Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful Colossians 3:15 NIV

Ultimately, if you are a child of God and you are striving to be like Jesus (Children of God should always do this!) then you will want to be non-offensive in your relationships. Still, as hard as you try

"What can be done for her?" Elisha asked. Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old." 2 Kings 4:14 NIV

The story of Naaman is a lesser-known Bible story. While some are familiar with the story of Naaman, there is another character in the story that I believe many of us can identify. His name is Gehazi. He was a servant of the

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him." 2 Kings 5:20 NIV

Some people are always looking out for themselves. Have you known anyone like this? They are

So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked. "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, 'Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a

When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left. Then he went in and stood before his master Elisha. "Where have you been, Gehazi?" Elisha asked. "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered. 2 Kings 5:24-25 NIV

Gehazi instantly knew he had done wrong. He

Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow. 2 Kings 5:27 NIV

God had lost his patience with Gehazi. Gehazi took matters into his own hands, because he did not fully trust God to provide for all his needs. His actions cost him a lifetime of

Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. Luke 22:35 NIV

Jesus was referring back to an earlier situation in His ministry where He sent out the seventy-two to go proclaiming the name of Christ. He told them not to take anything with them, but to trust God to meet

Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun....all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:9 NIV

Solomon was the wisest man of all time. In his search for the meaning of life; the real pleasure of this

As we know Jesus better, His divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive His own glory and goodness! 2 Peter 1:3 NCV

You don't have to do it alone! Isn't that good news!

Living the Christian life is tough sometimes.

What situations do you face that test your strength and faith? I watch every

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV

You can put your trust in Jesus!

In the midst of a sometimes scary world, isn't it good to know we have Jesus? I remember several years ago when I was at a weak point in my life. It seemed like everything around me was collapsing. I

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4 NIV

When I was about 12 years old, I remember praying that I would one day be a great father. It was really a short, simple request, but I said it to the Lord with great sincerity. Today, I am a proud father of two boys. While parenting does have its challenges,

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

As I read God's Word, over and over again we are encouraged to be ready with answers. That is not just in defending our faith, but in living. Life often requires quick decisions. Speed in making the call is sometimes

Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 2 Chronicles 1:10 NIV

Solomon, the wisest man of all times, recognized the awesomeness of the role he was to play in being king of the Israelites. Every leadership position involves stress, but Solomon was to lead God's people.

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick ," he said, "get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread." Genesis 18:6 NIV

Abraham had to make a quick decision. God was going to visit with Abraham.

(Side Note) In those days, visits from God were rare. Prior to Jesus' death, the wall of separation between God and man was

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:11NIV

If you want to be able to make gut decisions, then you will have to educate your gut. Using wisdom in a moment's notice means that you have acquired wisdom over time. You can't enter the realm of making big decisions quickly if you haven't invested in

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalms 90:12 NIV

One of the hardest parts of life is making the right decision at the right time, especially when given short notice on making the decision. It happens all the time. I consistently find myself seemingly "trapped" in a corner trying to make the right call;

This is what He showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Amos?" "A plumb line," I replied. Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. Amos 7:7-8 NIV

The few times I have tried

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all

On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now

Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. 1 Samuel 19:1 NIV

David was minding his own business one day, tending sheep, when God called him to be a king. He didn't ask to be king, but God said he was the one. He turned out to be a really good king. Imagine that? God made a good pick! David had a heart modeled after God's,

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 NIV

A young man took his life recently. I'm told the family has no church affiliation, no relationship to God, and is almost certainly unsaved. His remains were to be cremated with no official