“Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21, ESV) R-E-S-P-E-C-T. All Aretha Franklin asked for was a little respect. And it is something God tells us to offer to one another. Ephesians 5 says to respect one another out of reverence for Christ. You cannot have a successful marriage or any other relationship without a healthy dose of respect. … [Read more...] about 40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 27.Respect
40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent
40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 26.Adventure
“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.” (Philippians 4:14, ESV) Today’s devotion is more directed to our men reading this than the women. The reason is that women tend to have more true friendships than men do. I see this in church. On any given Sunday, there are typically more women in church than there are men. This is true in most any church in America. The women … [Read more...] about 40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 26.Adventure
40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 25.Forgiveness
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, ESV) The Cost of Forgiveness Forgiveness does not come easy. Jesus died for our forgiveness. There was a price paid. When we go back the Old Testament, a sacrifice was offered for sin. You would take an innocent lamb. The lamb had not done anything, but your sin … [Read more...] about 40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 25.Forgiveness
40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 24.Grace
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12–13, ESV) One thing I have learned is I’m not perfect. I’ve made my share of mistakes. I need … [Read more...] about 40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 24.Grace
40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 23.People
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26, ESV) Promises in the Plural Many of the promises in the Bible are written in the plural. Because we live in a culture that values individualism, we miss that many of the promises are not given to me alone, but us together. In our … [Read more...] about 40 Things NOT to Give up for Lent: 23.People