“Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:9).   Usually we think of training seminars and classroom instruction as making us wise. They can be most beneficial and they can educate us but wisdom itself is something higher than... Continue Reading

Like Jesus, shepherds are to lead their sheep. But where? Certainly, into the continuing work of our Lord Jesus Christ. But what is that? Our workbook, The Ongoing Work of Christ: The Book of Acts and Beyond, can help give you clarity on this.   The Shepherd’s Example (2) But put on the Lord Jesus... Continue Reading

We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us. It is so easy for me to pray what I believe I ought when I feel my prayers are too self-interested, too melodramatic, or otherwise utterly unsatisfactory for the God of the universe to hear. We must not pray... Continue Reading

Life is not about themselves but about loving others. Older folks are better listeners and softer around the edges and have nurtured an empathy and understanding that comes only through learning to count others as more important than themselves (Phil. 2:3). With a humble dependence on the Lord, there results a steadfastness, a resilience, an... Continue Reading

Is suffering necessarily discipline, though? Paul argues that is the case. Paul says that more than anything, he wants to know Jesus. What is the most intimate way Paul can think of knowing Jesus? Knowing him in his suffering.   “Forgive me for all the times I needed to suffer and I ran from it,... Continue Reading

Learn and study your God for He alone is the fountain and source and well-spring of all true and real happiness. Why, then, is God truly happy?  First, God is truly happy in Himself. He has perfect fellowship with each of the divine and eternal members of the Godhead.   God is an infinitely happy... Continue Reading

Identity is not a means of self-fabrication, but identity in Christ something to receive because we are in Christ and belong to him.   More Than Marks of Faith When many Christians today think about the sacraments of baptism and communion, they think of them primarily as acts that we perform. That is, that they’re... Continue Reading

Priorities are a powerful decision-making tool. They allow you to think about what matters most and make decisions in light of that. So for Christians, priorities are ultimately shaped by a love for Christ and a willingness to live for him above all else. When you’re facing a fork in the road, you need to... Continue Reading

As Christians, ours is not to be envious, jealous or bitter but content and especially happy for others when they succeed and we know there isn’t wrongdoing involved. Someone else gets a promotion, a raise, makes a sale; can we be happy for them? Sometimes it’s hard, especially if they aren’t acting in an ethical... Continue Reading

In our introductory post for this series on the Fruit of the Spirit, we took a general look at the list to begin to uncover the meaning of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Galatians. Now we will examine each of these slices of the Spirit’s fruit, starting with love.   Defining love is not... Continue Reading