Paul: Joy in Spite of Trouble
/in Steadfast Hope“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). The apostle Paul was a model believer who did not let his troubles steal His joy in the Lord. According to today’s verse, believers should never let a negative outlook replace our joy, no matter how bad life seems to be. The apostle […]
Stephen: Godliness in Suffering
/in Steadfast Hope“But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Because Stephen was so consistently Spirit-filled, it was natural for him to react in a godly way to persecution and death. The cliché “Garbage in, garbage […]
Stephen: Grace and Serenity in Suffering
/in Steadfast Hope“And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). Stephen’s excellent character teaches us much about responding to suffering and death. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is one of the most inspiring biblical examples of faithfulness in life and ministry. But his personal excellence shines forth most through […]
