2 Timothy 1:3-11

For Reading and Meditation:     Daniel 11:14-35

What are the benefits of keeping our gaze continually focused on God? I can think of at least three. First, the more we study Him the more we will want to become like Him. The most natural thing in the world when there is a good relationship between parents and their children is for that child to want to become like...

For Reading and Meditation:     Proverbs 8:1-21

We are taught over and over again in Scripture that because God is uniquely and awesomely holy - pure, separated, and shining in His moral majesty - we are to draw near to Him with godly reverence and fear. The fear of the Lord (we said the other day) is the beginning of wisdom. Contemplation of His character,...

For Reading and Meditation:     John 15:12-27

We continue meditating on the eighth and final Beatitude. One of the questions that has often puzzled people concerning this matter of suffering and persecution is this: Why is it that Christians, when they do good, are often persecuted, while non-Christians who do the same kind of good are adored? One commentator...

For Reading and Meditation:     2 Timothy 1:1-18

Several of the world's religions, when faced with the perplexing issue of Christ's return from the dead, explain it in terms of reincarnation. A proponent of one of the Eastern religions says: "Christ's resurrection was really a reincarnation - another soul in another body." I once heard a Christian minister declare...

For Reading and Meditation:     Hebrews 7:11-28

Is it possible to know without any shadow of doubt that one is saved and ready to meet God? This question, says one writer, goes right to the roots of religious experience. Christianity says "Yes." Other religions are not sure. Without exception they will tell you that it savors of presumption to say one is certain...

For Reading and Meditation:     1 Peter 3:13-22

As Christians we ought never to forget that the message of the Bible is addressed primarily to the understanding; it enables us to understand life. Because of the Bible, we are able to give a reason for the hope that is within us. The psalmist found the truth of this. In the sanctuary he discovered an explanation for...

For Reading and Meditation:     2 Timothy 4:1-8

There can be no doubt that the Bible presents the death of the ungodly as being terrible. How differently, however, does it portray the death of the righteous. Even a hireling prophet like Balaam, bad as he was, recognised that there was something different about the death of the godly. Listen to his words in

The apostle uses the perfect tense and says, "Who hath saved us." Believers in Christ Jesus are saved. They are not looked upon as persons who are in a hopeful state, and may ultimately be saved, but they are already saved. Salvation is not a blessing to be enjoyed upon the dying bed, and to be sung of in a future state above, but a matter to be obtained, received, promised, and enjoyed now. The Christian is perfectly saved in God's purpose; God has ordained him unto salvation, and that...

When Adam sinned then was there the abolition of life. The empire of death began. Death advanced by steps. There was a process observed in the establishment of his kingdom. He needed subjects, and therefore he did not cause the bodies of Adam and Eve to crumble to dust at once. He showed what he could do when Abel fell by the hand of his brother. He made havoc of everything heavenly in the spiritual nature of man; brought out his instruments of torture to assail and overthrow his physical...