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...
Jesus Christ is always the preeminent example for the believer to follow, whether in service, suffering, or sacrifice. Like Jesus Christ, the Macedonian Christians gave themselves to God and to others. If we give ourselves to God, we will have little problem giving our substance to God. If we give...
Live expectantly today. This does not mean putting on a robe and sitting atop a mountain. But it does mean living in light of Christ’s return, realizing that our works will be judged and that our opportunities for service on earth will end. It means to live “with eternity’s values...
“Make love, not war!” may have been a popular slogan, but it is not always feasible. Doctors must make war against disease and death; sanitary engineers must war against filth and pollution; legislators must war against injustice and crime. And they all fight because of something they love! The Apostle...