There are many things that a young man who desires to be a pastor does not know. If it is God’s will that he be called to office, the young man does not know where the Lord will call him to labor. He does not know the circumstances that God may bring to his ministry […]
Why me? What did I do to deserve this? I deserve better. These are all things that I find myself thinking too often. When God puts certain trials and hardships in my life, my first reaction tends to be anger and frustration. I am blinded by my own struggles, and I fail to see that […]
“If it be Thy will.” How often don’t we use those words in our prayers? “If it be thy will.” It’s important for us to use those words. When Jesus instructed his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, he taught them to pray “Thy will be done.” Later, toward the end of his ministry, Jesus […]
What are the things you count as joy in this life? You take a moment to absorb the question, and then the list of all the good gifts God has given you begins to roll through your head. His grace, his salvation, his word, my family, my friends, my work, my dreams, my successes, my […]
Many of us flew to the convention, and for many of those who flew this was the first time that you remembered flying. If you sat in a window seat (or even if you did not), maybe you had the same experience I did—you wanted to look out the window because you do not have […]
Suffering is a grim reality in this world. But the God who controls it by his almighty power is also real. The question therefore follows, What is God’s purpose in our sufferings? The last part of the book of Genesis (Ch. 37-50) is largely devoted to answering this question. The inspired writer answers the question […]
“And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the […]
There in the darkness did I lay, In the pit of mire and clay. The darkness was so cold and deep, And to my soul then did it creep. The presence of one else was near, It chilled my bones with sick’ning fear. It’s cruel voice did drown my soul. He came to me, I […]
Images of terrible things flashed across the screen of the television. Susan wanted to shut her eyes, but somehow they couldn’t help taking in all the suffering that was being shown on the news. People in one country were starving. People in another country had been hit by a flood. And still another country had […]
Thank you for the privilege of speaking to you. It has been a number of years since I have spoken at a Young People’s Convention. And I am grateful for the opportunity to address you tonight. Christians, you and I too, know a SECRET: it’s the secret of being content not just when things are […]