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But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

1 Peter 3:14-16

In 1824 war broke out between England and Burma. Despite the fact that he was American rather than British, pioneering missionary Adoniram Judson was arrested and placed in what was known as the “death prison” in the city of Ava. Several of the  Europeans who were arrested with him died during the next twenty-one months while Judson was held in captivity. But despite the pain and suffering he endured and the sickness he experienced, Judson remained faithful to God. After his release, he remained in the country and established a great and effective ministry. In their later accounts some of the other survivors noted that Judson often quoted one of his favorite poems when things seemed to be their worst.

No place I seek, but to fulfill
In life and death thy lovely will;
No succor in my woes I want,
Except what thou art pleased to grant.

Our days are numbered — let us spare
Our anxious hearts a needless care;
'Tis thine to number out our days,
And ours to give them to thy praise.

The difficulties and hardships and trials of life should not take us by surprise. God did not promise that we would be “carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease” as the old song put it. He did promise us that when we endure trouble, He will be with us. Our faith in God is not based on our circumstances. He is just as good when things are falling apart as He is when everything is going smoothly. Our task is to keep our eyes focused on Him and trust Him no matter what.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16
 

Nigel Richards is widely regarded as the best Scrabble player to have ever taken part in a tournament. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, Richards won numerous World Championships beginning in 2007 as well as several American championships and tournaments in other countries. In 2015 he decided to take on a different challenge. For the first time, Richards entered a non-English tournament, competing in the French Championship. He spent weeks before the tournament memorizing the official French Scrabble dictionary. Nigel Richards won the 2015 French Championship—despite not speaking French. He memorized how to spell the words, but he didn't know what they meant.

An unsaved person can read, study, and even memorize the Bible, but knowing the words is not the same thing as understanding and applying them. As children of God we have the Holy Spirit to help us learn, not just the words of Scripture, but what they mean and how they apply to our lives. Jesus promised this help to those who follow Him. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). The world may laugh and mock those who believe the Word of God as being simple-minded. They may look with disdain on those who accept what God says and take it seriously. But in reality the lost are the ones who do not understand the truth.

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
 

Daniel Whittle enlisted in the 72nd Illinois Infantry to fight in the Civil War. The day before his unit shipped out, he got married. His wife was heartbroken to receive the news that he had been severely wounded in the fighting at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and captured by the Confederates. In his POW camp, Whittle began reading the New Testament to have something to do, although he was not yet a believer. One night he was awakened and asked to pray with another prisoner who was about to die because the hospital worker had seen him reading the Bible. Whittle recounted what happened next. “I dropped on my knees and held the boy's hand in mine. In a few broken words, I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me.” After the war Whittle became a noted songwriter. One of his most powerful songs was a declaration of faith.

I know not why God's wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed
Unto Him against that day.

We can be fully confident that the same God who saved us will keep us until we see Him face to face. No one who has been truly converted will ever lose his salvation. We do not do any of the work to get saved, and we do not do any of the work to remain saved. God's love for us extended through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is all that we need to be certain we are His.

And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.

1 Chronicles 22:5-6

The brother of the famous painter Andrew Wyeth once described the painstaking process that went into preparing for the actual picture he would produce. Nathaniel Wyeth wrote, “Andy did a picture of Lafayette's quarters near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, with a sycamore tree behind the building. When I first saw the painting, he wasn't finished with it. He showed me a lot of drawings of the trunk and the sycamore's gnarled roots, and I said, 'Where's all that in the picture?' 'It's not in the picture, Nat,' he said. 'For me to get what I want in the part of the tree that's showing, I've got to know thoroughly how it is anchored in back of the house.' I find that remarkable. He could draw the tree above the house with such authenticity because he knew exactly how the thing was in the ground.”

The importance of preparing our hearts and minds for God's work cannot be overstated. The sharper our tools are, the more we will be able to accomplish. The most important preparation for any Christian is a deep and thorough knowledge and application of Scripture. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). None of us will ever reach the point where we know everything there is to know about the Bible or our preparation is complete. While we graduate from school, we never stop needing to learn more about God and deepening our connection and commitment to Him.

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:2-5

In ancient times one of the most difficult and time-consuming agricultural tasks was separating the valuable grain from chaff. Many different tools were designed to help this process, and of those perhaps the most effective was what the Romans called a tribulum. According to A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, the tribulum was, “a corn-drag, consisting of a thick and ponderous wooden board, which was armed underneath with pieces of iron or sharp flints, either the driver or a heavy weight being placed upon it, and drawn over the corn by a yoke of oxen, for the purpose of separating the grain and cutting the straw.” It is from the name of this farming tool that we get our word tribulation.

None of us enjoy going through hard times and difficulties. It is not pleasant to have a heavy object embedded with sharp metal dragged over us. Yet this is the reality of living in this broken world. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). For the Christian trials and troubles are not meaningless. Just as the tribulum separated out the valuable grain, our trials serve to refine us for more effective and fruitful service to God. Instead of becoming bitter or having our faith shaken by trials, we should remember that God works in our lives to take away anything that would keep us from being fruitful in His service. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).

And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.

Jeremiah 26:4-6

When the Israelites first entered the Promised Land and all through the times of the judges, they did not have a national capital city. The closest thing they had was Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept by the priests and sacrifices were made. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them” (Joshua 18:1). This was the place where God met with His people, and it was the home of the Ark until it was captured by the Philistines in the days of Eli and his wicked sons. Though there would still be some prophets living there, Shiloh never again was the center of worship for Israel.

Jeremiah warned the people in his day that they were in danger of enduring the same judgment. Yet this warning is also a demonstration of God's mercy. The judgment would only fall if the people refused to listen and turn back to God. When we come to God in humility, confessing our sins, we find Him quick to respond. Isaiah wrote, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7). God is gracious and merciful, and if we turn to Him, we can find forgiveness. 

