Posts Tagged ‘Faithfulness’
Higher Aspirations
My oldest daughter recently graduated from high school. Reaching that milestone required overcoming a number of health challenges along the way, but we persevered and never lost faith that she would not only achieve this but much more. And that confidence has only increased over the years. Her mother and I set goals for her […]
Read MoreInto Your Hand I Commit My Spirit
Most people do not like to think about death—even when it might be imminent. The human drive for survival remains so strong that, even in the most desperate of circumstances, the mind concentrates on how to survive rather than on the alternative. However, Psalm 31 provides insight into how faith can look beyond survival to…
Read MoreMy Heart Greatly Rejoices
The harsh rhetoric and violence that have come to America in recent years has threatened to replace the American Dream with an American nightmare. It is not that extremism and violence are new or even new to the North American continent. The change that so many feel as a burden every time they wake to…
Read MoreThe Responsibilities of Renewal
Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon in 536 B.C. and subsequently released the Jews from their captivity, permitting a portion of them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This first wave of Israelites faced formidable opposition, and eventually the work subsided due to the political machinations of a contingent who arose to stop them,…
Read MoreA Successful Assembly
For some Christians the church assembly acts as that grudgingly accepted necessity submitted to with reservations as that necessary burden carried until receiving relief from the welcoming arms of death. They come fairly regularly, ritualistically sit in the same pew each week, bow their heads at the appropriate times, mouth the words of some songs,…
Read MoreThe Tactics of Ungodliness
Every Christian—at some time in his life—will face opposition from the ungodly (2 Tim. 3:12). It may raise its head due to some religious error. It may appear in the form of persecution at work or school. It may exist as the very environment of the society in which you live. This makes it essential…
Read MoreTill There Was No Remedy
Reading about the last days of Judah before Nebuchadnezzar took them into captivity pains the soul. While the warning of impending doom came during the reign of Manasseh, the brief respite during the days of Josiah could easily have caused the people to suppose the LORD had relented. However, subsequent events proved the necessity of…
Read MoreReady for the Fight
Without any doubt, Christianity is under assault in America today—indeed, throughout the world. Facing secularism on one hand and Islam on the other, Satan has led attack after attack against the Bible and the morality it represents. Whether this onslaught comes from Hollywood, the Supreme Court, or false teachers of various stripes, Christians must ready…
Read MoreA Program for Spiritual Prosperity
King Hezekiah successfully led Judah to a renewed interest in the law and dedication to the LORD. Through his leadership, the people destroyed the pillars, images, altars, and high places associated with idolatry, and the priests and Levites returned once more to the worship prescribed in the Law (2 Chr. 31:1-3). He also called on…
Read MoreReturn!
Once King Hezekiah decided to initiate a series of reforms in Judah, rejecting the errors of his father and restoring worship according to the law, he determined to have Judah keep the Passover as well (2 Chr. 30:1-5). However, he did not consider it enough for him to decide this himself; he wanted all of…
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