“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 The work of the Spirit of God in the new birth is mysterious,...
“Familiarity breeds contempt.” We have all experienced this with a person, a place, or a job. You started a job with high hopes and great energy. You thoroughly enjoyed the people you worked with and looked forward to arriving every day. But after years of the same old same old,...
On Sunday we looked at a verse that would seem to clearly end all discussion on the matter. In John 1:21 we read, “They asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ And he said, ‘I am not.’” However, as several studious saints (including some children, I might add) observed, this...
In the timeless wisdom of that great culinary maven Julia Childs, “With enough butter, anything is good.” This magical ingredient emerges from thin milk as a virtuous solid full of flavor and substance. Flaked cold into a pie crust or melting over fresh bread, butter has earned its place in...
One of our Life Group members described an outing in which she took a tour of an underground cave. After the tour leaders described all the geological features, they told the group that they were going to turn out all the lights so they could experience the full darkness of...
During the Christmas season, Tara and I received many cards, words, and gifts of encouragement from you, our church family at Valley Bible Church. We are encouraged and appreciative by being on the receiving end of such love from you all. But I’d like to turn it around and say,...
It was 1978, and I was walking out of a college class to my car. I found a note tucked under my windshield with this verse written on it, "Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good...
The Joy Of Advent Ben Orchard The call to rejoice is found so many times in scripture that it’s hard to count them all. From the Old Testament to the end of all things in Revelation, the call for God’s people to rejoice cannot be ignored. No wonder joy is...
The Apostle Paul masterfully explains justification by faith in Philippians 3:1-11. True righteousness is not based on human achievement but is Christ’s righteousness imparted to us by faith. We have not, and cannot, and will not ever be accepted by trusting in self-effort. Our righteousness is found in Christ alone....
Years ago, my wife roped me into watching the PBS adaptation of the classic Anne of Green Gables. Actually, she didn’t rope me into it; I came along willingly. I admit it wasn't my cup of tea, and only began to watch the series because she was, but soon found...
Chapter 2 of Philippians begins with these wise and practical words, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining...
What words come to mind first when you think of humility? Perhaps words such as: quiet, timid, self-deprecating, unassuming, retreating, apologetic, etc.? Likely we would also come up with words referring to the life of Jesus such as: meek, obedient, submissive, kind, and more. Here’s the thing though, I am...
It would take an alien from outer space about 4.5 seconds to figure out that our country is deeply divided. Issues that were once small cracks puttied over with common courtesy are now yawning chasms cutting across almost every part of society. Paul’s call to radical unity in Philippians 2...
In October of 1949, a young, 21-year-old Christian, wise beyond his years, wrote in his journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Seven years later, Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were speared to death by warriors from the...
And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:14 The last two weeks, I have spoken with three fellow Christians who by doctors have been given only months to live. These are people...
Our youngest granddaughter Lucy is a typical one-year-old, full of joy, energy, and abandon. On a recent visit, Lucy would climb up on the coffee table, nod her head up and down, and take a flying leap into my arms! She never grew tired of doing this. She had a...
If the apostle Paul were an athlete, I think he would be more like Cristiano Ronaldo than Tiger Woods. (Okay, so he wouldn’t be like either of them in a lot of ways, but stick with me for a minute.) Sometimes I think we imagine Paul as the brave evangelist...
"You shall have no other gods before me," so says the first commandment in Exodus 20. God comes first in our lives. Nothing is to replace Him in importance and with our affections. This includes money, health, hobbies, even family. But does that mean my hobbies, my job, my relationships...
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Every year at this time, I look forward to two of my favorite things: vine-ripened tomatoes and freshly-picked peaches (forgive me if I’ve mentioned this before). But nothing is better! Canned, or frozen peaches...
Have you ever played the party game “The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon?” It’s a game primarily for movie buffs based on the six degrees of separation (the idea that each person on the planet is just six or fewer social connections away from anyone else). In the game you...