Category Archives: Persecution

Filling in the Gaps of My Learning

I grew up in a small, rural, conservative Southern Baptist Convention church. I believed in Jesus as my Savior at a young age, was baptized, and joined the church. I went to Sunday School just about every Sunday and stayed … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Children, Church, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doubt, Faith, Parenting, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer Requests, Problems, Scripture, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Sent? Or God Allowed and Used?

Somewhere along the way in my ministry, I picked up a daily devotion book written by Phillips Brooks. Brooks was a famous Episcopalian pastor in the Boston area in the 1800s. In the devotion for May 2, he writes: Faith … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Human Life, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Sickness, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Loves the Word “Through”

Have you ever noticed that God loves the word “through”? Take Isaiah 43:2, for example, where He says to Israel: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Complaining, Courage, Disappointment, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Provision, Needs, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Teaching, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“What Are You Doing Here?”

Elijah had recently experienced one of the greatest victories of his life in defeating and executing Queen Jezebel’s 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-40). Afterward, he probably hoped that Jezebel would admit defeat and stop her … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Backsliding, Change, Choices, Courage, Depression, Disobedience, Faith, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Persecution, Problems, Service, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Doesn’t Make a Way

My previous post was entitled “God Can Make a Way” and was based upon the story found in Acts 12:1-19. That post focused upon how God made a way of escape for Peter as Peter sat in a Roman prison … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Bible Study, Death, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Human Life, Justice, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Problems, Scripture, Suffering, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Temporary Victim

When Joseph’s older brothers sold him into slavery a series of events was initiated by which God, over the course of 13 years, caused Joseph to become the second highest ruler in Egypt. Nine years later, after Joseph’s brothers had … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Death, Comfort, Complaining, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Revenge, Reward, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thunder Balanced With Love

From everything we can surmise about Christ’s chosen 12 apostles, John was the youngest. He was the son of Zebedee and the younger brother of James, who was also one of the 12 (Matthew 4:21). By combining certain passages (Matthew … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Anger, Attitude, Balance, Character, Family, God's Love, Greed, Humility, Love, Ministry, Persecution, Preaching, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Surely the Wrath of Man Shall Praise Thee”

The title for this post is taken directly from Psalm 76:10, the full text of which says: Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee; the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. (K.J.V.) But what does “Surely the wrath of … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Omnipotence, God's Judgment, God's Work, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Revenge, Reward, Sowing and Reaping, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Word American Christians Don’t Want to Hear

But the Lord said him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Children, Commitment, Courage, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Loneliness, Ministry, Money, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Perseverance, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Suffering, Tithing, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

God: Heavenly Father or Heavenly Commander in Chief?

Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, I was a huge fan of the television show M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). For that matter, I’ve continued to watch the reruns ever since. I know all the characters, all the episodes, … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Commitment, Courage, Demons, Dying To Self, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Satan, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments