"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." (1 Peter 3:15-16)Peter emphasizes "having a good conscience", meaning your walk matches your talk, your ...  Read More

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15)"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)There was a famous atheist, Anthony Flew, who wrote over 40 books on atheism, defending his belief that there was no God. Then...  Read More

"I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." - Romans 12:3 (NKJV)When Peter calls us to be "courteous," (1 Peter 3:8), the Greek word actually means "humble-minded." It calls for an honest estimate of yourself. Humility doesn't mean thinking le...  Read More

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;" - 1 Peter 3:8Having compassion means sympathy - the ability to feel another's pain in your own heart. Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." When was the last time you truly wept with someone who was weeping? When did you last feel g...  Read More

"And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV)Reproduce the character of Jesus in your life. The whole point of this extended passage in Ephesians 4 is that once you become a Christian, you will express the new life within by changing your conduct. Sometimes people push back and say, "Stop telling us the do's and do...  Read More

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." - Ephesians 4:23 (NKJV)Ephesians 4:23 gives us the central truth of real life change. If you want to change your lifestyle, you first have to change your mind. Repentance is a Greek word that means to change your mind. But it is not just a mental shift. It is a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. I no longer want to live for sin. I no lon...  Read More

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)It's easy to let fear take over your thinking. Paul's prescription in this verse isn't complicated,...  Read More

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)Somebody has described worry as sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but you don't get anywhere while you're doing it. In the same way, worry gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere. Actually, it hurts you in the long run. Anxiety has this way of consuming your thoughts, draining yo...  Read More

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:5 that "the Lord is at hand." This simple truth—that God is near—has the power to calm our souls in the midst of life’s turbulence.I remember a recent flying experience where I was sleep...  Read More

"that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts," - Ephesians 4:22 (NKJV)"Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:11 (NKJV)In Ephesians 4:22, Paul writes, "That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man." In the New King James Version, th...  Read More

"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus." - Ephesians 4:20–21 (NKJV)No true life change happens without Jesus Christ. Paul says in Ephesians 4:20, “You have not so learned Christ.” Notice he does not say you have learned about Christ. He says you have learned Christ. You received Him. You heard Him. You were taught by ...  Read More

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" — Philippians 4:4At the turn of the 20th century, around 1905, a woman and her husband, an evangelist, traveled to New York. During their visit, they met an older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, who left an impact on them.The Doolittles had their share of struggles and ailments, yet they radiated cheerfulness and joy. Curious, the evangel...  Read More