Standing for Truth and Defending Your Freedom
Standing for Truth and Defending Your Freedom
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J U L Y 1 6 “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath …” — Ephesians 4:26

To Temper Our Temper

How is your temper? Do you keep your anger in check, or have you let anger sink its roots into your life? Unfortunately, an untold number of people go through their entire lives angry. Virtually any psychiatrist or psychologist would say that as many as ninety percent of their patients have problems somehow related to anger. Sadly, our anger seeps its way into our happiness, homes, and friendships, eroding the foundations of these blessings.... More
J U L Y 1 5 “… each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. — 1 Corinthians 3:13–14

The Christian At The Judgment

Let us get it clear once and for all: Heaven is a “free gift,” not an “earned reward.” I once saw a pamphlet with this question on the cover: “What must you do to go to heaven?” I opened it up, and the inside was blank. This pamphlet clearly communicated the message that we can do nothing to earn our salvation. Jesus has already paid the price in full for you and for me. Isn’t that an incredible... More
J U L Y 1 4 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17

Liberty Versus License

Are you ever confused about what’s right and wrong in our world today? You’re not alone. Part of the problem is a confusion between liberty (which we could define as the freedom to do right) and license (which we could define as the freedom to do wrong). Our salvation is not a license to sin. It is a deliverance from sin. When Jesus first began His public ministry, what did He say? Repent. Though we have saving faith in Christ,... More
J U L Y 1 3 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

The Bridge Of Faith

Have you ever tried to explain to someone what the word “faith” means? If you have, then you know that it’s a difficult concept to explain. Here’s a story that might help others understand the meaning of faith. It was a dark night on the main road from Jackson to Vicksburg, Mississippi. It had rained heavily, but the storm had finally broken, and the pavement was not so slippery. A truck driver traveled down that... More
J U L Y 1 2 “… these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” — Deuteronomy 6:6–7

As The Twig Is Bent

Are you ever discouraged with your children? Let me encourage those of you who have children or hope to have children someday—whatever challenges you face in parenting, don’t ever give up. “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” This familiar saying contains a Biblical truth: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Knowing how much parents love their... More
J U L Y 1 1 “O Death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” — 1 Corinthians 15:55

Death Swallowed Up

Someone once asked, “Who has not at some time in his life trembled at the thought of death? Who has been able to resist him?” All of our might and wisdom, all of our cunning and power have been to no avail before death’s invincible might. But do you know that the great specter of death that has always clouded the horizon has been vanquished? Do you know that you no longer need fear the grave? Against the heartless... More
J U L Y 1 0 “Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.’” — Ephesians 4:8

The Conquests Of The Conquered

What does the phrase “He led captivity captive” mean? It may seem like a puzzle, but it’s not as confusing as it seems. Let me explain. Before Christ came, all who died went to a place called, in the Hebrew, “Sheol.” Some people believe there were two compartments in Sheol, one for the wicked, and one for the righteous, but the Bible simply says that everybody went there. In this shadowy land controlled by... More