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In school, did you pray for wisdom during tests? That’s usually when I recognized my need. It’s no different in God’s school of life. The book of James combines the testing of our faith with the prayer request for wisdom (James 1:3-5). The testing of our faith casts us on the Lord to ask for wisdom. Not wisdom as to why we are being tested, but how we can grow spiritually through the test. C.H. Spurgeon said, “Faith that cannot be tested, cannot be trusted.” Let’s learn the lessons at hand and be ready for the tests. —Rex Trogdon

In a world with so little comfort how good for us to lay hold on such words. The Lord is coming again. Coming, He will take us home to be with Himself for all eternity. He could come today! This may be the last time you read this calendar. May we, like the saints at Thessalonica, find comfort in these words today! —John M. Clegg

The word “Abracadabra” was used in ancient days as a magic formula to heal sickness. To experience healing, the name had to be written in a special way on parchment and worn around the neck on a linen thread. Today, there are many “abracadabras” who preach that souls can be healed by good works. However, only by faith in Jesus’ death can we be delivered from our sins. How sad to see multitudes trusting in false cures, when the Scriptures tell us about the Lord Jesus who came to heal. —R. Surgenor

Josiah was taking no chances. He did not just cut the idols down, he made dust of them and he scattered it. Those idols would never rise again. Romans 13:14 warns us: “Make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” In confessing sin and abolishing idols we have held dear, make dust of them. Don’t leave the pieces around to reconstruct in time of temptation. “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly,” (Prov. 26:11). —D. L.

Trials come with a built in blessing. The one who endures suffering will be rewarded with a crown. Actually there are five crowns given as rewards for faithfulness in: living, serving, witnessing, leading, and even suffering! It is not ours to choose our experience. We can choose only our response to our experience. When it comes to suffering, follow the Lord’s example who endured great suffering and was crowned with glory! —Rex Trogdon

Note that “sorrows” is plural. In Hebrew the plural might have meant just that, a plurality, more than two, which was dual. But sometimes the plural was used to denote intensity, greatness, magnitude, and O the intensity of our Lord’s sorrows! He knew the deep sorrows of loneliness, of misunderstanding, of bereavement, of unbelief, of rejection, and then the final, ultimate sorrow and pain of crucifixion. Whether plurality or magnitude is intended, He was in deed a Man of sorrows. —Jim Flanigan

A cottage in a vineyard conjures up an appealing picture. But here it is different. As harvest neared, a vineyard owner would erect a small, temporary booth so that his workers could be on site constantly to protect the grapes, cucumbers or other crops. However, as soon as harvest was finished, the booth would be abandoned and in the wind, without maintenance, it would soon fall down and become a sorry sight. If we are not alert our testimony may collapse under the rigours of worldly affairs. Let us therefore keep close to the Lord and maintain relationships with Him, read the word, pray and fellowship with saints.—Roy Hill

When physical illness or bereavement enter a believer’s life, the saints will often rally round, as they can see the suffering. Sometimes, however, the "not so obvious" trials leave one in the dark alone—a darkness which can be felt. Never forget that these situations are known by our God. Rest assured that He understands your "low estate," and, more than that, will bring you into the light again. You will be a better and more understanding Christian because of the valley experience. —Brian Russell

The Bible is a book that tells us first, the bad news, then the good news. It is good news for bad people. The verses above describe the world in which we live. There are fears on every hand and there is no rest for wicked people. However, there is for believers in Christ a rest that is offered to all.The good news is, Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” (Matt 11:28). Now that is good news. We do not know what tomorrow brings, but we can always know that beneath us are the “everlasting arms.” Is your rest in Him? —Harold G. Smith

The darkness of evil has never been able to overpower or extinguish the Light which came down from heaven. Great men and women have burst brightly upon the world's stage, but eventually their inadequacies and failures surface and their brilliance fades. He never diminishes! The Light of the world is Jesus, and when we walk in His Light we find our life is in the radiance and warmth of its heavenly glow.—Milton Haack