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Almost everyone is aware of the impact that inflated appraisals can and is having on the housing market. The recent downturn in real estate sales in the US has painfully reminded us of the need to keep appraisals realistic and not ethereal in substance. After all real estate is supposed to be real estate, not unreal estate! There is another arena in which appraisals need to be real, but in which the consequences are far more devastating; that arena is the appraisal of ourselves against God’s standard of worth.

Paul chided some of the Jews with the following: “Indeed…  ( Click for more )

Do you realize that each and every person on the face of this earth is an active participant in God’s Layaway Plan? It is a plan which we do not have to sign up for; enrollment is automatic when you join the human race! We will note what Paul had to say about this plan in the second chapter of Romans.

“But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’: eternal life to those who by…  ( Click for more )

Do you realize that each and every person on the face of this earth is an active participant in God’s Layaway Plan? It is a plan which we do not have to sign up for; enrollment is automatic when you join the human race! We will note what Paul had to say about this plan in the second chapter of Romans.

“But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’: eternal life to those who by…  ( Click for more )

If God grades on a curve I might have a chance, but it isn't a chance that I want; its surety. Today's text (Roman’s 2.1-4) settles whether or not God grades on a curve. First, let's look at the text: “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will…  ( Click for more )

Sometimes we erroneously hear that knowledge is the assurance of success. While it is true that it is virtually impossible to succeed without knowledge, it is not the case that knowledge in any sense guarantees success! Paul addressed this fact when he wrote about certain Gentiles “[W]ho, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” (Romans 1.32). We will analyze this statement phrase by phrase.

First, notice that the people spoken of by Paul knew…  ( Click for more )

The truth of God is not a commodity to be traded. It is comprised of eternal principles that can never be replaced or remedied. Any action, choice, or activity that requires the compromise of truth is an incredibly bad bargain. Furthermore, it will lead to remorse whether now or later. Like some debts, the payment of the interest and even the principal on such trades can be delayed, but it can never be avoided.

The Gentiles about whom Paul wrote in the latter half of Romans the first chapter were people whom God gave up “to uncleanness, in the lust of their hearts, to dishonor…  ( Click for more )

The Series: To All Who are in Rome; The Article: World's Absolute Worst Bargain (Part 1); The Text: Romans 1.20-25

I admit it; I am horrible when it comes to bartering. If I traded two dimes for a nickel, somehow I would still come out on the short end of the stick! If there is comfort in numbers, however, I can still feel okay about myself since many others share in this malady. The hurt caused by a bad trade when it comes to physical assets can last a lifetime. However, the hurt caused by a bad trade when it comes to spiritual things can last for eternity. Let’s…  ( Click for more )

The Series: To All Who are in Rome; The Article: I Am not Ashamed (Part 6); The Text: Romans 1.16-20

Guilt has a way of robbing my bank of words! After all, what is there to say when you are caught red-handed? Anything that even sounds like an excuse just makes matters worse. When we are without excuse, we are at our lowest.

In eternity, men will face God without excuse. Every accountable man has all the evidence he needs to conclude concretely that God exists. Paul was not ashamed to declare the gospel even though the message that saved some condemned others. Those…  ( Click for more )

The Series - To All Who are in Rome; The Article - I am not Ashamed (Part 5); Focus Text - Romans 1.16-18

Paul was a logician; his writings contain some of the most skillfully woven arguments about God, His existence, eternity, humanity, and righteousness that one will ever encounter. God is reasonable and so are those who, with His approval, proclaim His word. God used Paul’s intellect and his sense of reason to proclaim and defend, when necessary, the gospel. Paul’s penchant for reason will easily be seen in today’s message. There are actually five fors…  ( Click for more )

The Series - To All Who are in Rome; The Article - I am not Ashamed (Part 4); Text - Romans 1.16,17

Did you ever play a little game where someone gives you three guesses to try to find out a bit of information? It may be fun when it comes to matters of little consequence, or just for the fun of the game. However, if failing to guess correctly is going to jeopardize anything of importance, a person would do well to refuse to play. Well, when it comes to matters of eternal importance, it might be surprising to find out how many people needlessly play three guesses. Let’s…  ( Click for more )

The Series - To All Who are in Rome; The Article - I am not Ashamed (Part 3); Focus Text - Romans 1.16

