pay cash generous

God’s Call For Generosity To Our Brothers And Sisters

Posted on by

After stating that the greatest commandment was to love God, Jesus said that the second greatest commandment was to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39, NIV). He also said “Do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12, ESV). In this time of financial hardship we need to keep an eye out for people in distress that we might be able to help. Even if we don’t have much money maybe we can help with our time. But those with resources should seriously consider offering financial assistance. The wealthy need to be careful that they manage their wealth in a way that pleases God. There is a point at which the pursuit of success becomes greed and Scripture warns us not even to associate with a Christian who is guilty of greed (1 Cor. 5:12). Certainly, Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Our Blessings Can’t Be Cancelled Out By Disaster – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

Posted on by

“He asked life of you; you gave it to him,length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great through your salvation;splendor and majesty you bestow on him. 6 For you make him most blessed forever;you make him glad with the joy of your presence. (Psalms 21:-4-6, ESV) In this Psalm the king of Israel, presumably David, is thanking God for the blessings he has given to him. The king asked for life and God gave him a long life. God brought glory to the king by saving him and clothed the king in splendor. God became present to him and gave him joy and even blessed him forever. What does this have to do with us? Remember that we are a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9) and that God repeatedly promises in the New Testament that we will rule with Jesus. So we will be royalty like King Continue Reading →

society in turmoil

When Society Is In Turmoil

Posted on by

COVID-19 has plunged much of the world into turmoil. People are fearing for their lives, for their loved ones and for their financial situation. It feels like the 9/11 disaster happening over a 30-day period. The world is not going to be the same for a while. How does a follower of Jesus walk through this? Perhaps it would be good to begin with prayer. If we haven’t been keeping our focus on God then this is a good time to recommit to that. Let’s turn to God first and talk with him. Let this time lead you to more dependence on, and interaction with, God. And let our prayers be from the heart. In other words, let’s express what we are really feeling, not what we would express if we were already perfectly Christformed. The Psalms are a great guide to honestly pouring out our heart to God so Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Coronavirus Can’t Distract Us From Focusing On God – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

Posted on by

Psalms 20:6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (ESV) Whether it is Coronavirus or some other circumstance that is causing distress in our lives, it is important to remember to keep our focus on God in Christ. Many of us will be disrupted by Coronavirus for months to come. Parents with school-age children will struggle to find child care. Poorer children who won’t have access to free lunches from schools will wonder where their meals will come from. Businesses will see a decline in revenue and some will lose their jobs. Retirement accounts will be worth much less than they were. Many of us will no longer be able to join Continue Reading →

marriage, bride, wedding, spiritual

Are You Looking Forward To Your Wedding Day?

Posted on by

1 Peter 1:13 directs us to “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (ESV). In other words, we keep our focus on the coming age when God will recreate the earth into a New Earth and come and live with us. So, it is important to spend time reflecting on the blessings God will bring to us then. Perhaps what is most astonishing about the next age is that we will be “married” to the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-9; 21:2, 9-27; 22:17). “In the story of redemption and the history of heaven the supreme event for which the ages are waiting is the marriage of the Lamb. The Bible is one long love story and redemption a divine romance of the love of God.”[1] The idea that the people of God are the bride of God or Jesus is Continue Reading →