It’s All Trash
Philippians 3:7 (NKJV) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. What "things" were Paul talking about? Everything he had accomplished, held in high status, or was proud of about himself BEFORE Jesus got a hold of him on the Damascus...
Should I Marry So I Can Share Jesus With Them?
A reader asks: I'm in love with someone who practices Islam, not Christianity. I know there are concerns about marrying an unbeliever, but I don't want to miss out on sharing Christ with her. What do you think? My answer: You are mixing two things......
Evil-doing Dogs
Philippians 3:2-3 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. There are a lot of verses in...
Question: Will God Forgive Me?
A reader asks: I was previously married for two years before becoming a Christian. I'm now happily married to another Christian and we have three handsome boys. I confessed my sins for the wrong that I did. Do you think will God forgive me? My answer: I don't...
My Wayward Son
A reader asks: My twenty-something son has been married a couple of years. Now he says he should have never married. He failed to tell us of an affair he was having that started online. His Christian wife is devastated and tried to work to save...
Begin Today
I love new beginnings. I love that we have lots of places on the clock and calendar we can begin new. A new day. A new hour. A new week, a new month, a new year. Today is August 1st, the first day fo a new month. What a great excuse to begin again. Start something new...
Do All Things Without
Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of...
Reasonable Dreams
We have two problems today: 1) people being encouraged to follow unreasonable dreams, and 2) people having their reasonable dreams doubted by others. Problem 1: Fantasies First, the idea you can "be anything you want" or "do anything you want" if...
Ultimate Humility
Philippians 2:7 ...but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. If you have read the Bible much at all, you have probably begun to realize that just about every verse has enough depth that a whole book could...
Practical Humility
Philippians 2:3-5 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (NKJV) Unity is the duty,...
The Great Passion of Christ for His Followers
Philippians 2:1–2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (NKJV) Unity. Unity...
Worthy Of What Jesus Did
Philippians 1:27 - Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel... First, what is...
Investing In a Sure Thing
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. It is a shame that we take verses like this, pull them out of context, and spit out quasi-motivational or therapeutic messages that go something like this: "It would be better to be in Heaven which is...
It’s Cool – The Gospel is Being Spread
Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel... "Hey! I'm in prison and I did absolutely nothing wrong but that's okay, more people are hearing about Jesus because of...
Knowledgeable Love
Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of...
Done, Complete, Finished
Philippians 1:6 ...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (NKJV) It's unfortunate that one of the most fantastic Scriptures on the security we have in Jesus Christ is most often used...
What is Faith? Can You Answer that Question?
If you are asked “what is faith?” can you confidently explain it, describe it and Scripturally define it? Most Christians immediately turn to Hebrews 11:1 and declare it the “definition of faith” (emphasis mine): New International Version - Now faith is being sure of...
Change Your Cherry Pickin’ Ways
Can you name one book of the Bible and answer the follow questions: what is the general theme? What is the basic flow of major thought? What major points of truth are taught? What is the context and setting of the book? What is a one sentence summary of the book? It’s...
You’re A Toilet (Me Too)
Have you ever had trouble accepting the concept that people are inherently sinful, that their heart is continually evil? Most Christians don't, especially when you take a look around at the awful mess of humanity. How about when you make that statement personal: YOU...
Just Do It
Mark 14:8 (NKJV) ... She has done what she could.Have you ever had an inconspicuous phrase in a Bible verse that you've read past a hundred times suddenly jump out at you?My friend and co-laborer in God's work, Fred, was preaching on discipleship last weekend...
Joy & Strength No Matter What
Habakkuk 3:17-19 - ... the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I...
God By Default – His Time Clock
2 Peter 3:8-9 ...that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. It is...
Family Time DIY Projects
In some past posts, we’ve discussed an unfortunate reality of modern life: a lack of time to spend with the family. Obviously this is a problem that affects everybody to different degrees. One family might lament the fact that it only gets a few nights per week to...
A Joyful Noise Movie Review: Some Things to Be Joyful About & Some Not
From Brent I took my wife to see Joyful Noise last night, the reportedly "Christian" movie with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. Given how easily fads sweep through American Christianity with little discernment, I thought I would give you a review of the movie. I'm not...
Another Concerning Book Gaining Popularity with Christians
Note from Brent: Books about people visiting Heaven or Hell, or communicating with someone there have been all the rage for the past few years. Although each of these - from Baxter's "Divine Revelation" to a child's testimony in"Heaven is for Real" - have been...
Baby Jesus or Adult Jesus?
Note: this is a guest post from my friend Steve Cummings. You can write to him at: steve@tusculum.org In the movie “Talledega Nights”, Ricky Bobby played by Will Farrell, is sitting around the table with his family and he’s praying to “dear sweet baby Jesus.” His wife...
Ways to Spend Time With Your Family, Even When Time is Short (Part 4)
--Philip J Reed, on behalf of Westwood College For the past two months, we’ve discussed an unfortunate reality of modern life: a lack of time to spend with the family. Obviously this is a problem that affects everybody to different degrees. One family might lament...
Jesus Alone
Jesus Alone My God, The common thread in Your Grand Plan, The chief aim of Your Undeterred Will, Is to glorify Your Beloved Son on earth And in heaven where He is now ascended. One day, all the saved will behold His magnificent glory And love Him, glorify Him and...
