Hard Reality
When the Bible paints a portrait it doesn’t remove the imperfections. It’s reassuring to know the men and women God used to accomplish His will were real people.
Jesus told His disciples to love one another “as I have loved you” (John 13:34). That wouldn’t be so hard if the love Jesus displayed was primarily the write-a-cheque or call-once-a-month kind of love. But Jesus set the bar immeasurably high. Jesus’ kind of love touched the skin of a leper and washed the feet of a soon-to-be betrayer. He didn’t mind interruption by another’s demands, even those of a person all others disdained. Jesus had the uncanny ability to look straight into a person’s soul to see the deepest need there.
Is that an impossible example to follow? You bet it is! That’s why God sent the Holy Spirit to live inside us and empower us with His supernatural love. Only when “plugged in” to that power will His followers stand out in their treatment of others and of one another. Then people will take notice and say, “My, how they love one another!” Let these resources set you on the path of loving with the Saviour’s love.
When the Bible paints a portrait it doesn’t remove the imperfections. It’s reassuring to know the men and women God used to accomplish His will were real people.
Most communication today is electronic, without a personal touch. Did you know 21 of the New Testament books were handwritten letters? Something to think about.
Where there is great freedom there is also the potential to abuse it. God’s grace, once embraced, should keep us from returning to our old ways and abusing His gift to us.
Here are two statements from Chuck Swindoll on how to live this Christian life. Number one, it takes authenticity and integrity to win a hearing. Number two, it’s impossible to convince anyone of any truth you’re not living.
Optimism, pessimism, suspicion, and fatalism all fail to present life as it really is. In contrast to these four ways we view life God tells us to live with a perspective characterized by reality, joy, trust, and hope.
True commitment doesn’t change with shifting fortunes of life or with the ebb and flow of feelings. Commitment is a promise made once for all time and then confirmed by the daily decision to stay rather than leave.
This Easter, celebrate the Resurrection of the Saviour with Pastor Chuck Swindoll. Discover how Jesus’ Resurrection is no mere hoax but is, instead, the foundation upon which God invites you to build your life and to rest your hope.
Ephesians provides six essential disciplines that reinforce healthy models of relating, necessary for a happy marriage and a happy family.
Nazareth isn’t some holy hamlet. It’s a rugged and dirty place, always has been. But it was there, in that lonely town, Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told she would bear the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
Courtship is the time in a relationship to lay the foundation. It’s the time you discuss children, finances, work, in-laws, faith, stress, goals... everything!