John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace"

John Newton (1725-1807)

A "wretch" who found "Amazing Grace!"

John Newton was nurtured by a devoted Christian mother who dreamed that ...

You Can't Be Holy in a Hurry

Some years ago we often sang a hymn, "Take Time to Be Holy." I wish we sang it more in these days. It takes time to be holy; one cannot be holy ...

Holiness Can't Be Hurried

Some years ago we often sang a hymn, "Take Time to Be Holy." I wish we sang it more in these days. It takes time to be holy; one cannot be holy ...

Churches and Parachurches

There's one thing local churches do that parachurches can never do--mature the saints.

A Prayer for Forgiveness

Do not think of the sins we have committed or of those we still commit. Put out of your mind the failings we give way to night and day. Do not impute ...

Every Garden Needs a Gardener

In First Things First, A. Roger Merrill tells of a business consultant who decided to landscape his grounds. He hired a woman with a doctorate in horticulture ...

Lost in Drudgery

Most of us are spiritually inefficient because we cannot do certain things and remain spiritual. We can be spiritual in prayer meetings, in congenial ...

Denying the Power

Beware of worshipping Jesus as the Son of God, and professing your faith in Him as the Savior of the world, while you blaspheme Him by the complete evidence ...

Wanting What's Right

When we have the feeling that on some occasion we have disobeyed God, it simply means that for a time we have ceased to desire obedience.

God's Marvels

God creates out of nothing. Wonderful, you say. Yes, to be sure, but He does what is still more wonderful: He makes saints out of sinners.