Last week we discussed how persecution is part of the faithful Christian life, and that we should be more concerned if we are not being persecuted in some way, because “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (II Timothy 3:12). Even though we are sure to be persecuted if we are living godly lives, we do not want to be the persecutors, which is why we must resolve to obey Ephesians 4:29-32:

Last week we discussed how persecution and trials are not only to be expected, but are to be embraced as opportunities to enter more fully into the kingdom of God. These are allowed as tests of our faith, and to purify our faith. The fear of God and the fear of man cannot coexist. One or the other will rule our lives. Persecutions, slander, and other attacks help to deliver us from and sift out of our lives the things that would cause us to compromise our most valuable treasure—our devotion to God. Consider again what Paul wrote in Galatians...

Using the Lord’s discourse in Matthew 24 concerning the signs of the end of the age, we have examined a few of the conditions that we may expect to unfold. Again, we are not just studying the signs to know them, we want to also be prepared for them. If we understand them, we will understand all that the Lord is allowing in our lives.

To date we have been viewing the increasing racism and instability, which is indicated from the Scriptures to increase. To help prepare for these, we can expect the Lord to allow us to be confronted...

Last week we discussed the increasing shaking and change that will ultimately climax in the greatest time of trouble the world has ever known, but it will also be the greatest glory. We are called to not only endure these changes, but learn to thrive on them, seizing the great spiritual opportunities that they present. The primary way we do this is by having rock solid consistency in our own hearts which can only come from a life that is built upon the kingdom of God–-living under the authority of the King of kings.

As we read in Daniel 11,...

Last week we discussed how change is a healthy process that every living thing experiences. The challenges that change brings to our lives can help us to be a wineskin that can hold new wine without bursting. The great, Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn once said, “Even biology teaches us that perpetual well-being is not good for any creature.” Biology also teaches that when there is an excessive resistance to change, it is a sign that the death process has begun.

The same is true intellectually and spiritually. All healthy, growing things will change and expand. When we begin to resist...