The quality of a person’s Christianity has always determined the extent of his endurance. When persecution hits and we are called to endure it, we will not have time for flippant or weak Christianity. We will need backbone. We will need conviction. We will need maturity. We will need people who know what they believe and why they believe it, […]
» Read moreShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced similar threats as Daniel did, but at least they had each other. Daniel apparently only had himself. (Of course, we will see that this wasn’t his mentality). Where will we be when all our moral support is gone and everybody except our own self turns against God and therefore against us? Now, it may be […]
» Read moreWe are normally quick to hail the bravery of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and try in some superficial measure to learn from them; but we should admit to ourselves that we often view their situation as being long ago and far away, thus lacking true potential for changing our lives. But the reality is, these men existed. These men had […]
» Read moreFrom a large-scale perspective, revival and persecution are very close in purpose for the people of God. Revival restores them to spiritual vitality and an impactful collective testimony. Persecution purges them to spiritual purity and singleness in affection toward God. Revival positively raises us toward spiritual maturity. Persecution negatively cleanses against spiritual complacency and immaturity. Persecution pushes Christians together; revival […]
» Read moreIn examining revival lessons from Acts 19, the first thing we notice is that only Paul and not Apollos had the privilege in God’s sovereign purposes to see revival in Ephesus. Apollos had his work in Corinth. Paul had his in Ephesus, and it was there that the Word spread like wildfire. Was the work in Corinth of less dignity? […]
» Read moreFor we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is […]
» Read moreLet us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. […]
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The concept of faith is quite extensively dealt with in Scripture with various examples, exhortations, and elaborations centering around a fuller understanding of its place in our lives. A book could easily be written on the subject, and indeed many have been. For our purposes, however, we will have to be limited to a basic, yet comprehensive overview of the […]
» Read morePaul exhorted Timothy, “Therefore, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, endure hardship.” The implication from this verse is that if one does not endure hardship, he is not a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is essential that we as believers count the cost of our service, for it will be filled with trial and hardship. Paul could […]
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