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“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12–14

Evangelist D. L. Moody told the story of a young student who enrolled at Amherst College. Immediately after he moved into his dormitory, he put a letter V over the door. Other students questioned him about it, but he refused to explain. As a result he endured a great deal of teasing and ridicule, but he simply went about his business. Four years later, he was giving the speech to the graduating class as the valedictorian of the school. He had set a goal, overcome obstacles, and persevered until he reached it.

If we want to accomplish meaningful and important endeavors, it is critically important that we stay focused on our goals. There are always going to be distractions and obstacles along the way. Nothing of value has ever been attained without effort. The difference between people who reach their goals and those who do not is not the absence of obstacles but the commitment to overcome them.

The calling of God on our lives is a high and noble thing, and it is worthy of our pursuit and full effort. When we allow difficulty to deter us from following God we demonstrate that we do not fully appreciate the importance of what we are meant to do for Him. In truth, God does not need us to accomplish His purposes—but He allows us to be part of His work in His grace. The work we are doing for Him deserves our very best.

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37–39

The brilliant English scientist Michael Faraday was a leader in the discovery of electromagnetism and its effects even though he had very little formal education. In addition to being a prolific researcher and writer, he was a committed Christian. It is said that on his deathbed a friend asked him about his speculations concerning death and the soul of man. “Speculations!” Faraday responded. “I know nothing about speculations. I’m resting on certainties. ‘I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.’”

When we look to the future, there are certainly many things that could cause us trouble. There are economic problems looming on the horizon. There are wars and rumors of wars in nations around the world. There are health scares and concerns. But no matter what happens, there is God. The Christian is never alone. We may face days when there is no apparent solution to the problems we have, but with God there is truly nothing that is impossible.

The source of our confidence is not our strength, ability, or resources, but the infinite power of God Almighty—and His unfailing faithfulness to keep his promises to us. There is nothing that can come between His love and us. The future does not need to be filled with worry and fear because God will always be with us no matter what happens. We can always completely rely on His Word.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”

1 John 1:1–2

Though Thomas Carlyle is best remembered as a philosopher, historian, and author, he was also a man of deep Christian faith. He had briefly considered the ministry in his youth, and his faith appears in many of his writings. It is said that when he was older, Carlyle was visited by the new pastor of the local church. After they talked for a few minutes, the young pastor asked what the greatest need of the parish was. Carlyle replied, “What this parish needs is a man who knows God otherwise than by hearsay.”

It is good to read the works and study the lives of great men and women of faith. It is crucial to hear the Word of God preached and taught on a regular basis. But there is no substitute for a personal, intimate, sustained relationship with God—not what we have heard from others but what we have gleaned for ourselves. The time that we spend individually in the Word and in prayer is the key to our spiritual strength.

The Apostle John had the privilege of three years spent with Jesus. He spent the remainder of his life telling others what he had learned from his time at Jesus’ feet. This is the pattern for all successful ministry to others. Whether it is preaching to a large crowd, discipling a new convert, bringing up a child, teaching a Sunday school class, or witnessing to a lost person, if we have no personal part in the message, it will be weak.

“Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”

Deuteronomy 33:25–27

Henry Moorhouse was a good friend of evangelist D. L. Moody. One of his daughters, Minnie, was paralyzed and unable to walk. He told the story that one day when he came home from his work he was especially burdened by several pressing matters. He had brought home a gift for his wife. Minnie, seeing it was delighted and asked if she could take it to her mother. “You cannot carry yourself. How will you carry the package?” he asked. “I will carry the package and you will carry me,” she replied. Taking the girl in his arms he carried her up the stairs to see her mother. And as he later told that story, he realized that day that no matter how great our burdens may be, as long as God carries us, they will never be too heavy to bear.

The Lord does not promise us a life free from burdens. In fact, although such a life may sound comfortable, it would actually be a curse rather than a blessing. The necessity of work and struggle to form our character is part of God’s plan for our lives. Jeremiah wrote, “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:27). The problem comes when we attempt to deal with our burdens in our own strength rather than relying on God. This is a recipe for frustration and failure. Rather than going it alone, we need to constantly be resting on the promises of God for His help.

“And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.”

2 Kings 4:2–4

One of the clearest pictures of God’s provision for our needs is seen in the story of a widow who came to Elisha in desperation. Her husband had died leaving the family in debt, and her two sons were about to be taken and forced to work for others to pay what was owed. Faced with this problem, the prophet tasked her with using the only asset that she had—a small pot of oil. In his instruction to her to borrow vessels from her neighbors, Elisha said, “borrow not a few.” The Bible doesn’t tell us how many pots she borrowed from her neighbors, but the little oil she had filled them all. If she had borrowed more, there would have been even more oil available.

There are too many times when we pray for God to do big things for us but act as if He will only do a little. While we should never be foolish or presumptuous (people sometimes do things in what they call faith that are not based on what God has promised), we should prepare ourselves for God to do great and mighty things for us. We serve the God who created the world, who parted the Red Sea, who stopped the mouths of the lions, and who raised the dead. Nothing is impossible for Him.

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”

Luke 17:15–17

Thomas Lipton finished his life as a wealthy and successful businessman, best known for the tea company that bears his name, but he started out as a poor boy working hard to make a living. Late in his life he reflected on some of the lessons he had learned in his early days. Lipton heard a young man who worked for him mention that he couldn’t afford a new coat and decided to help. He said, “I thought the matter over and then took a sovereign from my carefully hoarded savings and bought the boy a stout warm suit of blue cloth. He was so grateful that I felt repaid for my sacrifice. But the next day he didn’t come to work. I met his mother on the street and asked her the reason. ‘Why, Mr. Lipton,’ she said, curtsying, ‘Jimmie looks so respectable, thanks to you, sir, that I thought I would send him around town today to see if he couldn’t get a better job!’”

