Love ConsistencyEphesians 5 give us great insights on practical ways we can live in Christ.Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving.  Chapter 5 begins with, “Therefore, be imitators of God…”We all know we can’t imitate God in His power, presence, or knowledge.However, we CAN imitate God by loving others, just as Christ loves us.Loving others is not optional for believers.1 ...  Read More

Wednesday, December 2, 2020Living and LovingOn Monday, we saw that we are chosen by God.  On Tuesday, we saw that we are alive in Christ.  Today, we see how to live out our walk with Christ.Ephesians 4:1 tells us to “live worthy of the calling you have received.”  How do we do that?Verse 2 answers this for us: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, maki...  Read More

Tuesday, December 1, 2020Alive!Ephesians 2 tells us the bad news AND the good news.We were once dead in our trespasses and sins.And then there’s the “magic” word, “but.”Verse 4 says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us ALIVE!”We don’t receive eternal life based on our goodness or merit.It is simply because of His grace, mercy, and love.He has saved...  Read More

ChosenWe all want to be chosen.  We want to be on a team.  We want to be chosen in marriage.  We want to be chosen for a promotion at work.Being chosen makes us feel special.Ephesians 1:4 says, “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”We weren’t chosen because of our holiness.  We would be disqualified.We’re chosen to be holy, because HE is ho...  Read More

Reasons to Thank GodPsalm 106:1 (NIV) - Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.There are many reasons to thank God.We thank God for his material blessings in our lives.We thank God for relationships.We thank God for the church.We thank God for his character.We thank God for his Son.We thank God for our salvation.I will stop here because the list will get...  Read More

Our thankfulness is expressedColossians 3:15 (NIV) - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.Thankfulness is an inner attitude.Thankfulness is also an outward expression.Unexpressed thankfulness robs other people of the joy of knowing you appreciate them.We can express our thankfulness to others in many ways.The important ...  Read More

Thankful for God’s routine blessings1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) - give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.Such blessings as family, work, church, and friendships are commonplace in most of our lives.I am guilty of overlooking these “routine” blessings to focus on the “big” blessings.However, I believe these ordinary blessings are God’s most visible way of sh...  Read More

The greatest loveThe greatest love was shown through God sending Christ as our only Savor.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.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 Christ as your Sa...  Read More

Love always perseveres1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)  - It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Loving others is easy when the relationship is good.Loving others is not easy when the relationship has problems such as when we are offended by someone.Loving others perseveres even in the difficult times.Think of the persevering love that Christ had for others.His love pers...  Read More

Love always hopes1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)  - It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.The person who loves is always optimistic toward those he loves.Our love for others is always hopeful because God is always working in their lives.When those close to us fail us, we are tempted  to give up on them.God does not give up on them. He proved this throughout Scripture.W...  Read More

Love always trusts1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)  - It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Love is not doubtful or suspicious of others. Love leads us to trust others and entrust ourselves to others.Love gives the benefit of doubt to others.Love trusts the good intentions of others.Love does things to develop trust in the relationship.Love looks for the way to restore ...  Read More

Love always protects1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)  - It [love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Some Bible translations use the word “bear” instead of “protect”.The word means to cover like a roof covers a structure. Therefore, the translation “protects”.Love always protects others in every area of life. Love protects others physically, emotionally, intellectually, relati...  Read More