THE FOUR MONUMENTS OF HUMAN NATURE: Fortune, Fame, Power, Pleasure Built in clusters, making them appear formidable . . . and acceptable. As the idols in ancient Athens, our society is saturated with them. Fortune. How neatly it fits our times! Its inscription at the base is bold: “Get rich.” The figure in the statue is impressive—a hardworking young executive, a clever, diligent businessman unwilling to admit the greed behind his long hours and relentless drive.
Read MoreTag Archives: Matthew
One Long Extended Gift
It’s not too late to give some things away this Christmas. Not just on Christmas Day, but during the days after December 25. We could call these daily gifts “our Christmas projects.” Maybe one per day from now ’til the end of the year.
Read MoreRedirecting Our Gaze
The Christian’s greatest goal is to be like Christ. We want to emulate His exemplary life, model His method of teaching, resist temptation as He resisted it, handle conflicts as He did, focus on the mission God calls us to accomplish.
Read MoreEternal Rewards for Those Who Serve God
While preparing the Twelve for a lifetime of serving others, Christ promised an eternal reward even for holding out a cup of cool water.
Read MoreA Self-Description of Jesus
I’ve been involved in a serious study of Scripture for more than fifty years of my life, and in all that time I have found only one place where Jesus Christ—in His own words—describes His own “inner man.”
Read MoreA Servant, not a Superstar
A familiar essay anonymously written many years ago says this about Jesus Christ: “Nineteen long centuries have come and gone and today he is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.”
Read MorePersonal Response to Our Role
Since God has called us to be His salt-and-light servants in a bland, dark society, it will be necessary for us to commit ourselves to the task before us. Remember, salt must not lose its taste, and light must not be hidden.
Read MoreThe Light of the World
Does it seem important to you that Christ calls us what He called Himself? “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Servants of Christ shine with His light in a society that is hopelessly lost.
Read MoreThe Salt of the Earth, Part 2
Jesus says that believers are “salt to the world” (Matthew 5:13 NEB). Our very presence halts corruption . . . and preserves society. Salt is also a healing agent. And it creates a thirst. It adds flavor.
Read MoreThe Salt of the Earth, Part 1
Ever smelled old, rotten meat? Remember forgetting for several weeks something you put in the refrigerator? There is an odor that accompanies decay that’s like nothing else.
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