There is a real temptation for us, especially after we have been saved for a number of years, to lose the deep sense of gratitude that we should have for God’s mercy. We deserve nothing from God except judgment for our sins. Yet in His love He offers forgiveness for sins and membership in His family. All of the benefits we receive as Christians were purchased with the precious blood of Jesus. We should live each day full of gratitude and rejoicing, but too often we take for granted what we have received and act as though we should get more.

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”

Luke 4:14–16

In an article called “Shall We Do Away with the Church?” that appeared in Ladies’ Home Journal in 1917, former President Theodore Roosevelt addressed the importance of regular church attendance. He wrote, “I know all the excuses; I know that one can worship the Creator and dedicate oneself to good living in a grove of trees or by a running brook or in one’s own house just as well as in a church, but I also know that as a matter of cold fact, the average man does not worship or thus dedicate himself. If he stays away from church he does not spend his time in good works or in lofty meditation.”

Over the years I have noticed that people who wait until Sunday morning to decide whether or not they will go to church usually decide not to go. There will always be a reason why it is more convenient to stay at home or do something else. But Christians who are not regularly present for fellowship, worship, and the teaching and preaching of the Word are missing a vital resource for victorious living. God does not want us to wander away from the flock because it exposes us to danger.

Unless it is impossible for us to be there, attendance at the services of the church should be a regular, habitual part of the normal Christian life. It is much harder for Satan to derail a Christian who is faithful to his church.

“There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

John 5:32–35

A pastor from the early twentieth century, Ralph V. Gilbert, recounted a European tradition witnessed by one of his church members. The ancient building had no electrical system, and so for the evening services each member brought a small lamp that would affix to specially prepared holders at the end of each pew. When the members of the church assembled, the entire church would be beautifully illuminated. Gilbert wrote: “We do not carry lamps to church, but we do send forth light. When we are absent there is darkness in our stead—the more people at church, the greater the inspiration. Many small lamps together make a great and beautiful light.”

There is a clear command in Scripture for us concerning how we live in this world. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Each of us has the responsibility to be our part of the light that is meant to shine brightly before a darkened world and show them God’s glory.

God’s plan is not for one or two “super Christians” to light up the entire world but for His children to carry their own small reflection of His light to their homes, their workplaces, their neighborhoods, and their churches. If every believer took this personal responsibility, the world would quickly notice.

“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:24–25

Late in his life the noted German chemist August Wilhelm von Hofmann made a trip back to the United Kingdom where he had worked for many years before returning to his native land. One of the purposes of his trip was to visit the British scientist Lord Kelvin. According to the story, he arrived in town too late on a Saturday evening to go to the house and meet his esteemed colleague, so he got up Sunday morning and went instead. When he knocked on the door, von Hofmann was informed that Lord Kelvin was not at home. He inquired of the housekeeper where he might find Kelvin and was told, “You will find him in church, sir, where you ought to be.”

There is enormous value to our Christian life and to our work for God in being in the right place at the right time. Whether it is faithfulness to our jobs, to our families, or to our churches, being where we should be allows us to be part of the work that God is doing. But it also offers us protection. David should have responded properly when he was tempted by the sight of Bathsheba bathing herself. Yet if he had been with his men on the field of battle where he should have been, he would never even have been tempted. Similarly, if Thomas the disciple had been with the others when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection, Thomas would not be known to us today as “Doubting Thomas.” Simply being where we are supposed to be is one of the most important things we can do in our daily lives. It may not draw a lot of attention or praise, but it is vital.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Hebrews 13:5–6

When David Livingstone gave his life to the mission field of Africa, he did so without reservation. He literally gave his life to take the gospel where it had never been heard. Late in his life he made a rare trip back to Great Britain where the Glasgow University would award him an honorary degree. The Livingstone who stood to address the crowd that day bore little resemblance to the man who had left England years before. He was painfully thin from the impact of malaria and other tropical diseases. His left arm, which had been mauled by a lion, hung limply at his side.

He told the crowd with joy that he was preparing to return to Africa again. In his speech Livingstone said, “Would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.”

Whether it is just a “normal” day or a great challenge, we are always in need of God’s help. The wonderful reality is that He is always faithful to provide what we need. Many of us have experienced the pain of a friend who let us down or someone who failed to be there when we needed them most. God never does that. He is our constant and unfailing source of strength and support.

“O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke. Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

Jeremiah 15:15–16

William Tyndale had a burning passion to translate the Word of God into the English language so that people could read it for themselves. For this “crime” he was persecuted, forced to leave England and live in exile, and eventually tried and executed. While he was in prison, Tyndale wanted to continue his work on this vital task. He wrote to a supporter, “I entreat your lordship that by the Lord Jesus, if I must remain here for the winter, you would beg the Commissary to be so kind as to send me, from the things of mine which he has, a warmer cap—I feel the cold painfully in my head. Also a warmer cloak, for the one I have is very thin. But most of all I entreat you and implore your kindness to do your best with the Commissary to be so good as to send me my Hebrew Bible, grammar, and dictionary, that I may spend my time in that pursuit.”

Most of us have several Bibles in our homes, in addition to having the Scriptures available on phones, tablets, and laptops. Yet in spite of (or perhaps because of) that ready availability, many believers neglect the Word of God. The Bible that only comes out on Sundays to go to church will have little impact on a life. All of us need regular times of Bible reading and study for ourselves—in addition to the input we receive in church and other settings—to be healthy and growing Christians.

“Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:5–8

D. L. Moody was not saved until he was a teenager, and later in his life he recalled the dread of death that had filled his youth before his salvation. He said, “I well remember how, in my native village in New England, it was customary to toll the church bell as many strokes as the departed was years old. Anxiously I would count the strokes, and, if there were seventy or eighty, I would breathe a sigh of relief, thinking I had a long time yet to live. But when there were only a few years tolled, I was seized with horror that I, too, should be claimed by dreaded death. Death and judgment were a constant source of fear to me till I realized that neither shall have any hold on a child of God; for ‘there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.’”

