Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2–4, ESV). Consider this statement made by James, the half-brother of Jesus: “for you […]
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living (Psalm 27:13, NASB). Don’t you love David’s honesty? Here was the only man called “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, ESV). He was anointed by the prophet Samuel to […]
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to […]
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:14–15, esv). Woven into […]
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to […]
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is […]
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6, esv). The most beloved Psalm in the Bible, Psalm 23, closes with the familiar, comforting words, “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” To help us […]
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him (2 Timothy 2:3–4, esv). When you join the military, life changes fast. Good-bye, civilian life. Hello, military life. No civilian gear. Standard issue clothing. No individual hairstyles. […]
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16, esv). The Word of God isn’t just any book. It is God’s owner’s manual. It is God’s manifesto for human life. It is the manufacturer’s specification for all things happiness. It is […]
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council […]