Why God Skips the Qualified
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks…
When Your Hands Are Lying
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules they have taught.” Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV) Your hands can lie better than your mouth ever…
The Sacrifice That Counts for Zero
“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV) Your greatest sacrifice might be completely worthless to…
When Everything You Know Means Nothing
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV) You can know…
You Might Just Be Noise
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV) Your words might be worthless to God. That’s a terrifying…
The Fruit You Can’t Fake
“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:16 (NIV) You can fake a lot of things in the Christian life, but fruit isn’t one of them. You can fake…
The First Thing That Dies When Faith Goes Shallow
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4 (NIV) Gratitude is the first casualty of shallow faith. When your roots don’t run deep, thanksgiving is the first thing…
When Truth Never Travels to Your Heart
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full…
You Can’t Guard What You Don’t Know
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15…
Your Gratitude Exposes What You Really Believe
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) Your thanksgiving…