Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!…Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1, 4-5 In the story of the paralytic, Jesus addressed the deeper need—forgiveness of sins—before healing…
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Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. Mark 2:3-4 These verses showcase the remarkable faith…
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Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psalm 31:5 Don’t overcomplicate a difficult season. Just keep doing good. Peter concludes Chapter 4 by encouraging believers to “commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19). This act of surrender is crucial in our…
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And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. John 14:16-18 As fallen mankind and children of the Father, we were never meant to suffer alone. In times of suffering, we’re assured that the “spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).…
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My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4 The call to rejoice in suffering seems counterintuitive, yet it’s a recurring theme in Scripture. This…
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And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 The Bible teaches that our sufferings…
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Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13 When we’re in the middle of trials…
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Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads with diligence;…
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And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9 Peter emphasizes the importance of having an unparalleled, zealous, enthusiastic love for our fellowman, reminding us, that kind of love cleans many a slate. This kind of love isn’t just a…
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For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles — when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same food of dissipation, speaking evil of you.…
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