The Sound Word

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Facing trials, obstacles, opposition or changes in life are normal. Not only normal, we are told to expect them. How we come out the other end however, is completely up to us. Job of course had his problems. He chose to dig in his heels. He also began to question God. Not in a good way, but in a way that showed mistrust in God's actions and a penchant for self confidence and lack of humility. In the end all was well with Job, but only because he was personally and severely rebuked by God. Judas also faced a trial; should he give up Jesus or not? Will it further his ambitions and cause, or will it make things worse? These examples and many more show us that what effects a trial may have on us are determined by our actions. We can embrace the trial, and see it as an opportunity for growth and an open door, or an action of restriction and pain, from whi...

Acts 8:1-3 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.   2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.   I used the NASB Translation here because of the clarity of the translation. We all know Paul's past. And yet we all look to Paul as such a great leader, and he is obviously a very important character in the history of fledgling Christianity. Authoring half of the New Testament makes that pretty clear. But what does Paul tell us about ourselves and about Jesus? Well, a lot; but we'll look at just a narrow point. As I said, we all know Paul's story. He was a persecutor of the church. Struck blind by Jesus on the road dot Damascus, Paul was c...