Summary The Bible strongly condemns self-centered boasting rooted in pride, insecurity, or control. Such boasting ignores God’s gifts and invites judgment. Yet Scripture allows boasting that gives glory to God for what He has done in and through His people. Salvation removes all grounds for self-praise, while godly boasting highlights Christ’s work, transformed lives, perseverance, generosity, and grace, always ensuring that God alone receives the glory He deserves. A Lesson

Summary When wronged, our natural desire is revenge, but Scripture calls believers to a supernatural response. Seeking payback allows evil to control us, while withholding judgment reflects God’s mercy. God delays judgment to lead people to repentance, placing justice fully in His hands. By forgiving, showing patience, and extending grace, believers imitate Christ, display the fruit of the Spirit, and become channels of God’s transforming kindness. I was angry. Someone broke

Summary God’s judgment is not rooted in cruelty but in love, justice, and restoration. Just as disruption requires correction, sin disrupts God’s original design of joyful fellowship. God created humanity to share the Trinity’s unbroken joy, love, and peace. Judgment restores this plan by protecting eternal fellowship, blessing those who desire God’s life, and removing persistent rebellion that destroys harmony and joy. I coach track and field throwers at my local high school

Summary God’s judgment is based on a perfect standard, His own righteous character. Humanity fails the test of earned righteousness, but God offers credited righteousness through faith in Jesus. Christ’s perfect obedience qualifies Him as our substitute, granting forgiveness and new life. Unbelievers are judged for their deeds, while believers are rewarded according to faithfulness. God’s justice is exact, yet His grace makes salvation wonderfully accessible. Judgment Require

Summary Christians judge situations daily, but criticizing people often damages God’s mission. Being judgmental repels those we hope to reach, while grace draws them toward Christ. Scripture teaches that God alone is qualified to judge, blending justice and love perfectly. Believers are not the Holy Spirit. They are called to withhold condemnation, extend grace, and point others to the forgiveness made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We Judge Constantly in Eve

Summary Immature believers often choose church leaders based on charisma or worldly success rather than biblical qualifications. This results in unhealthy churches that repeat the same problems generation after generation. Scripture emphasizes character, spiritual maturity, faithfulness, and devotion to Christ as essential leadership traits. Healthy churches depend on spiritually healthy leaders who live out God’s Word, care for others, and clearly follow God’s call. Choosing

Summary God gives every believer valuable spiritual gifts designed to serve others, not themselves. While natural abilities often benefit us, God calls His children to use both natural and spiritual gifts for His glory. Like trusted servants, believers are accountable for what they’ve been given. Every Christian is “a ten somewhere,” uniquely equipped to fulfill God’s purpose by blessing others through faithful service. A Gift No One Wanted The gift was memorable if not usabl

Summary Idolatry is our natural drift, loving something more than God. How we use time, money, energy, and attention exposes what rules our hearts. Scripture warns that even good things and religious traditions can replace God. Seven practical tests help reveal misplaced devotion and restore true worship. When gratitude, prayer, and the Holy Spirit guide our lives, God remains central, and idolatry loses its grip. Passions That Reveal Our True Devotion I’m passionate about my

Summary Doing good deeds or serving worthy causes can quietly replace God as the center of life. Scripture teaches that our purpose is not generic goodness but abiding in Christ and doing the works God specifically planned. When good feelings, success, or causes take God’s place, idolatry results. True freedom comes from exclusive devotion to Christ, who alone gives meaning, direction, and lasting fruit. When Good Causes Replace God The last verse of “What I Live For” by Geor

Summary People worship God’s gifts instead of the Giver because of spiritual blindness, self-centered desires, and rebellion against God’s authority. When God’s restraining grace is rejected, idols rooted in glory, benefit, pleasure, power, and comfort take His place. Scripture reveals that idolatry leads to captivity and moral decay. True worship restores God to the center, where He alone deserves devotion, obedience, and glory. Why People Worship God's Gifts Why do people w