Death is one of the most feared things in our world today. It used to be customary for churches to have a cemetery by their building, but very few newer churches include one. There are many reasons for this, including zoning ordinances. But in any case, people don’t want to be reminded of the reality of death. For the Christian, however, there is nothing to dread. Jesus removed the pain from death and took it away forever.

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

2 Timothy 3:2–5

While it is undeniable that our culture is in rapid decline, with ungodliness being praised and protected and Christians being condemned for believing what the Bible teaches, this is hardly a new phenomenon. The Roman world in which Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy (while he was in jail for preaching the gospel) was certainly not a shining example of a God-honoring society. And, in fact, Paul warned Timothy that as bad as things were, they were about to get worse.

Tucked into this call to stand firm in the face of evil, Paul makes passing mention of something that is critically important—the power of godliness. The more like God we are, the more power our witness and testimony will have in the world. Of course this does not mean that we will be loved and respected by the world. Many of the members of the early church gave their lives for their faith. But their powerful message and their commitment to walk in the footsteps of Jesus could not be denied.

God’s plan for us, conceived long before we were born, is for us to be like Him. Paul wrote, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). The world will not help us become more godly, but the tools that God has given us for this vital task—the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the fellowship of other believers—are still able to work to make us more like His Son.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13–15

One of the most touching stories in all of Scripture is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, were special friends to the Lord. When Lazarus got sick, it was natural for them to ask Jesus to come and help. Yet instead of rushing to heal His friend, Jesus stayed where He was. In fact, He didn’t even appear in Bethany until Lazarus had not only died, but had been buried for four days. Knowing that He would in just a few moments raise Lazarus from the dead and turn the sisters’ mourning into celebration, Jesus was still touched by the grief of His friends, and He wept. He was as Isaiah prophesied, “A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

There is real sorrow in this world. Because of sin we all have to deal with the effects of loss and grief which come with death. But while our sorrow is real, it is also tempered with the knowledge that we have a Saviour who not only loves and cares for us, but one who knows our sorrows. Even better, we have the blessed hope to look forward to—the certain knowledge that He has promised to return for us. The life we have on this earth is merely a shadow of what is to come. When we realize that death is only temporary, we still sorrow, but we also have hope.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

Lamentations 3:21–25

I love the little saying, “God’s grip don’t slip!” The grammar may not be perfect, but the faith expressed is. God has never abandoned one of His children, and we can always count on Him. Through every trial and hardship of life, He remains faithful. Isaiah recorded this wonderful promise from God: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2).

There may be times when friends turn against us or when even family forsakes us. There may be times when our health fails, when our job vanishes, or a home is lost. But, there will never be a time when God abandons us. David wrote, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up” (Psalm 27:10). Even if we lose everything else that we hold dear, He will always be faithful.

There is no way that our finite minds can fully comprehend the depth of the love that God has for us. Perhaps the best way for us to understand His compassion and mercy is to look at the cross. The enormity of the sacrifice that was made to purchase our salvation should be a constant source of encouragement to us. God is calling us to live in the awareness of His unfailing mercy so we will not lose heart in hard times.

“And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”

1 Kings 17:11–12

It is easy to think we could have strong faith if we had a little more—if there were money in the bank to cover unexpected bills, if the job were secure and not under threat, or if we could see how things would all work out. But in truth, that is not faith at all. Paul declared this clearly when he wrote, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). The truth is that if we do not trust God when we only have a little, we would not trust Him if we had more.

The widow to whom Elijah was sent during the great famine lived in a heathen country where God was not worshiped. In fact, she lived in the land ruled by the family of the wicked queen Jezebel where Baal was considered the deity. Yet when the prophet from Israel came to her home, she was willing to not only give him water during the drought, but to share the very last of her food with Elijah as well. She was down to her last handful of flour—so little that she only needed two sticks to make a fire big enough to cook it, but she was willing to obey what God said. Because she trusted God when she only had a little, she and her son were saved from the famine. Faith considers the promises instead of the circumstances and acts in obedience.

“Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”

Exodus 33:13–15

Moses faced challenges that are far beyond what most of us can imagine. He was tasked with leading the Children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite the miraculous power of God revealed in the plagues that freed them from bondage and the ongoing miracles of provision and protection they benefited from, the Israelites were not content. They often complained about both Moses’ leadership and God’s provision. Rather than being grateful and confident, they were covetous and fearful.

These were the people Moses was supposed to lead. And for forty years he took on that difficult task and the amazing level of responsibility that came with it. How was he able to endure the load he carried? Moses endured because he understood the importance of the presence of God. In his powerful psalm of prayer and praise, Moses wrote, “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations” (Psalm 90:1). He was not willing to go it alone.

Like Moses, we face challenges daily. Though we may not be responsible for leading vast crowds of people, we face a world we cannot overcome in our own strength. Too many Christians are trying to accomplish alone what can only be done in the presence of God. Through His Word and through prayer we enter into close fellowship and communion with Him, and it is only through the power that we receive there that we can live a victorious and overcoming life.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:1–4

Though Winston Churchill grew up to become a gifted politician and greatly respected leader, he was wild and unfocused as a boy. He often disappointed his father, Lord Randolph Churchill, who was quick to point out his failures. When Churchill was admitted to Sandstone Military Academy rather than the more prestigious school his father had preferred, Randolph Churchill sent him a scathing letter. He wrote, “Never have I received a really good report of your conduct from any headmaster or tutor. Always behind, incessant complaints of a total want of application to your work. Do not think that I am going to take the trouble of writing you long letters after every failure you commit and undergo. I no longer attach the slightest weight to anything you may say.”

Though Churchill achieved a great deal of success in his life, he was never able to fill the void left by the lack of a loving father. One of the most sobering realities that I ever realized was that much of what my children thought about who God is was shaped by the way I interacted with them. Fathers have a tremendous responsibility to represent the Heavenly Father to their families. But this is more than just an obligation—it is a wonderful opportunity. If we invest time, discipline, and love into our children, we can make a powerful impact on the future. “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth” (Psalm 127:4).

