“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1John 4:11). God’s love obligates us without force. We are rather persuaded by His love if it is authentic. As we grow in knowledge of the dimensions of the love released from the Father through the Son to us, our confidence in Him increases. To know His…
“Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him’ ” (John 9:3). It was customary for sicknesses and diseases to be directly associated with an act of sin. A blind man who was born that way was in question as to whether it was his sin or his parent’s…
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children” (Matthew 11:19). Sinners flocked around Jesus and loved to be his companions, while the religious found Him to be repulsive and were made to feel uncomfortable. Prostitutes and publicans…
“Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ ” (John 19:27). Jesus made an oral testament to John, the beloved disciple, to provide as He would for her after His death. It was a binding agreement in the company of others, if accepted, to care for her needs as the second oldest son. Even though there were other children,…
I am often intrigued by the roles and responsibilities of motherhood. This God-given assignment, the privilege of helping shape the character of infants into adulthood, is mysteriously woven into the fabric of His eternal plan. God grants both mothers and fathers the opportunity to contribute to a purpose designed to extend beyond their earthly existence. Many would like to believe…
“He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children” (Psalm 113:9). The exercise of affection in guiding the household and caring for children produces a joy in the heart of mothers. She was made to love her children and to maintain the household in which she has the pleasure to occupy. But what if there was no…
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10). The energy and strength exerted by the man who tries to figure things out on his own is constantly exerted. Yet the results are minimal because it is only mind challenging matter. The mind cannot achieve…
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1Peter 3:15). A sanctified heart is directed towards God alone. There is no other direction to which it may be turned that can satisfy the believer…
“When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom” (John 2:9). Only the servants knew the source of the wine that was changed from water. Those who served had knowledge…
“God, my strength, my stronghold, my safe retreat when trouble descends:” (Jeremiah 16:19 MSG). Trouble descends as a storm from above. Rain can be gentle and refreshing or it can come down as a deluge leading to a flood. The former is refreshing, producing growth and clearing the pollen. The latter overflows the river banks and destroys everything in its…
“For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” (1Timothy 4:10). Those who trust in the living God labor with a goal in view that is different from the activities of others. There are luxuries not afforded the faithful for…
“So, when you pray in your private prayer language, don’t hoard the experience for yourself. Pray for the insight and ability to bring others into that intimacy” (1Corinthians 14:13 MSG). True love is never selfish. It takes pleasure in giving more than receiving. God has called us into deeper levels as our hearts are in sync with His own. Our…