2 Corinthians 6:2-10

THESE ARE THE TIMES that try men's souls. The Spirit has spoken expressly that in the latter times some should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. Those days are upon us and we cannot escape them; we must triumph in the midst of them, for such is the will of God concerning us.

Strange as it may seem, the danger today is greater for the fervent Christian than...

What an unspeakable mercy to live at such a period! We are poor, lost, ruined sinners; but this is the day when salvation is freely bestowed, without money and without price.

The Lord saves from the love, power, and consequences of sin: gives His Holy Spirit, writes His law in the heart, and directs our feet into the way of peace. He gives us Jesus, who is the Saviour; gives us grace, which conquers sin; and give us heaven, to enjoy when the journey of life is ended. This is the day in...

The Lord's family are generally poor; men may look at them as having nothing valuable, important, or calculated to make them happy; but in reality they possess all things, because God is theirs. Our God has said, "I am their inheritance," and we say, "Thou art my portion, O Lord."

His eternity is the date of our happiness; His unchangeableness, the rock of our rest; His omnipotence, our constant guard; His faithfulness, our daily security; His mercies, our overflowing store; His...

The Bible is full of paradoxes, that is, truths that seem contrary to what we would normally suppose or truths that seem to contradict one another. G. K. Chesterton maintained that paradox is truth standing on its head to attract attention. Here are a few of the paradoxes trying to attract our attention.

We save our lives by losing them; we lose our lives by loving them (Mark 8:35).

We are strong when we are weak (

Mark 2:13-22

The first year of Christ's public ministry - was a year of obscurity. He was not yet well-known. Then, as He spoke and served - His fame grew. We are now in His year of popular favor - His second year. One scene of enthusiasm follows another. After the healing of the paralytic the people were amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"...

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all… things shall be added to you. § He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? § All things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. § As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.The Lord is my shepherd; I shall...

Joy in the Holy Spirit. § Inexpressible and full of glory.Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing… Exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. § We also glory in tribulations.Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. § These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. § As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through...

We… rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations. § I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. § Believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible.In a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. § To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of...

The joy of the Lord is your strength. § The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. § Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.By Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving...

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. § What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. § The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. § Use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this...