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalm 103:2–5

As children of God, we have the opportunity to come into His presence through prayer and make our requests to Him. Yet sometimes it seems like people pray as if He were a harsh and uncaring God who had to be persuaded to meet their needs. God is not like that! He delights in the opportunity to meet the needs of His children. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

In his journal, missionary Hudson Taylor wrote: “Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning...He sustained three million Israelites in the wilderness for forty years. We do not expect He will send three million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all...Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

The wonder of grace opens the doors to the throne of Heaven for us. Our prayers go to a loving Father who already knows what we need. He has the resources that will satisfy our deepest needs. It is His pleasure to do good things for us, just as those of us who are parents delight in helping our children. God does not resent our prayers—He is pleased by our faith to ask for His help.

“But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

Mark 9:27–29

While Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, a desperate father brought his demon possessed son to the other disciples and asked for help. They were unable to cast out the demon. When Jesus returned, the powerlessness of His followers caused the father to doubt Jesus. He said, “If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us” (Mark 9:22). Jesus cast out the demon, and then later explained to the disciples that there are times when spiritual victory requires the discipline of fasting.

Dr. John R. Rice said, “The spirit of fasting simply means that one, for the time being, is willing to abstain from the otherwise normal and proper duties or pleasures that he may give himself wholly to the business of prayer. So fasting is really putting God first when one prays, wanting God more than one wants food, more than one wants sleep, more than one wants fellowship with others, more than one wants to attend to business.”

Fasting is not a magic formula that requires God to work as we think He should. (Prayer is never us instructing God; it is always us requesting something of Him.) Instead, fasting expresses intense seriousness about our situation and demonstrates our utter and complete reliance on God’s help. While some prayers are answered immediately, there are other times when we must keep praying and even give up eating or other pleasures for the sake of seeing the victory won and our needs met.

“Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?”

Isaiah 58:3–5

All across our country there are people who go to church, carry Bibles, and claim to be Christians. Yet our society is not becoming more godly as time passes. Though there are millions who claim to be following Jesus, there is little evidence that they are impacting the world. When Paul preached in Thessalonica, the opponents of the gospel cried out, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (Acts 17:6). That certainly does not describe the impact most churches are making on their communities in our day.

Of course not all those who claim to be following Jesus are actually believers—there are many false churches and false gospels being preached. But another part of the problem is that it is easy for Christians to fall into the trap of thinking that because they do all the “church things” they are doing what God wants. God is most interested in the state of our hearts, and no amount of outward conforming will substitute for loving Him as we should. When the outward indicators are wrong, the problem is easy to spot; but it is also possible to have the right forms but be far from God within.

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

1 Corinthians 9:24–27

The great pianist Vladimir Horowitz was known for his technical ability and willingness to take on the most difficult pieces and play them with flair. But his skill was the result of laborious and diligent hours of daily practice. Horowitz told an interviewer that if he skipped practice for a single day he could tell a difference. He went on to say that if he skipped three days, other pianists could detect a decline. Then he said that if he skipped a week, anyone who listened could tell something was off. Even though he had played for decades, he had to continue practicing to maintain his edge.

When Paul said “I keep under my body” he was not talking lightly. The Greek word used indicates beating something until it is bruised—today we would say to beat something black and blue. Our sinful nature does not just lie down and give up without a fight. Victorious Christian living requires sustained, diligent effort on a daily basis. The battle against the flesh is not a one-time skirmish. Instead, it is an ongoing battle we must fight throughout our lives. That is why Paul wrote, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Paul recognized that even after years of service to God, he was still at risk of falling if he let down his guard.

“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.”

Deuteronomy 6:1–2

In the life of Daniel we see an amazing illustration of what happens when the truths of God’s Word are taught to children at a young age and those truths enter into their hearts. Daniel was taken far from home and family. His name was changed and he was put into an education system that was designed to break down his allegiance to his native land and his religious training. Although many young people from different countries, including some from Israel, caved in to this system, Daniel did not. The key to his ability to withstand the pressures he faced is found in his commitment to remain true to the God of Israel.

The Bible says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). The most important part of training children is not the memorization of facts or the ability to make academic achievements. The most important aspect of parenting or teaching children is reaching the heart. It is helping them develop a tender heart toward God and to make God-honoring decisions that will serve as a compass for future choices in their lives.

“And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:”

Exodus 20:1–4

When God gave Moses the instructions that would guide the behavior of the Children of Israel, He began with a command that He must always be kept in first place. This command was given first because without this, nothing else we do can be pleasing to God. This principle is repeated again for us in the New Testament with a similar emphasis. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37–38).

Yet in our day God occupies a very low place on the priority list in many people’s lives. While we are too sophisticated to carve golden idols and bow down before them, there is a great deal of idolatry all around us. This is not just true in the world, but it has crept into the church as well. God knows this tendency of our hearts. It is easy for us to allow other things to take His rightful place, and He warns us that we must keep Him on the throne of our hearts and lives.

Many of the sins Christians commit reveal that they are pursuing happiness and fulfillment apart from seeking God. All the pleasures of earth are temporary. Only through our love and obedience to God can we hope to experience the eternal and lasting joy that He offers those who worship Him rightly.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Matthew 7:21–23

Jesus warned us that one day when all of the trappings and assumptions of this life are face to face with the God who sees and knows everything, many people will be surprised at their eternal destiny. The reality is many people who claim to know the Lord, and even do things in His name do not have a real, personal relationship with Him. How tragic it would be to reach that point resting in a false assumption of salvation! Many people are trusting in the things they do to save them, but that effort is doomed to failure. No amount of good works can atone for our sins.

However it is not just people in false religions that are at risk. From time to time through the years I have seen someone who has been attending a sound, Bible-preaching church for many years come to a point where they realize they have no personal salvation. Sometimes they are actively involved in church ministry, faithful in attendance, and appear to be a committed Christian. Yet they never called on the name of the Lord for salvation. Peter wrote, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” (2 Peter 1:10). He was not encouraging people to live in doubt and worry, but to be certain that they are truly children of God.

