Ephesians 6:13a:  “…Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…”  (see Eph. 6:10-18 below)    Paul begins this section with these words:  “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power;”  and then says, “Put on the full […]
2801) Stand Your Ground Read More »
From The Last Word, by William Willimon, pages 119-121.     In one of my congregations, we decided that we needed to grow.  We voted to launch a program of evangelism.  We studied a program from our denomination telling us how to get new members.  Among other things, the church-growth program advocated a system of door-to-door visitation.  So we organized
2784) Church Ladies Learn About Temptation Read More »
From “Ten Ways Materialism Brings Us to Ruin” by pastor and author Randy Alcorn, (adapted from his book Money, Possessions, and Eternity), posted December 13, 2019 on his blog at:Â Â www.epm.org (…continued) 6. Materialism spawns independence and self-sufficiency, which are deadly to faith. Â Â Â Why have faith in God when you have faith in
2177) The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things (b) Read More »
From “Ten Ways Materialism Brings Us to Ruin” by pastor and author Randy Alcorn, (adapted from his book Money, Possessions, and Eternity), posted December 13, 2019 on his blog at:Â Â www.epm.org ———————- ‘materialism’ [muh-teer-ee-uh-liz-uhm] noun. 1. preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual,
2176) The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things (a) Read More »
By Joshua Rogers, at http://www.joshuarogers.com, August 25, 2018.    I was standing across the counter from the lady at the hole-in-the-wall dry cleaners and I was getting irritated. She had lost my pants and I was sure of it, but I couldn’t find my ticket to prove it.    The woman kept insisting
1967) Assuming the Worst Read More »
C. S. Lewis on resisting temptation in Mere Christianity: Â Â Â You may remember I said that the first step towards humility was to realize that one is proud. Â I want to add now that the next step is to make some serious attempt to practice the Christian virtues. Â A week is not enough. Â Things
1170) Resisting Temptation Read More »
Above: David, 1623, Gian Lorenzo Bernini  (1598-1680) ——————-    (…continued)  King Saul reluctantly allowed David to fight Goliath, offering him all the best armor and weaponry.  David declined everything, taking only his slingshot and five smooth stones.  Goliath was irritated to see David coming at him with not much more than the shirt on
1092) David (part two of two) Read More »
I Samuel 18:5-9  —  Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.  This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.  When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine (Goliath), the women came out from all the towns
   (…continued)  It would have been easy, of course, for God to explain this all to Job, but God chooses not to do that– not for Job, and not for us, either.  There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that God is always making such deals with Satan and that is what leads
1016) The Test (3/3) Read More »
Above: Job Rebuked by His Friends, watercolor by William Blake (1757-1827)    (…continued)  Job, however, has a very different view of the situation.  While agreeing that it is indeed God’s business to punish evil and reward goodness, Job is quite convinced that God is making a big mistake in his case.  Job certainly admits to not
1015) The Test (2/3) Read More »
