A wealthy English merchant who lived on the European continent was satisfied with nothing but the best. This attitude extended even as far as the cars he owned. His pride and joy was a Rolls-Royce coupe that he had owned for years and that had given great service all that time. One day, while driving … Continue reading “FORGIVENESS, PERFECT”
FORGIVENESS, JUDGMENT AND
Some people try to punish themselves for their sins, as opposed to standing on the promises of forgiveness. The story is told of a time, many years ago, when a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance they saw a prairie fire, which would soon engulf … Continue reading “FORGIVENESS, JUDGMENT AND”
FORGIVENESS, FORGETTING AND
A man who was telling his friend about an argument he’d had with his wife commented, “Oh, how I hate it, every time we have an argument; she gets historical.” The friend replied, “You mean hysterical.” “No,” he insisted. “I mean historical. Every time we argue she drags up everything from the past and holds … Continue reading “FORGIVENESS, FORGETTING AND”
FORGIVENESS, DIFFICULTY OF
Many reconciliations have broken down because both parties have come prepared to forgive and unprepared to be forgiven.515 A man named John Oglethorpe, in talking to John Wesley, once made the comment, “I never forgive.” Mr. Wesley wisely replied, “Then, Sir, I hope that you never sin.”516
FORGIVENESS, BASIS OF
Bondage to sin came by birth; deliverance from sin comes by death. But if we die, then what good is it to be delivered? There is another way to die and yet live. For example, consider a small piece of paper that is placed into a book. The paper has an identity all its own, … Continue reading “FORGIVENESS, BASIS OF”
FOLLOWING
Someday, watch a stream of ants stretching between their anthill and a food source. Some will be going to pick up their load; others will be returning to deposit their prize in the recesses of the anthill. The whole process will be very organized, very precise. Then ask yourself, “Why are these ants so organized … Continue reading “FOLLOWING”
FEAR OF WITNESSING
To overcome the fear we all experience when considering approaching someone with the gospel, we need to have a conviction that God has given us something to say that our audience needs desperately to hear. Such a conviction will free us from fear. For example, consider a person walking down a street who notices a … Continue reading “FEAR OF WITNESSING”
FEAR OF WASTED LIFE
Ray Stedman told the story of a time when, after a Billy Graham crusade meeting, he slipped into a seat on a bus beside a young man who had gone forward in the meeting that night and given his heart to Christ. Pastor Stedman spoke to him of what his new life would mean, and … Continue reading “FEAR OF WASTED LIFE”
FEAR, THIEF’S
A farmer looked out his window one day and saw several young fellows stealing watermelons from his field. He pulled out his gun and fired over their heads once or twice to scare the thieves off. Later, when the boys met, one said, “Did you hear those bullets?” Another replied, “I heard them twice, once … Continue reading “FEAR, THIEF’S”
FEAR, STUDENT’S
Scrawled in a nervous hand across a blackboard at Southern Methodist University during finals week was this message: “We have nothing to fear, but F itself.”501