“For this cause I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard My deposit unto that Day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in […]
Are there any candidates? Half a lifetime ago, while still in my teens, a teaching opportunity for my parents resulted in our move from a busy metropolis to the frigid, nickel-mining capital of Canada. In spite of my spiritual apathy in those days, my parents looked up the local assembly, and, upon our first visit […]
“That the man of God may be perfect [complete], thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:17). As we consider 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we see that the Word of God makes a man “perfect” or “complete.” Yet many times, we do not look to the Bible for the answers to life’s most troubling questions. […]
Every word is pure When we speak of the inerrancy of the Bible, some object, saying: “The Bible contains material on doctrinal, ethical, and moral matters and is accurate in what it says about these things. Other material on incidental matters may be inaccurate but that does not interfere with the main message. If we […]
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 In the second chapter of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he uses several images to instruct believers. With each image, there is a lesson the Holy Spirit is making: the soldier […]
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16 The story of how God’s living Word came to man stretches throughout history, but it is described in two important New Testament verses: 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21. The […]
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they […]
“I see men as trees, walking” (Mark 8:24) There was a remarkable miracle performed when the Lord Jesus met a blind man in the town of Bethsaida. Remarkable because only Mark tells us about it (8:22-26). And remarkable because it was the only two-stage physical miracle recorded in our Lord’s ministry. Obviously the miracle’s second […]
Balancing Risks and Benefits Some years ago, I spent two weeks backpacking with a group of friends in a mountain wilderness area. To lighten our packs, we did not bring tents and we lived outside, exposed to the sun and unpredictable mountain weather. When I returned home, it felt strange to be indoors. Years later, […]