Tag: bible

Scripture: Mark 6:30–32 “Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.”—Mark 6:31 There are seasons when faithfulness means continuing—showing up, doing the work, keeping the promises we have made, and trusting that God will give us the strength we need. But there are also seasons when faithfulness means stepping back, becoming…

Scripture “Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think.”—Romans 12:3a Reflection Human beings have a remarkable ability to turn almost any gathering into a pecking order. We notice who receives attention, whose opinion carries weight, who appears successful, and where we seem to fit. Sometimes the comparison makes us feel superior. At…

Scripture “I have learned how to be content in any circumstance.”—Philippians 4:11b Reflection Paul’s use of the word “learned” matters. Contentment was not a personality trait he happened to possess, nor was it a spiritual gift that arrived fully formed. Paul learned contentment through experiences he would not have chosen. He knew abundance and scarcity,…

Scripture “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.”—2 Corinthians 8:13 Reflection The language of contentment can be misused. A comfortable person can tell someone who is suffering to “be content” when what is really meant is, “Do not ask me to notice…

Scripture “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”—Philippians 4:11 Reflection We often speak about contentment as though some people naturally possess it and others do not. Some people seem relaxed and grateful, while others are restless, anxious, and continually reaching for something more. We may assume that contentment is simply part of a…

Scripture “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.” — Jude 17 Reflection Jude begins his final instructions with a remarkably simple word: remember. When life becomes confusing, our instinct is often to search frantically for something new—new information, new answers, new explanations, some insight that will suddenly make everything…

Scripture “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” — Ephesians 4:15 Reflection Jude tells believers to “contend for the faith.” Christians have sometimes heard those words as permission to become combative. We may imagine that faithfulness means…

Scripture “They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality.” — Jude 4 Reflection The people Jude warns about were not simply rejecting Christianity. Their distortion was more subtle. They were using Christian language—especially the language of grace—to justify lives that no longer reflected the character of Christ.…

Scripture “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 3:11 Reflection Churches are full of things that matter deeply to people—sanctuaries, hymns, worship styles, traditions, programs, furniture, schedules, and customs. These things often carry memories of meaningful encounters with God, so it is…

Scripture “I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” — Jude 3 Reflection Jude describes the Christian faith as something that has been entrusted to us. That is an important word. An entrusted gift is not something we created, and…