The value of implicit trust in God cannot be accurately measured. It is demonstrated for us numerous times throughout the scriptures. One such example is Joseph. He was the young son of Jacob (later renamed Israel) who endured great trials, temptations, and perils. It all began as a young boy who was loved by his father but hated by his brothers. The dreams of grandeur and prominence didn’t help him either. Things continually got worse until finally, the brothers decided to kill him. If it hadn’t been for the dissenting words of Reuben they would have executed him and left his body in that well. Instead, they took him out and sold him to Ishmaelite’s as a slave. But this was no ordinary teenager; he was wise beyond his years and trusted God completely. Continue reading “The power of trust.”
The world around us is an amazing, interlocking system that is immeasurable. It’s vastness, intricacy, and might is awe inspiring. It reflects an almighty intelligence. The vast orbits of the planets around the sun; the orbit of the moon around our little planet, and the amazing precision of each of them demand someone or something far more powerful than us to set it all in motion. Our precise location within this universe (the goldilocks zone) is so precise that even a slight variation would be catastrophic. Continue reading “Moving from the temporary to the eternal.”
For Christians to be successful in this life of faith, we must learn to endure the hardships and difficulties that come our way. Continue reading “Learning to endure.”
The intelligence of Satan for being able to defeat unwary Christians is frightening. In all honestly, it should cause us to pause and pray every time we think about it. His skills are many, they are varied, and they are always cleverly disguised. He doesn’t attack the strongest points of our life, instead, he attacks the weakest points of our life. Satan will prey on our weaknesses and go for the place that we are struggling. It’s kind of like trying to push down a mighty oak tree. Continue reading “No Victory without God’s Armor!”
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
(2 Timothy 3:12–13, ESV)
Every person who has made the good decision to become a Christian; every person who tries to live a godly life, will eventually face persecution for their faith. It is inevitable, sad, but inevitable. Continue reading “Don’t underestimate your enemy!”
In addition to true faith, a right choice, and a firm, unyielding purpose, every winning Christian “soldier of the cross” needs to look forward to the reward. Life as a Christian is hard and it can be overwhelming at times but if we focus on the reward that is promised to us, it will help motivate us to stand strong. Continue reading “Focus on the reward.”
How Deep the Father’s Love
By David A. Sargent
It’s a fascinating story that comes out of the 1989 earthquake which almost flattened Armenia. This deadly tremor killed over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of all the confusion of the earthquake, a father rushed to his son’s school. When he arrived there he discovered the building was flat as a pancake. Continue reading “How deep the Father’s love”
In this series of articles, our goal is simple: we want to write articles that will be beneficial to those who are weak in the faith. Articles that might reach someone who is struggling with their faith and being faithful to Jesus.
I know that this can be an overwhelming and difficult challenge. Living the new life in Christ is hard and there is so much to learn, it almost feels like too much to expect of anyone. Continue reading “The importance of a choice.”
Last week, we considered the hard truth that many begin the new life in Christ but many do not finish it. The key to understanding why this is true is found in our level of commitment. To live a successful Christian life requires that I am completely committed to it.
To live a consecrated, victorious Christian life is not easy in the physical sense. It is intrinsically difficult. First, it requires a choice be made; secondly, after the choice is made, it must be supported and recommitted with grace, care, and effort. Continue reading “Consecrated victorious living has many parts to it.”