Reaching Forward

“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

WHEN PAUL TALKED ABOUT “PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD,” HE SET BEFORE US THE MAIN GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE IN THIS WORLD. Having been [...]

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

WHEN THE MOMENT ARRIVES AND THE LORD RETURNS, THERE WILL BE NO DOUBT AS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING. As Paul described it, the Lord will [...]

“And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes’” (Luke 12:42,43).

WE SHOULD LIVE IN FERVENT EXPECTATION OF [...]

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, YOU LIKE TO READ MANY DIFFERENT THINGS, SOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN OTHERS. But what if you knew that you only had a short time left to live? What would be on your reading list? You’d probably [...]

“But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:8,9).

LIFE IN THIS WORLD IS A MIXTURE OF EASY THINGS AND HARD THINGS. All of us have to deal with both kinds of situations, the easy ones and [...]

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will [...]

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” (Luke 12:20).

THERE IS NOTHING THAT PERTAINS TO “LIFE UNDER THE SUN” THAT IS NOT “VAIN.” This is the clear message of Ecclesiastes. Unlike the life to come, this [...]

“Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward” (Matthew 6:5).

IN TEACHING ON PRAYER, JESUS SAID THAT WE MUST DO BETTER THAN THOSE WHO PRAY TO BE “SEEN BY MEN.” Those who have no higher goal than reputation had better enjoy the reputation they get, because that’s ALL they’ll get. “They have their [...]

“For the form of this world is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31).

EVERYTHING ABOUT THE “TEMPORAL” WORLD IS “TEMPORARY,” AND WE SEE EVIDENCE OF THAT EVERY DAY. Time is filled with “swift transition,” as the song says. Nothing stays put; everything changes. Much may be enjoyed, but it is transitory. It goes away.

Since [...]

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job [...]