Nothing that is, is by virtue of its own inherent nature.

Is there no end to this sordid affair?

Personal Mission Field/Conversation

How should you speak the truth? Without bitterness, without indulgence, with patience, with gentleness. Moderation and wisdom and true holiness; one attains to them together. When does one attain to them? When his truth is without fault.

  - Colman mac Beognai, Aipgitir Chrabaid (Irish, 7th century)

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.

  - 2 Timothy 2.24, 25

The Lord's message to humankind is Good News. As such, it must be communicated. It pleases God to entrust the communication of His Good News to the people who have come to know it - you and me.

This is a most glorious trust, to have been appointed messengers of the Word that brings life! Not only must we make sure that we know the message and can convey its content accurately. We must also guard the manner of our speaking, that we might communicate with urgency yet patience, passion yet without pushiness, gentleness but firmness.

How can we acquire these skills? Through prayer and practice, nothing more. God promises that if we seek His help He will never fail us. He promises to give us the words we need when we need them. But we must seek Him day by day.

And we must make the most of every opportunity to initiate conversations with others about the Good News. Let us not be so silly as to think people are not interested. They are very interested, just as in every generation. If we can show them a caring and personable demeanor, and make our case with reverence and love, we may expect to be received seriously by those with whom we share.

Are you praying for the Lord to use you today? Are you ready to give a reason for the hope that is within you, with gentleness and respect?

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

ReVision - Is ethics just a make-believe world of getting by as best we can?

We are ready to receive a few more applications for mentoring. If you'd like to learn how to Practice the Kingship of Jesus, and what difference that can make; or if learning how to train your people in Taking Up the Challenge of Evangelism is what you need just now, drop me a line, and let's talk.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There is a love for the world that is altogether proper.

One of the most persistent questions of any child is, "Why?"

A Constant Guide--In order for the Church to make proper use of the Law of God as the defining standard of right and wrong, good and evil, it must first demonstrate the value of that Law in its own demeanor.

Even to Unbelievers--Believers, who have had little use for the Law of God in recent generations, will be even more suspect of the need to confront unbelievers with the Law as the defining standard of good and evil. How can we expect them to accept what we say about matters of right and wrong?

How Shall They Know?--The unbelieving world knows where its discomfort comes from in questions of morality: the Law of God.

Guilt, Shame, Fear--We know that sin is lawlessness; thus, the Law of God is a reliable means for helping us to understand what is and is not sin.

The Importance of Conscience--The Scriptures teach that the soul, or the spirit, of a human being is comprised of three interacting, overlapping, and wholly integrated components: heart (affections), mind (thoughts), and conscience (values, priorities).

Written on Our Hearts--How can we be sure that the Law of God is a reliable means for defining sin?

Putting the Spotlight on Sin--It’s not surprising that, in many churches today, we don’t hear much talk about sin.