Worthy Words

A large part of living the Christian life is how we treat others. The writer of Hebrews says; “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Hebrews 13:1-2) Interesting idea isn't it, that when you show kindness to strangers, you could be showing kindness to one of God’s special messengers. Something as simple as helping a stranger change a flat, giving a ride to someone, buying a sandwich for a homeless person. This Bible text is saying that throughout the day God is placing people in your path, giving you the opportunity to engage them with compassion. Listen to what verse three says, “Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” It is saying, "Practice compassion." He mentions those in prison because in the first century there were many believ...

When you look back at the events in your life, you probably see a lot of your mistakes. And if you don't see them, I can guarantee you, others do. They'll be quick to point them out to you. You may think at this point that you've made too many mistakes and that you're not capable of great faith. Maybe you read Hebrews 11 and think: Noah ... Abraham ... Moses ... Me? How can I fit in? One of these things is not like the other, and one of these things definitely doesn't belong. But that's where you would be wrong. Every person in the Hall of Faith, every great man and woman of God, was just as fallible as you and me— maybe even more so. On the flip side of their great faith, you see a different list. It includes liars, murderers, adulterers, a prostitute, drunkards, cowards, and quitters. You would think it was a list of the Hall of Shame. The people listed had a lot to live down. Yet, they all exemplified great faith. Faith is the key that opens the door to a re...

I’ve met people who think that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for sins applies only to the sins that they commit up to the point that they accept him as their Lord and Savior. If they sin after they get saved, they think those sins aren't covered. In fact, for some people they delay baptism as late as possible, until the lusts of their youth have passed, thinking they would be less likely to give in to temptation afterwards. There are so many problems with this kind of thinking. It implies that salvation is a gift when you receive it, but then you have to earn it afterwards, by being good enough. This way of thinking also limits the definition of sin to things such as drinking and dancing and sex, when in reality sin is far uglier. This shallow thinking also minimizes the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ. It says that Christ alone is not enough to save me—I can only save myself by being good. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a once and for all sacrifice. “Our high...

Everyone has one ugly thing in common— all struggle with sin. Some of us have sins more visible than others. But we all struggle with sin—besetting sin. Sin that trips you up and knocks you down and makes you want nothing more than to throw in the towel and quit. You don't have to quit. “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet...” (Hebrews 12:12) Do you struggle day in and day out with “the sin that so easily trips you up” (12:1)? Sometimes it's all you can do to get back on your feet. Your hands are tired, your knees are weak ... and you're not sure you can stand again. The writer of Hebrews says, "Get up. Get on your feet. Stand tall. Take another step. Don't be afraid to try again." This is a battle you can win. Sin shall not be your master. Get honest with yourself about your sin and the consequences it brings, and decide that you're ready to become unentangled. And no matter how ...

When I was kid I got a boomerang at the Texas State Fair or Six Flags (can’t remember for certain which place). I went home and tried it out but it never quite worked the way I wanted it to — like the way it worked at the fair. As a bonus, here is a simple life tip: boomerangs don't really work in the house, so I wouldn't try it if I were you. I had about as much luck with the boomerang as I had with paper airplanes and flying kites — it always seem to head straight down to the ground. But I remember that my dad was able to make it work. It has something to do with throwing it the right way, with a certain wrist action, and it was a learned skill. My boomerang eventually ended up on the top of a neighbor's house and stayed there. So I never really had a chance to master the boomerang. That doesn't mean that the boomerang doesn't work. It means that I didn't take the time to master the mechanics of it. The principle takeaway is the investment of time...

Have you ever felt like you can’t win for losing? As a believer, you know that God wants to bless you and that he wants to fill your life with meaningful relationships and meaningful work, and joy and happiness. Yet, it seems this isn’t happening to you. Your relationships flounder, your investments flounder, your dreams flounder and nothing seems to go your way. Every believer I’ve ever known has gone through a season of floundering at least once. It can be challenging but take an honest look at your heart and your motives. Are your priorities out of whack? Are you focused on secondary issues and letting the important things slide? When Christ-followers try to put God on the back burner, he does what he needs to do in order to get us back to where we need to be. Haggai delivered to God’s people an assessment of a similar situation. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, bu...