Happy Thanksgiving! Here are four practical things I have learned about giving thanks. (1) Being thankful is a decision: We do not give thanks because we feel like it; we choose to give thanks because it is the correct thing to do. The Bible tells us to be thankful (Colossians 3:15) (2) We give thanks [...]
Jesus commands us, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-39) But I have found it is often easier to love the Lord than to love our neighbor, even our Christian neighbor. I want to plead with [...]
The American election is over. Now is the time for each of us to obey the admonition we read in I Tim. 2:2-4: “Pray…for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants [...]
We need a healthy dose of “God’s grace” in our lives every single day. John, the apostle, tells us that grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Jesus has already granted us grace for our salvation. He is now waiting for us to acknowledge Him and experience His grace (divine energy) every minute [...]
Last week in India I met believers facing increased persecution because they are following Christ. But the Kingdom of God in India continues to grow exponentially. Believers from a neighboring nation told me about the persecution they are facing. Next week, I plan to be in another Asian nation where I will meet believers who [...]
True humility is an attitude of the heart that is constantly acknowledging this truth: without Jesus we can do nothing, but with Christ we can do all things (Phil. 4:13). It is being conscious of our weaknesses and being willing to give God all the credit for things we have achieved and accomplished. Sometimes people [...]
I took a course in high school to learn how to make metal tools. In order for the tools to be hardened, we were taught to take a hot molten piece of metal and dip it in and out of water in order to temper it. This process gave the tool the proper strength to [...]
If you’re like me, sometimes you feel overwhelmed. There is just so much going on. We find it hard to know where to focus. Recently I learned a secret from Paul the apostle. “This one thing I do…“ (Phil. 3:13). Just take a one small step and do one new thing. Just one. And then, [...]
Jesus once said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34).” True followers of Jesus find their interests change from selfish longings to desires given to them by the Lord. Earthly treasure no longer holds us in its grip because we are no longer enslaved to it. We surrender to [...]
We often confuse “happiness” with “joy.” Happiness is a good feeling based on good things that happen around us. But joy is a gift from God. We can experience joy even when things around us feel out of control. And giving thanks to God releases joy in our lives, which gives us strength to face [...]