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:2-4

When James M. Gray was starting in his ministry, he noticed one of his friends seemed especially peaceful and poised regardless of what happened. Gray later told the story of what happened when he asked his friend why he was so positive. “It all started through reading Ephesians. On one occasion, when I was on a short vacation, I took a pocket edition of Ephesians with me. Lying down one afternoon, I read all six chapters. My interest was so aroused that I read the entire epistle again. In fact, I did not finally lay it down until I had gone through it some fifteen times. When I arose to go into the house, I was in possession of Ephesians; or better yet, it was in possession of me." He went on to describe that reading through this book repeatedly opened his eyes to the reality that "I had been lifted up to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.” Grasping this truth from God's Word changed him. 

God has given us an incredible resource and treasure in His Word. Yet far too often we fail to read it, or when we do, our minds wander. We spend our days thinking about everything else rather than filling our hearts and minds with the Bible. The precious promises God has given to us hold no value if we do not know and claim them. All that we need to live victoriously in this world and rightly prepare for the next world are contained in the pages of Scripture. We do not need new revelation or truth, but rather to turn back to the teaching, commandments and precepts of the Word of God and make it our guide and rule for life.

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

F. B. Meyer told the story of two men planning to climb the Matterhorn. They hired three guides, and when they reached the most difficult part of the ascent they roped themselves together: guide, climber, guide, climber, guide. They were making their way up when the guide at the end of the chain lost his footing and slipped. He was held for a moment, but then the climber above him also lost his footing. His drop pulled the two men above him away from their toeholds on the cliff as well. But the guide at the top of the group had driven a spike firmly into the rock. He was able to hold his ground and keep them from falling until they could all recover their footing. Meyer said, “I am like one of those men who slipped, but thank God, I am bound in a living partnership to Christ. And because He stands, I will never perish.”

Our salvation does not depend on anything we do or do not do. It is only provided to us through God's grace. The security of our salvation also does not depend on anything we do or do not do. It is kept by the power and promises of God. While there are things we certainly should do and avoid as His children, none of them change the family relationship that became ours when we were adopted into God's family through Jesus Christ. He will never let us slip out of His hands. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23:1-4
 

In the 1850s a group of Scottish missionaries set out for the Pacific and what were then called the New Hebrides Islands. John Paton and his wife set up their home in a hostile environment. Many of the people there were cannibals, and they had little interest in the gospel. Shortly after they arrived on the island of Tanna, John's wife Mary gave birth to their son Peter, but both mother and baby died a few days later. After Paton buried his wife and child, he slept on the grave for weeks to ensure their bodies were not dug up and eaten by cannibals. Despite his grief and loss, Paton continued his work for God and had a powerful and effective ministry. Looking back years later he wrote, “Let those who have ever passed through any similar darkness as of midnight feel for me. As for all other, it would be more than vain to try to paint my sorrows. But for Jesus, and His fellowship, I would have gone mad and died.”

God does not promise that everything in our lives will go smoothly. He does not guarantee that we will never suffer grief or loss. He does guarantee that He will always be with us. It is the presence of God in our lives, not as a distant, impersonal force, but as a loving Shepherd that allows us to overcome the hurts and keep moving forward. Even death, the thing that is most feared in this world, holds no terror for the child of God. “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14).

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Acts 9:13-16

Seven days before the Apollo 13 mission was scheduled to launch in 1970, a NASA astronaut contracted rubella from one of his son's friends. The sick astronaut was part of the backup crew for the mission and had been in meetings with the main crew. One of them, Ken Mattingly, had never been exposed to rubella. To prevent him from becoming sick while he was in space, he was replaced at the last minute by Jack Swigert. On the second day of the mission, April 12th, before the famous accident that nearly stranded the three astronauts in space, Swigert called mission control in Houston with a request. In the rush to get ready for the unexpected mission, Swigert had failed to file his tax return, which would be due before they returned. Thankfully, his excuse of being out of the country was one of the exceptions that guaranteed an automatic extension, and it was granted.

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to always be looking for excuses as to why they cannot fulfill their responsibilities? Although there are sometimes legitimate instances when we cannot keep up with all the expectations placed upon us, when it comes to the direct instructions of God, we should never offer up excuses. There are no exemptions to Christian obedience. We can't plead out on account that something would be difficult or require a sacrifice. The assignment God gave Ananias to reach out to Saul of Tarsus represented a challenge to his faith because of the danger. Yet when God gave the instruction, he went. We demonstrate the sincerity of our love and commitment to Christ, not by what we say, but by what we do. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Acts 8:1-4
 

Before his conversion, C. I. Scofield had a reputation as a man willing to cut corners. Though he was a lawyer, he apparently participated in a number of schemes that skirted, if not outright broke, the law. In fact, one article published about him referred to Scofield as, “lawyer, politician, and shyster generally” who committed “many malicious acts.” 

But when he was in his thirties, Scofield had a business meeting with a Christian who, at the end of their conversation asked if he were a Christian. Scofield said that he had never been told how to be saved, and the man explained the plan of salvation. After hearing the good news, Scofield prayed, “O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life.” In the years that followed, God used Scofield greatly in pointing others to Christ.

Everywhere we go, every person we meet has an eternal soul. Everywhere we go, we carry the only message that can change their destiny. But in order for that message to reach them, it is up to us to sow the seeds of the gospel. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5-6). Every opportunity to share the gospel should be grasped, and everyone should know that we are believers—and that the same salvation we received is available to them.

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

2 Peter 3:1-4

The night before He was crucified Jesus promised to return for His people. The day He returned to Heaven, the angels repeated His promise to the disciples. “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Though centuries have passed, His return is still certain, and could come at any moment. Someone wrote:

There's a man in yonder glory I have loved for many years,
He has cleared my guilty conscience and has banished all my fears.
He is coming in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, 
And no time will be allotted for you to utter one good-bye. 

No time to kiss the husband or embrace the loving wife, 
If they are but united in the bonds of holy life. 
Are you ready, Christian, ready, for shout and trump and voice? 
Will His coming make you tremble or cause you to rejoice? 

Are you walking, talking with Him daily, taking Him your care, 
Do you live so close to Heaven that a breath would waft you there? 
 

