2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Remember that suffering is not new. In what is probably the oldest book in the Bible, the book of Job, we read, “For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). Now there’s a
Acts 18:1-17; 2 Corinthians 11:22-28 Paul pressed ahead through a mind-boggling series of intense hardships. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?
Popular wisdom discourages us from looking back in time. For example, the oft-cited quote from Bil Keane is, “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” I would argue that the
Acts 11:19-26 Some of you who read these words today could use a little extra hope, especially if you find yourself in a waiting mode. You were once engaged in the action, doing top-priority work on the front lines. No
In so many areas of life we have no choice. “It’s not fair,” we say. But the scales of life were forever tipped on the side of fairness when God planted a tree in the Garden of Eden. All complaints
“Sir, …we would like to see Jesus” (John 12:21). Does that request sound familiar? Haven’t you felt in the same way? Somewhere in your deepest yearnings, don’t you long to see Jesus, witness one of his miracles, and know in
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19 ). But his mother treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:51). We are fascinated by stories of hidden treasure. Many of the
Does one prevailing problem stalk your life? Where does Satan have a hook in you? Some are prone to cheat. Others are quick to doubt. Maybe you worry. Yes, everyone worries some — but you own the national distributorship of