Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter. Proverbs 20:22 NLT A while back, after a friend had wrongfully taken money from me, I was reading in Romans 12:19, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is … Continue reading –>
A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19 NKJ This text highlights the issue that conflicts with friends and within church communities are hard and often a cause for division and even separation. In my personal time with God, I am … Continue reading –>
This is the Tampa Bay, Florida area I always write from, which is slightly overcast today. You won’t see this picture on a postcard featuring Florida as the “sunshine state.” Even the sunshine state sees its fair share of storms. Likewise, even our most cheerful friends see their fair share of life’s storms. Each heart knows its … Continue reading –>
Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Proverbs 2:2 NLT In grade school, my teacher was talking about the possibility of solar powered cars. A sincere question came to my mind. I raised my hand and asked, “How would these cars run in the dark?” My teacher was angered by my question. I … Continue reading –>
I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:12-13 NLT It is impossible for a truly wise person to be proud and arrogant. Wisdom is talking in the quoted … Continue reading –>
A few seasoned Adventists think of Sabbath School as a place where they come to spar and debate with their fellow Adventist friends about the 144,000 being a symbolic or literal number, or whether Jesus came with a pre-lapsarian nature or post-lapsarian nature. However, that is not the purpose of Sabbath School. The purpose of Sabbath … Continue reading –>
Several years ago one of my superiors made a false accusation against me at church. I asked a couple of friends how I should refute what was said. One friend answered wisely, “Don’t defend yourself against the accusation. Doing so will only give the accusation merit.” My friend was right. Sadly, the leader who made … Continue reading –>
The people did not see that coming. They were hoping for and expecting an announcement that the long-awaited kingdom would soon begin. There was no denying that Jesus was more than a normal man. It was not only the miracles He performed but His king-like bearing and an authority that none could deny. As they … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Ellen G. White, Consecration, p. 43-48, in Steps to Christ; Nicodemus, p. 167-177, in The Desire of Ages. The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it … Continue reading –>
Paradoxically, it is only by dying that we may truly live. When baptized, we (ideally) died to our old nature and rose again to a new life. It would have been wonderful if the old man of sin had permanently died when we were buried under baptismal waters. Sooner or later, however, all of us … Continue reading –>