The return of Jesus may be today. Or it may not be during our lifetimes. Our responsibility is not to try to figure out the date of His return, to be ensure that we are ready for it and to tell others about Him while there is still time.

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Romans 16:25-27

Most people know the story of the revival that started when Jonathan Edwards preached “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” The response to that sermon and the larger response to the gospel all throughout the American colonies in the days that followed are referred to as "The Great Awakening." But while many know of this event that shook the colonies, far fewer people know the story of what led up to that day. One of Edwards' biographers wrote, "For three days Edwards had not eaten a mouthful of food; for three nights he had not closed his eyes in sleep. Over and over again he was heard to pray, 'O Lord, give me New England! Give me New England!' When he arose from his knees and made his way into the pulpit that Sunday, he looked as if he had been gazing straight into the face of God. Even before he began to speak, tremendous conviction fell upon his audience.”

Every work that we do for God, whether it is preaching to an entire congregation or speaking to an individual, must be done in His power if it is to produce any meaningful result. Anything that we accomplish is not a result of our talent or ability, but of the power of God given to His children to do His work. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). The devil tempts us to rely on ourselves and what we can do in an effort to keep us from relying on God and receiving what He is able to do. But we must seek His power for every part of our service for Him.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:20-22
 

The Roman Empire in Timothy's day was a violent, immoral, godless, and debauched society. (As we look around today, we see a similar culture.) In light of the temptations Timothy would face and the necessity of being a clean vessel for God to use, Paul instructed Timothy to "flee also youthful lusts" and to "follow righteousness." 

When Christians are living just like the world around them, it is small wonder that they do not make an impact. R. A. Torrey gave this prescription for revival: “First, let a few Christians get thoroughly right with God. This is a prime essential. If this is not done, the rest that I am to say will come to nothing. Second, let them bind themselves together to pray for a revival until God opens the heavens. Third, let them put themselves at the disposal of God for Him to use as He sees fit in winning others to Christ.”

The world desperately needs the influence of Christians who live like Jesus, talk like Jesus, and act like Jesus. Though we can never be perfect, we can do our best to live holy and blameless lives so that God's power working in and through us is not hindered. We are not to withdraw from the world completely, for then we would have no impact on it. Instead, we are to walk through the world, but not allow it to determine our values and behavior. Instead, we must maintain our purity and holiness. “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD” (Isaiah 52:11).

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9

In April of 1931 work started on one of the largest engineering and construction projects ever attempted up to that time. Near the Arizona-Nevada border, a dam was started across the Colorado River. It would prevent flooding, provide water to growing communities, and produce electricity. The Hoover Dam was completed in 1936, and it remains one of the largest dams in the world. Over the five years of its construction, more than 21,000 people worked on the project, with between 3,500 and 5,000 working on any given day. They dug tunnels, poured concrete, installed power lines—whatever assignment they were given to carry out. None of them could do everything, but as each one did his part of the job, eventually the massive task was completed.

God has given every one of His children work to do for Him in this world. If we had no task or purpose, there would be no reason for Him not to take us directly to Heaven rather than leaving us here. Jesus said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16). Our responsibility is not to lift up ourselves or judge the work of others by our standards, but to do what God places in front of us. Some plant, others water, but the results are always up to God, and He alone deserves praise and glory. Our responsibility is to do our part alongside our coworkers and trust God for the reward.

This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

John 21:19-22

When Martin Burnham spoke at the Rose Hill Bible Church in his hometown near Wichita, Kansas, in May 2001, just before his furlough ended and he returned to the Philippines, he did not know that he had almost reached the end of his life. Just days after he arrived back on the field, he and his wife were kidnapped by Muslim terrorists. After more than a year in captivity, Burnham was killed during a rescue attempt, and his wife was injured. His final message in the United States was taken from the charge Jesus gave to Peter that rather than looking at what others are doing, we are to keep our eyes on Jesus and follow Him.

Thankfully, most of us are not facing the threat of death for following Jesus, but we must be willing to pay the price of following Him no matter what it is. When we choose to follow Jesus, we are choosing to do what is right regardless of the consequences. Following Jesus may mean the loss of a promotion or of a job. It may mean the loss of friends or perhaps family members. It may mean that other Christians will criticize or condemn us. We must do what He says no matter what. Rather than looking at others or our circumstances, we should keep our eyes on Him. “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Henry Martyn was a brilliant scholar, graduating from Cambridge at just twenty years of age and receiving the prize for mathematics. Despite his success, Martyn said he had “only grasped a shadow.” He was planning on studying law when he heard a report about William Carey's impact as a missionary to India. He went to India and in seven years on the field translated the New Testament into three different languages. Suffering from ill health, he was returning to England when he died at just thirty-one years of age. His prayer on reaching the mission field was, “Lord, let me burn out for You,” and he did. What the world might call a wasted life, God views as a great success.

Every one of us has the choice of focusing on the things of this world or the things of the next. We cannot do both, though many people try to split the difference. Living for God and for eternity requires sacrifices that make no sense to the world. Living for this world means we will not have the time and attention and resources to do what God calls us to do. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). As we live for God, we may lose the approval of others in this world, but we will be glad we did when our work for Christ is tried at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:16-23

Evangelist D. L. Moody was speaking in a church when he held up a glass and asked, “How can I get the air out of this glass?” One man in the audience responded, “Suck it out with a pump!” Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass.” Several other people made similarly impossible suggestions. And then Moody took a pitcher of water and poured it into the glass, filling it to the brim. “All the air is removed,” he said. “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.”

The Christian life we are called to lead is a holy and fruitful life, but we cannot accomplish that unless we are living in the power and under the control of the Holy Spirit. The constant battle that is waged against us by the world, the flesh and the devil is a battle we cannot win in our own strength. Even the Apostle Paul acknowledged the conflict and his own failure. “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Romans 7:22-23). Only when we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, setting aside our own desires and aim, will we have His power to live victoriously.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 5:6-9

In 1961 Leonid Rogozov was part of a Russian team sent to establish a base in Antarctica. As the medical doctor on the team, he was expected to care for the health of the team as they waited for the ship that would bring supplies and a new crew for the base. On April 29th, Rogozov woke up feeling sick. He originally dismissed his symptoms as a cold or flu, but as the day wore on, the pain in his right side suggested a much more serious possibility. Rogozov had acute appendicitis and was the only member of the team with any medical training. Radio calls to other bases to seek help produced none because of a raging blizzard. In desperation, Rogozov had other members of the team hold a mirror for him as he performed the operation on himself. For almost two hours Rogozov cut and stitched, until he finally was able to remove his own appendix and save his life.

