When I was a boy, we lived in an area that occasionally experienced tornadoes. During tornado season, we would listen to the radio during stormy weather. Whenever the weather bureau posted tornado warnings, we had a special crawl space under the house where we went for protection. For a young boy, those tornado warnings were […]
There have been many battle strategies used by successful generals down through history. Though they varied in type, they all had one thing in common; they worked to conquer the enemy. Just before the flood in Genesis 6:5, we read, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that […]
God’s chastening seems out of context here. As I pondered and prayed over why the apostle reminds these Jews of God’s chastening, I discovered that the word translated “chastening” (v.5) actually refers to the whole training and education of children. It includes much more than just discipline. He is speaking of God’s spiritual training, which […]
Having a garden is very rewarding. It gives us needed exercise. It is fun to watch plants grow and produce. It is wonderful to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. It is enjoyable to be able to share with others. In an even greater way, self-control is rewarding. Transition As I pondered the rewards of self-control, […]
In an athletic race, the prize is not for those who enter the race but for those who complete the race. The same is true in the Christian life. Living for Christ is like running a race. Building on chapter 11, the apostle challenges us to run with patience the race that is set before […]
God tells us in James 3:7-8, “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Yes, the tongue cannot be tamed so that […]
“Communication is the lifeblood of marriage.” Les Parrott “In an era of increasingly fragile marriages, a couple’s ability to communicate is the single most important contributor to a stable and satisfying marriage.” Gallup Poll 1988 If that is true, and I believe it is, then we must work diligently at enhancing our communication in marriage. […]
Last week, we began this brief series on self-control. We identified the fact that we all struggle with self-control in one area or another. Paul wrote, (1 Corinthians 9:25-27) “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. […]
The entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews contains examples of men and women who had faith in God. By their faith in God, they pleased God. By their faith, they received many blessings from God. However, in the last verses of the chapter the writer finally reveals to us his primary reason for this historical review. […]
The word temperance, as used in the Bible, refers more to self-control than it does to avoiding excess. When God tells us to be temperate, he is saying that we must control ourselves. Self-control is forcing self to do right. We must control our actions, our attitudes, our mouth, our emotions, and every other area […]