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A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are to love one another. By this all people will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35 (ESV) The scene is in the Upper Room, Jesus is talking to His disciples. He has……  ( Click for more )

"Let love and faithfulness never leaveyou; bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)

We have seen faithfulness in the news recently. A couple in Connecticut have been recognized as the longest married couple in the United States-80 years as man and wife. My thought when I saw this on my computer was they have been married longer than most people live. I was impressed by their marital longevity.

Several years ago, I met a mother who cared for a special-needs child for decades. She and her husband kept him at home.…  ( Click for more )

As I started to study this topic, I had some questions about it. How would you define goodness? Do we see goodness in others? How can we achieve goodness in our hearts?

How would you define goodness?

The MSG Bible equates goodness with “a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.” I believe that goodness is a heart quality that is visible to those around us. We see it in those who serve others. A friend steps up and helps someone with a need. People see the goodness we have as they watch us go through our days and how we handle our problems.…  ( Click for more )

“He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.” Psalm 18:50 (NIV)

What does God’s kindness look like? We can see it every day, if we look for it. Have we ever experienced God’s kindness? Of course we have. Does it show itself in what He does for us at the time we ask or does it come into view when we later reflect on a time when He withheld one our requests? Did you recognize it when it happens? With practice, we can.

How can we, as God’s people, convey His kindness…  ( Click for more )

In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD. Isaiah 40:3 (NRSV) During Advent, we prepare our homes for Christmas. Do we also prepare our hearts? At the last session of a Lay Witness Weekend held at a church I was in, there was a time when those of our church who participated in the activities……  ( Click for more )

These thoughts came to me a few years ago. They have always been true. They tell us about Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth. Let’s all try to remember that He came for each of us. As a baby, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this……  ( Click for more )

Do you know someone who seems to never get upset about happenings that come their way? They always appear to come through a time of problems unscathed. What is it with these people? They have learned patience. The King James Version of the Bible uses a descriptive term that I really like-long-suffering.

The Apostle James tells us something that we sometimes forget.

“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the LORD. As you know, we consider blessed those who persevered.” (James 5:10-11a,…  ( Click for more )

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27 (NIV)

Do you know someone who never seems to get upset about things? Do you wish you could be like that person? Do you try to take a stand only to have your position cause a problem?

As children of God, we learn to yield ourselves to His plan. He guides us through the sticky circumstances of our lives. We have to trust that He knows what He is doing in each area of our lives. Jesus remakes our inner selves, our souls to be more aligned with His.

When we…  ( Click for more )

What do we know about this thing called joy? It is a fruit of the spirit. Joy comes from within us. Having it is better than being happy. Why is it so important, so sought after? Why do some people in our lives want to steal it from us?

We feel joy when something happens that fills our hearts with gladness. A friend of mine received a new grandson a few months ago. She is joyous about this baby-it’s her first grandchild. Some people find so much joy in being grandparents they joke about wishing they had grandkids first.

…  ( Click for more )

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined to the purpose of Him who works all things to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11 (NKJV) In Jesus, we have received a gift from God, a gift determined by the LORD’s aim for us. God works all things in accordance……  ( Click for more )

For I know the thoughts [plans] that I think towards [have for] you, says the LORD. Thoughts [plans] of peace not evil, to give you a future and hope. Hebrews 29:11 (NKJV) [NI V] (The words in brackets are how I learned this verse.) The LORD has set in motion a time……  ( Click for more )

”Now my soul is troubled and what shall I say? ‘Father save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father glorify Your Name.“John 12:27-28a (NKJV) Here Jesus speaks to God from His humanity. His soul is troubled. He knows what lays ahead for……  ( Click for more )

Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified and put to death, whom God raised up, having loosed the pain of death for it was not possible that He should be held by it. Acts 2:23-24 (NKJV) Jesus’ coming to earth,……  ( Click for more )

This is a Children’s Moments message I gave a few weeks ago. Before I left church that Sunday, I had two women in my age group tell me they learned about the pledges to the Bible and the Christian flag. Each of them said they never heard these pledges before. I personally believe we need to get back to the……  ( Click for more )

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3:1-2 (NKJV) Paul’s words to Titus whom he describes as a “true son in our common faith.” ……  ( Click for more )

By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone. Proverbs 25:15 (NKJV) Moses listened to the Lord and patiently awaited the day that Pharaoh would finally let the Israelite people depart Egypt and head to the land God had promised them. Hannah exercised patience……  ( Click for more )

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3(NKJV) Words……  ( Click for more )

We who speak English use the word ‘love’ to describe how we feel about our spouse or that one significant person in our life. Also, we use the same word to describe our favorite flavor of ice cream or our favorite food or snack.

The Greek people had four words to describe the various meanings of what they meant by ‘love’. They called romantic love, Eros. When they described brotherly love, they used the term, Phileo. For love that seeks the betterment of others, they used the word Agape. The fourth word is Storge, which described love between family…  ( Click for more )

Faith That Heals

“Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed from that moment.” Matthew 9:22 (NIV)

We read several accounts of Jesus healings where he commends someone’s faith. Jesus told the people that the Centurion possessed faith to such a degree that he had not seen in Israel. He spoke to the woman with the bloody discharge, saying she was healed because of her faith. What does it take to have the kind of faith that allows us to be healed? Honestly speaking,…  ( Click for more )

But, without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) When we go before the LORD, we must believe He is who He says He is. The writer of Hebrews tell us without our believing……  ( Click for more )

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His mercies fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations3:22-23 (NKJV) Did you ever have ‘one of those days’ when nothing went the way you planned or wanted it to go? Because we are human,……  ( Click for more )

For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Psalm 33:4-5 (NKJV) The psalmist tells us some wonderful thoughts about our LORD. He writes that His word is……  ( Click for more )

The Light of the World

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me

will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 (NIV)

Our neighbor has a security light that comes on when someone gets to a certain spot on his driveway. Several years ago, it came on and scared some police officers when they received a call about a strange recurring sound that came from the yard. While it startled the two police investigators and any others who venture there, it brought peace to our neighbors.

We read in our Bibles that Jesus identifies…  ( Click for more )

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5 (NJKV) These words come from a Psalm of Thanksgiving. I find comfort in them as I type them. We sing choruses about God’s goodness to us. But do we really understand what we……  ( Click for more )