You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1 (NIV) The Bible does not rule out the possibility of passing judgment on a person's attitude or behavior—particularly that of a Christian. However, does your judgment aim to bring about a change in that person's behavior, or to foster an awareness of an attitude that is a sourc

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matthew 17:5 (NKJV) Most often, when we read this passage, we focus so intensely on the revealed divinity of Jesus that we concentrate our attention far more on the Transfiguration itself. Consequently, many miss the true message this passage conveys. It is true that the Transfiguration is of

15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16) So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) According to history, the region of Laodicea was home to two springs: one produced hot water, the other cold. When drawn directly from the source, the hot water could serve a multitude of purposes; however, by the time it flowed through the aqueducts, it arriv

And even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come. Psalm 71:18 (NASB) In school, we were taught the old adage: "It is never too late to do the right thing." To this, my math teacher would always add: "But when it’s too late, it’s too late." He would always explain the reasoning behind this idea: inevitably, a moment arrives when you wish you could change something or move forward, but t

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” John 5:14 (NIV) I believe that at least once during your journey through the Bible, you have read the story of the man who spent nearly his entire life near the Pool of Bethesda, hoping that one day someone would help him descend into the water to find healing—only to be healed, in the end, by Jesus Himself. There are even churches today that bear

41) and many people came to Him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42) And in that place many believed in Jesus. John 10:41-42 (NIV) Must a Christian perform miracles to prove the power of his faith or to demonstrate that he is truly a man of God? Nowadays, most Christians chase after miracles and promises of blessings. As soon as they hear of pastors who perform miracles—or who offer prayers for physical healing and

Their gods are like helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field! They cannot speak, and they need to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good. Jeremiah 10:5 (NTL) I remember the time when I was a child and my mother would go to visit my grandmother. I loved going to her house, for she always prepared delicious and extraordinary meals for us. There was, however, one thing—something I did not understand—th

22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 (KJV) In the first century, the "Messiah" was expected to be a conquering king, capable of overthrowing Rome. This is precisely what the Jews expected of Jesus Christ, who presented himself to them as the Messiah destined to come and deliver them from their suffering. Yet, the cross reveal

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV) It is not always easy for a new believer to identify their calling—or even the gift of the Holy Spirit that has been bestowed upon them for the edification of the Church. Most often, they do what they believe to be beneficial for the Church, or they put their talents to use whenever the assembly's leaders ask the

He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NTL) A place that brings comfort—a place that offers consolation—is precisely what we all seek. Whether it be the poor man who has nowhere to lay his head, or the wealthiest man who has no time to sleep, we are all in search of that place of tranquility where we can pour out our anxieties and find relief from our sufferi

Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold Your King is coming to You, Lowly, and mounted on a donkey, And on a colt, the foal of a pack animal.’ Matthew 21:5 (LSB) Since antiquity, whenever great kings went to war and ordered their chariots prepared, their attendants knew—without a single word being spoken—that they were to provide the fastest, strongest, and most enduring horses at their disposal. And when they made a triumphal entry into a city, they rode the finest horse in the

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. Psalm 145:21 (NASB) During a group session dedicated to biblical coaching, the facilitator asked everyone present to share the reason why they had decided to attend the meeting. Some said they wanted to grow in their faith; others expressed a desire to walk in holiness; still others felt they needed to return to God. The youngest member of the group remained silent. When invit

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) God’s promise—fulfilled at the cross to draw us closer to Him—does not compel us to perform rituals to prove our faith, nor does it require us to traverse a desert of suffering to attain it. On the contrary, it helps us turn toward Jesus, believe in His sacrifice, lean upon Hi

Because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son. Hebrews 12:6 (NIV) The first year of her conversion was an enriching period, marked by spiritual experiences for Annie, who had left everything behind to follow the Lord. She never tired of speaking about her encounter with the Lord. It seemed as though the experience she had lived through that day had erased every memory of her past from her mind, replacing them with new ones. Her

Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains. Colossians 4:3 (NKJV) A pastor's responsibility is to care for the spiritual life of his congregation. Most often, pastors provide general attention, meaning they view the entire congregation as one person they are speaking to, without regard for individuality. He preaches a message to everyone, leads prayer meetings, and presents Bible