June 2018

“The Fear That Draws Us In” by John Piper Exodus 20:20  —  Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.      There is a fear that is slavish and drives us away from God, and there is a […]

By Randy Alcorn, excerpted from his book:  If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil. ————————      Seeing positive outcomes of some suffering should lead us to trust that God can bring good from all suffering.  Consider three people who through suffering became extraordinary. Joseph Merrick  (1862-1890)      Doctors once thought that Joseph

These two readings are from the conclusion to sermon preached by C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford, England on October 22, 1939, just as World War II was beginning.  The title of the sermon was “Learning in War-Time.”  It is found in Lewis’s book The Weight of Glory and

William Barclay (1907-1978) was a Church of Scotland minister, professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Glasgow, and author.  These prayers are from his 1959 book The Plain Man’s Book of Prayers, pages 110-117 (edited). —————————– Before Going on Vacation    O God, our Father, we thank Thee for this time of rest from our

William Barclay (1907-1978) was a Church of Scotland minister, professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Glasgow, and author.  These prayers are from his 1959 book The Plain Man’s Book of Prayers, pages 110-117 (edited). —————————– In the Time of Illness    O God, our Father, bless and help _____ in the illness which has

Josiah Henson  (1789-1883) ———————————— “The Road to Dawn, the Story of the Real Uncle Tom,” by Eric Metaxas and Anne Morse, posted June 21, 2018, at:  http://www.breakpoint.org ———————      His name was Josiah Henson.  He was born into slavery in about 1789 in Charles County, Maryland.  Josiah’s first memory was witnessing his father being

“Three Things to Avoid When You are Angry,” by Rick Warren, posted June 22, 2018 at:  http://www.pastorrick.org ——————————————————— “In your anger, do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26a)      We all get angry from time to time.  We may handle it differently, but none of us can escape the emotion entirely.  But just because we get angry

————————– “THE EVIDENCE FOR CHRISTIANITY IS LIKE A TSUNAMI” by Josh Mcdowell.  Working with Campus Crusade for Christ and founding the youth outreach Josh McDowell Ministry, Josh McDowell has shared the gospel with more than 25 million people in 125 countries.  He is the author or co-author of 148 books, including “Evidence That Demands a Verdict.”

From “Do You Wish You Had Accomplished More?” by Vaneetha Rendall Risner, a freelance writer who blogs at:  http://www.danceintherain.com ——————————————      John the Baptist’s life began with great promise.  An angelic proclamation.  A call from God.  A thriving ministry. Yet his life ended in virtual obscurity — alone in a small prison cell.      John

Posted May 25, 2018 in the Standing Strong Through the Storm devotional at:  http://www.opendoors.org —————————————— (NOTE:  “Necklacing” was a form of executing political enemies in South Africa in the 1980’s by soaking a tire in oil, placing it around a person’s neck, and setting it on fire.)      “Get dressed and come along, we