Promises for the Battle
Joy
Comfort #2—Ministry Comfort
I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Philemon 1:7 The comfort of love rests on the evidence of service. Love is comforting only if we know it is real. In an age when we hear the word “love” … Continue reading
Prayer #8—Calming Answers
Be anxious for nothing, but by thankful prayer and supplication in everything, let God know your requests. Then the peace of God, which exceeds what human cunning can create, will keep your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 The prospect of answered prayer provides more peace to our anxious, apprehensive hearts than relying … Continue reading
Grace #2—Grace for Service
Toward scorners Yahweh is scornful, but to the humble he gives grace. … Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Peter not only knew the Scripture he had been taught, he also learned from the example … Continue reading
Forgiven #7—Forgiven Forever
“I will put my law within them, on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. … They shall all know me …,” declares the Eternal, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:33–34 One of the benefits of being forgiven … Continue reading
Examples of Faith #8—Jesus
Since he himself suffered when he was tested, he is able to help those who are tested. Therefore … take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess, who was faithful to him who appointed him. … Jesus is the primary example and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Close Fellowship with God
God wants close fellowship with each of us. Jesus pictured himself as knocking at our heart’s door, with the hope that we will open it so he can have, as it were, table fellowship with us (Revelation 3:20). But in order for fellowship to occur, there must not only be that other person with whom … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About the Springs of Life
A literal rendering of Proverbs 4:23 would be, “Above all that you guard, watch over your heart, for the springs of life issue from it.” It came as a shock, a surprise, when I realized that here God commands me to guard my heart with more concern than other valuable things: physical health, financial solvency, … Continue reading
Thinking #6—Joyful Consideration
Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, because the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its full effect, so you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2–4 In the best sense of the word James is a pragmatist. He is concerned that we survive long enough in … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Goodness and Holiness
In the midst of this series on goodness I thought it might be helpful to indicate the connections between God’s goodness and other qualities we associate with him. The following paragraphs, from some correspondence with a friend, provide some insights into these relationships that have been helpful to me: You asked if I would clarify the concept … Continue reading
Thanksgiving for Ministry
One of the graces God gives us is people whom we can serve in order to strengthen their confidence in and allegiance to Jesus (Romans 1:11–12). Regardless of how difficult and time-consuming this ministry can be, we can rejoice in our knowledge that the situation, the insight of what to do, and the ability to … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 