If you had lived during the Thirty Years’ War, could you have praised God? This war occurred from 1618-48 and was the last of the great religious wars of Europe, a conflict that began between Protestants and Roman Catholics. But before it was over it spread from Germany, where it...
It is amazing that two married people can live together and not really know each other! Ignorance is dangerous in any area of life, but it is especially dangerous in marriage. A Christian husband needs to know his wife’s moods, feelings, needs, fears, and hopes. He needs to “listen with...
How do you value your service to God? The way you look at it helps to determine how you will fulfill it. If you look upon serving Christ as a burden or even a punishment from God instead of a sterling privilege, you will be a drudge and do only...
No Christian rises any higher than his praying. Everything we are and everything we do for the Lord depends on prayer. Most of us would rather work than pray. But we know that without prayer our work is useless. What a difference it would make in our personal lives, our...
Moses was fortunate to have believing parents. For them to hide their baby son from the authorities was certainly an act of faith. Vance Havner has said, “Moses chose the imperishable, saw the invisible, and did the impossible.” Moses’ faith enabled him to face Pharaoh unafraid, and to trust God...
Paul was fond of athletic images and used them often in his letters. The Corinthians would have been familiar with the Greek Olympic Games as well as their own local Isthmian Games. Knowing this, Paul used a metaphor very close to their experience. An athlete must be disciplined if he...
In Bible times, a scribe’s work was to examine the Law and discover its teachings. Remember that the scribes began as a very noble group. They devoted themselves to the protection and preservation of the Law. But sad to say, the scribes degenerated into an unspiritual clique and were more...
Along with jogging, walking has become a popular exercise and outdoor sport. As I drive in the city, I often see individuals and entire families enjoying a walk in the park or in the forest preserves. When driving on the highway, I sometimes wave to “walking parties” heading for some...
Did God enjoy watching a tyrant like Pharaoh? No, He endured it. The fact that God was long-suffering indicates that He gave Pharaoh opportunities to be saved. God prepares men for glory, but sinners prepare themselves for judgment. In Moses and Israel God revealed the riches of His mercy; in...
All of us have lost our joy because of people: what they are, what they say, and what they do. But we have to live and work with people; we cannot isolate ourselves and still live to glorify Christ. We are the light of the world and the salt of...