All of us are born with the deadly disease of sin. We do not have the strength and skill to save ourselves. The best that we can do falls far short of the perfection and holiness God demands. The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ comes only from God and not from anything on our part. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16).

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:27-30

Though our world usually does not regarded the trait of meekness highly, God views it differently. Meekness is a character trait Jesus used to describe Himself. Meekness is one of the complimentary descriptions God gives to His faith servants. “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth)” (Numbers 12:3). And meekness is something that is produced in our lives as we walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Meekness is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of Christlikeness. The unlimited power Jesus possessed was never uncontrolled, and He always used it to help others rather than to promote His own interests and desires. We have nothing to prove to the world around us, but instead are called to imitate the life and attitudes of Jesus.

A. W. Tozer wrote, “The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto.”

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

Even before the conclusion of the Paris Olympic Games, several medal winners reported that their prizes were chipping, fading, and changing color. USA skateboarder Nyjah Huston won a bronze medal in his event, posted his complaint on social media. “The medals look great when they are brand new, but they look worse after I let them sit on my skin with some sweat for a little while and let my friends wear them over the weekend. They are apparently not as high quality as you would think.” The Paris Olympic Committee promised to replace any of the damaged medals.

The things that matter most are never the things of this world. Every human honor and achievement eventually fades. That is why, while we live in this world, it is not to be the main focus of our lives. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

Richard Baxter wrote, “It is a most lamentable thing to see how most people spend their time and their energy for trifles, while God is cast aside. He who is all seems to them as nothing, and that which is nothing seems to them as good as all. It is lamentable indeed, knowing that God has set mankind in such a race where heaven or hell is their certain end, that they should sit down and loiter, or run after the childish toys of the world, forgetting the prize they should run for.”

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:16-19

When the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 after thirteen years of construction, it was an engineering marvel. What was then the longest suspension bridge in the world crossed the East River to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan. Though it had been carefully constructed, there were a number of people who were skeptical of its safety. There was even a panic where people were trampled trying to flee the bridge in fear, not long after it was opened to the public. P. T. Barnum came up with a unique way to demonstrate the safety of the bridge (and, as always, promote his circus). He marched a group of 21 elephants and 17 camels across the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17, 1884. News coverage of the event put to rest people's fears, and the bridge became a major source of traffic between the two cities.

God has given us the gift of salvation, and with it the promise that we become part of His family. That relationship is not based on anything that we do, but on His faithfulness. God never forgets His children. Jesus said, “The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (John 10:13-14). 

In our day it is common for people to question things that seem obviously true. As ridiculous as it seems, there are even debates about what the proper answer to 2 + 2 is. The one thing we never have a reason to question is the soundness of the foundation of our faith, not in ourselves, but in God.

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:57-60
 

Fanny Crosby began writing poems as a child, and over the course of her life wrote thousands of hymns. Despite losing her sight as an infant, she did not allow that to keep her from loving God and doing her best to serve Him. In her later years, she continued to write, although at a reduced pace. At ninety-five years of age she was in frail health, but her faith never wavered. She said, “Tomorrow I shall be well.” On the last night of her life she dictated one final poem.

In the morn of Zion's glory
When the clouds have rolled away,
And my hope has dropped its anchor
In the vale of perfect day,

When with all the pure and holy
I shall strike my harp anew,
With a power no arm can sever
Love will hold me fast and true.

Unless the Lord returns, all of us will one day face death. But for a Christian there is nothing to fear. Jesus has already conquered death, and His return to life is our guarantee for the future. He said, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19). Our future is certain and secure because Jesus guarantees it. He never lies and never fails, and everything He has promised will be fulfilled. None of us know how long we will live, but every day of this life we are kept in His care, and every promise about our future in Heaven is true.

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

In Bible times it was common for the winner of an athletic competition to be given a crown made of laurel leaves. The same was also often done for a victorious general after winning a battle. A crown made of leaves does not last long. Yet sometimes people think that because they have accomplished something in the past, they have arrived. That is where the expression “rest on your laurels” comes from. But focusing on the past is looking in the wrong direction. Instead, we need to be focused on the future, not thinking we have arrived, but seeking how we can do better. In his book Out of the Crisis, management guru W. E. Demings wrote, “Improvement of quality and productivity, to be successful in any company, must be a learning process, year by year, top management leading the whole company.”

We will never reach the point in the Christian life where we know all there is to know about God and His Word. We will never reach the point where we have defeated sin and temptation once for all and they will never bother us again. We will never reach the point where we have accomplished everything that could be done in God's work. As long as we live, we need to keep pressing forward, remembering that still being in this world means that we have not yet accomplished all that God has for us to do. “Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed” (Joshua 13:1).

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Psalm 37:23-27

Mike didn't make the cut. He had decided to try out for the high school varsity team as a sophomore, but when the coach posted the roster his name wasn't on it. That could have ended his basketball career before it even started. Instead, it became fuel that drove his determination to be better. He accepted a spot on the junior varsity team and honed his game. The next year he made the team, and the rest is history. Michael Jordan became one of the best basketball players in history. Yet even that did not guarantee complete success. Jordan said, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

None of us get everything right the first time. Often the road to success is paved with failures that were overcome by simply not quitting. “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief” (Proverbs 24:16). The fact that we fall does not have to mean we are defeated. We can get back up and try again. When we are tired and discouraged and don't see how we can go on, we can turn to God to have our strength renewed so that we can continue. “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:29).

