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All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin that does not bring death. - 1 John 5:17 Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, but we understand also that the blood of Christ cannot overcome the sin of rejecting the Holy Spirit. If a person chooses to reject the Spirit of God (denies Him), and persists in this rejection, then they are choosing to live a life separated from God forever. There is nothing more that God is able to do to save such a person. They rem

Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all. - Psalm 139:4 I truly admire those people whose words always seem to be measured and precise. I do not know many who actually fall into that category, but it just seems that when they speak, it is worth the time to listen. I, on the other hand (though it has improved with age), have sometimes been too quick to speak and allowed passion to supplant tact incurring damage that could have been avoided. Th

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not bring death, he should ask, and God will give life to him -- to those who commit sin that doesn't bring death. There is sin that brings death. I am not saying he should pray about that. - 1 John 5:16 "There is sin that brings death." Really? If there is sin that brings death, then we should know what it is, right? And, once we know what it is, we better not pray about it! The sin that brings death (and by "death," ete

How can we sing Yahweh's song on foreign soil? - Psalm 137:4 Another great question, huh? The people of Israel were in exile (in Babylon) when the psalmist wrote these words. It was a time of great sadness for God's people, but the Lord encouraged them to sing in spite of their situation. You see, God knew that one day they would return to their beloved Jerusalem and He didn't want them to forget about it. As children of God (by faith), we live on foreign soil as well. This p

And if we know He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. - 1 John 5:15 When in the midst of third-world cultures, a person is constantly confronted by the surrounding, enveloping needs of humanity. From the beggar in front of the Post Office, to the tap on the window by a starving young girl, the needs are everywhere and, at times, overwhelming. It is difficult to know what or how much to do. You want to help, but how much is enough? How much

How good and pleasant it is when brothers can live together! - Psalm 133:1 I don't like conflict. In fact, if someone does like conflict, they might be considered unstable. Yet still, in life, business, even in the church, conflict (though undesirable) is sometimes unavoidable. Instead of desiring conflict, we should pursue unity and peace. David wrote that it is good and pleasant when brothers can live together. It is like an anointing oil that both heals and refreshes. Shou

Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. - 1 John 5:14 Language acquisition is one of the most important activities of an overseas missionary, and it presents opportunities to explore various topics in the context of differing cultures. For example, in a French language class, we once discussed the responsibilities of parents in the education of their children. One topic we explored was the handling of money

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! - Psalm 133:1 It seems, at least within my particular "flavor" of Christianity, that conflict is often preferred instead of peace. Some might even suggest that our disharmony is a distraction and barrier to growth. Perhaps, but even if conflict should not be pursued, it also should not be avoided for the sake of a compromised truth or a false peace. The Body of Christ (in its local expression, i.e., churches)

I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. - 1 John 5:13 One of the things I sometimes complain about is a lack of proper "signage" in some places (be it a business, hospital, or town). International travel in third-world environments, on the other hand, certainly cut down on that complaining! Signs are necessary because they tell us if our direction is good or bad, right or wrong. They may of

Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered. - Psalm 130:3-4 Webster's dictionary defines the act of reverence as "showing devoted, deferential honor to something or someone; regarding something or someone as worthy of great honor." In the verses above, David revealed great truth and evidence of God's unparalleled wisdom; truth and wisdom that proves God's absolute superiority over all other objects of w

The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn't have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:12 There are two French phrases that many people know (or have heard) even if they don't speak the language. They are: 1) Comment ça va ?, and 2) C'est la vie! The first question asks, "How's it going?" and the second seemingly answers, "This is life!" Or, in American vernacular, "It is what it is." So, how is your life going? Are you really living or just existing? Do y

How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you. - Psalm 128:1-2 The blessings of God are abundant and, if pondered in number and complexity, sometimes overwhelming. Yet shouldn't we take time to count and number them anyway? As the psalmist reminds us above, we are going to be blessed (generally) if we fear (worship, revere) God and follow Him in obedience. We al

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn't have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:11-12 Live! This is the word often used by lifeguards, doctors, and others who each day fight for the lives of those who are dying. It is also the desire of the Lord Jesus Christ for you today. He wants you to live, and He knows that this is not possible apart from Him. Jesus is the Sour

Unless Yahweh builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless Yahweh watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. - Psalm 127:1 When my wife and I lived in Africa, our security was sometimes a concern. We had a guard, two dogs, and a wall around the house. We were always careful to lock our doors and to keep an eye on our possessions. We weren't fearful, just watchful. Life was more about lessening interferences than avoiding distractions. When we returne

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. - 1 John 5:11 Why wife and I served as missionaries in West Africa. While there, we met missionaries from a number of differing agencies. The stories of how they arrived were all different, but the destination was the same. Differing paths, same destination. Unfortunately, many in this world are deceived into believing that there are also similar paths to eternity with God. Most people bel

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves. - Psalm 126:5-6     If our hearts are broken over the needs of this world then our tears will surely flow, but what might be one hopeful result of those tears?   The psalmist said that if we sow in tears, we will reap with shouts of joy. If this is true, then one result of our tears might be a harvest!

The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. The one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son. - 1 John 5:10 Have you ever called someone a liar? Has anyone ever called you one? I was called a liar once, publicly. It wasn't fun. The man was angry at me and didn't have all the facts. When he realized his error, he apologized and asked forgiveness. It was a very unpleasan

I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:1-2 In the old western movies, when the hero got into trouble, he would look to the horizon for someone to ride in on horseback and save him. Ancient Israel, under siege from almost every enemy that surrounded them, often looked to some neighboring nation to come and bring relief. When you or I face overwhelming attacks, where do we go for

If we accept the testimony of men, God's testimony is greater, because it is God's testimony that He has given about His Son. - 1 John 5:9 The strength of a testimony comes from the person who gives it. If the character of a person is dishonest, then their testimony will not be credible. If, on the other hand, a person is known to be honest, then their testimony will usually be considered believable. For example, we can believe God the Father's testimony, because He is holy,

My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction. - Psalm 119:136     What makes you cry?   Scraped knee? Bruised ego? Your favorite team losing? A particularly moving worship song or service? A movie? (I remember hearing that some men who watched Toy Story 3 cried like a little girl at a Taylor Swift concert)?   I cry (at times), but I wonder, "When was the last time any of us wept over the fact that God's instruction was being ignored?" Could