“And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.”

Ezekiel 33:31–32

We talk a lot about the vital importance of the Word of God to the Christian life. We must have both the teaching and preaching of the Word in church, and personal time reading, studying, and meditating on the Scriptures if our walk with God is to be what it should be. Yet there is one further requirement—our reading must be serious, reflective, life-changing reading if the Bible is to have its needed impact. George Müller said, “Now what is food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the Word of God; and here again, not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water passes through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering it over and applying it to our hearts.”

A casual glance at a few verses now and then does not produce life change. The point of the Bible is not simply information; it’s transformation. God has given us His Word in order to change us from what we are to what He wants us to be. James wrote, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25). When we become doers of the Word rather than just hearers, our lives will make a difference for God in the world.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23–24

One of the most damaging false teachings of our day is the idea that we are all basically good, and that if we just understand ourselves a little better, we can do what is right in our own power. Of course this particular temptation is not new—it was part of Satan’s tactics in the Garden of Eden. He said to Eve, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). The idea of self-determination is appealing, but it is based on a false premise.

In truth, because of our fallen nature, we are incapable of rightly evaluating ourselves: “Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24). The only hope that we have for an accurate measure is for God to work on our behalf. Anyone who has ever tried to hang a picture knows the importance of an absolute standard of measurement to the task. You can attempt to “eyeball” the frame and determine when it is straight. But when you get a tape measure out and check your work against an objective standard, you often find that what appeared to be straight actually wasn’t after all.

The problem is that while we are often quite gifted in identifying the faults and failures of others, we find ourselves strangely blind to our own. As a result we develop judgmental attitudes, and allow sin to grow unchecked in our hearts with devastating results. It should be part of every Christian’s regular practice to seek the revealing conviction of the Holy Spirit for unseen faults in their own lives.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Ephesians 1:4–6

Through God’s grace, every Christian has received a complete and total transformation. His sins have been forgiven; washed away in the blood of Jesus. His destiny has been changed from Hell to Heaven, and he has gone from having Satan as his father to being part of the family of God. This is a wonderful change, but often as believers, we struggle to live in the reality of what has happened. The gift of God is so wonderful and so undeserved, that we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that it is “too good to be true” and that there must be a catch.

There are constant attacks from Satan reminding us of our failings in the past. We tend to focus on our shortcomings rather than on the wonderful salvation God has provided. While we should never be content with not doing our best, and we should quickly repent and confess when we sin, we should also remember that the past is gone. Charles Spurgeon said, “When you bury a mad dog, don’t leave his tail above the ground!”

We are not only forgiven, we are accepted in God’s eyes. Notice that the Bible does not say we will be accepted or can be accepted, but that we already are accepted. When we have confessed and dealt with our past sins, they are buried and will never be held against us again. God wants us to live in faith, believing all that He has done for us.

“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”

Psalm 18:32–35

God is good and loving and kind, but that is not the complete picture. He is also the God of battle. The Bible name “Lord of Hosts” is the term for a military commander. Though we pray and hope for peace, there are times when it is necessary for Christians to take up arms in defense of their nation, their homes, and their families. America has been blessed through our history to have such men put their lives on the line for our freedom while they relied on God, and they deserve our appreciation and honor.

During the last days of World War I, Sargent Alvin York was involved in heavy fighting in the Argonne Forest. During one day of fighting York captured more than 130 German soldiers, becoming one of the most highly decorated soldiers in United States history. When news of his feat spread, York became a national hero. A few months after the war ended he returned to the site of the battle with his commanding officer, General Lindsey.

In his diary York recounted that the general asked, “York, how did you do it.” Sargent York responded, “Sir, it is not man power. A higher power than man power guided and watched over me and told me what to do.” After a moment the general responded, “York, you are right.” When Christians must fight, they should do so in full reliance on the Lord of Hosts.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.”

Psalm 33:12–14

When the long battle for America’s independence ended, the Continental Army that General George Washington led through great hardship to victory was disbanded. Before he left New York to return to his home at Mt. Vernon, General Washington wrote a letter to the governors of the thirteen states that made up the new nation. In the conclusion of his letter Washington wrote:

“I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in His holy protection; that He would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”

God has blessed America greatly. While we are not a Christian nation in the sense that all are believers, our government was founded on Christian principles and understanding. The farther we go away from the truth as a nation, the farther we go from God’s protective hand. Our great hope for the future is not political change but genuine revival.

“For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.”

Isaiah 3:1–4

John Adams moved into the White House in late 1800, before all of the construction work was completed. On his second night there, he wrote a letter to his wife Abigail who was still at their home in Massachusetts. In concluding that letter he wrote, “Before I end my letter, I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof.” Today those words can be seen on the fireplace in the State Dining Room of the White House.

One of the ways God judged the nation of Israel was to give them leaders who were not qualified for the task. As Christians, our most important task is to share the gospel. That is the only source of true and lasting change. But at the same time, we also have a responsibility to pray for those who lead our land; praying that they will lead in the fear of God and submit to the will of God.

Under the oppressive rule and persecution of the Roman Empire, Paul wrote to Timothy, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.”

Psalm 10:4–7

Those of us who have been saved for any length of time have heard a number of warnings regarding the dangers of pride. We know that pride is wrong and dangerous, yet many times we fall into the trap anyway. Satan was lifted up in pride, and that led to his rebellion against God. “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” (Isaiah 14:13).

The danger of pride is that it removes God from the center of our thoughts. His intention is for us to be fully and completely devoted to Him. Instead, we too often put our own interests and desires on the throne.

Contrast the attitude of Satan with that of John the Baptist. The greatly used preacher was given the task of announcing the coming of the Messiah. Yet after Jesus was revealed, the large crowds that had once come to hear John, followed Jesus instead. John could have been bitter and disappointed, allowing pride to prevent him from seeing and following God’s plan. Instead he rejoiced saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). The world may have regarded John as a failure, but his humble spirit shown brightly in the eyes of God.