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Philippians 3:8-10

Thankfully many of us do not have the experience of having something stolen from our homes. But for those who do undergo this kind of loss, there is at least one silver lining—the value of what was stolen may be deductible. The Internal Revenue Service issued this guidance: “Theft losses are generally deductible in the year you discover the property was stolen unless you have a reasonable prospect of recovery through a claim for reimbursement. In that case, no deduction is available until the taxable year in which you can determine with reasonable certainty whether or not you'll receive such reimbursement.” When you report a theft loss on your tax return, it reduces the amount of income tax you pay.

A loss from something we no longer have is one thing, but Paul reported a different kind of loss—a loss for the sake of following Jesus. There were many things in Paul's life and background of which he could have boasted. “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day” (Acts 22:3). Yet Paul did not count those things to his credit. Instead he treated them as something he had lost, leaving them behind in order to live in obedience to the call of God.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:15-19

Jerry Kramer was a key component of the Green Bay Packers as they won the NFL championship three years in a row. Following their victory over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II in 1967, Kramer collaborated with sportswriter Dick Schaap to write a book looking back at the season. Instant Replay became one of the best-selling sports books of the decade as Kramer revealed what it had been like to go through the season striving for another title. One section of the book was devoted to the coach, Vince Lombardi, who had transformed the Packers into a championship team. Kramer shared one of Lombardi's favorite sayings: “We didn't lose the game, we just ran out of time.”

The time we have been given today will never come again. Like water in a rushing river, what is here in this moment will be gone in the next, and there is no way to bring it back. The fact that the world around us is growing darker is not cause for despair, but for renewing our efforts to do all that we can while we have the time. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). If we do not use our time wisely, we will not get another opportunity to relive the day and recapture those lost opportunities. It is our responsibility to use our time well, spending it on things that truly matter so that at the end of our lives we will not have to say that we ran out of time.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7
 

His father died when he was just four, so Octavian was largely brought up by his grandmother. His great uncle, Julius Caesar was winning fame as a general, and Octavian begged to be allowed to join him on the battlefield. When he was seventeen he finally received permission to sail for Spain. After his ship wrecked, he and a few other survivors crossed enemy territory to reach Caesar's camp. When they returned to Italy, Caesar, who had no legitimate children of his own, formally adopted the man who would become known to history as Caesar Augustus as his legal heir. This gave him the status to be elected to serve in the Roman Senate. When Caesar was assassinated, Octavian (Caesar Augustus) received most of his vast fortune according to the terms of Caesar's will and used his position to rise to power and become the emperor of Rome.

When God saves us, He does more than just change our eternal destiny from Hell to Heaven. He graciously makes us part of His family. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11-12). Our adoption gives us the ability to come before the throne of Heaven, not as outsiders, but as part of the family, and seek God's help and provision. 

God's grace changes everything about this life, not just the next. When we are saved, we are forever settled as members not just of God's kingdom, but of His family as well. This is the inheritance Jesus purchased for us with His blood.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 

Matthew 14:28-31

The storm that took the disciples by surprise on the Sea of Galilee did not catch Jesus off guard. He had intentionally stayed behind when they set off, knowing how He would catch up with them by walking out on the water. When the disciples saw Jesus, they did not immediately recognize Him. They thought they were seeing some kind of ghost. When Jesus identified Himself, Peter sought proof—by asking to walk on the water himself. He rightly recognized that if Jesus told him too, he would be able to accomplish something that otherwise would be impossible. He was right, and Peter did what no other person other than Jesus has done—he walked on water.

But then Peter's faith wavered in the face of the wind and the waves. When he took his eyes off Jesus, he stopped walking and started sinking. Jesus rescued him from the waves and pointed out his doubt.

Because we live in a fallen world, storms are going to be part of our lives. Someone said, “There are only three kinds of people: those who are in a storm, those who just got out of a storm, and those who are headed into a storm.” The most important thing for us to do when the storm comes is to keep focused on Jesus. Even if we do not see Him "in the boat" with us, He never abandons His children. There will be times when the wind and the waves pose a real threat to us. But we can trust that God will never abandon us. As we keep our focus on Him, we will be able to continue in faith.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:12-14

In 1993 On the Trail of the Golden Owl was published in France. The book by author Régis Hauser and artist Michel Becker contained a series of riddles which if solved successfully would lead to a buried treasure—an owl made of silver and gold. Tens of thousands of people took up the search, trying to solve the riddles and get the clues. These people, known as “owlers,” traveled across France seeking the location of the hidden token to claim the prize. Hauser died in 2009, but the hunt went on. In October of 2024, after thirty-one years of searching, a notice was posted online that read: “We confirm that the Golden Owl countermark was unearthed last night. It is therefore useless to go digging.” The owl is estimated to be worth around $165,000 based on the amount of gold and silver it contains, but could be worth a great deal more to a collector.

The intensity of one's search depends in large part on the value of what is being sought. When it comes to our desire for a close relationship with God, the goal of knowing Him should make everything else pale in comparison. Job said, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). We should not expect to have a deep and meaningful connection with God unless we are putting Him first in every part of our lives.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

John 14:1-4

Despite the fact that He had repeatedly told His disciples what was going to happen, when Jesus spoke to them in the Upper Room the night before His crucifixion, He knew they still had not grasped the truth. To help prepare them for what was to come, He again told them that He would be leaving. Yet even in conveying that truth He also had a word of instruction for them—that they not allow their hearts to be filled with worry, doubt, and fear. Trouble comes to all of us as part of living in a broken world, but a troubled heart is always a choice. We do not have to allow worry and fear to take over our minds and our lives. We can live in confidence and peace because we believe in the God Who does all things well. Even when we do not understand how He is working, we can choose to trust that He is.

Oswald Chambers wrote, “We imagine that a little anxiety and worry are an indication of how really wise we are; it is much more an indication of how really wicked we are. Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and He was never anxious, because He was not out to realize His own ideas; He was out to realize God’s ideas. Fretting is wicked if you are a child of God. Put all supposing on one side and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about that thing. All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God.”

