Love

A clear description of God’s Children

This is John’s approach in writing to Christians. Instead of listing the evil characteristics of Satan’s children, he gives us a clear description of God’s children. The title “sons of God” is an honor bestowed upon those who have a right relationship to God. This relat …

The Interlude of Love

This short chapter pictures the nation’s exile and return. The Lord makes known His plans for the redemption of the prodigal nation. Although this chapter is short, its prophecies survey God’s past (v. 1), present (vv. 2-4), and future (v. 5) relationship with Israel. Israel will experience a time of …

The Blood that sets us Free

There were over 60 million slaves in the Roman empire at the time Peter was writing this letter. A slave could purchase his freedom if he had the money and if his master was willing to set him free. Also, someone else could pay the price, thus redeeming them, so he could go free. Redemption …

Qualities of the Greatest Gift

This is one of the most noted and best-loved chapters in the entire Bible. At the same time, few chapters have suffered more misinterpretation and misapplication than I Corinthians 13. Divorced from its context, it often becomes a sentimental sermon on Christian brotherhood. It is easy to …

IllustrationWilliam Dixon Risks His Life to Save a Baby

William Dixon lived in Brackenthwaite, England. He was a widower who had also lost his only son. One day he saw that the house of one of his neighbors was on fire. Although the aged owner was rescued, her orphaned grandson was trapped in the blaze. Dixon climbed an iron pip …

Lovers Reunited at Their Country Home

In the culture in which Solomon and his lover lived it was improper to show public affection except between family members. Therefore, his beloved wished that her husband was like a brother so that it would be acceptable for her to display affection for him at any time (v. 1). Verses 6 and 7 …

IllustrationIf You Had Five Minutes to Live What Would You Say?

If we discovered that we had five minutes left to say all we wanted to say, every telephone booth would be occupied by people calling other people to stammer that they love them. Why wait until the last five minutes? ©. Morley, in Homemade, July, 1990). …

IllustrationSick People Made Well Through Love

Some years ago, Dr. Karl Menninger, noted doctor and psychologist, was seeking the cause of many of his patients’ ills. One day he called in his clinical staff and proceeded to unfold a plan for developing, in his clinic, an atmosphere of creative love. All patients were to be gi …

Illustration"I’m afraid I might hurt my Father"

A group of teen-agers were enjoying a party, and someone suggested that they go to a certain restaurant for a good time. “I’d rather you took me home,” Jan said to her date. “My parents don’t approve of that place.” “Are you afraid your father will hurt y …

IllustrationWhoever Loves me First Can Have my Life

In 1976 Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme was on every front page in America. She had tried to kill the President of the United States. She was 17 years old. Investigators found her proud that she was a follower of Charles Manson. The world knows Manson as a crazed killer who wo …