Hebrews-11:32-40,-mark-6:14-29

In the dealings of God with men, hope has held a noble place. The expectation that Messiah would come cheered Israel in her years of victory and kept her from despairing in her periods of captivity and dispersal. Those who feared the Lord have often had rough going.

They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword: They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts...

That is, they were tried; and the design of their enemies by these trials was, to draw or drive them from the Lord. Their trials were of the most cruel kind, but they found that as their day, so was their strength.

Brethren, we shall be tempted; Satan is not dead, no, nor yet asleep; the world is not reconciled to godliness; nor are we free from indwelling sin. It is not our sin to be tempted - this is our trial; but it is our sin if we yield. God has promised strength, wisdom and...

A verse like this raises an interesting question. If we have not because we ask not, what great things are we missing in life simply because we do not pray for them?

A similar question arises from James 5:16, ""The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." If this righteous man doesn't pray, then does it not follow that little is accomplished through him?

The trouble with most of us is that we do not pray enough, or...

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. § You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. § That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.He is not ashamed to call them brethren. § Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother. § Go to My brethren and...

Noah … planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk. § [Abram] said to Sarai his wife, … “Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me.”  § Isaac said to Jacob, … “Are you really my son Esau?” [Jacob] said, “I am.” § Moses … spoke rashly. § The men of Israel … did not ask counsel of the Lord … Joshua … made a covenant with them. § David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his...

We were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. § Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. § Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. God is my strength and power … He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze....