“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” – 1 Peter 3:15 Whether you ever saw the television show “All in the Family” or not, you are probably familiar with Archie Bunker’s catchphrase to his overly talkative wife, Edith: Stifle yourself! Stifling may be good for some situations, but never in the case … Read More

“Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12 Many people end up just auditing church for a lifetime. They sit, and soak, and listen, but they stay on the bench. The Apostle Paul realized there is more to the Christian life than that. He understood that the life of adventure … Read More

“And a second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” – Matthew 22:39 One day, someone went to Jesus and asked, “What is the number one commandment?” Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The crowd would have probably said, “Good answer!” Every Jewish boy might have answered the question in the same way. But then Jesus added a second commandment. The … Read More

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open for us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ…” – Colossians 4:3 Fanny Crosby was one of the most prolific hymn writers in history. Although blind from infancy, she composed thousands of songs and poems, became a teacher, and worked in rescue missions. While some may have regarded her blindness as a closed door in her life, Fanny used her blindness as an opportunity to … Read More

“Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” – 1 John 2:15 In the New Testament, there are several symbols for the Kingdom of God. Jesus says it is like salt, like light, like water, like leaven, and like a key. What do these five things have in common? One thing: penetration. Salt penetrates meat to preserve it. Light penetrates darkness to illumine it. … Read More

“What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and, indeed, our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. ” – I John 1:3 One of the greatest witnesses in all the Bible is a Samaritan we know as the “woman at the well.” During her encounter with Jesus, she learned He was the Messiah, who had come to offer the living water of eternal life. She … Read More