Colossians 3:13 (NIV) – “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”Each of us experiences anger at times.Some of us live in a state of anger.Living with constant anger damages ourselves and others.It also hinders our walk with Christ.Do you need to surrender your anger?This happens through forgiving people and circumstan...  Read More

Some people attempt to work their way to eternal life.According to Scripture, we gain eternal life only when we surrender to Christ.Christ has already done everything necessary for our eternal life.We simply surrender, through faith, to his finished work.If you have surrendered to Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you are growing in your faith and sharing him with others.If you have not yet...  Read More

Ephesians 5:16 (KJV) – “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”Many of us struggle with time management.We continually add more to our schedules thinking that being busy adds to our self-importance.Our digital devices encourage us in our overcrowded schedules and our twenty-four availability.A better alternative is to surrender your time to Christ by focusing on his leadership in your life...  Read More

John 8:32 (NIV) – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”Surrender is a discouraging word for most of us.Just the idea leads to negative images.For Christians, however, surrender is positive.According to Scripture we are free only when we surrender to Christ.We begin our walk with Christ when we surrender to him as our Savior.Our discipleship continues with a daily surrend...  Read More

Matthew 7:12 (NIV) – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”Listening is difficult.It requires placing the needs of the other above your own.It requires asking clarifying questions.Listening is an active exercise.If we are honest, we might admit that many of our conversations are more like swapping stories instead of genuine l...  Read More

John 3:16 (NIV) - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”Only God offers eternal life through faith in Christ.We need to listen to and accept this good news.If you have received Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you are growing in your faith and sharing him with others.If you have not received Chris...  Read More

Proverbs 25:11 (NIV) – “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”Have you ever taken time to listen to yourself?This may be a strange question but, what are you saying to yourself?It is important to speak God’s truth to yourself just as you do to others.God’s truth will encourage and transform you.At times you may find yourself dwelling on past criticisms, failures, and ot...  Read More

Proverbs 19:20 (NIV) – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”There have been many people in my life who have given me advice and instruction.Some in formal ways, others informally.Honestly, I have listened to some but, not all.Looking back, I probably should have listened to some people more and others less.The important point is that listening to godly advice ...  Read More

Psalm 85:8 (NIV) – “I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints-- but let them not return to folly.”Many people want us to listen to them.Listening to God, however, is our top priority.Sometimes listening to others satisfies us.At other times we are simply left confused.Only God promises peace when we listen to him.We listen to God through Scripture, pr...  Read More

Paul came to the church in Corinth “in weakness, in fear, and much trembling.”  Paul said that he didn’t come with fancy speech and persuasive words of wisdom.Instead, he came as a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.Paul came to Corinth for one reason: “to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).  Paul’s message was simple: Don’t place your faith in human...  Read More

I have often thought, “How can God want to use someone like me?”  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:16, “Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.”In other words, there was nothing special about them.Looking back in Matthew and Luke at the genealogies of Jesus, there are a few big names, but mostly just common ...  Read More

For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. —1 Corinthians 1:22-23.Paul had been brought up with a Jewish education, so he knew the history of the Jews.The Jews always sought miracles and signs from the Lord.The Greeks were constantly seeking wisdom and discussing philosophy.Paul believed and ...  Read More