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 4:1–4

All of us have people we want to think well of us. Whether it is a parent, a spouse, a boss, a neighbor or a friend, we want these people to believe that we are worthwhile and successful in our lives. This is a normal tendency for people, but it can easily get us in trouble. The old expression “Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses” highlighted the dangers of trying to impress the neighbors with the latest houses, cars and clothes. Many people have placed themselves in great financial difficulty trying to win the approval and acceptance of others.

While it is not wrong to want others to think well of us as long as the means by which we try to gain approval are legitimate, there is ultimately only one whose opinion matters—and He is the One who sees through every effort we make to make ourselves look better than we really are. God not only knows everything we think and do, He knows why we do the things we do. He is the ultimate judge of the success or failure of our lives. Knowing that one day we will give an account to Him should motivate us to obedience. Jesus said, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:8–10

The Christian life is not a self reliant life. It is a life that can only be lived successfully in the power of God and in our complete dependence on Him. The missionary Hudson Taylor said, “Many Christians estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources, and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt. All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence with them.”

When God commissioned Gideon to deliver the children of Israel from the Midianite oppression, he sent out a call for those who wanted to join him. More than thirty thousand showed up, and God told him that was too many. (Keep in mind that the Midianite army numbered 150,000.) “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me” (Judges 7:2). After two rounds of testing there were 300 left, and God used them to win the battle.

One of the things that makes it hard for us to fully rely on God is that doing so removes any chance for us to claim the credit for victory—and our pride resists that. But God will not share the glory for His work, and if we want to see His power, then we must rely on Him.

“For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Matthew 8:9–10

Jesus marveled at the faith of a Roman centurion who understood the link between faith and active obedience. The centurion’s faith was displayed when he recognized that the disease afflicting his beloved servant would be obedient to Jesus just as his soldiers were to his orders. Jesus healed that servant without even going to the town where he was because of the centurion’s faith.

There is no such thing as passive faith—it is a contradiction in terms. When we have faith, we do whatever God says, trusting that He knows better than we do.

Oswald Chambers wrote, “The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us. God calls us to His service and places tremendous responsibilities on us. He expects no complaining on our part and offers no explanation on His part. God wants to use us as He used His own Son.” If we are not willing for God to use us as He sees fit, we are not truly living by faith.

Some people do things that have nothing to do with what God tells us in His Word and call that faith, but it is not. But a bigger problem for many of us is not doing what God says because we do not see how it will work out if we do. Whether it is giving, witnessing, parenting, or anything else, following God’s plan works, and it demonstrates that our faith is a real and living faith.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”

John 10:27–30

One of the most beautiful metaphors for our salvation is found in the teaching of Jesus on shepherds and sheep. Of course these were familiar images to His listeners. The sight of a shepherd leading a flock of sheep across the mountains and valleys was one they saw regularly. Though cattle are driven, sheep are led. Sheep are not particularly intelligent animals—they are in need of constant care and protection.

Jesus promised that He Himself will be our Shepherd—and that He never loses a sheep. This truth is so important for us to remember in difficult days. We may not see the way forward, but we do not have to. Jesus knows exactly where the green pastures and still waters are, and if we will follow Him we will find rest.

Dr. John R. Rice said, “Christians don’t always do all that they ought to do. But He said, ‘My sheep hear my voice.’ I thank God that, though I have not followed Him as I ought, even from childhood, in early days as just a young convert, in my heart something burned when I did wrong, and made me wish that I were better, and made me want to do right. I wanted to hear the voice of the Saviour. Not perfectly, I know. Well, a sheep is not a perfect sheep just because he goes along with the shepherd. But Jesus said, ‘I know my sheep.’”

“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.”

Luke 9:51–52

Opening his own restaurant on Saratoga Lake in upstate New York was a great achievement for George Crum. He had been a hunter and guide in the area before becoming well known as a cook in one of the premiere vacation spots for wealthy New Yorkers. The story goes that one day as a rich diner (by some accounts, Cornelius Vanderbilt, although that appears doubtful) repeatedly sent his potatoes back to the kitchen for being too thick, Crum finally got frustrated and grabbing his sharpest knife sliced the potatoes paper thin and fried them—inventing the “Saratoga chip,” the forerunner of the modern potato chip.

Whatever the exact details of the story, there is a powerful truth on display. No one has ever accomplished anything of importance without overcoming obstacles along the way. As Ben Franklin put it, “The door of success swings on the hinges of opposition.” The difference between those who succeed and fail is not whether they avoid obstacles, but whether they overcome them. When it was time for Jesus to go to Jerusalem, the Bible says He “set his face” in that direction. He would not allow anything to deter Him from what God had called Him to do.

We can always quit and give up when things get hard, or we can choose to persevere and find a way to accomplish what needs to be done. Successful disciples follow the example that Jesus set and carry on even in the face of criticism, opposition, and great difficulty. Jesus endured the hardships He faced, and if we trust Him, He will empower us to do the same.

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

Matthew 10:37–39

I heard a preacher tell the story of a father who was trying to get his young son’s hand out of a rather valuable vase. They twisted and turned and tried everything they could think of to avoid breaking the vase, but the little boy’s hand stayed firmly lodged in the vase. Finally the father said, “Let’s try one more time. Put your fingers straight and close together and let me pull.” The little boy looked up and said, “No, Daddy. If I put my fingers straight out I will drop my dime.”

God graciously provides us with many good things to enjoy in this life. The problem is that good things come with a temptation—that we will fall in love with the things rather than the God who provided them. Moses issued a stern warning to the Children of Israel before they entered the Promised Land. He told them that they were about to be given houses and lands and orchards through conquest, and that this great blessing posed a great danger: “Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage” (Deuteronomy 6:12).

Instead of clinging tightly to our possessions, we must view ourselves as stewards—those responsible for things that ultimately belong to another. If we look at our belongings from this viewpoint, it will be far easier for us to go through life with open hands, willing to give up whatever God requires.

