When we turn to His Word and obey it, His light illuminates our lives, no matter how darkened by sin they may be (Psalm 119:105).  It’s tragic that many refuse this Light because they refuse to obey God’s Word.  Don’t be one of them!  Accept what His Word says about receiving the salvation He offers through His grace and our confessed faith, repentance and baptism into His body which is His one and only church (Titus 2:11-12; Romans 10:9-10; John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4-6).  Once you’ve come up out of the waters of baptism having obtained His gift of grace, keep it by continuing to obey His Word, penitently confessing your sins when you commit them (John 8:31-32; Hebrews 10:26-31; 1 John 1:7-9; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11).… Read More “I Am the Light of the World”

Forbearance is the putting up with the wrongs of another for a season with a view toward repentance.  The person we forebear is not what he or she should be yet, but we forebear with a view toward their maturing.  Forgiveness is releasing a person from their sin.… Read More “Should You Not Have Had Mercy?”

Christians are commanded in the Bible to not conform to the world (Romans 12:2a), but the temptation to do just that is very strong.  The power of influence is something which cannot be overlooked.  We are influenced by those around us every day in numerous ways.  The clothes we wear, the way we comb our hair, the cars we drive, the food we eat…these choices and more are made by us as a result of the influence of the society around us. … Read More When You Want to Have It Both Ways

God does want us to have a good time (11:9a).  He wants us to have joy and do things which please us (9:7-10).  That’s why youth should take advantage of their youthful capacity to enjoy life.  Yet God also wants us to never lose sight of the fact that we will be judged (11:9b) and will give an account of what we do (3:17; 12:14).  That’s why we must be selective in what we choose to do to have fun…something I wish I had realized when I was younger.… Read More “Rejoice, O Young Man, in Your Youth…”

It’s interesting that James didn’t say, “…IF you encounter various trials…”  He said, “…WHEN you encounter various trials…”  Followers of Jesus, along with everyone else in this life, must expect hard times (John 16:33; Acts 14:22).  Sickness, accidents, disappointments and death come simply because we are human.  Christians must endure ordeals which come in the form of persecutions simply because of their loyal, heart-felt faith (1 Peter 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:12).  Satan fights against Jesus’ followers and the world opposes them, so trying times must be expected.… Read More How God Wants Us To React to Hardship