In the last issue, we talked about the need for personal devotions. Let’s examine now the first part of those personal devotions—reading the scriptures. Our personal devotions should include a focus and meditation on God’s Word. Devotional books can be good but let us never forget the importance of reading the Bible itself. Only God’s […]
How is your prayer life, young person? I do not need to limit that question to the young reader of this magazine. What child of God looks back over their life and declares, “my prayer life has been everything it should be.”? A friend of Beacon Lights suggested that we have articles in each issue […]
Prayer is necessary for Christians. Our Heidelberg Catechism teaches this and explains why in Q&A 116: “Because it [prayer] is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us, and also because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only who with sincere desires continually ask them of him and are […]
That is a foolish man indeed who, traveling down the road, refuses to be led. He’s unsure exactly how to get to his destination. And yet he refuses to look at the map. Refuses to ask for directions. Refuses even to listen to the good counsel of others when they sense that he just might […]
Are personal devotions really necessary? The Bible is full of passages that call us to seek God regularly (1 Chron. 16:11), to meditate on him continually (Ps. 119:97), and to pray often (1 Thess. 5:17). The regular practice of personal devotions is one of the best ways to do these things. Jesus teaches the importance […]
It is tempting for believers to doubt God’s favor and love and to think it is not worth living as a Christian. The main theme of Psalm 73 is the truth set forth in the first verse: “Truly God is good to Israel.” The final verses of the Psalm involve a renewed commitment to focus […]
1 John 5:14–15 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Scripture teaches that God hears and […]
Think back to your day yesterday. How many times did you pray? What did you pray for? Could you stay focused? Did you struggle with your prayer? Prayer is such an important part of a Christian’s life. As Martin Luther said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive […]
Danny and his sister Becky curled next to their mom on their couch as their mom read the Bible passage about the armor of God. Danny sighed and frowned. “We’re all done with the armor of God.” “Not quite.” Their mom tapped the Bible. “The next verses talk about prayer. Prayer is an important part […]
Grace Schimmel was born August 27, 1926 to George and Nellie Kamps. Over the course of her long and full life, she had seven children, 31 grandchildren, and over 50 great-grandchildren. Her past times included lively card games with friends and family, heated debates around the dinner table, Dutch bingo, and painting (which she was […]