Summary Humble, gentle giants reflect Christ’s strength under God’s control. They understand their sinfulness and salvation by grace, living gratefully without self-promotion. Gentleness is not weakness but Spirit-shaped strength marked by courage, restraint, and self-control. Jesus modeled this perfectly, as did Moses. Because Christ humbled Himself for us, believers are called to live humbly and gently, trusting God to work through them for others’ good. The Close Connectio

Summary Prejudice flows from pride and places others beneath us. Acts 11 shows God dismantling centuries of religious bias as Peter recognizes Gentiles as full members of God’s family. No denomination owns the whole truth. Love is the true mark of Christ’s followers. The church at Antioch modeled this love, blessing those who once doubted them. Christian love builds bridges and often returns help when it’s needed most. Prejudice as Pride in Disguise Prejudice is pride putting

Summary Pride quietly clogs our lives and distances us from God, even when we cannot see it. Scripture reveals six behaviors that expose pride, including self-reliance, comparison, control, and boasting. All accomplishments rest on God’s gifts, not personal worth. God calls us to faithfulness, not self-promotion. Daily gratitude and thanksgiving redirect credit to God and others, draining pride and restoring humility, fruitfulness, and healthy relationships. Why Pride Is So H

Summary A personal story illustrates how subtle compromises can make believers blend in rather than stand out. Jesus rebuked the church at Thyatira for tolerating sin while appearing faithful. He sees through hidden compromises and judges motives and actions. Compromise with the world spreads and destroys spiritual witness. To please Christ, believers must repent and continually change, becoming more like Jesus so others can clearly see the difference He makes. A Small Compro

Summary Many people stay busy without a clear purpose, but Jesus modeled a life of intentional service. Scripture shows that all work done for God’s mission is spiritual, whether visible or hidden. Like the leaders in Nehemiah’s day, believers are called to serve with their God-given gifts to build more and better disciples. Every member matters, every role counts, and God will one day evaluate how faithfully we served Him and others. Busy Without Purpose About 50 years ago,

Summary Nehemiah’s prayer reveals how God forms effective spiritual leaders. Though far from Jerusalem, Nehemiah felt deep concern for God’s people, responded with mourning and prayer, and trusted God’s faithful character. He humbly confessed sin, claimed God’s promises, and sought restoration. God uses leaders who feel others’ pain, depend on His faithfulness, walk in humility, and trust His word. True service begins when God frees us from sin so we can help free others. A D

Summary Psalm 126 reveals three purposes for those God frees from spiritual captivity. God delivers His people so they will praise Him with grateful joy, pray dependently for full restoration, and bear lasting fruit through faithful perseverance. Remembering our rescue from sin renews joy and worship. Though sowing often involves tears and opposition, God promises a harvest to those who patiently trust Him and continue His work. A Brief Journey into Blindness I could not see

Summary God’s Word is often honored but rarely obeyed. James teaches that spiritual growth requires humility, moral cleansing, and action. Hearing Scripture without obedience deceives the heart. True faith submits to God’s Word, produces righteous fruit, and expresses itself through loving deeds. Pure religion transforms daily life, resists worldly influence, and draws others to Christ through authentic obedience and love. How God's Word Transforms Real Faith Among Christians

Summary A profitable Christian life blesses others through teaching, testimony, care, and generosity. Faith is not meant to be spiritually unproductive. Paul modeled a life that taught truth, lived it authentically, shared the gospel, and gave sacrificially. God brings the results, but believers must feed on His Word, serve people, and give freely. True faith profits others and honors God. Don’t Be a Non-Profit Christian I saw a sign in a restaurant. “This is a non-profit org

Summary Living faith requires both belief and action. While God declares people righteous by faith alone, genuine faith never stands alone. It transforms character and conduct. Mere knowledge about God cannot save, as even demons believe. True faith loves God and others, meets real needs, and expresses itself through obedience. Abraham and Rahab show that authentic faith is proven by works that flow from trust in God. Faith and Works Work Together You cannot row a boat in a

Summary Christians often disagree on “gray areas” where Scripture is silent. God grants freedom in these matters but forbids judgment, pride, or contempt. Strong and weak believers must accept one another, remembering that Christ alone is Lord and Judge. Motivation matters more than behavior. Each believer must follow conscience under Christ’s lordship, pursue unity in essentials, liberty in nonessentials, and love in all things. Unity in Gray Areas Scripture does not speak a

Summary Christians are citizens of both heaven and earth and must respect government authority as God’s design for order and justice. Romans 13 teaches that governing powers, even imperfect ones, serve God’s purposes. Submission honors God and preserves conscience. While obedience is the norm, resistance may be justified when the government abandons its role of rewarding good and restraining evil. Living under God means respecting lawful authority. Christians and Government A

Summary Romans 11 reveals God’s mysterious plan for Israel and the Gentiles. Israel’s blindness is partial and temporary, lasting until the full number of Gentiles comes to faith. God will ultimately fulfill His covenant promises to Israel, expanding a faithful remnant into a redeemed people. His wisdom is unsearchable, His mercy universal, and all things exist from Him, through Him, and for His glory. God's Plan for Israel and the Gentiles We cannot fully comprehend God’s pa

Summary Romans 11 shows that God has not abandoned Israel. A faithful remnant, chosen by grace, has always existed. Israel’s rejection of the gospel opened salvation to Gentiles, but their stumbling is not final. Gentiles are grafted into God’s family tree and must remain humble and faithful. One day, Israel will be restored through faith in their Messiah, revealing God’s enduring mercy and faithfulness. God Does Not Abandon His People My mother died when I was seven. I felt

Summarize Romans 16 reveals the power of the Christian community. Believers grow stronger when they rely on God and one another. Paul modeled friendship, encouragement, and gratitude toward fellow workers in Christ. Churches thrive when warmth, love, and relationships replace rivalry and distance. By affirming hard workers, teachers, peacemakers, and bold witnesses, believers strengthen unity, deepen influence, and help others grow in faith and obedience. We Need Help to Grow

Summary Romans 16 presents a blueprint for a healthy Christian community. Believers grow stronger when they depend on God and one another. Paul valued friendships, expressed gratitude, and encouraged unity among diverse believers. Churches thrive on warmth, love, and relational closeness. By intentionally encouraging faithful workers, teachers, peacemakers, and bold witnesses, Christians strengthen unity, expand influence, and help others grow toward maturity in Christ. We Gr

Summary Christians influence others through their example, especially in gray areas of faith. Paul teaches that love must limit freedom to prevent weaker believers from stumbling. Acting against conscience leads to spiritual harm. Rather than insisting on personal liberty, believers should pursue righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Choosing love over rights builds unity, strengthens faith, and helps others grow toward spiritual maturity. Our Lives Influence Othe

Summary Before using spiritual gifts, believers need a heart check. Pride, either inflating or diminishing self-worth, damages unity and ministry. God calls Christians to humility, recognizing diverse gifts within one body. Romans 12 describes gifts such as serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, mercy, and prophecy. These are God’s tools, given to build others up. Our purpose is not self-promotion but faithfully using what God provides to complete our assignments. S

Summary Paul urges believers to stop escaping reality and live fully in the present. Christians should pay their debts, except the ongoing debt of love, which fulfills God’s law. He calls believers to wake up spiritually, clean up sinful behaviors, and grow up by putting on Christ. Living with Christ’s return in mind brings alertness, discipline, obedience, and a life that visibly reflects Jesus every day. Living Fully in the Present We devise countless ways to escape reality