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

Hebrews 11:17–19

There are several times in the Bible where someone who had been dead was brought back to life. Elijah and Elisha in the Old Testament prayed, and God resurrected boys who had died. Jesus brought three people back to life during His ministry, and Peter and Paul each raised one person from the dead. In our day we have the record of the Word of God to strengthen our faith when we need God to do something that seems to be impossible—He has done it before!

But in the time of Abraham, God’s Word had not yet been given to man. Abraham had no history of people being raised from the dead. He simply believed that God was going to keep His promises and acted accordingly. That is the bottom line of what faith is. When God instructed Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the promised son for whom he had waited for decades, Abraham packed up and went out to do just that.

The book of Hebrews tells us that Abraham went to Mt. Moriah expecting to kill his beloved son, and expecting God would then bring Isaac back to life. Why did Abraham believe that when it had never happened before? Because God had promised that Abraham’s line would continue through Isaac to become a great nation, and he knew the same God who had allowed him to father a child in his old age would keep that promise as well. One of the greatest needs of our world today is Christians who have faith to obey what God says.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

1 Timothy 6:6–9

There is an old saying that dates back about two hundred years: “There are no pockets in a shroud.” In our day, funerals are conducted with people wearing nice clothing, but in the past bodies were more commonly wrapped in a simple piece of cloth—a shroud—that did not have any pockets. The symbolism is obvious. No matter how much “stuff” we manage to accumulate in this life, it all stays behind. Those whose only purpose in life is to get more and more may succeed in earthly terms, but anyone who understands what is eternally important knows that such a life is wasted.

It is said that in an old graveyard in England there is a crumbling tombstone that reads:

Here lies a miser who lived for himself
He spent all of his life in gathering wealth
Where he is now and how he fares
Nobody knows and nobody cares.

Our society may be obsessed with getting more things, but God’s people should live by a different standard. We are called to be content—not to be constantly striving and grasping for more and more and more. The dirty secret of greed is that more is never enough. Solomon put it this way: “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). The devil has been feeding discontent in the hearts of men and women since the Garden of Eden, and the tactic is still working for him, but we must resist it.

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

Psalm 95:1–3

As Christians, we have so much for which to be thankful. Yet, as we read the Bible, we see many reminders to God’s people to appreciate and give thanks for what they have received. Why do we need so many reminders? I believe in large part it is because we tend to be self-focused. When we get good things we can easily fall into the trap of believing it happened because we were worthy and deserving, and there is no reason to be thankful for getting what you deserve.

The truth is that we are not only saved by grace, but that every good thing we receive as Christians is due to God’s loving heart displayed toward us, not because of our performance but because of His nature. James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). If we view the good things we receive as God does—as gifts from Him—then we will not find it hard to be thankful.

Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, “When gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s heart, that man is well nigh hopeless.” Every day, not just once a year, we have ample and abundant reasons to give thanks to our loving Heavenly Father. If we are not willing to do so it is an indication that something is seriously wrong in our hearts. We should be the kind of Christians who do not wait for special occasions to express our gratitude for all we have been given.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Romans 8:31–34

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is absolutely essential for our salvation. If Jesus only died then He could not be our Saviour. Paul wrote, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). But Jesus did rise from the dead. This truth, however, is not only central to our salvation. The resurrection is also necessary for our daily Christian walk.

Each day we face challenges and spiritual battles. The devil is actively working to undermine our testimony and tempt us to sin. The world is filled with alluring alternatives to the obedience and submission God demands. We need more than we have within ourselves to live as victorious believers. The good news is that the living Jesus is not just a bystander or observer to our lives. The Bible tells us that He is actively working on our behalf, praying and advocating before the Father for us.

There are some people I know who are wonderful prayer warriors. If I am facing a particular challenge, I rejoice that I have these people who I can ask to pray for me, and even without knowing all the details they will join me in prayer. But as comforting as that is, there is something far better—the risen Lord Jesus, who knows exactly what I need, is praying for me as well.

“Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

1 Corinthians 10:8–11

The story of the Israelites on their journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land is a repeated pattern of disobedience, judgment, and repentance. Sadly, it is not a pattern of learning from mistakes! Instead the people grumbled and complained about the same things over and over. They feared to follow God rather than acting in faith, and they were ungrateful for the many blessings that God showered on them. Time and again they sinned against the God who delivered and provided for them. Paul tells us that these stories are not just in the Bible as historical truth, but as examples for us to consider as we determine how we should live.

Someone said, “While it may be true that a wise man learns from his mistakes, it is a wiser man who learns from the mistakes of others.” The Bible is filled with commandments given to us by an all-wise, all-knowing God. The things that God tells us to do are not to cause us pain, and the things He tells us not to do are not to keep us from pleasure. God not only gives us His commands, but He provides examples to show us what happens when we do and do not follow them. Yet far too many Christians persist in believing that somehow they will be an exception to the rules—that they can sin and avoid the consequences—and then are surprised to find God has not changed.

“Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

John 10:24–27

Our all-powerful God created everything in the universe—the innumerable stars, the planets, and all living things on our planet. In light of the wonders of the creation he saw all around him, David asked, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:4). But there is something even more amazing than God taking notice of man with all that is going on. This is not a collective—it is individual. Out of all the billions of people who lived since Adam was created, God knows me, and He knows you.

God does not just love “the world” but He loves each of us as individuals. God knows everything about me, not just what I do but what I think and feel. And He still not only knows me but loves me. There is no greater measure of His infinite grace than that He extends it to such unworthy, unloveable people such as us.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus uses God’s knowledge and love for us to explain why we do not have to live with worry and fear. “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:31–32).

