Love must be sincere. Romans 12:9 (NIV) I was in a desperate situation. I was out of work, and I had to find a way to meet my family’s needs. One evening I ran into an old friend. I knew he was well connected in my field, so I put my best foot forward and began a conversation with him.
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Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. Proverbs 21:2 (NASB) I walked into the crowded room hoping to find encouragement for what I was thinking of doing later that evening. I had felt the need to go meet up with some old friends and share my new-found relationship with Christ with them.
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They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 (NLT) My friend Gary is always
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Sitting in the airport terminal I couldn’t help but overhear the cell phone conversation of the man sitting directly behind me. Apparently returning from a business trip this jerk was clearly proud of his accomplishments. He was loud and caustic as he spoke about the stupidity of his boss who, I’m sure, had no idea how he was being taken
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One weekend in college before Juli and I were married, I went to spend the weekend with her at her parents’ home in the suburbs of Chicago. She met me at the door and asked me to go wait for her on the back porch where her dad was watching television. When I came out on the back porch, I
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Following is a list of Scriptures that refer to our calling. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list but rather a sampling of what God’s Word says about our calling. Isaiah 6:8 Jeremiah 29:11 John 15:16 Romans 1:1-32; 8:30; 11:29; 12:4 1 Corinthians 1:26, 27 Ephesians 4:1-4; 11 Philippians 3:14 1 Timothy 6:12 2 Timothy 1:8, 9 1
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I remember as a child watching the Hancock Tower in Chicago as it was being constructed. Even though we lived sixteen miles west of the city you could still get a good view of the structure from certain vantage points around my neighborhood. It was the thrill of young boys to brag about seeing from their yard or from a
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(Article Originally posted 11/18/20) Proverbs 11:1 (NIV) The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him. In Acts chapter 5:1- 11 we find the story of a couple who had deceived their church. It’s the account of the fate of Ananias and Sapphira who had sold a piece of land but only gave a portion to the
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I recall a billboard advertisement for a church in a town where I once served. It simply stated the name of the church and the words, “Not your mama’s church.” Now I’ll be the first guy to say that my mama’s church wasn’t perfect but this particular marketing angle begs the question, how is this church not like my mama’s
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…. Philippians 2:3 (NIV) I’m sitting here watching my son at soccer practice. I have to hand it to Coach Bob. He’s a great guy with a big heart, and coaching fourteen sixth graders is a lot like herding cats. It seems most of Bob’s
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