"And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel…" (Luke 2:25, NASB95)

We spend a good part of our lives waiting. We wait for the time when we can ride a bike without help. We wait for when we can go to school. We wait for our first job. We wait for marriage, and kids, and grandkids. We wait for retirement. We wait for death. Luke introduces two people who had long awaited the arrival of Jesus: Simeon and Anna. They are present in the temple at Mary's purification and Jesus' dedication, forty days after his birth (Luke 2:22-24; see Leviticus 12:6-8; Exodus 13:2, 12).

What is the value of self-control? Self-control is that which enables us to hold our tongues when we are tempted to viciously put someone in his place once and for all; or when we know a juicy bit of gossip that would be entertaining to the group and would turn us into the "life of the party"; or when an occasion almost demands that we betray a confidence that must not be betrayed under any circumstances.

We do not forget great turning points in their lives. It may be the memory of meeting and falling in love with the one that eventually would become our mate. It could be the loss of a parent whose memory continues to inspire us to serve God and never quit. These and other critical points in our lives should both humble us and inspire us to draw more closely to the God that provides for us beyond what we could ever know (Rom 8:28).

The Lord tells us that when we have a problem with a brother, we are to go to that person and talk with them about it (Matt. 18:15-17). We can understand the wisdom behind this instruction. It is best for the sake of peace and unity to get things worked out as quickly as possible. And sitting down and talking with someone is the best way to get things worked out. This instruction is easy to understand, but sometimes we find it hard to obey.

In this article, we want to discuss how we should respond when we are the person that a brother is coming to. What do we do when the criticism and accusations are directed toward us? Consider the following points:

Summer temperatures and drought conditions have been extreme across North Texas and much of the southern United States in 2011, provoking prayers for relief, threats of water and electricity rationing, and wistful recollections of that Super Bowl Ice Storm back in February.

A very dangerous attitude entering into our general me today, and one affecting the whole structure of society, is that of doing just enough to "get by." The efforts of men are too often half hearted, with no spirit and fervor in the work, Such an attitude is serious enough and bad enough in secular affairs, but when it invades the sacred realm of religious life it becomes disastrous. Here one must deal with God, for it is He who is insulted and robbed by half hearted efforts, and the "get by" spirit.

What if I had no pain?...I could not relate to those who are in agony.

What if I had riches untold?...I could not relate to those in abject poverty.

“My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you?” (James 2:14, CEV).

There are a lot of people going around and calling themselves a Christian. Yet their actions do not confirm their faith. Many of you that consider yourself a Christian should admit that your everyday actions are more world-like than they need to be. Going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Here’s a chapter by chapter breakdown of Colossians, all gathered around this one key phrase: “that in all things He [Christ] may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).

Chapter One: The Preeminence of Christ Himself. His preeminence can be seen in the fact that “He is before all things” (v. 17), King of all (vv. 13, 16), redeemer and forgiver (v. 14), the image of the invisible God (v. 15), the firstborn over all creation (v. 15), the creator and sustainer of the universe (vv. 16-17), the Head of the church (v. 18), the beginning, the firstborn from the dead (v. 18), the fullness of all things (v. 19), and the one who reconciles all things to God (v. 20).