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1 Timothy 1:12-15

I heard a story of a time when D. M. Stearns was preaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a man came up to him and said, “I don't like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example.” Stearns replied, “If I presented Christ in that way, would you be willing to follow Him?” “I certainly would,” said the stranger without hesitation. “All right then,” said the preacher, “Let's take the first step. He did not sin. Can you claim that for yourself?” The man looked confused and somewhat surprised. “Why, no,” he said. “I acknowledge that I do sin.” Stearns replied, “Then your greatest need is to have a Savior, not an example!”

One of the things that many people in our day are reluctant to face is that they are sinners. That is not just true of lost people. Those of us who have trusted Jesus as our Savior have our sins covered by His blood, but we do not stop being sinners when we are saved. Like Paul, we need to make sure we do not lose sight of the fact that we still must have God's grace applied to us on a daily basis. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:9).

And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

Exodus 32:22-24

The facts were not a real issue in the 1979 trial of San Francisco supervisor Daniel White. There was no question that he had shot and killed Mayor George Moscone and a supervisor from the  San Francisco Board. But at the trial his attorney presented a “diminished mental capacity” defense, arguing that White's depression, evidenced by his eating large quantities of junk food, meant he should not be held fully responsible for his actions. What came to be known as the “Twinkie defense” worked and White was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder. As a result he was sentenced to just five years in prison for killing two men.

It is not uncommon for people to make excuses to try to avoid responsibility for their actions. We see it throughout history and the pages of Scripture. Yet in all those examples, we never see a single instance where God accepted those excuses. He knows exactly what we have done, and why we have done it, and no amount of blaming others will justify our wrongdoing. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13). The knowledge that we will one day give an account to God for our work for Him should remind us to be diligent and obedient in all that we do. There is no substitute for doing what we should, and no acceptable reason not to do so.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

Just before the end of the 2024 baseball season, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick crashed into the stadium wall chasing a foul ball from New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez. Frelick didn't manage to catch the ball, but because there was no padding in that section of the fence, he badly bruised his left hip. His injury would be diagnosed as a bone bruise, and after a few days on crutches, Frelick was able to recover enough to rejoin his team for the playoffs. When he took his position in right field for the first playoff game, he could see that padding had been added over the section he hit to prevent further injuries.

All of us have places in our lives that need to be shored up. None of us have arrived. None of us have reached the point where there is no further room for us to grow. All of us need more “padding” on the fence of our lives. Paul wrote, “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” (Philippians 3:13). Every day we should be growing in grace and becoming more like Jesus. That does not happen by accident. No one accidentally drifts into Christlikeness. If we want our lives to count for God, and we should, we need God's grace applied to our lives on a daily basis. And we need to keep adding to our faith. A barren and unfruitful Christian is failing to fulfill God's purpose for His life, and we must not let ourselves became such failures.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

For years the Florida Everglades has been dealing with a major snake problem. The park is overrun with Burmese pythons. A few of this invasive species were released in the wild years ago, and their rapid breeding and aggressive nature has had a serious negative impact on the ecosystem of the swamp. To help deal with the problem, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Service each year sponsors the Florida Python Challenge. Hundreds of people come for the ten day hunt, hoping to win one of the prizes for capturing the most Burmese pythons. In 2004 the winner, Ronald Kiger won the $10,000 grand prize for catching twenty of the snakes. Through this contest and various other programs, state wildlife officials say they have removed more than 20,000 snakes over the past twenty-five years.

All of us have snakes of sin in our lives. When we are saved, God gives us a new nature. But there are still habits, tendencies, and fleshly desires that come. Even after decades of Christian living, we do not ever reach a point where they leave us alone. Every day we need to catch these snakes and remove them. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Sin never remains in isolation. Left unchecked sin will grow and multiply until it destroys our lives and damages those around us as well.

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

God's grace comes to us solely because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We never earn it or do anything to deserve it. Every Christian received salvation as a free gift. Yet sometimes we are tempted to view God as being reluctant to help His children. Nothing could be further from the truth. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11).

Charles Spuregon said, “God is wonderfully generous by nature; to give is His delight. His gifts are immeasurably precious and are given as freely as the light of the sun. He gives grace to His own because He wills it, to His redeemed because of His covenant, to the called because of His promise, to believers because they seek it, to sinners because they need it. He gives grace abundantly, seasonably, constantly, readily, sovereignly; the value of the blessings is doubled by the manner in which it is given.”

We should come to God with confidence, realizing that the same grace that provided our salvation is extended to us to help meet the daily needs of life. Having already received the greatest gift that is possible we should not find it difficult to believe that God will answer our prayers and provide for us. His overflowing grace will be with us every day of our lives until we see Him face to face.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalm 34:1-6
 

Preparations for Billy Sunday's eight-week 1917 revival campaign in Buffalo, New York, began the year before. A local committee oversaw raising funds to build a temporary auditorium that would seat about 15,000 people on the site of a baseball field where Sunday had played with the Chicago White Sox. More than a million people attended Sunday's campaign. Along with the powerful preaching, music played an important role in preparing the hearts of people. Behind the raised platform from which Sunday preached a choir loft was constructed that would seat more than two thousand singers. Homer Rodeheaver, Sunday's music director, led three different two thousand-member choirs who took turns singing in the meetings which were held six days a week.

There is great power in God's people joining together in worship. Though not all of us are equally gifted musically, we can all sing together as a way to glorify and praise God. Every Christian should be worshiping God and lifting Him up privately and personally. But we should also do so corporately, joining together to magnify His name. The opportunity to lift up God should never be missed. No amount of praise we give Him will ever be as much as He deserves. Having God's people join together in His worship is part of His plan to build and strengthen all of our faith. Our testimonies of His goodness to us are a powerful positive influence on others as well. Whether through our words, our songs or our prayers, we should lift up God's name together.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:24-26
 

After graduating from Harvard, Ernest Shurtleff enrolled at Andover Theological Seminary in the late 1800s to train for the ministry. It was common at the time for a hymn to be sung as the graduates came forward to receive their diplomas. Shurtleff decided to write a special one for his class and penned these words:

Lead on, O King eternal,
The day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest
Thy tents will be our home.

Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Ernest Shurtleff dedicated his life to following God. After pastoring churches in several states, he went to Europe to plant a church in Germany. When World War I broke out, he cared for refugees and the injured, fighting not a physical battle but a spiritual one that he continued until his death in 1917.

The call to follow Jesus is not a call to an easy and pain free life. Instead, it is a call to the battlefield. There is no following Jesus unless we are willing to pick up the cross. The call of Jesus is not for us to be loved and respected. Jesus was loving but was hated, even though He was perfect. Just before His unjust execution Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). 

The consistent victorious Christian life does not come from a moment, but from daily yielding to God's control and walking in His grace as we follow the footsteps of Jesus.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:1-4

Poulsbo, Washington, is usually a quiet town. Some ten thousand people live there, and when the sheriff's office gets a 9-1-1 call about an animal, it is likely to be about a dog. Kevin McCarty, spokesman for the Kitsap County Sheriff, said one recent call was very different. The woman said that her home was besieged by raccoons. “She said those raccoons were becoming increasingly aggressive, demanding food, that they would hound her day and night—scratching at the outside of her door. If she pulled up in her car, they would surround and scratch at the car. If she tried to leave the house, they would surround her as she went from her front door to her car. The problem was that the lady had begun by leaving food out for a few raccoons. Now there were somewhere between fifty and one hundred.

Like wild animals, sin always multiplies if we do not deal with it. Ever since the Garden of Eden people have been trying to hide or cover sin, and that never works. Often the devil tries to convince us that a small sin is not really any big deal and we don't need to worry about it. He tempts us to believe that as long as we "have it under control," we can privately enjoy it.

But if we let sin get his foot in the door, it will not be long before the “raccoons” we are feeding bring others with them. We must deal with sin promptly, seeking God's forgiveness and making things right. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:17-18
 

Every year, Half Moon Bay in northern California hosts the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. People come from around the world to see the event, and contestants bring pumpkins from across the country. The fifty-first annual winner was Travis Gienger from Anoka, Minnesota. He is no stranger to the winner's circle, because 2024 was his fourth consecutive year to have the largest pumpkin. Along with his family, he drove his pumpkin some thirty-five hours to ensure it would reach the weigh-in intact. Although his most recent winner fell short of the world record (which he also holds at 2,749 pounds), Geinger was pleased with the result. The horticulture teacher said, “We had really, really tough weather and somehow, some way, I kept on working. I had to work for this one, and we got it done at the end, but it wasn’t by much.”

Like growing vegetables, the conditions for growth in the Christian's life are not always easy. There are times in our lives when we enjoy good “weather” and things seem to be going pretty well. There are other times when it is too hot or too cold, when there is too much rain or not enough. Regardless of the conditions, we need to keep growing. 

Regardless of our outward circumstances, every day brings new opportunities for us to learn more of God and His Word. Every day brings new opportunities to show others His love in our words and actions. Every day brings the possibility of spiritual growth. Many times the most powerful and important lessons we learn are in the difficult times of our lives. There is never any growth without a struggle. If we are diligent, patient, and persistent, we will one day be able to look back and see how we have grown, and how God used our experiences and circumstances to make us more like Jesus.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:18–20

What the world needs most is not better education or a better political structure or better health care. What the world needs most is Jesus. Heaven and Hell are real, and eternity is coming for everyone. Those of us who have received God's free gift of salvation are tasked with the responsibility of inviting others to join us as His children. The message of the gospel is the message God wants the world to hear. His invitation is open to all. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). 

When the Lord returned to Heaven, He left His followers the assignment of telling others about Him. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

Missionary C. T. Studd said, “Too long have we been waiting for one another to begin! The time for waiting is past! The hour of God has struck! In God’s holy name let us arise and build! We will not build on the sand, but on the bedrock sayings of Christ, and the gates and minions of Hell shall not prevail against us. Should such men as we fear? We will a thousand times sooner die trusting only in our God than live trusting in man. And when we come to this position, the battle is already won, and the end of the glorious campaign in sight.”

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

2 Timothy 1:9-10

The Lord Jesus gave His life to be our Savior, dying on the cross and then rising from the grave. All of this was essential to God's plan to provide a way for the penalty for our sins to be paid. But God's plan goes far beyond that. He has designed a way for His purposes to be accomplished in this world through our work and service for Him. Through His grace we find the power to overcome the world just as Jesus did. And every day we have the promise of eternity through the victory of Jesus over death.

Richard Baxter wrote, “If a skillful workman can turn a little earth and ashes into such curious transparent glasses as we daily see, and if a little seed that bears no show of such a thing can produce the more beautiful flowers of the earth; and if a little acorn can bring forth the greatest oak; why should we once doubt whether the seed of everlasting life and glory, which is now in the blessed souls with Christ, can by Him communicate a perfection to the flesh that is dissolved into its elements?”

There is much about the future that we do not know. We are only given small glimpses of Heaven and what eternity will be like. What we do know is that God's purpose for us will be accomplished, and we will one day be like Jesus. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

2 Kings 5:1-3

It was common in ancient times for victorious soldiers to return home from battle with the spoils they had taken from their defeated foes. Clothing, money, animals, and even people were often taken in this manner. In his raids into Israel, Naaman had captured a little girl and taken her home to be a servant to his wife. When the girl found out that Naaman had leprosy, she could have rejoiced at God's judgment on the man who had brought so much devastation to her country. Instead she told his wife that even this incurable disease could be treated if Naaman would go to Elisha in Israel. It is hard for us to fully grasp the risk she was taking. If she suggested a treatment that didn't work or made things worse, her life could be in danger.

Even more, she was not speaking from experience. She did not express her confidence in the prophet because she had been told how he had healed other lepers. In fact, Elisha had not, as Jesus pointed out. “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian” (Luke 4:27). Her faith in the God of her people was not shaken by their military defeat or her captivity. She believed that He was able to do anything, even for a foreigner with a deadly disease. Sometimes we lose faith when things do not seem to be going well, but God is always faithful to keep His promises.

