiritual shepherd to others? Even growing up in a small town in Georgia, I didn’t observe many actual shepherds. The job of a shepherd is still a bit foreign to me, yet we are commanded to spiritually emulate this role as disciples.
When thinking on this, I am often challenged by the example of missionary Amy Carmichael. Her understanding of shepherding-to spiritually care for, guide, and raise up those…
“‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'” (Matthew 15:8-9 NASB)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB)
In Matthew 15 we see Jesus rebuking the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. We may be quick to criticize them as well, until we hold the mirror up to our own hearts. It is so easy to fall into the…
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 NASB)
Before the season starts, all football players are involved in a strength and conditioning program. Playing football well requires strength and endurance. So does disciple-making. If you are planning to find a person to invest in for Christ, you better make sure you are ready-meaning strong in grace and prepared for hardship. Don’t chicken out, just get with the program!