…To him that overcometh… Revelation 2:7 …Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5
In John’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation one recurring statement is set forth as a challenge, “To him that overcometh”. When overcoming seems overwhelming, remember that our Lord has overcome the world (John 16:33). How do we overcome? By trusting in Him (1 John 5:5). We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Rom. 8:37). Today, may we live out His victory as overcomers. —Rex Trogdon
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
—John H. Yates
The purpose of this letter was to correct some false teaching that was infiltrating the church. There was a strain of Jewish legalism with an emphasis on certain foods and the keeping of Jewish holidays. There was also certain Gnostic ideas which would become fully developed in the next century. Some of these teachings claimed to give one a deeper insight into truth, “philosophy.” Matter was inherently evil and God was not the direct Creator. There were intermediate agencies.
Paul urges them to get back to the reality of the greatness of the Person of Christ, His incarnation, and the adequacy of the gospel. Salvation was the work of Christ, not the result of human effort or superior knowledge.
Use this commentary to work your way through the book of Colossians for an edifying study.
DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 7; Daniel 8; Revelation 3:7-22
…I wholly followed the Lord my God. Joshua 14:8
This was Caleb’s testimony when he was forty years old. And it was his testimony when he was eighty-five. Praise God! He was marked by a life of faith and obedience. Even to old age his faith did not waver. He was an inspiration to Israel then and he still is to Christians today. It is possible to live a consistent, godly life, even to old age. The choice is ours. Caleb’s God is the same today, ready to strengthen faith and to enable us to persevere. And surely we need men and women today like Caleb to inspire the younger generation to live for God. Be a Caleb in this age. —Donald L. Norbie
How can you go on when things are not getting better?
In this book, you will meet real people living with: the tendency to abuse alcohol, the memory of aborting a child, the death of immediate family members, the frustration of deteriorating health, the pain of unexpected divorce, the challenges of raising a child with special needs, the conflicting emotions arising from a mismatched marriage, and more.
Ron Hughes presents 10 accounts of the presence of God sustaining those who are living at the end of the rope. His work in media since the mid-70s and vocation in ministry since 1983 have provided him with hundreds of opportunities to interact with people in all kinds of circumstances. His subjects in these chapters made themselves vulnerable in unexpected ways which allow readers to identify strongly with the thoughts and emotions common to all of us who struggle.
Here, you will find no tales of instant deliverance, miraculous cures, or dramatic victories. Instead, these pages contain the stories of ordinary people walking day-by-day through the end-of-the-rope experiences which build faith and bring hope to life.
How can you go on when things are not getting better?
In this book, you will meet real people living with: the tendency to abuse alcohol, the memory of aborting a child, the death of immediate family members, the frustration of deteriorating health, the pain of unexpected divorce, the challenges of raising a child with special needs, the conflicting emotions arising from a mismatched marriage, and more.
Ron Hughes presents 10 accounts of the presence of God sustaining those who are living at the end of the rope. His work in media since the mid-70s and vocation in ministry since 1983 have provided him with hundreds of opportunities to interact with people in all kinds of circumstances. His subjects in these chapters made themselves vulnerable in unexpected ways which allow readers to identify strongly with the thoughts and emotions common to all of us who struggle.
Here, you will find no tales of instant deliverance, miraculous cures, or dramatic victories. Instead, these pages contain the stories of ordinary people walking day-by-day through the end-of-the-rope experiences which build faith and bring hope to life.
How can you go on when things are not getting better?
In this book, you will meet real people living with: the tendency to abuse alcohol, the memory of aborting a child, the death of immediate family members, the frustration of deteriorating health, the pain of unexpected divorce, the challenges of raising a child with special needs, the conflicting emotions arising from a mismatched marriage, and more.
Here, you will find no tales of instant deliverance, miraculous cures, or dramatic victories. Instead, these pages contain the stories of ordinary people walking day-by-day through the end-of-the-rope experiences which build faith and bring hope to life.
