Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you – Hebrews 13:5 Little Annie woke up in the middle of the night, screaming at the top of her voice. She had had a bad dream. The room was dark, and she felt lonely and afraid. “It’s alright, dear. Mommy is here.” Relieved, little Annie … Continue reading His Assured Presence

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil. 3:12). One of the most dangerous attitudes of Christian living is spiritual complacency – a situation where the child of God becomes … Continue reading Spiritual Complacency

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). The story is told of a play that drew crowds of Easter tourists. They all came to see the passion play depicting the cross of Calvary, and, O, what a moving drama it was, … Continue reading Th Weight of the Cross

Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? – Matthew 11:3  Doubt is an uncertain feeling in the mind that usually questions previously held beliefs. It has the potential of destroying relationships because it spawns suspicions about other peoples’ motives. When comfortably settled in one’s mind, it takes the … Continue reading The Poison of Doubt

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  (Phil 3:7). They said I was a fool, that I have lost my mind. My friends have shunned me because I am not the same person I was before – the one who sat with them over several packs of … Continue reading A View from a Resurrected Life

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly … No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize – 1 Cor. 9:26-27 Every year comes with its own promises and opportunities, and 2017 is … Continue reading Developing Self-Discipline

But David found strength in the Lord his God – 1 Samuel 30:6 The difference between hopelessness and promise is Jesus. Those who know this truth have found comfort and encouragement in Him over the years. Apart from the Savior of the world, there are no guarantees in life. But with His presence, the storms of life can … Continue reading Strength in His Presence

Then he said to him, “Follow me!” – Jn. 21:19 It was a cold and breezy morning on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (Jn. 21:1-23). The resurrected Jesus appeared to seven of His disciples after a night of fruitless fishing expedition. He dined with them over some hot broiled fish and bread, after which Jesus … Continue reading The Disciple and Doing God’s Will

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here – Luke 4:9 Jesus’ temptation is a powerful reminder of the intrigues of the devil in the lives of believers (Lk. 4:5, 9). The … Continue reading Prevailing for Fruitfulness