Promises for the Battle
Trials
Trials #3—Rewarded Testing
Happy, fortunate, are those who endure testing, because when they have proven reliable, they will receive the crown of life God promised to those who love him. James 1:12 Businesses crave the coveted Underwriters Laboratories certification stamp on their products because the trademarked symbol signifies that the product has proven reliable by enduring rigorous trials. … Continue reading
Trials #2—Available Escape
No test has ever come upon you but such as is common to humanity. And God is faithful: He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability, but with the trial will also provide the way of escape, so that you will be able to endure. For this very reason, my beloved, flee … Continue reading
Trials #1—Success Produces Endurance
Throughout Scripture, we see that human beings undergo tests/trials to see if they will remain faithful to God, that is if they will continue to entrust him to be the source of goodness in their lives. From Adam to Abraham to Israel to Jesus to the Apostle Paul, we see examples of God’s testing people … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Patiently Following the Plan
Shortly before the day that we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus walked into the village of Bethany and raised his friend, Lazarus, from the dead. This event did not go unnoticed. Word spread. This sign, as John’s gospel labels Jesus’ miracles, was the capstone of a series of signs that began when he turned water … Continue reading
Loving God #6—The Crown of Life
Blessed are those who endure testing, because, having become trustworthy, they will receive the crown of life, which God promised to those who love him. James 1:12 When God created human beings, he crowned us with glory and majesty, making us just a little lower than himself as he commissioned us to subdue and govern … 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
Grace #5—Strengthening Grace
Jesus, our high priest, can sympathize with our weaknesses because he has been tested thoroughly, similar to our testing, but without sinning. Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace in order to receive mercy and find helpfully timed grace. Hebrews 4:14–16 Three year old children love to say, “Do it myself!” Offering unsolicited … 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
Examples of Faith #4—Joseph
Joseph’s master saw that Yahweh was with him and that he caused all that Joseph did to succeed. … Joseph refused his master’s wife’s advances: “… My master has put all that he owns in my charge. … He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. How then could I … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Jesus’ Perseverance
Jesus taught that the those who wanted to follow him would need to persevere to the end (Matthew 24:3). So we began our series about persevering in faith by acknowledging that sometimes we feel like giving up. When the pressure seems so unbearable that we’re ready to cave in, we need to fine tune our … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 