Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith. – 1 Timothy 1:5, Amplified Bible (AMP) There is an old saying that goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” In other words, people who are alike tend to hang out together.… Continue reading Let God tell you the point of good preaching.
Category: Influence
Hey, take a minute to pick up your brother’s or sister’s backpack.
Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. – Galatians 6:2, Amplified Bible (AMP) In my younger years I was extremely judgmental. I had an arrogant, pious attitude towards… Continue reading Hey, take a minute to pick up your brother’s or sister’s backpack.
Try to encourage your shepherd every now and then.
Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Amplified Bible Which profession do you think fits the description… Continue reading Try to encourage your shepherd every now and then.
How do you see people?
Kish had a son named Saul, a choice young man and handsome; among all the Israelites there was not a man more handsome than he. He was a head taller than any of the people. – 1 Samuel 9:2, Amplified Bible Some years ago, a middle-aged man visited a car dealership in Greenville, SC. When… Continue reading How do you see people?
I’ll bet you didn’t know that love is the key to great decision making.
And this I pray: that your love may abound… So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital… and of real value… – Philippians 1:9-10, Amplified Bible (AMP) To make good decisions, we need discernment. “Discernment” is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.” The word “obscure” means: 1 : shrouded in… Continue reading I’ll bet you didn’t know that love is the key to great decision making.
Your life has an impact, whether you’re conscious of it or not.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart… – Jeremiah 1:5, AMP In 1983, Teddy Kremer was born with Down Syndrome. A hospital worker counseled Dave and Cheryl Kremer that they should consider institutionalizing their son, but… Continue reading Your life has an impact, whether you’re conscious of it or not.
When leading others, be sure not to put a square peg into a round hole.
Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6, Amplified Bible (AMP) Whether you are a sports fan or not, you have to admire the great coaches that are always behind… Continue reading When leading others, be sure not to put a square peg into a round hole.
When God needs you to, please be ready to act like Titus.
But God, Who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking, comforted and encouraged and refreshed and cheered us by the arrival of Titus. – 2 Corinthians 7:6, AMP When we are down and depressed, God often comforts us one-on-one while we are engaged in scripture reading or prayer. But, just as often, God sends His comfort through encouraging people He points… Continue reading When God needs you to, please be ready to act like Titus.
The more you say, the less intelligent you appear.
Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise… – Proverbs 17:28 (AMP) There is a humorous cultural proverb that goes like this: Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt. Although often attributed to Abraham Lincoln or Mark Twain, evidence suggests that the true… Continue reading The more you say, the less intelligent you appear.
Here’s what you do when your culture hates you.
Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God)…For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me. Colossians 1:28-29, AMP What are Christians supposed to do when we… Continue reading Here’s what you do when your culture hates you.