In Romans 15:1 Paul says,

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

Who are the strong and who are the weak?  We might be in danger of misreading this verse by taking it out of context especially since there is a chapter break.  Identifying the “weak” and “strong” comes from the previous chapter (14) in verses 1-3,

Peace is elusive.  Peace in the world.  Peace among ourselves.  Peace in our hearts. 

There is a peace that the Bible talks about and then there is a peace that men strive after. 

Consider a man…

It may be of some surprise (it was to me) that the phrase “first principles” is used only once in scripture.

(Heb. 5:12)  "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."

A similar phrase starts the next chapter accompanied by a list of six foundation principles.

I am now 33-1/2 years old.  The same age when our Lord was crucified.  It's an interesting thing for me to ponder at this stage in my life.  It does not serve too much but to emphasize how great a difference there is between me and the stature of the fullness of Christ.  I had thought about it when I was thirty for that was the age when Jesus made himself known to the world.  The same feelings were evident back then and now here I am 3-1/2 years down the road.  I like to think I've gotten to know my Lord better but there is still that feeling of necessity to come closer to knowing the suffe

At work I had to have my annual "performance evaluation" done. I've had to go through this several times over the last eight years and in the past I've also had to give them. It's not an easy thing for either end of the table but it is very necessary thing for increasing the productivity and efficiency of the employee. Most companies have such a system showing it's wisdom in application.