In our public prayers, we often thank God for the fact that we live in a country where we can worship Him without fear of reprisal or molestation. Indeed, this kind of prayer is specifically approved in Scripture: “Therefore I exhort first of all those supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

The Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 to, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Why Preach the Word? Because preaching is important to God! The Bible says that God has “manifested His word through preaching” (Titus 1:3). Jesus told his disciples that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Paul stated that “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe”
(1 Corinthians 1:2). In another place the same apostle said, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). The Bible emphatically declares that preaching is important!

By: Mike Riley

When we look at the Old Testament, it’s interesting to note that David and the other writers, somehow managed to make God the center of their lives so that everything was related to God. To them, worship was the central activity in their life, not just something to “get through” until secular activities could be resumed. The process of letting God in on every detail of our lives is one that is sorely needed.

By: Mike Riley

Sometimes trials seem to come one right after another. You wake up in the morning and your car won’t start. This unfortunate event makes you late for work, your boss chews you out, and your whole day is ruined. You later find out that your car won’t be repaired for another week and the bill makes you think you’re buying a new one. On top of this, you learn that a member of your family has been diagnosed with cancer. During times like these, we are prone to ask, “Why me, Lord?” “Haven’t I been living faithfully?” Why do good people have to suffer bad things in their lives? Many people throughout the ages have pondered this very question. It seems that the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper. Job saw this clearly during his time of affliction (cf. Job 21:7- 15). In this article, let’s look at three biblical reasons why God allows good people to suffer.