stephen-on-bible

If you ask the personality developers, motivational speakers and many counselors of our time, "What is the important commandment of life?" many would perhaps say, "Love yourself". The Most Important Commandment When Jesus was asked, "What is the most important commandment?", He didn’t say, "Love yourself." Instead, He said, " Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31). It is worth noting the ending words of verse 31: " There is no commandment greater than these." The most important and joyful thing on the face of the earth is to love God with our whole being, the Maker of the heavens and the earth. And in loving Him, love our neighbour as ourself. 'Love Yourself' or 'As Yourself' Now many suppose that Jesus gave a co...

Randy Alcorn, one of my most enjoyed inspirational Christian writers, was asked, "In your view, what are the qualities of an authentic Christian leader?" He answered, "He loves God with all his heart, is quick to admit his flaws, listens to his critics and doesn't dismiss them." I kept thinking about the second point he mentioned—"quick to admit his flaws." As leaders in the responsibility of leading people, don't we find ourselves being quick to reject and to justify our flaws than quickly admit them? Sad Example, Good Model Few days back, I met a Christian brother who seemed to be quite embarrassed about approaching Christian leaders. He shared about confronting an old experienced preacher to gently offer a reasonable word of correction in regard to his preaching. The old preacher annoyingly responded to him, "It is not your age to correct me." Seeing his response, this brother was completely shattered, even afraid to approach any preac...

Have you genuinely repented in view of God’s mercy but still struggling from thoughts of self-condemnation? Here are few Scriptures you can stick to like glue. Remember, these are not for an unrepentant soul but to those who sincerely repent and yet suffer from tormenting thoughts of self-condemnation. Friends, treasure these words in your heart. Preach them to your soul and find strength through them: • Are you haunted by past failures? Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! (Isa. 43:18-19) • Do you have this question, "Can God really forgive me?" If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1Jn. 1:9) • Do you fear the Lord is always angry with you? The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to ou...