In Romans 5:1–11, Paul refers to hope three times (Romans 5:2, 4, 5) and speaks to the content of our hope as well (Romans 5:9–10). The following briefly examines these mentions of hope for our encouragement today. Hope in the Glory of God First, Paul sates, “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God”…
Editor’s note: A few weeks ago, on March 14, we published an article by George Stiekes called, “Do We Still Believe in Backsliding?” He sent that out as a devotional on March 11 and I was moved to repost it. Bro. Stiekes has been a friend since he pastored in Washington state some years ago.…
The previous post explored four observations from which we can infer the necessity for a doctrine of preservation: the divine act of Scripture, the express purpose of Scripture, the inherent authority of Scripture, and the divine purpose of God to glorify himself among all the nations. This post turns to a more direct question: Does…
What is the leading cause of death worldwide for the fifth year in a row? Abortions – 44.6 million in 2023, destroyed three times more human beings than the second place killer, communicable diseases. Even in the U.S., where the Supreme Court found (in June 2022) that there is no constitutional right to abortion, the…
Some things have to be repeated over and over. This is one of them. Respect of persons is a sin. Racism is a sin. And for the same reasons, anti-semitism is a sin. There are basic biblical principles that apply here. Choices of blessing and cursing belong to God, not man. God’s choice to bless…
My kids’ history and science lessons recently coincided to study the landing of the first man on the Moon on July 20, 1969. It was fascinating to again read about and then re-watch Neil Armstrong’s first “small step for man,” and “giant leap for mankind.” Armstrong’s famous first footprint in the fine dust of the…
How often do we use the argument “hard isn’t bad!” when facing a challenging situation? Our children struggle with their schoolwork, or chores, or an intense sports game, and we encourage them by saying that this challenge will help them improve. Our friends face a hard decision in life, and we remind them that it’s…
Jeremiah 36 contains one of the Bible’s most astonishing stories about the Bible. This word came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke…
Political Participation is a Biblical Stewardship Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the…
In James 4:1–12, James began addressing the last example of being a doer of the Word—keeping oneself unspotted from the world. He continues that theme of worldliness since worldliness is living without reference to God. And each of the following subsections can best be understood as living without reference to God. Arrogantly living without reference…