CONTENTS Introduction 1. How to Recognize a Fool 2. Adultery: One ”A” You Don’t Want to Earn 3. Anger: The Nuclear Emotion… with Huge Fallout 4. Lying: The Self-Made Trap 5. Gossip: The Hidden Dagger 6. Reproof: A Building Block for Character 7. Insults and Curses: Unsolicited Instruction 8. Listening: God’s Channel for Personal Growth …
Author Archives: Jonathan Kobayashi
22220.015 One Dangerous Babe (or Dude) to Avoid
The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, “Let all who are simple come here!” she says to those who lack …
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22180.010 In the Presence of a King
12 Days of Christmas: Day 10 After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary …
22180.001 Can You See God’s Grace?
12 Days of Christmas: Day 1 This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations.(Matthew 1:1, …
22180.012 Wisdom and Favor
12 Days of Christmas: Day 12 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.(Luke 2:52) Oh, the great economy of words in Scripture! Wouldn’t you like to know more about the childhood of Jesus than simply what this one verse tells us? Why on earth did God …
22180.011 Following God’s Plan
12 Days of Christmas: Day 11 After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to look for the child to kill him.” Then …
22180.009 Worship the Lord with Gladness
12 Days of Christmas: Day 9 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When …
22180.008 Persevering in Prayer
12 Days of Christmas: Day 8 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.(Luke 2:37) Prayer seems to be one of the most difficult commands given in Scripture, and yet, it is one of the greatest gifts God has …
22180.007 Our God of Promise
12 Days of Christmas: Day 7 Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.(Luke 2:29–32) Simeon, a righteous, …
22180.006 Spread the News
12 Days of Christmas: Day 6, Christmas So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. But Mary treasured up all …