“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” (Philippians 3:13 NIV)
After over 25 years of spiritual growth and development, and active service in God’s vineyard, in which he had planted churches, written letters, endured…
“Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, ‘Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.’ So David and his men went to Keilah … and saved the people of Keilah.” (1 Samuel 23:4-5 NIV).
The story of David in 1 Samuel 23:4-5 offers…
“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 NIV).
Having commended the Thessalonian believers for their progressive growth in the Lord (1 Thess. 1:1-10),…
“… I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV).
While Paul urges the church community at Ephesus to…
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36 NIV).
Jesus carried out his ministry with…
“You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dare to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.” (1Thessalonians 2:1-2 NIV).
Gospel proclamation has, over the centuries, been a challenging…