Nowhere has God promised anyone, even His children, immunity from sorrow, suffering, and pain. This world is a ‘vale of tears,and disappointment and heartache are as inevitable as clouds and shadows. Suffering is often the crucible in which our faith is tested. Those who successfully come through the ‘furnace of affliction’ are the ones who emerge ‘like gold tried in the fire.’
Month: March 2024
The thing that has hindered the progress of the church is not so much our talk and our creeds; but it has been our walk, our conduct, our daily living. We need a revival of Christian example, and that can only come when professed followers of Christ begin to practice Christian discipline.
The thing that has hindered the progress of the church is not so much our talk and our creeds; but it has been our walk, our conduct, our daily living. We need a revival of Christian example, and that can only come when professed followers of Christ begin to practice Christian discipline.
The Christian faith has become a cheap faith because we too often live as if it has no value. We complain when the preacher runs over a few minutes on the Sunday sermon and consider it a great inconvenience to return to services once or twice more in the same week.
The Christian faith has become a cheap faith because we too often live as if it has no value. We complain when the preacher runs over a few minutes on the Sunday sermon and consider it a great inconvenience to return to services once or twice more in the same week.
Nowhere has God promised anyone, even His children, immunity from sorrow, suffering and pain. This world is a ‘vale of tears and disappointment and heartache are as inevitable as clouds and shadows. Suffering is often the crucible in which our faith is tested. Those who successfully come through the ‘furnace of affliction’ are the ones who emerge ‘like gold tried in the fire.’
Nowhere has God promised anyone, even His children, immunity from sorrow, suffering and pain. This world is a ‘vale of tears and disappointment and heartache are as inevitable as clouds and shadows. Suffering is often the crucible in which our faith is tested. Those who successfully come through the ‘furnace of affliction’ are the ones who emerge ‘like gold tried in the fire.’
No wonder so much of the world does not consider our faith relevant when we are not even willing to give of our time, much less our freedom or lives, for what we say we believe in.
No wonder so much of the world does not consider our faith relevant when we are not even willing to give of our time, much less our freedom or lives, for what we say we believe in.
Golden years must have been coined by the young. It is doubtful that anyone over seventy would have described this phase of life with such a symbolic word.
Golden years must have been coined by the young. It is doubtful that anyone over seventy would have described this phase of life with such a symbolic word.
I often wonder if God, in His sovereignty, allows the eyesight of the aged to cast a dim view of the here and now so that we may focus our spiritual eyes on the ever after.
I often wonder if God, in His sovereignty, allows the eyesight of the aged to cast a dim view of the here and now so that we may focus our spiritual eyes on the ever after.
Whoever first said it was right: old age is not for sissies.
Whoever first said it was right: old age is not for sissies.
Many invest wisely in business matters, but fail to invest time and interest in their most valued possessions: their spouses and children.
Many invest wisely in business matters, but fail to invest time and interest in their most valued possessions: their spouses and children.
Let’s take this a step further. Robots do not love. God created us with the capacity to love. Love is based upon one’s right to choose to love. We cannot force others to love us. We can make them serve us or obey us. But true love is founded upon one’s freedom to choose to respond.
Let’s take this a step further. Robots do not love. God created us with the capacity to love. Love is based upon one’s right to choose to love. We cannot force others to love us. We can make them serve us or obey us. But true love is founded upon one’s freedom to choose to respond.
It is not easy to shut out the world, set aside a few minutes by yourself, and spend time in God’s Word and prayer. But it is essential if we are to grow in our relationship with God and be strengthened for the battles ahead. Don’t delay. Begin now to spend time alone with God every day.
It is not easy to shut out the world, set aside a few minutes by yourself, and spend time in God’s Word and prayer. But it is essential if we are to grow in our relationship with God and be strengthened for the battles ahead. Don’t delay. Begin now to spend time alone with God every day.
Nothing but God ever completely satisfies, because the soul was made for God. Don’t starve your soul.
Nothing but God ever completely satisfies, because the soul was made for God. Don’t starve your soul.
When they discover that their own gifts are different or their contributions are more modest (or even invisible), they collapse in discouragement and overlook genuine opportunities that are open to them. They have forgotten that they are here to serve Christ, not themselves.
When they discover that their own gifts are different or their contributions are more modest (or even invisible), they collapse in discouragement and overlook genuine opportunities that are open to them. They have forgotten that they are here to serve Christ, not themselves.
Power for each moment of weakness, hope for each moment of pain, comfort for every sorrow, sunshine and joy after rain!
Power for each moment of weakness, hope for each moment of pain, comfort for every sorrow, sunshine and joy after rain!
Death for the Christian is the doorway to heaven’s glory. Because of Christ’s resurrection we can joyously say with Paul, ‘Where, O death, is your victory?[1 Corinthians 15:55 NIV].
Death for the Christian is the doorway to heaven’s glory. Because of Christ’s resurrection we can joyously say with Paul, ‘Where, O death, is your victory?[1 Corinthians 15:55 NIV].
You cannot come to Christ unless the Spirit of God brings you. But what if you ignore His warnings? Then you are in the gravest danger, for some day God will no longer be speaking to you. Then it will be too late. Come to Christ while there is still time. Christ, God’s greater Ark, stands ready to welcome you to safety today.
You cannot come to Christ unless the Spirit of God brings you. But what if you ignore His warnings? Then you are in the gravest danger, for some day God will no longer be speaking to you. Then it will be too late. Come to Christ while there is still time. Christ, God’s greater Ark, stands ready to welcome you to safety today.