Summary God’s jealousy is holy because He alone deserves ultimate love and worship. Unlike sinful human jealousy, His jealousy flows from righteousness and deep relational love for His people. Scripture shows that idolatry provokes God because it replaces Him with unworthy substitutes that cannot satisfy or sustain life. God’s jealous love calls us back to faithful devotion, protecting us from spiritual collapse and restoring a true relationship with Him. God Is Clearly Descr

Summary Idolatry is choosing the wrong roads, valuing people, possessions, or pursuits more than God. It trades a priceless relationship with the Creator for worthless substitutes that never satisfy. Scripture warns that idolatry enslaves and provokes God’s jealousy. Our use of time, money, and energy exposes what we truly worship. Only God deserves supreme devotion, and true contentment is found in treasuring Him above all else. Lost Without Direction The roads were unfamili

Summary Remaining in Jesus means fully abiding in Him, not merely attending church. True faithfulness often has a low profile and goes unnoticed by the world. Scripture shows that abiding in Christ brings freedom from fear, joy, fruitfulness, and lasting impact. Through obedience, prayer, and God’s Word, believers stay connected to Jesus, who promises never to leave them and to produce eternal fruit through their lives. Faithfulness Without Recognition About eight years ago,

Summary Carefully chosen words alone cannot change hearts. Only the Holy Spirit carries truth from the ear to the heart and gives believers boldness to witness. Fear of unanswered questions should not silence Christians. God uses ordinary people who speak humbly and rely on the Spirit’s power. When believers step out in obedience, the Holy Spirit works through their words to bring people from darkness into God’s kingdom. When Carefully Chosen Words Fall Short I planned every

Summary The Holy Spirit is the vital fuel line for Christian worship, prayer, and spiritual power. Without His empowering presence, believers grow weary, and ministry sputters. Scripture shows that true worship, effective prayer, and reliable prophecy depend on the Spirit’s guidance. When faith feels stalled, the solution is not more effort but reconnecting fully to the Holy Spirit, who renews hearts, directs prayers, and empowers faithful obedience. A Lesson from a Stalled B

Summary Church unity is central to God’s design and Jesus’ prayer for believers. True oneness comes not from uniformity but from the Holy Spirit, who fills leaders and followers alike with God’s Word, love, and power. Though human differences create challenges, the Spirit unites diverse believers into one body, strengthening the church’s witness and enabling it to fulfill God’s mission together. A Shared Vision for God’s Mission Effective church leaders share a common vision

Summary The Holy Spirit empowers believers to serve others through both spiritual life and sustained effort. Just as physical healing often requires time and discipline, spiritual fruitfulness grows through a lifelong process guided by the Spirit. He provides wisdom, right motivation, and spiritual gifts rooted in God’s love. Following Jesus’ example, effective service depends not on human strength but on the Holy Spirit’s power working through faithful obedience. Strength Th

Summary Whom we admire reveals what we value. Before Christ, many desired dominance, fame, or recognition. Through salvation, the Holy Spirit reshapes those desires, producing a longing to become like Jesus. He changes hearts, supplies holiness, and transforms believers into Christ’s image. Once living in darkness, Christians now shine with His light as the Spirit steadily works within them, making Jesus visible through obedient, transformed lives. “Swifties” are Taylor Swift

Summary Christians are called to serve as ambassadors who speak for God, not themselves. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, believers share God’s message of reconciliation through Christ. Scripture, inspired by the Spirit, remains the ultimate authority for truth. While false voices exist, God equips His people with discernment to test every message. When believers faithfully speak God’s Word, His living truth penetrates hearts and calls people to return to Him. Ambassadors Who Re

Summary Though we resist control, sin quietly enslaves us. Scripture teaches that everyone serves something, either sin or God. True freedom comes through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who breaks sin’s power and leads believers into God’s Kingdom. As the Spirit fills and guides us, He produces goodness, peace, joy, and hope, empowering victory over temptation and transforming lives from the inside out. Why We Resist Being Told What to Do A universal resistance wells up when peop