It is simply human nature that the people in a church family will not always agree with one another. Hear what Paul has to say about that in 1 Thessalonians 5, verses 14–15, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient withContinue reading “Christians have been discipled by outrage culture – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 4”
Tag Archives: fruit of the spirit
Brotherly love is patient – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 4
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. When you’re watching TV and a commercial comes on, do you change the channel or wait for the show to come back on? When you’re watching a YouTube video and there isContinue reading “Brotherly love is patient – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 4”
What should Christians say as their last words? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 5
If you have the opportunity to say last words, just before you die, what would you say? Think about the gravity of the moment. Likely, your family will be around you. They will remember your last words probably more than anything you ever said to them. Your last words will be famous to them, lockedContinue reading “What should Christians say as their last words? – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 5”
What God wants from revival – John 7:1-52, Part 4
Have you heard about the Asbury Revival of 2023? The university has chapel services, and students are required to attend a number of chapel services each semester. At one particular service recently, something happened. The manifest presence of the Holy Spirit was like a stream of living water in the lives of the students. TheContinue reading “What God wants from revival – John 7:1-52, Part 4”
Overcoming the grumps – John 6:22-51, Part 4
What makes you grumpy? Many situations make me grumpy, but it is probably home repairs that hit me the worst. When something breaks in our house, or something needs updated, it really stresses me out, and I can get so grumpy. For other people, it is bad drivers. Some of you hate mornings, and youContinue reading “Overcoming the grumps – John 6:22-51, Part 4”
What real repentance actually looks like – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 4
But neither sorrow nor confession is repentance. Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, whatContinue reading “What real repentance actually looks like – Advent 2022, Week 2, Part 4”
The problem and solution of God’s invisibility – John 1:1-18, Part 5
How many of you wish that God were visible? How many of you wish that you could just have a little miracle of Jesus showing up at your doorstep to give you some reassurance that he is right there? How many of you look back at some of the miracles recorded in the Bible andContinue reading “The problem and solution of God’s invisibility – John 1:1-18, Part 5”
Christian, what aroma does your manner, method and message give off? – Relationships: In the community, Part 5
My wife, Michelle, works at a local café. She and the other servers say that the Sunday, after-church crowd are some of their least favorite to serve. Why? Their manner, message and method stink. They can be demanding. They can treat their servers coldly or disrespectfully. They can lack polite manners. They can barely tip,Continue reading “Christian, what aroma does your manner, method and message give off? – Relationships: In the community, Part 5”
Do you give off the aroma of life or the aroma of death? – Relationships: In the community, Part 4
When I go running with my dogs, one of the most amazing things is the smell of breakfast cooking emanating from the houses we pass by. Or maybe you are more familiar with the smell of someone cooking burgers. Or a chicken barbeque. The wind can carry that smell really far. I grew up inContinue reading “Do you give off the aroma of life or the aroma of death? – Relationships: In the community, Part 4”
Are you a quality friend? A good member of your community? – Relationships: In your community, Preview
Who are your neighbors? Do you know their names? Their story? Their beliefs? Evaluate your relationships with them. Are you close? Distant? Would they say you care about them? What about your co-workers? Your friends? Your classmates? What does it mean to have godly relationships with the various people in your life? Are we justContinue reading “Are you a quality friend? A good member of your community? – Relationships: In your community, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 