As the Chief Shepherd, Christ alone can assess a person’s ministry and give him or her the proper reward. Some who appear to be first may end up last when the Lord examines each worker’s ministry. Today a Christian worker may labor for many different kinds of rewards. Some work...
Chastening is a Greek word that means “child training, instruction, discipline.” A Greek boy was expected to “work out” in the gymnasium until he reached his maturity. It was part of his preparation for adult life. Trials of the Christian life are viewed in Hebrews 12:5-13 as spiritual discipline that...
When you trust Jesus Christ, He frees you from the guilt and punishment brought by sin. But He also frees you from the bondage of sin’s power, so that you can walk in the freedom of your new life. He sets you free from the fear of death. He delivers...
We who are parents know that our children (especially teenagers) do not like to hear us say, “Now, back when I was a kid….”But this is an important part of training a family. It is a wonderful thing when a “spiritual father” can encourage and help his “children” out of...
Timothy knew the meaning of sacrifice and service, but God rewarded him for his faithfulness. To begin with, Timothy had the joy of helping others. There were hardships and difficulties, but there were also victories and blessings. Because Timothy was faithful over a few things, God rewarded him with many...
Christians are waiting for Jesus Christ, and He may return at any time. We are not waiting for any “signs”; we are waiting for the Saviour. We are waiting for the redemption of the body and the hope of righteousness. When Jesus Christ returns, we will receive new bodies and...
It is the character and conduct of the wife that will win the lost husband—not arguments, but such attitudes as submission, understanding, love, kindness, and patience. These qualities are not manufactured; they are the fruit of the Spirit that comes when we are submitted to Christ and to one another....
It is easy for us to get wrapped up in “things,” not only the tangible things that we can see, but also the intangibles such as reputation, fame, achievement. Paul wrote about things that he thought were especially important before he received Christ. Some of those “things” were intangible, such...
God has forgiven us. Redemption and forgiveness go together.The word translated forgiveness means “to send away” or “to cancel a debt.” Christ has not only set us free and transferred us to a new kingdom, but He has canceled every debt so we cannot be enslaved again. Satan cannot find...
Some standards and practices in our local churches are traditional but not necessarily scriptural. Can you remember when dedicated Christians opposed Christian radio “because Satan was the prince of the power of the air?” Some people still make Bible translation use a test of orthodoxy. The church is divided and...
