Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Borrowing from Coach John Wooden’s words, I urge you to care more about your character than your reputation as you invest your energies. I think strong resolutions will help make that happen. If we plan to be a positive influence […]
Read MoreTag Archives: First Corinthians
General Facts from God’s Word, Part 2
But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased. Proverbs 6:32–33 Yesterday covered two important facts from God’s Word related to the subject of abortion. Below is the third of four. Fact three: Some sins incur greater consequences […]
Read MoreDetermination
Years ago a certain issue of Sports Illustrated featured a lengthy article on Tom Landry, former coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Those who know me won’t be surprised to hear that I read every word of it. I was living in Dallas when the Cowboys were formed into a team and Tom Landry was first introduced as the head mentor of that original, rag-tag bag of unknown athletes. The first few years were bleak, to say the least.
Read MoreJealousy
Like an anger-blind, half-starved rat prowling in the foul-smelling sewers below street level, so is the person caged within the suffocating radius of selfish jealousy. Trapped by resentment and diseased by rage, he feeds on the filth of his own imagination. “Jealousy,” says Proverbs 6:34, “enrages a man.”
Read More“Little” People, “Big” People
God makes some people large, others moderate in stature. Still others are small in size. We frequently make the mistake of calling small folks “little,” but that is an unfortunate and unfair tag. I’m not picking at terms . . . there is a great deal of difference between being small and being little. If you don’t think so, just ask someone who is less than average height. They won’t hesitate telling you they may be small, but they’re definitely not little.
Read MoreEvidences of His Presence
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:16–17 NASB How do we recognize the Spirit’s ministry? Within us […]
Read MoreKeep Your Balance
Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 1 Corinthians 8:1 This is a good time for me to pause and mention three basic warnings so […]
Read MoreRemaining Open and Teachable
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 Virtually every day of my life I am digging into the treasures of the Word of God. I am probably more theologically orthodox than I’ve ever been in my life. […]
Read MoreThe Spirit Reveals What’s Hidden
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 NASB The Spirit of God is the One who gleans truth from within the Godhead and then reveals this wisdom to individuals like you and me. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, such […]
Read MoreThe Spirit’s Unique Power
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 1 Corinthians 2:2–3 NASB Ponder Paul’s self-description above: “weakness fear . . . trembling.” Now, if I were to ask you to describe Paul, I doubt that […]
Read More