by Bert Harned, MD
Twice in the first chapter of 2nd Peter it says to be diligent. (The NIV says “make every effort.”)
DILIGENTLY add to your faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love (verse 5). And in verse 10–BE DILIGENT to make your calling and election sure. The dictionary defines diligence as “marked by persevering, painstaking effort; characterized by steady attention and assiduous, industrious, studious effort.”
Why should we go to all that trouble and effort? Continue Reading »
by Bert Harned, MD
A story is told of a king who was told he would be cured of a mysterious sickness if he would wear the shirt of a really happy, contented man. After a long search, such a man was found, but he did not possess even a shirt.
What does it mean to be “content?” Simply, it means to be satisfied. It means wholly at ease, fulfilled, without craving, sufficient, the acceptance of God’s provision. You can be satisfied, at ease, and without craving for more…if you know and love Jesus. Continue Reading »
by Bert Harned, MD
Last week I drove to a furniture store warehouse to pick up two chairs we had previously ordered. I backed up to the elevated dock and the dock worker handed the first chair down to me. I noticed he was wearing a beautiful gold chain with a good-sized, gold cross. The figure of Christ was on the cross.
When he handed me the second chair I said, “I noticed your cross there. Who is that on the cross?” He replied, “That’s Jesus.” So I said, “Well you know, Jesus is not on the cross any more, He rose from the dead, and He’s alive.” The man looked at me and said slowly . . . “I don’t think so.” Continue Reading »
by Bert Harned, MD
What comes up on your screen when you hear the word “lukewarm?” God uses that word in Revelation 3:16 about the church at Laodicea. It is not good! ”I will spit you out of my mouth,” He says. He calls them hypocrites, wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Yikes! What do you make of those strong words!? Continue Reading »
by Bert Harned, MD
“DO NOT FRET” — those are the opening words of Psalm 37. Do not fret about what? About evil men who do wrong and cause wicked schemes to happen. This chapter says twice “don’t fret about them.” Why not? Continue Reading »
by Bert Harned, MD
God intends that we be confident (assured, knowledgeable, bold, nothing to hide, forthright in speech).
1 John 3:21,22 “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and we receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”
Lack of confidence in God is a symptom of something seriously wrong in my heart. What could erase my confidence in God? Well, disobedience, sin, selfishness, pride, no time for prayer–all those things would do it. Continue Reading »
