There are no guarantees in life! No matter how hard we try to shape the trajectory of our future by the decisions we make in the present, the fact remains that our knowledge is limited. We cannot predict our final hour, the manner in which we will pass from this life, nor the reasons behind God's decision to end our days here on earth.
Read MoreOpportunities will undoubtedly arise in our marriages to flee when conflict abounds and temptations to justify sin seem rational. But to those who persevere in the face of danger, infinite blessing awaits. The question is whether we will embrace the lot we have been given or turn away from the refiner's fire that purifies our hearts and allows us to love our spouses as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up unto death for His bride.
Read MoreAssuming we knew what day would be our last, how would we choose to live? Would we take more risks? Would we live with purpose? Who or what would we prioritize with our time? Would our lives be marked by foolishness and irresponsibility or wisdom and diligence?
Read MoreThere is an infatuation within our culture today that manifests itself by the desire to KNOW. Our flesh longs to have answers to all of life's questions and our culture is overwhelmingly flooded with desperate attempts to educate man with scientific and philosophical knowledge, opinions and perspectives, all the while distancing itself from the absolute truth of Scripture. Why?
Read MoreFEAR! What immediately comes to our minds? Are we afraid of anything in particular? Are we consumed by our fears? Truth be told, fear is a powerful motivator. The real question is whether our fear is healthy or unhealthy.
Read MoreSolomon sifts through the clutter of our hearts to reveal the greater underlying issue—not whether we agree or disagree with a particular issue, but whether we are willing to submit to the various authorities over us who may indeed be evil, immoral or unjust.
Read MoreEcclesiastes 7 is a prime example of how we can begin shaping our thoughts and decision-making by recognizing God's wisdom and man's foolishness. In this particular 15-verse section, we are confronted with specific scenarios Solomon presents to contrast wisdom and folly.
Read MoreWe must understand that our character speaks volumes, just as a good name is far more valuable than precious ointment. It defines who we are as men and women of faith. Even the poorest man can be identified with high character because character is not confined by material wealth or social status.
Read MoreWe can rest confidently in our decision to follow Christ, for true contentment is found in the saving grace God offers to us every day of our lives. The question is: Will we accept His grace and trust His ways, or be led astray by false promises of contentment the world offers to temporarily appease our flesh?
Read MoreOne day we will all give an account. Whether upon our death bed or within the hierarchical constructs of order and justice God allows throughout society, the truth that we must answer for who we are and what we have done is inevitable.
Read MoreGuard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
Read MorePain is inevitable, oppression exists, truth is relative, jealousy and envy consume our thoughts, and evil runs rampant through the heart of man. Therefore, what hope do we have to compel us to remain steadfast in the face of trial and persecution?
Read MoreLet's face it. One day we're all going to die! And when that day comes, what we believe regarding heaven and hell will be irrelevant because reality will have replaced theory and our fate of impending judgment will commence.
Read MoreThere is something to be said for making the wise choice. We all strive to make wise decisions, for no one sets out to start his day with the sole purpose of making the poorest choices possible. We seek peace and comfort, not turmoil and collateral damage, because living wisely is a noble cause to which we should all strive to emulate.
Read MoreThe vanity of self-indulgence is perhaps the easiest of topics for us to identify with because it covers the smorgasbord of fleshly desires we most typically crave: wealth, power, status and sexual intimacy. Solomon sought after, accomplished, and exceeded these feats to the extent that no man could rival him.
Read MoreWisdom remains one of the most prized possessions a follower of Christ can seek to attain. It helps us discern the right course of action in a given situation, and conversely protects us from making the wrong decision. Wisdom is proven true through application, for what good is it to know the right thing to do and fail to do it?
Read MoreThere comes a point in each of our lives when we stop and reflect upon where we have been, what we have done, and how far we have come. We see the timeline of events which have shaped our lives and assess how they have impacted who we are today.
Read MoreOur faith in Jesus Christ is the wellspring of our motivation, for what we do and say originate from hearts that are in tune with the Holy Spirit who resides within us. We simply cannot escape the fact that when we admit we are sinners, repent for our mistakes, and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives, our eternal salvation is secure and our identity permanently changed.
Read MoreIn many ways, the prayer of faith James describes can feel extremely daunting to those of us who struggle with the reality that no matter how hard we try to live for righteousness, we continue to fall into our addictive patterns of sin. It magnifies the fact that our ability to overcome temptation is not dependent on the strength of our own will, but the power of the Spirit who dwells in us.
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