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Key Bible Verse: We can hold onto his promise with confidence. This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:18-19).Bonus Reading:Matthew 25:1-13

While studying biology, I learned about the water-spider, which lives on the bottom of ponds in a thimble-like gossamer case. He enters and exits this case through a hole at its base. On reaching the surface of the pond, he entraps air bubbles by means of hooked hairs. He then dives down to the case and sets the bubbles free inside it. After several trips, the spider has accumulated enough air from the upper world to survive in this alien, hostile environment for some time.

But eventually, as the vital oxygen supply is used up, he must return to the surface and gather more.

As Christians we, too, exist in a hostile environment, nourished and supported by spiritual resources from above. These must be renewed and replenished through regular fellowship with God. We can't allow them to run dangerously low, as we don't know when we may need to draw heavily on them.

Unlike the foolish maidens [in today's Bonus Reading], who allowed the oil in their lamps to nearly empty, obliging them to miss their chance of greeting the groom, we must be disciplined in maintaining our spiritual resources. You never know when you might badly need them!

—Alister McGrath in Doubting

My Response: I'll fill up my spiritual resources tank by …

Thought to Apply: Feed your faith, and your doubts will starve to death.—source unknown

Adapted from Doubting (InterVarsity, 2006) by permission.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Thank You, Lord, that while what I believe is beyond comprehension, it's never contrary to reason.

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