Over the years, Matthew 5:16 has been a daily challenge to me. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven". I have tried to shine my light in my walk and in my ministry for many years. Although I have failed the Lord at times, the Lord has never failed me. I have sought to shine the light of Christ in our home, in the churches I served, and everywhere I went. While I was in the trave...

Mr. Frank Graham, father of Billy Graham and one of our faithful Elders at Calvary, a wonderful man of God, had been ill for some time. After about a year he went to be with the Lord. Billy asked me to conduct the funeral service. In addition, he asked if I would meet him at the viewing about 9 o'clock in the evening after everyone had gone, as he desired to rededicate his life by his father's casket because his dad had meant so much to him. I met with Billy and severa...

There is no promise that this journey will always be pleasant. There will be hardships, temptations, and sorrows. At the same time there will be joy, peace, and blessing. Greatest of all, Christ will be with us to care for us and provide all our needs every step of the way. He will never leave us nor forsake us. This journey can either be a thrilling experience or dull and uninteresting. Actually, to a large degree it will depend on what we make it. We have a choice of...

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you have made the most important decision of your entire life. Those who have experienced this great salvation should be eternally grateful. Think what you were without Christ, but consider what you are by God's grace. Paul reminded the Ephesians-and ss-"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince ...

The establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ in such an area is another proof of the power of the gospel. Paul wrote in Romans 5:20, "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Never was this more true than in Corinth. Sin abounded on every hand, but the grace of God, as proclaimed in the gospel, took hold of needy hearts. The Apostle Paul further declared in Romans, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to...

Nor onLy was the city of Corinth the capital of Achaia in Paul's day, but in political and commercial importance it surpassed all other cities in that part of the world. Though famous for its commercial prestige, it was also recognized as a center of culture and learning. Along with this, it was a city of great wealth; but it was also known for its gross wickedness and corruption. There was a familiar phrase spoken in Paul's day: "To live like a Corinthian." Everyone kn...

Would you experience the joy of "living confidently," with the assurance of being prepared to meet God? Then lay hold of the contents of the Epistles of John. Its writer says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life". There is no need for anyone to hope he is saved, for he may know. Read this brief Epistle with this thought in mind and notice how clearly the truth unfolds.

In addition to emphasizing the believer's assurance, John launched an attack on the false teaching that had found its way into the church. At the time, the Gnostics were denying the humanity of Christ. This is probably why little is said about Christ's deity in First John. Just the opposite was the case in John's Gospel, where Christ is presented as the Son of God. In the first Epistle, Christ's deity is taken for granted, while His perfect humanity is presented in convincing clarity.

Followers of Christ will admit that there are certain choice portions in the Word to which they frequently slip away for comfort, encouragement, and inspiration. They study and believe the whole Bible, but often find rest and consolation in particular passages. For many, Philippians is one of the "choice morsels" to which the believer frequently resorts. The very thought of this Epistle seems to remind us of our Lord's words recorded in Mark 6:31 "Come ye yourselves a...

Philippians is specifically a believer's book. In this aspect, it is very practical. Most of us are deluged by problems and adversity. There is the constant desire to talk with someone who understands. Paul, the writer of the Epistle, is the one. As you read of the flagellations he suffered for the cause of Christ, you will readily recognize him as a man who knows how to face troubles.

One cannot read far into the Second Epistle of Peter without sensing the theme of "Living Faithfully". Doubtless Peter had never forgotten his extreme failure to live faithfully at the time of his outspoken denial of Christ years before. As a warning to other believers, to help them from falling into the same satanic trap, he writes this brief Epistle. He passionately admonishes all true Christians to beware of false teachers and apostasy and steadfastly to follow the...

As Peter wrote this second Epistle, he was nearing the end of his life. He was aware of this for he wrote in Chapter 1, verse 14, "Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle." Approaching the end he reminisces. He recalls the "Simon" life, but how grateful that he is that it was supplanted by the "Peter" life. But though this conversion was instantaneous, his transformation was gradual. Peter, like most of us who have believed on Christ, was extremely sl...

