God is not going to replace suffering with glory; rather He will transform suffering into glory. Jesus used the illustration of a woman giving birth. The same baby that gave her pain also gave her joy. The pain was transformed into joy by the birth of the baby. The thorn...
As Christians, we must live a day at a time. No person, no matter how wealthy or gifted, can live two days at a time. God provides for us “day by day” as we pray to him (Luke 11:3). He gives us the strength we need according to our daily...
Doctors tell us that some people are “morning people,” while others are “evening people.” That is, some people are wide awake before the alarm clock rings. They hit the floor running, and never have to yawn or throw cold water in their faces. Others, like myself, wake up slowly—first one...
It is not wrong to fast if we do it in the right way and with the right motive. Jesus fasted, and so did the members of the early church. Fasting helps to discipline the appetites of the body and keep our spiritual priorities straight. But it must never become...
Paul wrote to Timothy about the danger of the love of money and added a special “charge” for Timothy to give the rich (see below). We may not think this charge applies to us, but it does. After all, our standard of living today would certainly make us “rich” in...
A pastor got a phone call from an angry woman. “I have received a piece of religious literature from your church,” she shouted, “and I resent your using the mails to upset people!” “What was so upsetting about a piece of mail from a church?” the pastor asked calmly. “You...
We are to “do good unto all men” (see verse for today). This is how we let our light shine and glorify our Father in heaven. It is not only by words that we witness to the lost, but also by our works. In fact, our works pave the way...
The believer who seeks to obey God is going to have enemies. When our Lord was ministering on earth, He had enemies. No matter where Paul and the other apostles traveled, enemies opposed their work. Jesus warned His disciples that their worst enemies might be those of their own households....
What can we do practically to oppose the enemy and maintain the purity and unity of the church? For one thing, we must know the Word of God and have the courage to defend it. Every local church ought to be a Bible institute, and every Christian ought to be...
When Jesus watched His frustrated disciples as they tried to solve the problem of feeding the 5,000 (John 6), He taught them a lesson in faith and surrender. Here are the steps we must take in solving life’s problems: Start with what you have. Andrew found a lad who had...