The Next Right Thing

In the movie Frozen 2, the idea of “doing the next right thing” is a recurring theme, even meriting its own song. I’ll admit that song makes me cry harder than anything else in the movie. I’m not trying to argue the merits of the movie itself or promote pop culture, but this idea, this theme, has been on my mind for months. The idea seemed so Biblical, yet where does one find a verse that says that?

 

Suffering Multiplies

Hardship meets everyone sometime in their lives. Often called the “winter season” it is a time that feels barren and empty, like there is no life or growth at all. Like walking through a desert, it seems to drain everything, leaving us feeling dry with nothing left. While that is how it often “feels”, that is not how it actually is. Our feelings do not always accurately reflect the truth.

 

Run With Endurance

When we hear the word endurance, we usually think of marathons and match races. It is often in the context of a competition or quest, exerted by a highly trained athlete or animal. Rarely do we think of endurance as applying to us in our every day lives, even less to anything outside of physical effort. Yet endurance is an essential quality and element in every part of our lives, especially spiritually.

What Will You Leave Behind?

It is often at the end of a person’s life that they think about their legacy, or at their funeral that others recount it. We all leave something behind, but we tend to lose sight of or forget that fact until it is too late. As we come, not to the end of life but the end of the year, I think it is important to allow that “ending” to remind us to take a look back at what we have left behind so far, and motivate us to change what we will leave behind in the future.

What Do Your Actions Reveal About What You Believe?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so what is a video worth? So much can be known just by watching a person. Of course we aren’t saved by what we do, but how much about a person’s faith and beliefs are revealed in what they do?

Hobbit-Like Faith

Many of us resemble hobbits, if not in stature, in temperament. They are quiet, peace-loving creatures who prefer simple, practical hobbies and tasks. They never do anything to “make waves” or even anything out of the ordinary. They are creatures of habit to the extent that they rarely vary or stray at all. There is nothing unexpected. Deep down, a lot of people are like that. Even if their particular activities are not like others’, they are regular in what they themselves do. We perform out of habit by nature, and most people don’t like causing a stir if they can help it. So what does this have to do with faith?

The Shield of Faith

Fire extinguishers are not something we use daily. Some people never use one in their life, but every building and vehicle (is supposed) to have at least one. It is a necessary safe guard and defensive measure in case of a fire. Generally, they consist of water and some form of retardant which smothers the fire. However, there are other substances that can also be used to put out a fire; dirt, baking soda, wet rags or blankets. What do fire extinguishers have to do with the shield of faith?

Does Your Faith Transform?

After this talk about temptation, sin and confession, some might ask if all that is necessary after salvation. What role does that play in faith? If I am already forgiven, and can’t be saved by what I do, does it matter what I do? Isn’t faith enough so that I don’t have to worry about the rest?

Hope That Doesn't Disappoint

Hope. In our cynical world, hope is wishful thinking at best. When a person hopes for something, they usually have little belief that it will really happen. I am definitely one of those people. I have been so disappointed and let down so many times that I cease to really believe something will happen until it does. But is that a godly response? Is there a different kind of godly hope?

The Fruit of Faithfulness

Faithfulness. It seems pretty straight forward. While it is not always practiced, it is generally seen as something that is important in all relationships. The actual definition of faithfulness as used in the New Testament is: conviction of truth (belief) regarding our relationship with God, and includes the idea of trust and fervor, which brings confidence. It also has a note of fidelity, (character of one who can be relied on). Matthew Henry defines it as: “fidelity, justice, and honesty, in what we profess and promise to others.” Basically, it just means faith and loyalty. Does that really require the Spirit? Isn’t faith something that happens when we believe, something we have or exercise ourselves?

True Virtue: Faith

According to Webster, faith is loyalty, belief in God, trust, belief without proof. Our society doesn’t have much faith in anything. We are generally pretty cynical, even pessimistic when it comes to trust or belief. We expect people to let us down. I heard that modern American women are significantly more competitive and less trusting of each other as compared to women of other nationalities or eras. We just don’t trust each other that much. Our loyalty also leaves something to be desired. We drop association or preference as fast as we drop a dirty rag. It's all about what is best for us. Few are willing to stick their neck out for a friend and take a risk. As a result of this general lack of faith and trust, I believe many people don’t know what true, godly faith is.