Promise can be utterly destroyed by passion.So Samson teaches those who will hear.Imagine the hope in his parents’ hearts. Manoah and his unnamed bride were childless, apparently infertile. There were...  Read More

Can you read the life of Jephthah, recorded in Judges 11-12, and not be overcome with emotion at tragedy?He was an outcast from his family through no fault of his own—his father, Gilead, hired a prost...  Read More

The Lord wants us to know that, apart from Him, we can do nothing of true, eternal consequence. Too easily do we take credit for successes that belong to Him.In Judges 7, Gideon gets this vital messag...  Read More

Many parallels exist between growing in the Christian life and growing in physical life, but there’s at least one contrast. In physical growth, the older we get, the more independent we become (up to ...  Read More

The second section of Psalm 119 (vv. 9-16) begins by asking a good question:How can a young man keep his way clean?“His way,” of course, would refer to his path of life. It’s a question that represent...  Read More

In native Australian tribes, a customary test that a young man must endure as a right of passage to manhood is called a “walkabout.” The youth is supposed to go alone into the wild for a period of tim...  Read More

What does spiritual growth actually look like in everyday life? For many Christians, this question brings a sense of frustration. “I’m just not growing,” we sometimes lament, feeling stuck in our spir...  Read More

Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 is framed around a distinct timeline:• gratitude for what God has done• confident hope in Christ’s return• a sober, active ethic for the “meantime.”As a be...  Read More

Have you noticed how quickly a corrupt atmosphere can take over? How one bad apple can spoil the whole basket?This can happen in the home.When one of the parents is in a foul mood and behaving badly, ...  Read More

“What in the world is the matter with people?!” Ever heard that one? How many times have you asked that question as you watched the news? Or scrolled social media? Or walked through Walmart?...  Read More

Numerous songs of praise have been written extolling the birth of Christ and of the Christ-child Himself. ...  Read More

God always does everything at the right time. Maybe not according to our timetable, but certainly according to His!...  Read More