2016-September/October

Spiritual Growth through Trials

September 1, 2016

September/October 2016 Precious Promises to Help in Trials Spiritual Growth through Trials  “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).1 Tom Gilbert Listen to audio:  There are those who believe that God intends for Christians to have a life of ease and prosperity. If that were the case, He would have been a miserable failure. The reality is that those who follow the teachings of his Son seem to have more than their […]

News and Views-September/October 2016

September 1, 2016

September/October 2016 Listen to audio:  V Religious A total of 89 individuals and religious communi­ties across Russia are known to have been brought to court in 2015 for possession of literature dealing with religion or beliefs. None of this literature appears to incite the violation of human rights, vio­lence or hatred. Of these, 79 ended up with punishments, including four individuals who received jail sentences. These figures represent an increase on the previous year, when 56 punishments (all fines) resulted from 65 […]

Today in Prophecy – September/October 2016

September 1, 2016

September/October 2016 “Brexit” Shocks the World “And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4). Listen to audio: In The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914, historian Barbara Tuchman wrote, “England’s traditional tolerance was outraged at last.” This observation of England in the time just […]

When I Am Weak, Then I am Strong

September 1, 2016

September/October 2016 Promises Regarding Shortcomings and Weaknesses When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Listen to audio:  Cinematographer Conrad Hall once said, “There is a kind of beauty in imperfection.” He, of course, was thinking of what would make a film more dramatic. But in God’s plan we learn that the avenue to […]

Trusting the Promises

September 1, 2016

September/October 2016 Promises Related to God’s Continual Oversight of our Affairs – Trusting the Promises “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4 NIV). Listen to audio:  Bible Students have highlighted scriptural texts that meet this broad definition of “Precious Promises” and compiled them into a well-read booklet, originally published in 1954 in Los […]