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No Need or Want In Philippians, the apostle Paul writes, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (4:11-13). One of the key words in this Scripture is the word content. Paul understood the secret to joy, peace, and happiness. It is not found in having

In Everything Give Thanks “In everything give thinks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Editor’s note: The following was adapted from a sermon Dr. Forrest preached on August 3, 1947, in Toccoa, Georgia. Paul’s words written to the Thessalonians were both an exhortation and command. However, many times we dismiss them because they seem unreasonable. The thought of expressing gratitude in times of difficulty seems out of place, especially when things don’t go to suit us. But Paul was sincere and serious when he wrote these words. They were not a theory to

In Everything Give Thanks “In everything give thinks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Editor’s note: The following was adapted from a sermon Dr. Forrest preached on August 3, 1947, in Toccoa, Georgia. Paul’s words written to the Thessalonians were both an exhortation and command. However, many times we dismiss them because they seem unreasonable. The thought of expressing gratitude in times of difficulty seems out of place, especially when things don’t go to suit us. But Paul was sincere and serious when he wrote these words. They were not a theory to

God’s Love St. Augustine once said, “He who is filled with love is filled with God himself.” The Apostle Paul takes a whole chapter to explain the importance of love. He reminds the Corinthian church that without love we have nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NASB). Paul gives the definition of love in these virtues: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with

Looking unto Jesus WHEN WE HAVE A NEED, where do we look for solutions? Most of us look everywhere else except to the One who can really help: Jesus. He is God and is able to help whatever the need. He is also man and therefore understands our inabilities. Even more than that, He delights when we look to Him for the solutions to our problems. When I served as Director of Spanish Churches for the C&MA, I had an office in New York City. One day a pastor from Queens came to my office to share what had been

Something Wonderful! Editor’s note: This week’s devotion is pulled from the book Dam Break in Georgia—a collection of personal testimonies from those who survived the devastating flood that swept through the Toccoa Falls College campus in the early hours of November 6, 1977. The rage of the waters was not assuaged. The next residence in the doomed row [of houses] lay right in the path of the fury and was also angrily swallowed. It belonged to Paul and Mary Williams. How “Uncle Paul” and Aunt Mary” met death we cannot know, but we can surmise that they met it as

In the Dumps Editor’s note: The following was adapted from a radio sermon Dr. Forrest preached on 12/3/44 1 Kings 19:9-13 Recently a young woman ended up in my office talking about how she was under a cloud of doubt and fear. Moments before she arrived, I had just finished reading a letter from a friend, who was very sick and had been forced to be idle for some time. Both of these people asked pretty much the same question, “Why has God allowed this to happen? Has He forgotten that I gave my life to Him and that I

Trust Him Former instructor and original college archivist Esther Voelker kept the following poem framed and hung in a prominent location in her humble, steel-building campus home. For those who were smart enough to push past the steely outer layer of her personality, a wonderful discovery awaited them. Her unwavering faith, decisive sense of hope, infectious laughter, fiery personality, and ability to listen to matters of the heart were just a few of the things that prompted Dr. Forrest to ask her to consider joining the faculty and staff of Toccoa Falls College. The following is the context of the