Articles

Preparing For Persecution - Part 2

In Part One of this article, we looked at the situation for the true Christian living in a culture where the prevalent worldview mocks and ridicules the God of the Bible and His precepts for living. And those who stand with Jesus Christ, bravely upholding His precepts against a turning tide, become targets for persecution.

We looked at the reasons why believers are persecuted. We also reviewed the results of this persecution. In many nations worldwide, the cost of discipleship is death. In nations like Nigeria and Egypt, Christians are actively being martyred today.

Preparing For Persecution - Part 1

I believe we are living in the lengthening shadows of the last day. I believe Jesus Christ is coming soon, and one of the earmarks is persecution of the saints. We see it on TV, newscasts, and editorial pages. Ridicule any other group and you’ll be in trouble, but the wrath of our culture is reserved for the Christian. The Bible-believing Christian is the whipping boy.

But there is no way to be a genuine Christian and escape persecution. Our Lord said as much in Matthew 5. And through the apostle Paul He said, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution...” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Finding Christmas In Unexpected Places

Just when we think we’ve heard the Christmas story so often there’s nothing new, we find Christmas in unexpected places.

The Hardest Thing To Do In Life

How is it possible to give thanks to God “always for all things”? On the surface, it seems impossible. 

Guard Your Heart

How does God intend for us to live? The book of Proverbs beautifully takes practical matters, interweaves the spiritual, and makes life the beautiful thing God wants it to be. When a person knows God and is right with God, they will find they live a perfectly natural, intensely practical, and deeply spiritual life all at the same time. That’s what God intends. 

The Politics Of Pilgrims

Some people think it’s morning in America and some think it’s the morning after. What should be our attitude toward the crisis we find ourselves in?

First, this may shock you, but it’s a foolish thought to hope that help will come from Washington. As Christians, we’re children of another world. We are pilgrims. We’re not vagabonds or strangers. A vagabond has no home; a stranger is away from home. A pilgrim is headed home. What should be the politics of pilgrims?

The Conquest Of Jesus Christ

All the great religious leaders of history have one thing in common: they are dead. Only one man has risen from a grave never again to taste death. Jesus Christ rose again! God validated His Kingship and accepted His payment for our sins with one incredible stroke: He raised Jesus from the dead!

What If There Had Been No Easter?

It’s an unthinkable question:  What if there had been no Easter?  What if death had conquered and Jesus Christ stayed in the tomb?

How To Spot A Counterfeit

I once read that because the American dollar is still the leading currency in the global marketplace, it’s the most susceptible to counterfeiters. I'm sure the dollar in your pocket is real (you might want to check!) but what about the faith in your heart? Is it the “real thing”?

Mustard Seeds And Mountains: Learning To Think Small

A mustard seed is very small, about like a fleck of ground pepper.  A mountain, of course, is huge.  What is Jesus saying here?  That the least amount of faith is greater than greatest amount of difficulty. 

Perhaps what we ought to do is “think small.” A grain of mustard seed faith can move mountains.

The Bible puts a big emphasis on small things. Many small things have big consequences. When an atom is split, you have nuclear fission; the smallest of entities can cause the biggest of explosions. Small things have great import.

If you want to be fruitful, be faithful in small things.