If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them (Luke 6:32). I was recently asked someone’s forgiveness for offense they had taken after I explained my words were taken out of context from what was shared with them and what was actually said. The person was intrigued why I would repent and ask their forgiveness. My response was, and is, if being “right” represents 98% and the other 2% is to be in “relationship”, then I’ll

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 They saw it with their very eyes. The man had been crazy, running around naked, strength beyond what was possible for man but here he was sitting at the feet of the man called Jesus. Look! He is clothed! He is in his right mind. But wait, who is this man called Jesus? Jesus had certainly gotten everyone’s attention. The people reali

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 I borrowed the devotion’s catchy title from Ministry-to-children.com. Last week’s children’s lesson was found in Luke 8:26-39. The disciples were with Jesus and they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes. When they stepped on shore, Jesus was met by a man. This man, “had devils” for a long time, he was naked and lived “in the tombs”. As far as the town people wer

Our friends, John and Sue, bought a house and needed help moving the heavy furniture and appliances. Larry volunteered to help and did so for two afternoons. After the last load was finished, another friend stopped by to chat. Ignoring Larry, he asked John, “Wow, did you move all this stuff by yourself?” Larry said his first thought was, “Well, what am I, chopped liver?” He was tired and had worked hard for two afternoons. Now he was being ignored, as if he didn’t amount to a

“That evening, the disciples gathered together. And because they were afraid of reprisals from the Jewish leaders, they had locked the doors to the place where they met. But suddenly Jesus appeared among them and said, “Peace to you!” Then he showed them the wounds of his hands and his side—they were overjoyed to see the Lord with their own eyes! Jesus repeated his greeting, “Peace to you!” And he told them, “Just as the Father has sent me, I’m now sending you.” Then, taking