Guaranteed 100% effective 100% of the time! Products that have 100% effectiveness would be a boon to any sales person. However, almost any product that one can imagine will not work for someone. Even a brand new automobile that costs only $1.00 is of no value (as an automobile) to someone who has no roads. A pair of eyeglasses that are guaranteed to correct any sighted person’s vision deficiency are of no value to someone who has no sight at all. Whatever…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (50/TBD)

Focus Text: John 14.1-3

Here are the reasons. You guess the situation that elicited them. The college administration changed its policy. The money available in the budget would not permit it. The transportation we had arranged failed to arrive as indicated. The weather just did not cooperate with us. There is a danger of infectious disease which makes the trip totally out of the question.

What you just read is a list of reasons why different teachers failed to keep promises made to students even though the…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (49/50)

Focus Text: Acts 1.4-8

How many questions did the apostles ask Jesus during His ministry? I don’t know the answer but it would probably prove to be an interesting exercise to go through the gospel accounts and study each of these as well as Jesus’ response. Today’s devotional does not deal with all the questions Jesus was asked by the apostles, just the last one. This final question is presented along with the immediate context in today’s focus text.

“And [Jesus] being assembled together…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (48/50)

Focus Text: Acts 1.4-8

“And [Jesus] being assembled together with them [the apostles], He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ And He said to them, ‘It…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (47/50)

Focus Text: John 21.18-22

“‘Most assuredly, I [Jesus] say to you [Simon Peter], when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved [John] following, who also had leaned…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (46/50)

Focus Text: John 21.15-17

Some living things just can’t survive without special care; this is true of plants, animals, and people. Unless weak animals get intense attention, they may perish. Without tiny gardens in which diseased plants can be tended tediously, they will die. It is well understood that these principles apply to human beings and their critical needs at certain times in their lives. Today’s lesson transfers these principles from the physical realm into the spiritual realm and takes a…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (45/TBD)

Focus Text: John 18.19-23

Under the cover of darkness, Judas betrayed the Master with a kiss of abject depravity. There was no more ruse to be played out on Judas’ part; Jesus’ hour had come!

“The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (44/TBD)

Focus Text: John 13.12-17

“So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (43/50)

Focus Text: John 13.8-13

The final Passover had arrived. Jesus was about to be betrayed in to the hands of sinners. The apostles still yet had many things they needed to know in order to achieve the mission for which they had been called. Besides all of this, Jesus was about to enter the darkest place into which any man could ever enter! His suffering was to be incomprehensible and it waited only hours away. What anguish might have stricken the ordinary heart; what dread might have engulfed a lesser man in self-pity…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (42/50)

Focus Text: John 13.1-7

Today, we enter nine messages to close out the series, Jesus, Unique and Unequalled Teacher.

“Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His…  ( Click for more )

To All Who are in Rome

Focus Text: Romans 1.1-4

“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1.1-4).

Words are so important to understanding God’s plan for us. One word of unexcelled importance in today’s…  ( Click for more )

To All Who are in Rome

Focus Text: Romans 1.1-4

Wise people do not accept every claim that they encounter; they weigh the evidence and draw conclusions based on the strength (or lack thereof) of the available testimony. It should be no different with claims of a religious nature. In fact when one considers the risks involved with accepting a false claim, nothing could be more hurtful than to be taken in by a “peddler of goods” in the spiritual arena. Perhaps that is why Paul purposefully introduced himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ at the very outset of some…  ( Click for more )

To All Who are in Rome

Focus Text: Romans 1.1-4

It is only reasonable that the book of Romans would contain some of the deepest and most complex theological themes of the entire Bible. This is true because of the audience to whom the Holy Spirit appealed through Paul, the human author of the book. Rome was the literal capital of the “civilized world” at the time the book was written. As such, it was a melting pot for every imaginable human philosophy. The Greek culture blended with Rome and produced one of the best educated societies of the era as well as one…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (41/TBD)

Focus Text: John 6.66-69

Note to our readers: This is the final edition of TODAY’S LITTLE LIFT prior to the coming of the New Year. I want to take this time to thank you for letting me be a part of your daily routine and for giving the me Joy of knowing that every day someone, somewhere has the opportunity to reflect on the scriptures and perhaps draw a little closer to God through these efforts.

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said…  ( Click for more )