“…We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God…” (Acts 14:22) I received a letter recently from a reader in Illinois that troubled me. Eighteen years ago, within just a few days of her own salvation, she ran over and killed a two-year-old boy while she was backing out of her driveway. She lamented that she could not find any parallel in the Bible to comfort her. “Nowhere could I find how to live with myself, or face the parents of that little boy who […]

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) A few Saturdays ago, I attended a breakfast at my church. I really wanted to sleep-in that morning, but something told me to get up and go. It never registered with me that it was the Spirit that was telling me to get out of bed, but I realized afterwards that God had something to say […]

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21) I once knew a Christian who became so convicted about what his family was watching on television that he put it out in the street. When I asked him why, he told me […]

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) I have a friend at my church that I have grown to admire. His love for Christ is deep and his passion to witness for the Lord is unmatched. In short, he is on fire for Jesus. A few Sundays ago, I had the opportunity to follow up with him about how things had been going at work. You see he explained to […]