Is it okay to have friends from other faiths? Is it okay to have friends from other faiths? I hope so! Given the increasing polarization of our culture, limiting our circle of friends to people who share our religious beliefs would just divide us even further! And if we’re to heed Jesus’ call for us to “make disciples as you’re going through life” (my paraphrase of Matthew 28:19), we can’t limit our contacts to people who already believe as we... Read more
July 30 is the International Day of Friendship. One website discusses this day: “We live in a tough world. Between miscommunications, mistreatment, lack of trust, discrimination, and cultural discord, prioritizing peace seemingly has less of a presence in the global society…We were first introduced to International Day of Friendship in 2011; this special day goes beyond connecting people and builds bridges among cultures, countries, and even ideologies.” https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-of-friendship/ Sharing Faith by How I Live How do we share our faith... Read more
When we respond to God’s call, we often have dreams and expectations of how things will turn out. Instead of allowing those expectations to distract us, we need to leave it in God’s hands! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 46-49; 1 Peter, chapter 5 Isaiah 49:1-7 (NLT): Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words... Read more
I’ve written a lot of posts about fear and not being afraid. That’s probably because the Bible frequently reminds us not to be afraid! I’ve told our church folks that fear is Satan’s tool – we shouldn’t fall for it, and we should never use it. But Satan certainly uses it! That’s why God regularly reminds us, “Do not be afraid.” Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 43-45; 1 Peter, chapter 4 Isaiah 43:1-4 (NLT): But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord... Read more
Our national discourse seems to be dominated with insults and anger. God calls his servants to a different way! Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 40-42; 1 Peter, chapter 3 Isaiah 42:1-4 (NLT): “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise... Read more
God calls us to be holy in everything we do – but do we understand what that means? God doesn’t just want us to change our actions; he wants to change our motivation! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 36-37; 1 Peter, chapter 1 1 Peter 1:13-23 (NLT): So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as... Read more
“Faith vs. works” – the debate has been with us as long as the Church has existed. But is it really a debate? Show your faith by what you do! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 32-35; James, chapter 2 James 2:14-24 (NLT): What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or... Read more
Nobody actually says, “Tell us lies.” (Except perhaps Fleetwood Mac.). But our actions and attitudes invite – even demand – that our leaders tell us lies. However, this does not change the truth of God’s Word! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 29-31; James, chapter 1 Isaiah 30:8-17 (NLT): Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witness that these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention... Read more
Hebrews 10 tells us that we are made perfect by Jesus’ death for us, and that God is making us holy as we follow him. What an awesome promise! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 15-18; Hebrews, chapter 10 Hebrews 10:1-14 (NLT): The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they... Read more
Our national political discourse seems to be dominated by conspiracy theories. In the midst of such doubt and suspicion, God reminds us to not be driven by fear, but by faith. Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 8-10; Hebrews, chapter 8 Isaiah 8:11-22 (NLT): The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven’s... Read more
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