“We would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us” (1 Thess. 2:18). There are professing Christians who doubt the existence of a personal devil, and some true Christians sincerely believe that during this present age Satan is shut away as in Revelation 20:3. I have to disagree. I […]
James George Deck (1807-1884) was born at Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, where his father, John Deck, was postmaster. Their godly Huguenot heritage was carried forward in Mrs. Deck’s piety. She “never punished her children without first praying with them.” Every evening she set aside one hour alone with God to pray for her eight […]
There are two lines in John Bunyan’s immortal allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, which you may readily recall: A man there was, though some did count him mad, The more he cast away, the more he had. We are naturally so self-centered that even as Christians we can be deluded into thinking that the greatest happiness […]
I grew up in a little community in Kentucky called Ebenezer, a name taken for the Hebrew for “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12). The name was quite appropriate considering how the Lord has led in my life. I can truly say, “Hitherto by Thy help I’ve come.” Truly, our God is […]
It has been the motto of the Olympic Games for generations: Citius, Altius, Fortius–Swifter, Higher, Stronger. And every time the flag with the interlocking rings is lifted above the crowd, the motto proves true. Sometimes the increase in speed or strength is breathtaking, measured in gasps of amazement from the adulating multitudes. Sometimes the change […]
When we see the record of the movement of the people of Israel from Babylon back to Jerusalem, to the altar, and to the house of the Lord, we see it did not really begin with the edict of Cyrus but with the stirring by the Lord of the spirit of the people. Notice that […]
Frederick William Grant (1834-1902) was born into a God-fearing Anglican home in the Putney district of London, England. Presumably in his teenage years he became a believer while privately reading the Bible. He went on to King’s College School, in order to be groomed for a position in the British defense department. But getting those […]
As we serve the Lord in the business world, is there a scriptural criteria? Are we given guidelines? Luke 20:25 brings together in one single statement a balance for our business life with our spiritual life. The Lord Jesus was asked a trick question by the Pharisees as to giving tribute to Caesar. Keep in […]
How do you begin with a ministry to troubled young people? You do it by reaching them one at a time. You get to know the individuals. If you’re having a problem with a young person–if he’s disobedient, if he has an attitude–don’t embarrass him, don’t insult him. Take him aside. You want to encourage […]