Promises for the Battle
Faith
Thanksgiving Sonnet 2025—Grateful for Ministry
As I thought about a theme for this year’s Thanksgiving sonnet-prayer, I was struck by the gratitude Paul felt and expressed for being able to contribute to the growth of the saints after they came to Christ. This gratitude appears in three of his letters, one from early in his ministry and two from later. … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Being Weak in Faith
Those whose faith is weak need the help of those whose faith is strong. When our faith is weak, we are vulnerable to threats to our bodies and to our souls. Even though we once understood the crucified and risen Jesus to be God’s anointed king, his absence from our earthly realm sometimes makes it … Continue reading
Trials #7—Stumbling Success
Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not cease. When you have turned back, stabilize your brothers. Luke 2:31–32 “Two steps forward, one step back,” is fine, as far as it goes. But we must also remember … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Day to Day Faith
For those who patiently trust him, God promises many wonderful blessings. He promises that all things will work together for good to those who love him (Romans 8:28)—which surely includes trusting him. We may, however, have to wait a while to see how some distress that presently weighs upon us will bring us to enjoy … Continue reading
Courage #1—Peaceful Courage
When the unbelief of anxiety abounds in our hearts, it kills the courage to think and act righteously in the world. Because this fearful way of anticipating the future is so easy to achieve, God’s spokesmen remind us more than 100 times to be courageous rather than anxious. Rather than just exhort us, they also … Continue reading
Facets of Salvation #3—Eternal Life
Facets of Salvation #3—Eternal Life This is the will of my Father, that all those who look on me with respect, and believe in me, will have eternal life, and I myself will raise them up on the last day. John 6:40 Life is more than living, isn’t it? We can exist but not be … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Patient Faith
The biblical writers frequently remind us of the necessity to believe God. Hebrews 11:6 says, for example, “Without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” but this same book of Hebrews also stresses our great … Continue reading
Freedom #2b—Serving in Freedom
You were called to freedom, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-centered action, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 It is good to be free. Some we know think highly enough of freedom to invest a good portion of their lives securing and preserving it for others as well … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About the Gratitude of Faith
The Bible clearly teaches that thanksgiving is essential to prayer and fellowship with God. We should never draw near to God without expressing our thanks. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4). Thanksgiving should accompany all our prayer requests. “In everything by … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Strength Through Adversity
Sometimes evangelists, in our desire to see people turn to Christ, lay such emphasis on the blessings believers will experience that converts may enter the Christian life without being fully aware of the suffering it necessarily involves. One significant emphasis in the apostles’ message to new Christians, however, was that they will indeed suffer. As … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 