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:22–24

As Christians, we have a dual responsibility and obligation in everything we do. In addition to our responsibilities in human relationships as parents, children, friends, employees, bosses, and neighbors, we are also children of God. We carry His name with us everywhere we go, and we must never forget that our conduct reflects on our Lord. The image that people in the world have of God is not usually formed by the truths of Scripture but by the reflection of Him that they see in our lives.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “There is about a real Christian a prevailing sense that God sees him, and he does not care who else may set his eye upon him; it is enough for him that God is there. He hath small respect to the eye of man, he neither courts nor dreads it. Let the good deed remain in the dark, for God sees it there, and that is enough; or let it be blazoned in the light of day to be pecked at by the censorious, for it little matters who censures since God approves.”

When our primary focus is not on how we look to others but on how we look to God, the human relationships will take care of themselves. If we are aware of His presence, we will not need to be told to work diligently, to react thoughtfully, and to love genuinely. Realizing that we are working for Him in any and every situation changes the way we view our tasks and those around us. Living this way has a powerful impact on the world.

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

2 Timothy 4:1–4

The final letter that Paul was inspired to write to Timothy was the last one he wrote prior to his execution in Rome. The letter represents the aged apostle’s final opportunity to instruct his protégé and equip him to continue the ministry. Near the end of the letter, he gives Timothy a firm instruction: “Preach the Word.”

Today there are lots of “experts” counseling churches and pastors on what to do to get bigger. They have all kinds of strategies focused on musical styles, message length, lighting, sound systems, and more. Yet more often than not, this kind of advice ignores the one thing that is central to the true growth (as opposed to simple numerical increase) of any church—the powerful, fervent, Spirit-filled preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Our opinions do not have the power to change lives but the Bible does.

In The Fundamentals written more than one hundred years ago, Howard Crosby wrote, “Churches are filled by appealing to carnal desires and aesthetic tastes. Brilliant oratory, scientific music, sensational topics, and fashionable pewholders are the baits to lure people into the churches, and a church is called prosperous as these wretched devices succeed. The preacher delights to get himself into the newspaper, and he accommodates his preaching to the newspaper level. Such churches will, of course, have worldly-minded officers and a worldly-minded membership, while godly souls flee from them.”

How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:

Psalm 78:40-43

We speak of God's power as being unlimited, and that is true. We see a great demonstration of God's ability in the creation where a few simple words of Divine authority were all that was needed to bring into existence everything that we see around us. The same God who created all things has the power to address whatever needs or problems we may face. And yet for all the power that He possesses and is willing to use, there are actually ways in which we human beings can limit God's work.

The Psalmist tells us that this is what the Children of Israel did through their unbelief and unfaithfulness in the wilderness—they limited what God could do for them. The same phenomenon occurred in the New Testament during the life of Christ. After He had preached with power and worked great miracles across Israel, Jesus was rejected by his own hometown of Nazareth. “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). Jesus was still God and still able, but the lack of belief limited the work that He did there.

It is a great tragedy when we do not live in such a way as to ensure God is able to freely operate in and through our lives. Andrew Murray said, “Beware in your prayer, above everything, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do.” There are no limits to what He can accomplish unless we live in a way that holds back His power from our lives.

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Jeremiah 33:–3

Prayer is one of the greatest resources we have as God’s children, yet so many times Christians live without praying. They may offer ritual prayers over meals or at bedtime, or perhaps in a Sunday school class, but there is very little in the way of actually pouring out our hearts to God and beseeching Him for help. Partly that is because of the relative abundance of modern society in our country. Even the poor people in America are much better off than the vast majority of people in other nations. We tend to become more self reliant when we do not see a necessity for God in order for our needs to be met.

However the Bible describes prayer as a vital part of the Christian life and as an expression of reliance and dependence on God—and further it promises that when we cry out to Him, He will hear and answer. Prayer is not an empty exercise in which we go through religious forms and rituals. Prayer is talking to God and asking for His help. And part of prayer is when we receive the answers that we need.

When God gave this wonderful prayer promise to the prophet Jeremiah, he was in prison because of his unflinching stand for the truth. The Israelites were facing an overwhelming enemy army with no hope for a military victory. Yet even in dire circumstances, God declared that if Jeremiah would pray, He would answer and do even more than a human mind could expect or comprehend. The same is true today.

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

Hebrews 6:17–20

One of the purposes of the book of Hebrews is to demonstrate the ways in which Jesus both fulfills and goes beyond the Old Testament. The example of Melchizedek is used to highlight one of the most important things that Jesus does in our salvation. We know almost nothing about who Melchizedek was. Genesis describes him as the “king of Salem” and the “priest of the most high God” (Genesis 14:18) who blessed Abraham after Abraham and his servants won a great battle and freed Lot and the people of Sodom from captivity.

Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not the tribe of Levi from which the priests came. Like Melchizedek He carries on a different tradition of priesthood from that which served Israel through its existence. The thing that makes the work of Christ distinct from that of the Old Testament priests is that it is finished. Day after day and year after year the priests took the sacrifices brought by the people to cover their sins. But the blood of animals was only a covering—it could not purchase forgiveness. So the work of the priests never ended. Jesus made a sacrifice that completely atoned for sins once for all. The work He did is finished and never needs repeating. His victory over death and continuing priesthood guarantee our eternal salvation.

“Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”

Psalm 56:1–4

When David spoke of being afraid of his enemies, he was not speaking metaphorically. Throughout his life he faced people both within Israel and without who wanted him dead. At one point, when Saul was trying to kill him, David went so far as to flee to the Philistines for safety. Of course to them David was known as the man who killed their champion Goliath and had led the Israelites in battle against them. They viewed him with suspicion and many wanted to kill him. To protect his life, David pretended to be insane. “And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard” (1 Samuel 21:13).

It was during this time of desperation that David declared that any time he was afraid, He would trust God. Many times our response to difficulty and fear is to try to tough it out—to convince those around us that we are doing just fine, even though inwardly we may be trembling. The Bible encourages us not to put on a brave face but to cry out to a great God and trust Him for deliverance. David does not say that he will have no reason to fear. Rather he declares that when those fears come, He will look to the face of God and trust in Him. This is the pattern God wants us to follow in our lives.