The key to godly character can be summed up with Paul’s direction to the Galatian believers: “Walk in the Spirit.” “Walk” here refers to the way we conduct our lives. If we’re walking in the Spirit, then we’re conducting ourselves in relationship to God—in communion with Him through the indwelling…

The meaning of “making the most of the time” is kind of interesting. In the Greek, it refers to acts of commerce—actively buying up every available opportunity. “Time” points to suitable circumstances or opportunities. I don’t think I need to expound upon “because the days are evil.” We see evidence…

Careful attention could be interpreted as “intentional diligence.” Living out our faith requires diligence because there are so many opinions and belief systems in the world. We’ve got to keep our ears and heart tuned to the Holy Spirit’s voice. If we proclaim Christianity, our lifestyle should reflect that we…

HYMN DAY! Harry Emerson Fosdick is a more “modern” hymn-writer, in that he wrote these words in the 1930’s. “God of Grace and God of Glory” is a powerful plea for God to lead His children. It’s one of those hymns that can be read as a prayer. “Grant us…

To “participate” means to involve yourself or become an accomplice in an activity. “Works” are activities. God calls us to works of moral integrity and rightness; fruitless works are actions that don’t reflect God’s laws and character. When we see fruitless works performed, we have an obligation to expose those…

Spiritually, darkness and light symbolize the only two realms in which we live. Whichever realm we occupy empowers our thinking and behavior. Darkness is synonymous with evil (separated from God either out of ignorance or rebellion). People who are separated from God aren’t IN darkness; they ARE darkness. Once we…

Since we have been raised to newness of life thanks to Christ’s atoning work at Calvary, we are now dead to sin and need to show it! We do this by living under the direction of the Holy Spirit, who will never direct us to do anything that goes against…

Temptation comes to everyone. We all have our “pet” sins—the things that plague us and try to yank us in to serving self instead of honoring God with our bodies, words, or attitudes. It’s all a part of living in a sin-fallen world. BUT here’s the hope! Because of the…

HYMN DAY! Of course I have to share “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!” by Fanny Crosby with this verse. Redeemed to walk in the Spirit by the Blood of the Lamb! Are you forever His child, too? 1 Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the…

Before we knew Christ, we were dead. I’m not speaking of the physical body here, but the spiritual body. We are born with a sin nature, therefore spiritually dead. Romans 6:11 says, “So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Spiritually speaking, when…