Everything Jesus said is a divine command, but much of His teaching is also practical advice! He said, in John 14:1, Let not your heart be troubled. This is a command, but it is also a way for us to enjoy life and to avoid trouble. I confess that loud music has often “troubled” me. It hurts my ears and …
By Mary Carothers Ugh! Who wants to read about self-control! For that matter, who wants to write about it! My carnal nature (the sinful nature we all have inherited from Adam and Eve) immediately said, “No Way!” My carnal nature wants to do and to have whatever it wants, whenever it wants. But, to my surprise, I felt my spirit …
One of our worst problems before we become a Christian was not recognizing that sin stirs God’s anger. One of our worst problems after becoming a Christian, is not receiving God’s forgiveness. Are you often discouraged about your sins and failures? You may be suffering needlessly. Some of us are blessed to have had someone who prayed fervently that we …
By Mary Carothers If you visited a different prison every day you would see the utter sadness and loneliness that fills the lives of so many men and women. Even if you knew the crimes they had committed, you would still ache within to see how deeply they suffer. Seeing their suffering would make you want to do something to …
As we learn to praise the Lord for everything, what should we expect? Most of us expect quick results. If there are no quick benefits, our short attention spans will sometimes cause us to move on to something else. Therefore, many people do not learn how the power of praise can bring undeniably miraculous results. I have seen many occasions …
By Mary Carothers Is the Bible true? Can we really depend on it? The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:105 that God’s Word was a lamp for his feet and a light for his pathway. When this Psalm was composed, parts of the New Testament were yet to be written. People of that day did not have as full a revelation …
Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things (Luke 10:41) Understanding the word “omnipotent” is important to us – exceedingly so! The Creator of our vast universe is all powerful. He is able to do anything He wants to do. Puny, human minds think of our Creator as limited in power. How ridiculous! It’s unreasonable …
By Mary Carothers One night long ago, near the little town of Bethlehem, shepherds were in the field, watching over their sheep. There is no evidence that it was any different from other nights. Perhaps they had a small fire and were sitting around it. Some might have been dozing, while others were alert, listening for sounds from the sheep …
Test me! Open your mouth wide and see if I won’t fill it. You will receive every blessing you can use! (Ps.81:10 TLB). What incredible potential God has given us! How long has it been since someone asked you if you are going to Heaven, or to attend church with them? If it has been a long time, there are …
By Mary Carothers I remember visiting a church when I heard this song. The words went something like this: Jesus is my Security Jesus is my Identity Jesus is my Everything. How the Father longs for these words to be a reality in the hearts and lives of His blood-bought children. To feel that our security rests in our finances, …