Ways to Spend Time With Your Family, Even When Time is Short (Part 3)
--Philip J Reed, on behalf of Westwood College In a couple of previous posts, we discussed an unfortunate reality of modern life: a lack of time to spend with the family. Obviously this is a problem that affects everybody to different degrees. One family might...
My UnFaithfulness
2 Timothy 2:13 ~If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (NKJV; emphasis mine) This is one of the most comforting verses in Scripture. Think about it... God's faithfulness does not depend on my faithfulness. God is the ultimate in...
My Journey
Another entry in the book of prayers I’m writing… for however it may bless you today: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My Journey Lord of the Journey, Help me to be a stranger in this world, Holding the things of this life lightly. Let me be on a journey to Heaven,...
Simple Devotion
Glorious God, My transgressions against Your holiness have filled my whole life; My sins have been countless and blatant. My conscience speaks out against me; My friends know how sinful I am; I feel guilty around those who really are faithful; I have been rebuked by...
True Christianity
God Almighty, I don’t want to be numbered with the popular or the worldly successful; But rather to be counted by You as spiritually blessed. Make it my high priority and singular focus to obtain the blessings from You which are… Divine in nature; Eternal in...
In My Weakness
Spirit of the Living God, Help me when I am weak. When life is crushing me with loads of sorrow or uncertainty; when I’m confused and don’t know what to do; when people talk bad about me and mistreat me; when the weight of my sin presses down on me; I need your help....
True Happiness
Lord God, Remind me always that true happiness is not found in this sin-cursed world, but only in You. Keep me from ever thinking that I would be more happy pursuing MY desires when the truth is I can only be happy when I am living first for You. When I do lose focus...
A Prayer of Love
Great and Gracious Savior God, Your name is love. By your love, I ask that You hear my prayer. My sins number more than the sand grains on a beach but thanks to You, where sin is abundant, grace is more abundant. Because of Jesus, I can look to the Cross and view the...
Ways to Spend Time With Your Family, Even When Time is Short (Part 2)
--Philip J Reed, on behalf of Daybreak Last month, we discussed an unfortunate reality of modern life: a lack of time to spend with the family. Obviously this is a problem that affects everybody to different degrees. One family might lament the fact that it only gets...
The Basic Christian Life: Patience & Overcoming – Part 15
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 5:7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. (NKJV) Ah... "be patient". Is there any less welcome admonition these days? We don't want to be patient... we want spiritual success NOW....
Ways to Spend Time With Your Family, Even When Time is Short (Part 1)
[From Brent: welcome our guest blogger today, Philip Reed. I look forward to the rest of his series on spending time with your family. Be sure to visit his links.] --Philip J Reed, on behalf of Daybreak We know what it’s like to not have enough time in the day. Many...
The Basic Christian Life: Special Instructions About Money (Yeah, I’m Talking To YOU) – Part 14
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…) James 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! (NKJV) This is one of those lessons that have to start with a preface and a definition or people will either immediately 1)...
I’m Worried Jesus is Lying
Matthew 6:25 ~“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?(NKJV; emphasis mine) Is Jesus a liar? We certainly act...
Three Principles That Will Transform Any Life, Family or Culture
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you; But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? I'm often amazed and dismayed at the continued fumblings and foolishness we see today across the board from...
Random Thoughts Randomly
I wish I could get a gagillion people to join me in a rebellion against all the industries that have convinced us we need all the stuff they say we need but when you really stop and think about it we don't: Who says kids need a whole new wardrobe every school year?...
Something Truly Amazing
When I first saw this I thought the whole time it was going to end up being a hoax. Technology is often "cool" but few things are truly AMAZING any more. This is. HP will sell the printers for $99, but the ink cartridges will be $1.9 million each… 🙂
If God Is Good, Why Does He Send People To Hell?
A reader asked: Why would God send ANYONE to hell? He is the Good Shepherd. He has unimaginable love for EVERYONE, especially those who are lost. Doesn't it hurt Him? Does He send anyone who is truly sorry for their sins, even after they died? I know you really can't...
What Is The Sin That “Leads To Death”?
A reader asks: Please explain 1John 5:16-17. What is a "sin that leads to death?" I thought all sin led to death. Can you explain? - - - - - - - - - - - All sin does lead to death. That's clear from Genesis through Revelation. So what is this passage talking about?...
How Can You Get Rid Of Sexual Impurity?
A reader asks: How do you get rid of sexual impurity in your life? I would venture so far as to call myself a sex addict. How do I get help? Should I confess my transgressions to my wife? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You ask a question that I believe highlights the...
Does My Life Testify To My Salvation?
A reader asked: I grew up a Nazarene; at 18 wandered until 39 then came to a Bible believing church and asked for forgiveness. I was once a heavy drinker and a bad father. That all stopped. Over the past 8 years I have been active in many ministries and have helped...
Prayer – Does God Listen To Non-Christians?
A reader asks: How does God hear the prayers of people who aren't Christians? Growing up, I was taught that He only heard the prayers of His children, but I know that He hears the sinner’s prayer of salvation, so this can't be entirely accurate. I know that pop...
Judging – Are Christians Supposed To Judge?
I have received several emails about being "judgmental" when I speak directly about someone like Oprah, Joel Osteen or the Mormons. Am I being judgmental? Are Christians supposed to judge? Is judging ever called for and proper? Christians, and good people in general...