James 1:19 is certainly a verse that each of us ought to memorize. It is one of those verses that we need to hide in our heart, so that we sin against the Lord less (Psa. 119:11). There is much to emphasize in the verse, including where we often focus—be “slow to speak” and “slow to anger.” But before those two instructions is this—“be quick…
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Posts by David Sproule (Page 86)
Sometimes our faith weakens. Sometimes our trust wavers. Sometimes our confidence wanes. Sometimes our priorities shift. Sometimes our devotion fades. Sometimes our desires change. And, when that happens, sometimes we fall from where we need to be. We may even “turn.” God was the one who used the word “turn” to describe the action that a mind/heart takes, which is followed by the body/life. While one may “turn TO” God…
Do you feel like it’s harder to be nice these days? Some people today are extremely negative, extremely hurtful and extremely vile. Some people today throw niceness back in the face of those who extend it. Some people today make being nice awfully hard. Be nice anyway! When your own family members let you down, say things that hurt, forget to do…
As long as I “mostly” follow the Lord or “nearly always,” that’s good enough, right? Consider the stark contrast in Numbers 32. Joshua and Caleb “wholly followed the Lord” (32:12), and they were the ones permitted to enter the Promised Land. But “the Lord’s anger was aroused” against those who had “not wholly followed” Him (32:10-11). “Not wholly” following the Lord is equated in this text…
Here is how Paul described his state of mind in Second Corinthians chapter 7. He had had “no rest” (7:5). Sound familiar? He was “troubled on every side,” as “outside were conflicts” and “inside were fears” (7:5). Truly, Paul felt “downcast” (7:6). Have you been there before? But notice how verse 6 begins. While Paul was troubled, the next verse says, “Nevertheless God…” Think about that in your life. When…
Sometimes those who are followers do not realize that they are blind. They truly and honestly believe that those who are leading them and teaching them are solid, knowledgeable, trustworthy persons. For a variety of reasons, followers often follow without verifying what they are being told. Sometimes that’s just easier. But, when it comes to our eternal salvation, do we want to…
When Jesus promised that He would “build My church” (an immutable guarantee of the establishment of a single church within the lifetime of His disciples [Mark 9:1] that would belong to Christ), He also promised that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). There is an interesting parallel that Jesus’ promise has to the prophecy of Daniel, in which…
When Jesus knew the will of God, He took it upon Himself to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). He did not reject His need to be baptized; He submitted to it in order to obey the will of God. Immediately, “a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matt. 3:17). Later, as Jesus was contemplating “His…