Challenges in Town, Out of Town, and in the Sea!In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea....— 2 Corinthians 11:26Many years ago, I visited a city in the north of Russia where we were scheduled to hold a large evangelistic camapaign to reach th...  Read More

Religious Hypocrites And Pagan Idol Worshippers!In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen.... — 2 Corinthians 11:26Often atheists say, “Religion is an evil force. It is the main source of hatred and war in the world.” And if we carefully examine the regional conflicts in the world today, we would have to admit there ...  Read More

Highway Robbery!In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers....— 2 Corinthians 11:26When you live and preach the Gospel in volatile regions of the world, you deal with issues that believers in more civilized nations never have to think about. Some of these challenges simply go with the territory of working on the front lines of the Gospel, and there is nothing that can be done ...  Read More

Walking Thousands of Miles, Crossing Wild and Dangerous RiversIn journeyings often, in perils of waters.... — 2 Corinthians 11:26When my family first moved to the territory of the former Soviet Union, it was at the worst economic time that part of the world had known since the events of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. It seemed there was a deficit of everything. Store shelves were empty. Pharmacies...  Read More

Turn Your Memories Around!Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep. — 2 Corinthians 11:25Sometimes people get the impression that they have to be absolutely perfect before they can step out in faith to do something new and adventuresome. But there is rarely a perfect or easy environment in which a step of faith needs t...  Read More

Even Beatings and Death Cannot Stop a Man Who Is Determined!Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned.... — 2 Corinthians 11:25I’ll never forget the day one of our workers came to see me with deep gashes running across his cheekbones and nose. When I saw the condition of his face, I was completely taken aback. The sight simply broke my heart.It was this young man’s task to carry copies of o...  Read More

Jesus Has Overcome Everything!Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. — 2 Corinthians 11:23,24Once when I was teaching from Paul’s words in Second Corinthians 11:23-25, I especially emphasized the afflictions Paul overcame by th...  Read More

Become More Determined Than Hell Itself! Are they ministers of Christ?(I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.— 2 Corinthians 11:23I am often amazed by people who say they want to be mightily used by God but yet are so “soft”! It doesn’t take much at all to ruffle these people’s feathers. A little inconvenience or d...  Read More

How Is Your Work Ethic?Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant.... — 2 Corinthians 11:23I personally gain strength when I consider the many victories the Lord gave the apostle Paul. He had multiple challenges that came against him and his ministry, but none of them ever stopped him from his task. As noted earlier (see August 3), it is simply a fact tha...  Read More

Why Should We Stop Just Because the Devil Gets in the Way?Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. — 1 Thessalonians 2:18If you are going to do anything significant for the Kingdom of God, you must know in advance that Satan will not be delighted about it. He will try to stop you, thwart you, and dissuade you from staying on track. The last thing h...  Read More

You Will Receive Exactly What You Believe!...If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. — Mark 9:23I cannot begin to count the times people have told me, “Rick, no one has ever been able to do what you’re attempting to do in your part of the world. We know several who tried to do it in the past, but they failed and ended up in a mess. So be careful, because it is highly ...  Read More

If You Love Life And Want To See Good DaysFor he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lipsthat they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.— 1 Peter 3:10,11Do you want a good marriage? Do you want to live a long and happy life with your spouse? If your answer is “Yes, that’s exactly what I want,” you need ...  Read More

Do Not Render Evil for Evil Or Railing for RailingNot rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.— 1 Peter 3:9One day when I was flying on a plane, I noticed that the woman next to me seemed to be seething about something. I asked her if everything was all right, and she erupted in anger about ...  Read More

Be Pitiful, Be Courteous!Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. — 1 Peter 3:8As Peter continues to make his concluding remarks to husbands and wives, he urges them to “...be pitiful, be courteous.” Today I want us to delve into the meanings of these Greek words to see what Peter means when he commands husbands and wives to be “...  Read More

Love as BrethrenFinally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. — 1 Peter 3:8When Denise and I first got married, I got upset with her one day over something very silly. Such a small issue shouldn’t have upset me, but I was just beginning to learn how to be a husband, and Denise was learning to be a wife. As often happens when a couple ...  Read More

Becoming of One Mind And Having Compassion One of AnotherFinally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. — 1 Peter 3:8It doesn’t take too long for a newly married couple to start discovering the differences between the way a man and a woman think and feel. But the husband and wife just need to stay committed to their marriage and seriou...  Read More

Husband, You Are A Co-Ruler With Your Wife!Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.— 1 Peter 3:7Husband, it is simply a fact that you married a woman who loves you and needs you. Your wife is your partner, and she wants to be treated lik...  Read More

Planning Premeditated Acts Of Kindness Toward Your WifeLikewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life....— 1 Peter 3:7Husband, absolutely no one in your life is more precious or important to you than your wife. One day when you are older and your children have started their own ...  Read More

Husband, You Need To ‘Dwell’ With Your Wife!Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life....— 1 Peter 3:7One of the meanest tricks in the world occurs when a man romances his future bride and treats her like a princess as they are courting — but then once they get married, eve...  Read More

What Is a Meek and Quiet Spirit?Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.— 1 Peter 3:3,4One day I was invited to speak at a church in the city of Kie...  Read More

What Will You Do When the Effects of Gravity Start To Show Up?Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.— 1 Peter 3:3,4When a young bride prepares for...  Read More

Is God Against Cosmetics?Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,or of putting on of apparel;But let it be the hidden man of the heart,in that which is not corruptible,even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.— 1 Peter 3:3,4Many years ago, my wife and I were invited to minister in a church that...  Read More

Wives, Don’t Be ‘Preachy’ With Your HusbandsLikewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. — 1 Peter 3:1,2Many years ago we had a young couple in our church who were madly in love with each other. Every time I saw them, th...  Read More

Isn’t It Time for You To Quit Daydreaming And Get To Work?But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. — 1 Timothy 4:7When the time came for our family to move to Moscow to start our next church, my wife and I knew that God wanted us to turn over the care of our large church in Riga, Latvia, to our associate pastor. After serving as a son in the Gospel for ...  Read More