Posts Tagged ‘Trials’
An Overview of the Book of James
The Book of James may be one of the most needful encouragements and exhortations to believers in our day. Of course, every book of the Bible seems that way when you’re teaching through it verse by verse. That’s because every part of the Bible is supremely powerful to address us according to what’s most needed…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up Ministering the Gospel (Part 3)
This is the third in a series of posts. Click here for previous posts: part 1, part 2. In a culture that is growing in opposition to the Christian gospel and Christian living, we need Paul’s encouragement in 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 not to faint. The verb “faint not” refers to not being cowardly or to…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up Ministering the Gospel (Part 2)
Click here for part 1 of this series. I’m sure you have observed growing opposition to the Christian gospel and Christian ethics—not only in the culture around you but also within the self-proclaimed evangelical church. No doubt, troubles are hitting closer and closer to home: in our own local churches, families, or communities. There’s no…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up Ministering the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:16–18)
I first came across 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 in light of my physical struggles. I suppose the verses can be applied in principle even to such a situation like that. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which…
Read MoreObstacles to God’s Promises
Have you ever faced a series of obstacles that seem to be preventing the fulfillment of God’s promises? You simply can’t understand how your circumstances fit into God’s faithfulness in light of what you’ve read in His Word. How will you ever be able to look back one day and see how God orchestrated these…
Read MoreA Living Faith that Overcomes the Temptation of Discouragement
This part 4 of a 5-part series. For previous posts, click the following: part 1; part 2; part 3. I find myself being one of the few middle-aged persons I know who looks back with fondness on his junior high years. Most people say that they would never want to repeat junior high again. But it’s…
Read MoreResting in the Hands of a Loving, Sovereign God
What do we do when we receive the phone call about cancer or health problems—problems of your own or that of a friend or family member? What about when your life is thrown upside down because of unexpected events? Or when you hear heartbreaking news about someone? Or when your day or week doesn’t go…
Read MoreA Living Faith That Overcomes the Temptation of Disgust
This part 3 of a 5-part series. For previous posts, click the following: part 1; part 2. I went almost ten years without a correct diagnosis regarding what exact muscle disease I had. Honestly, the muscle disease itself wasn’t the hardest trial. The hardest trials were the effects of the muscle disease: not being wanted…
Read MoreThe Testing of Faith
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: I Peter 1:7 The word “trial” [δοκίμιον / dokimion] refers to a testing, that which reveals the trustworthiness of…
Read MoreBlessed by Trials
Occasionally I get the privilege of preaching at my church. I have been preaching through a series on James, so recently I opened my Bible browser online to look at the next passage, and it was this: Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the…
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