Impetuous and unreliable and yet at the same time bold, fearless, and devoted - Peter, fisherman, disciple, and apostle, combined in one person the deepest levels of spiritual experience. His first letter to the church reflects the maturity of a godly character tested and refined in the fires of opposition and persecution. Though the first readers of his letter were suffering persecution themselves, Peter reminded them of the promise and the privilege of "living peacef...

Today also, 1 Peter is a favorite book because of its practical approach to the needs of every believer. The problems of the ominous age in which we live, though they differ in nature, are no less complex than those of the apostolic Church. This little Epistle provides a splendid source of peace and comfort for all God's people who are perplexed and troubled. Truly we can say of 1 Peter, as Paul said of the Scriptures, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime wer...

The Gospel ofJohn was written at a much later date than the first three Gospels. Truth had been perverted and the deity of Christ had been questioned. God laid His hand upon John to write the fourth Gospel to counteract this heresy, that all the peoples of the world might hear that Jesus is the Son of God. The purpose is stated clearly in John 20:30-31: "And many orher signs truly didJesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But t...

Someone has said that the Gospel of John is "the greatest Book in the world." Another has declared it to be "the greatest love story ever told." No one would dare surmise how many lives have been drawn to Christ and transformed by this Gospel. Before his conversion, John, the son of Zebedee, the brother ofJames, had been a rugged fisherman casting nets on the Sea of Galilee. Though not named in the narrative, he simply refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesu...

Job provides a living example of God's matchless care and provision for His saints. Who of us is without trials or hardships of some kind? The circumstances may differ from Job's but the sorrow and anxiety are the same. But more than this, the Lord is the same. As He undertook so overwhelming for Job, we may trust Him to do the same for us. It is for this reason that living patiently is not only a requisite for happiness but a grand privilege for all who know the Lo...

Probably the oldest book in the world is the book of Job, which is believed to have been put into writing by Moses. Though it is not quite certain as to the time when the events of the book transpired, many seem to think that it was during Abraham's day. Doubtless it was no later, for there was no mention of Israel, the Tabernacle, the Temple, the law, or anything that would suggest a later date. The theme of the book seems to be, "The child of God facing trials". ...

DANIEL - the example of a fearless life, a challenge to stand true to God regardless of cost. Here is the mighty power of God at work in overwhelming the forces of evil. DANIEL - one of the most fascninating books of the Bible, prophetic in nature, declares with clarity and certainty the personal, visible return of the Lord. Daniel is to the Old Testament what the Revelation is to the New Testament. Without a working knowledge of Daniel one cannot fully u...

It has been said that prophecy is history prewritten. Many of the events that have transpired in recent years, as well as those of our present day which have baffled the minds of military strategists, can be traced to God's Word. Daniel foretells the rise and fall of nations and powers. In fact, without a working knowledge of Daniel one cannot fully understand the present course of the world. Daniel gives the history of Jews and Gentiles. Furthermore, in precise det...

The book of Jonah is an exciting and continuous chain of surprises and providence from the beginning to end. These studies on Living Obediently stress those events and details which emphasize the necessity of obedience and how to claim victory over self-will.

THOUGH NUMBERED AMONG THE PROPHETS, the book of Jonah is more of a narrative than a prophecy. In fact, the only self-evident prophetic utterance in its four brief chapters is found in the form of a warning to the capital of Assyria—”Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Jonah abounds with interest, offering a continuous chain of surprises and providences from beginning to end. Numerous intervening events and details are readily skipped over, whi...

Though written three thousand years ago, it meets every need of today. With LIVING RELIANTLY, explore God's mercies - freedom from want...peace of heart...victory over worry...refreshing rest...comforting companionship...dependable protection and assuring confidence. Make this your psalm with LIVING RELIANTLY's helpful and gentle guidance.

The 23rd psalm is probably one of the most read and most appreciated portions in the entire Bible. Though written by David three thousand years ago, this short poem has never been improved upon or surpassed in any language. To our day it remains the sweet-singing nightingale of the soul, the majestic oak among the trees of faith, the Mount Everest of reliant devotion.