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. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13

The brand new Stadtallendorf Fire Station in Hesse, Germany, had been open for less than a year before it was destroyed in a fire in October of 2024. The fire destroyed a large part of the station and a number of emergency vehicles. Initial estimates were that the total damage could be as much as $25 million. The fire apparently started in one of the electric emergency vehicles which was connected to recharge. The lithium-ion batteries are believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. One shocking fact emerged from the reports from the scene: the fire station building did not have a fire alarm system because the architects and designers did not think one was necessary.

Every day we face temptations and challenges from the world around us. Opportunities for sin are placed before us, requiring the proper response to overcome the temptation. Sin is always a choice—there is a way of escape if we choose to take it. Yet too often we fail to resist the devil and give in. One of the main reasons for that is that we become self-confident, thinking that we do not need to be on guard. The devil is after us every day, as Jesus warned Peter. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31). Knowing that the threat is real, it is vital that we have “fire alarms” set that will remind us of the dangers and destructiveness of sin.

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Daniel 2:44-45
 

Human nations rise and fall. History is filled with the stories of countries that no longer exist. But this in not just an ancient phenomenon. Maps published in my lifetime had countries like the United Arab Republic, Sikkim, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and East Germany. Those pieces of land and the people who occupy them are still there today, but those names no longer appear on maps because those governments no longer exist. It is easy for people to be caught up in the flow of events, thinking that the things around us will always be there and the structures of power and government will last. But often that is not the case. No matter how much uncertainty or change there may be in our world, there is one thing that is certain—God is in control.

When Daniel interpreted the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, he gave a prophetic description of the great empires of the ancient world. However, the main point of the dream and Daniel's account was not the transitory kingdoms of men, but the eternal kingdom of God. When Jesus returns to this Earth. He will set up a kingdom that will never end. His power will not be challenged, and He will be in full control. “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 19:15).

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Philippians 2:14-16

In July of 2023 Ethiopian runner Senbere Teferi returned to Atlanta, Georgia to defend her title in the 10k Peachtree Road Race, which she had won the year before. Teferi was leading the race through Atlanta's streets following a police motorcycle which had been clearing the way in front of the lead runners. Not far from the finish line, the motorcycle turned off the race course, and Teferi followed it. As soon as she realized the mistake, she returned to the right street, but it was too late for her to win. Instead she had to settle for finishing in third place. After the race Teferi said, “It was just a mental mistake on my part. Not being able to physically see the finish line from my viewpoint, I just followed the motorbike as I thought they were heading to the line as well.”

None of us want to reach the end of our lives and look back to see the work we have done for God to have been ineffective and not produced results. We want our efforts to count for something. The world needs to see God's children living in a way that honors and glorifies Him and shows light in the darkness. In order for that to happen, we must live for the glory of God—doing all we do for God with pure motives. Even the most extravagant sacrifices have no lasting value unless they are done from a heart of love for God. “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for 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. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:11-13
 

Though Mark Twain grew up going to church, religion held little interest for him. He rejected the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. Despite widespread acclaim and success in the eyes of the world, he found little satisfaction in living. In his old age Twain wrote, “A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle; they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow. Those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It (the release) comes at last—the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them—and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence, a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever.”

The things that give life purpose and meaning are not the things of this world. No amount of money or fame or possessions or power can fill the void in the human heart. Only God can do that. And only God can give us a purpose and cause worth living for and worth sacrificing for. Following God's path for our lives is not guaranteed to be easy. Often it involves great sacrifices on our part. But the cause is worth the cost. From a prison cell in Rome where he was awaiting his execution, Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy and reminded him of the faithfulness of God, and that living for the cause of Christ was worth any price. That is the only life that is truly worth living.

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

1 Samuel 16:1-3

Though it was not God's plan for His people to have a king, when they insisted He selected the best man He could find for the job. But Saul became proud and disobedient, and God sent Samuel to anoint a new king to lead Israel. The qualification God looked for most was not an impressive physique or a noble lineage. God wanted someone who would love Him and lead the people to do so as well. Though we often think of leaders only in terms of people at the top of a business or group, all of us are leaders in some role. And for that leadership to be what it should be to accomplish God's purpose, we need to be committed to God and to walk in His way.

Dwight Eisenhower said, “In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.”

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Revelation 21:3-5
 

The airport in the small New Zealand city of Dunedin was having an issue with people being dropped off but saying goodbye to friends and family members by the door, creating a traffic jam. In an effort to deal with the problem, in September of 2024 they posted signs outside the airport announcing that there was a three minute maximum on hugging times. In a statement airport CEO Dan DeBono said, the new limit gives people, “plenty of time to pull up, say farewell to your loved ones and move on. The time limit is really a nicer way of saying, you know, get on with it.” However DeBono also pointed out there is no system in place to enforce the three minute limit saying, “We do not have hug police.”

There are many times in this life when we hate to say goodbye. Perhaps it is when we are getting ready to leave an elderly parent, not knowing if we will see them again. Perhaps it is when a child goes far away in the military or on a missionary assignment. In those moments we want to hold on as long as we can. But there is coming a day when there will be no more goodbyes. When we gather in Heaven, we will never leave. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

As Christians, we are called to reflect the nature and character of Jesus Christ to those around us. He is no longer bodily present in this world, so the image of Him that those around us form is based on the actions of His followers. It is vitally important that we show a clear and proper picture of the Lord, not so that we will be praised or lifted up, but so that He will be. The impact that we make on others is built on both our words and our actions, but of the two actions carry far more weight. Charles Spurgeon said, “A man's life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies. If his life and doctrine disagree the mass of onlookers accept his practice and reject his preaching.”

The only way that both our words and our works can be what they should be is through the power of God. We do not have the strength, ability, wisdom, or will to do what is right apart from Him. Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that we have almost everything and just need a little more from God added, but Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). To be established as a proper and powerful testimony to the nature and character of God, we must have His power fulfilling and guiding our lives. He is the builder, and we must let Him have His way in all we do.