The purpose of this letter was to correct some false teaching that was infiltrating the church. There was a strain of Jewish legalism with an emphasis on certain foods and the keeping of Jewish holidays. There was also certain Gnostic ideas which would become fully developed in the next century. Some of these teachings claimed to give one a deeper insight into truth, “philosophy.” Matter was inherently evil and God was not the direct Creator. There were intermediate agencies.
Paul urges them to get back to the reality of the greatness of the Person of Christ, His incarnation, and the adequacy of the gospel. Salvation was the work of Christ, not the result of human effort or superior knowledge.
DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 6; Daniel 7; Revelation 2:18 to 3:6
…Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Romans 5:20
William Wilberforce (1759-1833) waged a long, difficult, and stressful campaign to abolish the slave trade throughout the British Empire. When Wilberforce sought counsel from converted slave trader John Newton, Newton summarized his life, your life and mine, and the gospel in one sentence: “I am a great sinner; Christ is a great Saviour.” Have you realized you are a lost sinner, and that Christ is the only Saviour? —W. Ross Rainey
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. —John Newton
DAILY?READINGS: Ezra 5; Daniel 6; Revelation 2:1-17
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33
We are all like sponges, permeable, quickly able to take on board the things that are around us. When we choose to keep company with those who love sin and disrespect the things of God, we will find that we can quickly “soak up” their attitudes. Often it can be so subtle that we may not even realize what is happening. For this reason, it is essential that we surround ourselves with friends who will challenge us and inspire us to greater things for Christ. —Shane Johnson
With joy I heard my friends exclaim, “Come, let us in God’s temple meet; Within thy gates, O Zion blest, Shall ever stand our willing feet.” —Psalter
Christmas is a time to focus on the birth of Jesus and an excellent way to do just that is by reading through 31 Days at Bethlehem’s Manger. In our house, we read the morning devotional at the breakfast table and the evening devotional before bedtime, to reflect on what God has done for us. As we were reading through last night’s devotional, it really helped us remember:
Christmas is the time for giving, and none gave so much as the Lord Jesus Christ. His were the true riches, and He gave them up for us, for me! O let us give Him the full worship of our hearts this Christmas season, for He alone is worthy! – pg. 40
What a great way to end the night, thinking of what God has done for each one of us.
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By faith Enoch…had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 And Enoch walked with God… Genesis 5:22
Scripture says very little about Enoch, yet what an amazing testimony he had! He pleased God! How did Enoch please God? By walking with Him. It’s so simple, yet so profound! Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was that they “might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (Col. 1:10). May we too have this testimony, that we please God. —E. V.
Change your Church! Renew us, Lord, till we all reflect your Word! Make of us a shining light, ever pleasing in your sight! God, revive us by your love; send your Spirit to reprove! Take away sin’s awful blight, help us all to do the right!
—J. Dalles
Timely Lessons from the Book of Exodus By: Jim Paul Published by: Gospel Folio Press Buy now. “In the preface to this book the writer states his belief in the historical accuracy of events recorded in the book of Exodus and that this divine record ‘lays a solid foundation for understanding what it means to be associated with God’s people’. The author rightly says that while the church is not a substitute for Israel we can learn much from Israel’s experiences, lessons concerning salvation, sanctification and service. Consistent with that, the book contains a good balance between gospel appeals and teaching for believers. “As the title suggests, this is not an exhaustive commentary on the book of Exodus, the main focus being on the actual journey of the children of Israel rather than upon all the associated events. In consequence, there are sections of Exodus that are passed over with either very brief comment or no comment at all, for example, the writer moves from the call of Moses straight to the Passover with virtually no mention of the plagues that God brought on the land of Egypt. Likewise, there is very little on the latter chapters of Exodus concerning the Tabernacle, though what is said is instructive. The sixteen chapters are brief and very readable and the author takes every opportunity to press home truth concerning principles relative to assembly gatherings.
“While some seem to neglect the teaching of the Old Testament, as though it has little relevance for today, the author is to be commended for his lucid, practical and profitable teaching. The book will especially benefit those young in the faith and also clearly demonstrate how the experiences of Israel in the past have a parallel in the pathway of God’s people today.” ~Richard Catchpole, South Norwood, London, UK (Precious Seed Magazine, Volume 63, Issue 3, 2008) Buy now.
