Do you ever wonder if you are a true follower of Jesus? Do you wonder if you could or should do more for Jesus? Do you ever have that internal conversation where you weigh the evidence of your life? On the one hand you list the ways you are a faithful Christian. On the otherContinue reading “How to evaluate yourself as a follower of Jesus – John 6:52-71, Part 5”
Tag Archives: love
What to do when the world moves into the neighborhood – Relationships: with the world, Part 5
If we aren’t waiting on some special missionary call from God (see previous post) and we are all called to love the world, does that mean everyone should travel overseas? Please don’t hear me saying that. It takes a certain maturity, a set of gifts and graces to be a good fit for living international. Continue reading “What to do when the world moves into the neighborhood – Relationships: with the world, Part 5”
Sometimes healthy relationships need boundaries – Relationships: Family, Part 5
Sometimes family relationships need boundaries. As a family grows, we simply cannot care for everyone deeply, and frankly some people don’t want to be cared for. Worse, some people are toxic. Some are abusive. When people behave badly, it is okay to impose boundaries on theme. We place boundaries on relationships to stop the hurt,Continue reading “Sometimes healthy relationships need boundaries – Relationships: Family, Part 5”
Healthy marriage, healthy singleness – Relationships: Family, Part 2
I think this will not surprise you: husbands and wives are to love one another. In Colossians 3:19 Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” Ephesians 5:25, similarly says, “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” A few verses later,Continue reading “Healthy marriage, healthy singleness – Relationships: Family, Part 2”
Self-control is choosing – Fruit of the Spirit, Self-control, Part 5
Editor’s Note: This post is written by guest blogger, David Hundert. David is a current Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Seminary. I want to leave you with one last thought as quoted from the author, Max Lucado. He states, I Choose Love…No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today IContinue reading “Self-control is choosing – Fruit of the Spirit, Self-control, Part 5”
What to do when Christians disagree about what is good and what is bad – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 2
What is good…and what is bad? In Christian circles there are plenty of disagreements about what are good actions and bad actions. Many times on the blog I’ve talked about many of these disagreements. What clothing styles can people wear to worship services? What beverages can people drink? What films, music, TV, books, magazines, canContinue reading “What to do when Christians disagree about what is good and what is bad – Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness, Part 2”
God loves you like Beauty and the Beast, so you can love like that too – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 5
In addition to the word agape, the Greeks had another word for love, phileo, which is defined as “brotherly love.” For example in Romans 12:10, Paul uses phileo when he writes, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” What does brotherly love look like? Brotherly love is sacrificial, the willingness to lay one’s lifeContinue reading “God loves you like Beauty and the Beast, so you can love like that too – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 5”
How can you love others if you don’t love yourself? – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 4
This week we’ve been learning about the first quality in the Galatians 5 list called “The Fruit of the Spirit.” That first quality is love. But there is a roadblock to love, and the roadblock can be deep within us. There is a story in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus said that the twoContinue reading “How can you love others if you don’t love yourself? – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 4”
“Agape” love is hard work? – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 3
In the previous post, I mentioned that, Paul, the guy who wrote about the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, used the Greek word, agape, when he was referring to love. What is unique about agape love? Paul describes it much more in-depth in 1 Corinthians 13, which is often called “The Bible’s LoveContinue reading ““Agape” love is hard work? – Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Part 3″
What is love? – Fruit of the Spirit, Love – Part 2
What is love? Our culture has many ideas about love. Here’s a great medley of some famous love songs. How do these songs describe love? So many love songs. What is your favorite? How does our culture describe the word “Love”? I LOVE Pizza! Really? What does someone mean when they say they love pizza? Continue reading “What is love? – Fruit of the Spirit, Love – Part 2”