When you give your word, will you keep it? Not only does our world expect faithfulness, God expects it as well. Smyrna was one of the seven churches Jesus addressed in a letter. Jesus acknowledged that the Christians in Smyrna faced persecution,...

It is recorded in the book of Revelation that Jesus sent Seven Letters to Seven churches, dictated to the Apostle John. Each letter included a commendation for things they were doing well, a criticism calling attention to what they were doing wrong,...

It is easy to get into lengthy discussions about lots of theological issues. But, in so many cases, does it really matter all that much? What’s really essential? The essential issue is “Who is Jesus Christ?” Connected to that will be every...

Seems the most natural thing in the world. Getting even. Someone offends me, I have the right (maybe even the obligation) to get back at them. I may think that my self-respect depends on evening up the score, otherwise I’m some kind of wimp. While...

The Christian life is not a solo performance. Christian experience is lived out in the plural, an ensemble of different personalities, voices and giftings that blend together into a beautiful and profound oneness. Here’s what the Apostle Paul wrote...

If you never face opposition you just might not be in the game. Christians who are serious about it will face opposition, perhaps even persecution. So, how do you respond? Saint Paul tells us to “bless” and not “curse.” To speak and wish them...

“Love” is a noun. But real love is a verb. Love is more than a feeling. Love is action. Jesus’ disciple John once wrote “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Rather than mere kindly thoughts toward...

It’s so easy to get stuck in our lives somewhere and lose our passion for things that are important. Things we once spent lots of time, energy and expense on no longer seem to be that interesting or important. More to the point, does your spiritual...

Lots of what people call “love” is really self-interest that requires other people. There are different things that we can easily confuse with genuine biblical love, like romantic or sexual attraction, or maybe even a good friendship. Those in...

How do we do life together in these crazy times? All of us are struggling with that as we go through a time that tends to isolate us and increase anxiety. In the Bible, the letters of Paul so often refer to “one another” or “each other.”...