Month: March 2021

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 In the summer of 1991, I met my future wife while working as…
Read more

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 It’s not uncommon to hear, from those who have addicts in their lives, that they pray and pray for that addict, but nothing happens. When God doesn’t make the addict get clean, those praying…
Read more

Now to him who is able to strengthen you . . . to bring about the obedience of faith. Romans 16:25-25 I believe I’ve previously written that we enjoy superhero movies at our house. In watching those movies, we’ve often discussed our favorites and of course, which superpower we’d want if we could pick. One…
Read more

I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. Romans 16:19 When I used to give the sex education talk to the junior high boys at my kids school, I always tried to be sensible about the content. I didn’t want to be naive about their…
Read more

Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16:17-18 Though I do get to work…
Read more

For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. Romans 15:27 On my way to my first AA meeting years ago, I was terribly nervous. This is apparently, a pretty common experience for anyone new to AA and those in…
Read more

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 When suffering from depression or anxiety, most of us have prayed, asking God to take it away. Then, when God doesn’t take it away and…
Read more

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” Romans 15:2-3 In my first year of residency, while on call, I had to go to the ER to see…
Read more

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1 A few times lately, I’ve found myself being critical of others. It’s not bad enough that I’ve had critical thoughts though. I’ve also shared those thoughts out loud. Twice recently, those whom I’ve…
Read more

But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve always found it terribly hypocritical that a half hour into a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, the group will take a 10-minute…
Read more