Sound Words
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…
Read MoreDavid: 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreBattling 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…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreAntidote to False Teaching: Stability and Growth in The Knowledge of Christ (2 Peter)
Layton Talbert The single most effective method for studying any book of the Bible is accessible to every believer. You do not need to know Hebrew or Greek, earn a seminary degree, or purchase a shelf-full of commentaries. All these are helpful, of course. No carpenter spurns tools that will make his work more efficient…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreSaved … 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…
Read MoreStraight Cuts: Anxious for Nothing, In Prayer for Everything (Phil 4.6-7)
Ron Allen Every human being has burdens. Some have greater burdens than others, but no one is exempt. One’s burdens can take a toll on his peace of mind unless he deals with them Scripturally. How does God want the believer to handle his problems? Is it possible for one to keep the peace of…
Read MoreStraight 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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