I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” Ecclesiastes 2:1–2 The slogan of the strictly secular lifestyle can be reduced to six single-syllable words: […]
Read MoreCategory Archives: Christian Living
Chasing the Wind
I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 1:13–14 As we learned previously, many […]
Read MoreA Man and His Perspective
These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem. “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” Ecclesiastes 1:1–2 There once lived a man who had the time, money, and energy to take a prolonged, searching journey. Not just a mind trip. Not across the imaginary back roads of his […]
Read MoreThe Fruit of Worship
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp, and the melody of a lyre. You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for […]
Read MoreWho, How, and What of Encouragement
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Some crucial questions regarding loving encouragement are worth answering. Who should I attempt to encourage? Ideally, everyone I meet; but realistically, those with whom I have established a close relationship. By the way, don’t think that is automatic. […]
Read MoreEssential Encouragement
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24–25 All the way through Hebrews the spotlight is on Jesus […]
Read MoreChrist Our Common Ground
It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. . . . But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. Philippians 1:15, 18 Why […]
Read MoreThe Indispensable Local Church
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. Philippians 1:9–10 Where did you find your mate? More than […]
Read MoreChrist’s Church
Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:18 Note first to whom the church belongs—Jesus. “I will build MY church.” It is not pressing the issue out of bounds to emphasise that the church is not the work of some pastor or priest […]
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