There has been a lot said in recent years about thankfulness and gratitude. A glance around a bookstore and you’ll find thankfulness journals and books on the psychological value of gratitude.
But how should believers in Christ view thankfulness? Is it possible that we are called to a much higher level of this attitude?
The COVID-19 virus continues to spread and its effects are being felt by many … probably all of us in various degrees.
While the hardships many are encountering are challenging and we’re dealing with our concerns for family and loved ones, let’s not forget this is an opportunity to share our faith and point others to the only real source of peace in a broken world.
Let’s all encourage one another to trust in the Lord and let’s pray … for others, for our leaders, for our country and that the gospel would have free reign and we would have the boldness to share it.
An old folk proverb says that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Probably a reference to the fact that in many climates it’s still pretty cold at the beginning of the month and whether or not it’s wishful thinking in some parts of the country, by the end of the month spring is often making itself evident.
As Christians with Easter just around the corner, we have reason to think about another Lion and Lamb. Jesus, our Savior and Lord, came as the Lamb of God in His first advent but will soon return as the Lion of Judah.
He was born as a babe, lived a sinless life, and finally, suffered and died the death each of us deserves (Rom. 3.23, 6.23). But what looked like defeat was turned to victory three days later when He rose from the dead.
He now sits at the right hand of God the Father. But one day, probably sooner than many think, He will return as the Lion of Judah and Conquering King. Are you ready?
Controversial issues abound these days. It’s not just that they abound but the divisions seem to be deeper and more contentious. Controversial issues come up on social media, from political platforms, in the public square, on the news, on talk shows, and all across the internet. But they will also come up across Thanksgiving tables in a few days.
How do we decide when to engage in those conversations and how can the love of God and His wisdom help us navigate those controversial issues?
Suffering … we don’t like to think about the possibility that we might suffer. Yet, tests, trials, tragedies, suffering, and persecutions come to us all. We will probably never be completely prepared for tragedies and intense suffering. Those things often knock the wind out of us at least for a while. But is it possible to have the kind of spiritual foundation that will keep us from being completely knocked down by suffering? If so, what can we do to prepare?
Do our associations really matter? If we know who we are in Christ, is it acceptable and wise to have close friendships with unbelievers? After all, didn’t Jesus hang around with prostitutes and tax collectors? What do we need to consider as we develop friendships, form partnerships, even choose a mate?
Self-Esteem: The accepted wisdom says we all need it. It’s the thing we believe our children need more of if they are going to be happy and successful in life. It’s the magical quality underachievers are lacking and what we need to somehow infuse into others and gain more of ourselves.
But is self-esteem the thing that is lacking when we struggle? Is it something to be sought after in our own lives and conferred on others? Or could it be that our quest for self-esteem has taken us in the wrong direction?
“Obey all the way, right away with a happy heart.” What does all that have to do with living in the fear of the Lord?
The fear of the Lord is about how we live our lives every minute of every day. It’s obeying His commands and precepts in all areas of our lives, how we treat others, our attitude toward authority, our motives for all that we do and much more. It’s a prevailing heart attitude that we should all cultivate.
“Obey all the way, right away with a happy heart” encompasses all of that and is good advice for all of us, but what does it mean?
Do you have a question about how the Bible applies to your life or why it’s even relevant today? Or would you like to know more about biblical counseling and how you can get personal help?
Today I’d like to share the first in a series of 5-minute devotionals. These will be just brief thoughts on a verse, subject or concept, something to think about or chew on. If you have a question that might make a good 5-minute devo, feel free to ask it in the comments section and I’ll feature some of them in future posts.
So, to kick off this series, today’s devo is Why We Can’t Think Straight.
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