Principles of Authority in Romans 13:1–4

Bud Steadman The story is told of a young man who was living a rebellious life and longed for his personal freedom from authority. One day in great anger he cried out, “I’m tired of my parents telling me what to do. I want to run my own life.” So, he joined the Marines. We…

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David: A Man Chosen According to God’s Heart

Layton Talbert The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). This first reference to David in the Bible has been popularly enshrined in inspiring devotional terms. “A man after his own heart” — we tend to isolate that famous phrase and take it to mean that David was a…

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The Blessing of Hope

Dale Heffernan The American Heritage Dictionary defines “hope” as “looking forward with confidence or expectation.” Such anticipation of future events is one of the greatest thrills of the human experience. Children wait excitedly for their birthday celebration. Hope drives fans to fanatical dedication at athletic events. People often work hard all their lives and save…

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Battling the Enemy

Mike Jones Since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, fighting battles has been a part of human existence. Every person born into this world has battles of some sort or another. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a battle as “any fight or struggle; a conflict.” Although most people probably think of some…

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What Do We Know about Our Enemy?

Thomas Strouse Satan and the Serpent in Genesis 3 Moses records the first attack of our enemy upon mankind in Genesis 3:1. Following the bliss Adam and Eve shared on day six, our enemy tempted the first couple. The reader may infer several facts. First, since Gen. 1:31 indicates there was no sin in the…

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What Made Elijah Run: Fear or Frustration? (1 Kings 19:3)

Randy Fox When we look at the story of Elijah’s flight and subsequent prayer for death, we wonder at his sudden reversal from power and boldness to fear and panic. It is startling to think of someone so strong as Elijah frightened away by the threat of Jezebel. Some would translate 1 Kings 19:3, “he…

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Saved … Not of Works

Ken Endean For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9) Special occasions such as Christmas and Easter provide great opportunities to proclaim the clarity of the gospel to the lost. Often at these…

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Straight Cuts: Good Principle, Wrong Text

Layton Talbert “But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). Job 23:10 has traditionally been used to express a Scriptural truth that has comforted and encouraged countless believers: God knows all we are going through and intends it only to strengthen and…

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