What Self-Sacrifice Means

By Benjamin H. Liles

           To start this off, I want to apologize for the almost three week break I took without notice. I was feeling led one way until tonight when I remembered what Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4, Berean Study). I would love to explain why this verse jumped out at me, but at the same time I would rather honor God by being honorable to my parents. To really get a good look, Paul uses a phrase here before he says anything about training a child, as well as instructing them: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger."

Do You Consider Yourself A Christian?

By Benjamin H. Liles

           When we're told in scripture, "Perfect love casts out fear," I think of what firemen, even what law enforcement officers do on a daily basis. Firemen don't simply put out fires, they rescue people from burning homes. They help others, while putting themselves at risk. Same with LEO's. So many people see cops as if they are the enemy, but really, they are like every single one of us. They eat, the sleep, have families, and even go out of their way to make sure of this one thing that they put their lives on the line for: "Am I making sure others are safe, while I'm working?"

The Next Right Thing (Book Reviews)

By Benjamin H. Liles

          While I want to praise Emily Freeman's book, The Next Right Thing, as well as her ability to write well, I also find it hard to give this book all the merit it's due. One thing I do like is the tag line for this book: A simple, soulful practice for making life decisions. I see that tag and I have this glimpse of Jesus Christ walking up a mountain to take time to settle down and spend time with God, the Father. While He sits there to quiet Himself, and to spend prayer time with the One who called Him to give His life a ransom for many, He sees His disciples out on the Sea of Galilee getting tossed and driven by waves and wind.

You Could Be Drinking "Living Water"

By Benjamin H. Liles

          Yet, what exactly is this living water that Jesus spoke of in John 4? At first glance it's an encounter Jesus has with a Samaritan woman at the village of Sychar. At some point during this narrative, Jesus tells her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10). Here's the thing of it, however; Jesus already knew of her many husbands and the fact she was with a man she wasn't even married to!

Believe Better

          I know, the quality isn't the best, but I've always heard, "That to get better, you have to start somewhere." What I plan on doing through my youtube channel to help fellow believes in Jesus Christ to feel more encouraged, and to feel heard.

Heart of a King (Book Cover)

By Benjamin H. Liles

          This is a completely amazing book by Jill Eileen Smith about King Solomon. While there are certain names we know of for sure from scripture, namely Abishag and Naamah, I find that Smith's storytelling around King Solomon and at least four of his wives is very well written. Smith has done a great deal of research for the book, and it truly shows. I would say I recommend it if you're a fan of historical, Biblical, and romance, too. As I said it is an amazing read.

Faith is for Weak People (Book Review)

By Benjamin H. Liles

          This latest book by Ray Comfort, Faith is for Weak People, has a great deal of good information for fellow believers in Jesus Christ. Rather than focus on logical arguments to prove God is real, rather, Ray uses the Bible to show that God "[chose] the foolish things of the world that He might shame the wise" (1 Corinthians 1:27). Although it seems the book title is out to hurt those of us who choose to follow Christ Jesus, it is one of the objections others who do not understand God or His word use in excusing themselves.