Over the years, Matthew 5:16 has been a daily challenge to me. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven". I have tried to shine my light in my walk and in my ministry for many years. Although I have failed the Lord at times, the Lord has never failed me. I have sought to shine the light of Christ in our home, in the churches I served, and everywhere I went. While I was in the traveling ministry, I tried to shine my light from east to west and from north to south, in the United States as well as in other countries. Through radio, I found the greatest privilege of all to shine my light. God has blessed this marvelous opportunity in a remarkable way. I give Him all the praise for the strength and help He gave all along the journey as I tried to shine the light and do His will.

Though written three thousand years ago, it meets every need of today.

With LIVING RELIANTLY, explore God's mercies - freedom from want...peace of heart...victory over worry...refreshing rest...comforting companionship...dependable protection and assuring confidence.

Make this your psalm with LIVING RELIANTLY's helpful and gentle guidance.

The Gospel of John was written at a much later date than the first three Gospels. Truth had been perverted and the deity of Christ had been questioned. God laid His hand upon John to write the fourth Gospel to counteract this heresy, that all the peoples of the world might hear that Jesus is the Son of God. The purpose is stated clearly in John 20:30-31: "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that . . . ye might have life through His name."

DANIEL - the example of a fearless life, a challenge to stand true to God regardless of cost.

Here is the mighty power of God at work in overwhelming the forces of evil.

DANIEL - one of the most fascninating books of the Bible, prophetic in nature, declares with clarity and certainty the personal, visible return of the Lord.

Daniel is to the Old Testament what the Revelation is to the New Testament. Without a working knowledge of Daniel one cannot fully understand present world events, much less the events which are to come.

Job provides a living example of God's matchless care and provision for His saints. Who of us is without trials or hardships of some kind? The circumstances may differ from Job's but the sorrow and anxiety are the same. But more than this, the Lord is the same. As He undertook so overwhelming for Job, we may trust Him to do the same for us. It is for this reason that living patiently is not only a requisite for happiness but a grand privilege for all who know the Lord. Therefore, "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith".

As Dr. Blair examines the biblical account of Job, we come face to face with tragic loss, grief, financial ruin, a broken marriage, betrayal by one's closest friends, and perhaps the most cruel of all, the seeming silence of God in response to Job's anguished cry, "Why?". In spite of Job's devastating losses, he never lost his firm trust in the God who is above and beyond all sufferings. For everyone who is tired of glib answers and simple slogans, it's time to discover the inner strength of Living Patiently.

The book of Jonah is an exciting and continuous chain of surprises and providence from the beginning to end. These studies on Living Obediently stress those events and details which emphasize the necessity of obedience and how to claim victory over self-will.

OBEDIENCE. We hear so little of that today. Many times we find it easier to disobey than simply to obey. Jonah found it so. The results of his disobedience are well known. But do you know the truth behind Jonah's disobedience?

Followers of Christ will admit that there are certain choice portions in the Word to which they frequently slip away for comfort, encouragement, and inspiration. They study and believe the whole Bible, but often find rest and consolation in particular passages. For many, Philippians is one of the "choice morsels" to which the believer frequently resorts. The very thought of this Epistle seems to remind us of our Lord's words recorded in Mark 6:31 "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while".

Everyone loves a winner. Our only problem is figuring out what it means "to win" and what is worth winning in the first place. The apostle Paul's letter to the Philippian Christians is filled with the zest, the motivation, the celebration of a winner even though Paul himself was imprisoned, facing the prospect of a death sentence. Dr. J Allen Blair's concise and challenging devotional commentary helps us discover the real meaning and reason for winning. In our most difficult defeats, we can live as victors through Christ.

The establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ in such an area is another proof of the power of the gospel. Paul wrote in Romans 5:20, "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Never was this more true than in Corinth. Sin abounded on every hand, but the grace of God, as proclaimed in the gospel, took hold of needy hearts. The Apostle Paul further declared in Romans, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans I: 16). Wherever the gospel is proclaimed, you may be sure that God will use His Word to the saving of souls.

Living Wisely is not easy in a sinful and materialistic generation, plagued by many problems similar to those confronting first century Christians. Corinth, a center of culture and learning, politically and commercially important, was also wicked and corrupt. And conditions haven't changed much in the last nineteen hundred years. Paul penned his first letter to the Corinthians to provide - guided by the Holy Spirit - divine wisdom for Christians. This challenging volume highlights the Apostle Paul's practical counsel which provides for us, as for the early church, that "wisdom from above" so essential for our walk with the Lord.

Impetuous and unreliable and yet at the same time bold, fearless, and devoted - Peter, fisherman, disciple, and apostle, combined in one person the deepest levels of spiritual experience. His first letter to the church reflects the maturity of a godly character tested and refined in the fires of opposition and persecution. Though the first readers of his letter were suffering persecution themselves, Peter reminded them of the promise and the privilege of "living peacefully" in Christ regardless of circumstances.

Dr. J. Allen Blair's devotional commentary on First Peter captures the spirit of encouragement and comfort that still speaks to all believers struggling with the complexities of life. Pastors and speakers will appreciate Dr. Blair's consistent illustration and application of the text; Christian readers will appreciate Dr. Blair's obvious pastoral spirit and attention to the concerns of daily life.

One cannot read far into the Second Epistle of Peter without sensing the theme of "Living Faithfully". Doubtless Peter had never forgotten his extreme failure to live faithfully at the time of his outspoken denial of Christ years before. As a warning to other believers, to help them from falling into the same satanic trap, he writes this brief Epistle. He passionately admonishes all true Christians to beware of false teachers and apostasy and steadfastly to follow the Lord in a life of holiness and obedience.

The Apostle Peter never forgot his outspoken denial of Christ. His failure that night greatly influenced the rest of his life. Years later, LIVING FAITHFULLY became the theme of his second Epistle. Beware of falling into the same satanic trap, Peter is pleading. Beware of apostasy - it seems to be in the very Church itself! Beware of false teachers - God will surely judge their "damnable heresies" and "pernicious ways". Beware lest ye also fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...

Would you experience the joy of "living confidently," with the assurance of being prepared to meet God? Then lay hold of the contents of the Epistles of John. Its writer says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life". There is no need for anyone to hope he is saved, for he may know. Read this brief Epistle with this thought in mind and notice how clearly the truth unfolds.

LOVE...FELLOWSHIP...HOSPITALITY... The Epistles of John abound with challenge and encouragement to Christians to develop and display love, fellowship, and hospitality. And CONFIDENCE... During its short history, the infant Church had gone through many storms - uncertainty, misunderstanding, persecution, false teaching. Confused and perplexed, some believers even doubted their salvation. John had written his Gospel for unbelievers that they might believe and be saved. He wrote his Epistles to believers that they might know they are saved, and how to live confidently in that knowledge.

There is no promise that this journey will always be pleasant. There will be hardships, temptations, and sorrows. At the same time there will be joy, peace, and blessing. Greatest of all, Christ will be with us to care for us and provide all our needs every step of the way. He will never leave us nor forsake us. This journey can either be a thrilling experience or dull and uninteresting. Actually, to a large degree it will depend on what we make it. We have a choice of victory or defeat. What you will read in the following pages will offer positive suggestions for victory in your new life. Take them to heart and do your best to follow through in the strength of the Lord.

Is there an alternative to the "up-on-the-mountain-top, down-in-the-valley" experience of many Christians? Veteran pastor and speaker J. Allen Blair presents another choice -- the choice to live consistently in spite of life's ups and downs. Using fourteen key profiles of the believer found in the New Testament, Dr. Blair demonstrates that spiritual growth and joy can be the norm not the exception.