By Gary Custis on
5/7/2012 7:38 PM
In living the Christian life it is important to understand the distinction between trials-outward and trials-inward. The same biblical word is used to describe both kinds of trials. The precise meaning must be determined by the context.
When James reveals,
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
4/4/2012 9:12 PM
The Christian life is filled with blessings and challenges. We are thankful for the blessings in Christ, but troubled by the trials.Since our sovereign God is always in control of all things – why should we suffer? Should Christians not experience endless bliss from the moment they are saved? And yet, the Lord promises that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
The afflictions experienced in this world...
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
3/10/2012 8:42 PM
The Bible reveals two companion truths in the outworking of God’s purposes. The first is divine power; the second is human weakness. God accomplishes His purposes by His power in the context of human weakness to glorify His name. The concept of human weakness can be expressed in various ways – such as “sinfulness” or “inability” or “helplessness” or “hopelessness.”
When Jesus confronted the woman at the well, he spoke to her when she was weak. It was in the context of her...
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
2/5/2012 12:03 PM
In recent times at the Chapel, two godly women have entered into the presence of the Lord. The death of Christians is a time of sorrow – and of rejoicing in Christ. It is also a time for the living to reflect upon death. Death is an unavoidable enemy. It is commonly thought that individuals fight against death when coming to the end of their lives. This is not true. The body is made to live and desperately clings to life, but...
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
1/8/2012 7:53 AM
Preaching the Word is not a ministry that God has given to every Christian. Every Christian is gifted by the Holy Spirit for a unique function in the body of Christ. The gifts are effective, but never all the same. But, pastors are responsible to preach the Word. They are called to the office of ministry and gifted for the ministry required of God. This is the reason that Paul placed such a high priority on preaching when he admonished Timothy before God Himself to “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul knew that the priority of preaching is necessary for an effective ministry. The Holy Spirit empowers...
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
12/28/2011 3:32 PM
Christmas recognizes the birth of Christ. This birth marked the beginning of the greatest event in human history – the life and ministry of the Messiah. Shortly after the fall of man, God made a promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. The rebellion and sinfulness of man would be resolved by a human being – a descendent of Eve. Further revelation about this “seed promise” indicated that this son of man would also be the Son of God. He would come and minister as the eternal Savior and King.
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
11/8/2011 7:16 PM
It is much easier to get people to engage in service than it is to get them to pray. Prayer is a spiritual discipline. Fellowship with the Lord is a wonderful privilege, but it is a challenge to bow before the throne of grace. The natural tendency of our old nature is to depend upon self, not God. The world encourages conformity and fellowship with others, not God. And, the spiritual forces of wickedness discourage prayer because they fear the fervent prayers of God’s saints.
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
10/22/2011 8:28 PM
The Christian is dependent upon the LORD God for all things. Everyone is absolutely dependent upon the Lord – it’s just that lost sinners never acknowledge their need. Christians have a different world view. We acknowledge that God is the source of all things and holds all things in place by His wisdom and power. We need Him for every aspect of physical life; we need Him for every part of our spiritual life. Scripture encourages us to pray for our spiritual life and growth in Christ. Without the Lord, we cannot grow in the grace and knowledge of Him. We need Him to be saved; we need Him to be sanctified. Do you pray for your own spiritual growth?
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
9/27/2011 9:36 AM
The Lord is the hope of every Christian. We can do all things He requires of us by His strength and power. But, without Him, we can do nothing. The Christian life is not so much a life lived for the Lord as it is a life lived by the Lord. We were created in the image of God to depend solely upon Him. This submission and dependence is the privilege of every Christian. We understand that everything pertaining to life and godliness is received from the Lord. Everything! Ane when we face trials and tribulations, we are compelled
Read More »
|
By Gary Custis on
8/7/2011 7:00 AM
The Christian lives in the midst of spiritual warfare. We would not know the severity of the danger were it not for the warnings in Scripture. It is the Lord who warns His people, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The ancient foe is still at work, but Christians are called to resist him. “But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Peter 5:9). How is the unseen devil to be resisted? A successful resistance requires that the schemes of the devil be understood. The devil’s pattern of attack focuses on faith. He works either to keep the lost from coming to saving faith in Christ or he seeks to destroy the faith of Christians. In both instances the devil focuses his attack on distorting and denying the Word of God. It is for this reason that Christians resist the devil by
Read More »
|