There will be affliction and distress for every human soul that effects evil, … but glory and honor and peace to everyone who accomplishes good, … For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:9–11 We understand; we know with the certainty that makes us jump out of the path of a speeding automobile: When … Continue reading
This past summer I went back-packing in the Sierras with part of my family. For two nights we camped beside a lake at an elevation of about 9,500 feet. As one who lives in the middle of the seventy-mile-broad megalopolis of the Los Angeles basin, this campsite afforded my first chance in many years to … Continue reading
The man through whom my father came to Christ, evangelist Paul Rader, is perhaps best remembered today for his hymn “Only Believe”: Fear not, little flock, from the cross to the throne, From death into life he went for his own; All power in earth, all power above, Is given to him for the flock … Continue reading
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 Gracious God, pleasing you is such a pleasure! You have made it so simple. Creation reveals … Continue reading
The centurion said, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” … When Jesus heard this, he marveled and exclaimed, “I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.” Matthew 8:8–10 We know that during Jesus’ three years of ministry in Israel, he traveled around the country proclaiming the good news … Continue reading
Equip the saints for the work of service, namely, the building up of the body of Christ until we all attain to the same unity of faith and knowledge as the Son of God—to maturity, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ—so we won’t be … tossed about by … Continue reading
The one who walks in integrity walks securely. But those who pervert their ways will be found out. Proverbs 10:9 The military profession rests on the concept of integrity. When leaders of every rank exhibit it, units hold together, flourish, and accomplish their missions. Leaders committed to integrity inspire followers to commit to service. To our … Continue reading
Your own eyes have seen all the great work the Eternal did. Therefore keep every commandment which I am commanding you today, so that you may be strong and go in and possess the land into which you are about to cross. Deuteronomy 11:7–8 The old proverb says, “If you lift the calf every day, … Continue reading
The Bible commands us to love one another and to pray for one another. One of the means which the church I attend uses to encourage this is to have the congregation on Sunday evenings form little groups of four or five to share prayer requests, and then to pray together for several minutes. This … Continue reading
A famous hymn opens with the words, “What various hindrances we meet, in coming to the mercy seat.” Farther on the hymn gives some indication of why we find it so hard to pray: Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer makes the Christian armor bright. And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint … Continue reading