Category: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
When Sexual Sin Stalks You
We live in a society that has become a cesspool of sexual filth. But sexual immorality is not only pervasive in our culture, it is present in the church. If anger has slain its thousands among believers, then sexual sin has slain its tens of thousands....
Strength for the Hard Thing: That’s Daddy!
Perhaps you’ve been there — all alone, maybe even afraid. The outlook seems so bleak, the path forward so dark and uncertain. Suddenly, somebody comes along and just their presence brightens the path ahead and gives you strength. Such relief! Joshua was faced with an overwhelming...
Three Encouraging Truths About Suffering and Glory
If you are a Christian, you need not fear or dread suffering. In fact, when suffering is one day viewed from the perspective of your future in eternal glory, you will be thankful for it. Please don’t misunderstand. No one enjoys suffering, or seeks out suffering,...
The Essential Grip: Clinging to Christ When Tempted to Let Go
Imagine you and a friend decide to go free climbing on the rock-face of a very steep mountain. You want a maximum thrill. It’s just the two of you and some rope, just in case of an emergency. Your friend ascends to the first plateau, ties...
J. C. Penney: A Life of Integrity
At the age of 22, James Cash Penney (1875-1971) worked as a clerk for a “Golden Rule” store. His honesty and work ethic led the owners to eventually offer him a partnership, and he opened his own store. James was so successful that he bought out...
What Young George Muller Got Wrong, and then Right, About Bible Intake
I was a freshman in high school when the Lord saved me through hearing the gospel at a weekly Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting at my public high school. Once converted, I used a devotional provided by that ministry which amounted to reading a few verses...
“He Cannot Be My Disciple”: Jesus’ Conditions for Following Him
I recently traveled across the country to attend an international conference for the association that our local church is part of. When I arrived at the rental agency, they presented me with certain terms and conditions for my contract. I needed to be at least 25...
Understanding Suffering: Insights from Job
Where does suffering come from? Doesn’t God promise to protect us from suffering? The Book of Job provides divine wisdom meant to help us wrestle with these difficult questions by exploring the moral complexities of one godly man’s suffering. Here are five observations from Job’s suffering...
The Best Conversation I Ever Had
I am surprised that after so many decades I still remember one remarkable conversation as the best I’ve ever had outside of my immediate family. I’ve often reflected on it with amazement. A cousin by marriage met me in a restaurant in a suburb outside of...
Who is Affected By Sin?
The beginning of my loss of innocence came the day I discovered that a toy plastic disk fit nicely into a gumball machine — never mind that the toy disk was worth more than a penny. The value of the theft was small, but the resulting...
