Podcast: The Beauty of Loyalty
Friday, June 29th, 2007Using the declaration of Ruth’s love and loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, recorded in Ruth 1:16-17, we are able to recognize the importance and beauty of such an attribute for the Christian.
Using the declaration of Ruth’s love and loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, recorded in Ruth 1:16-17, we are able to recognize the importance and beauty of such an attribute for the Christian.
The Word of God can be a beacon to us, directing us to safety. However, just as a Captain must submit to and heed the directions from the lighthouse, we must humble ourselves before God’s word.
God’s will, expressed through scripture, is just as relevant and authoritative today as it was 2000 years ago. As such, we must not alter it, rather we must heed and obey it.
God is ultimately the source of all strength. However, we as His children can strengthen others through sympathetic practices.
One of the primary responsibilities of Christian living is to be benevolent toward others.
God does not want us to avoid worldliness because He doesn’t want us to enjoy life. He knows what is best for us, and what will make us happy. Worldliness is not it!
Our lives sometimes can get so cluttered with relatively unimportant things that important activities such as prayer just get crowded out.
Envy destroyed the life of King Saul. He could not stand the success David had as God’s annointed. That and other scriptural examples show the dangerous consequences of the sin of envy.
God is the power that animates us as children of His. As a lightbulb out of a socket has no power, if we do not keep in daily touch with God, through study and prayer, we become ineffectual.
We should ask ourselves, “Why do we go to church services.” Are we interested in being entertained, or listen to a “favorite” preacher? Or are we being faithful to God?
The Bible is loved by many, but it is also the most attacked book and teaching in the history of mankind. However, those who attack the word are always defeated in their attempts.
Too many who claim to believe in and know God allow themselves to become distracted by life, instead of winning life’s race.
The Bible is the most unique book in the world. This is because it is, in truth, a divine product. It is the inspired word of God.
The fornication, gluttony, drunkenness and violence that is typical of our society is at least in part due to the idea that we are animals, and that our existence ends at death. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Never forget the value of the soul of man. It is what separates him from the animals.
Our approach to the sinner should be one of humility and compassion, even as we seek to discipline him in his sin. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).