Strange Guidance
Are you troubled because the goals you want to reach always seem to elude you? Do you sometimes wonder how the path you are walking can be God's way, when you seem to be going only in circles and one obstacle after another blocks your progress? If you have placed your life in God's hands, trust Him completely.
Three Sisters
Grace, mercy, and peace are the three sisters of salvation. In these three words we have the gospel in capsule form. They sum up our complete salvation in Jesus Christ.
I Know The Author
In his letter to Timothy, Paul did not say, "I know in whom I have believed," although this also was true. He did not say, "I know what I have believed," although this also was true. But Paul said, "I know whom I have believed" (2 Tim. 1:12).
Mother's Influence
It is my conviction that many a mother will occupy a higher position in God's kingdom than many prominent Christian leaders whom we might expect to find in places of greater honor.
Rubbish Piles
Nehemiah, the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes, had received permission to return to the city of Jerusalem with a company of workers. It had been destroyed some 70 years before. Its wall lay in ruins, the temple in ashes, while Judah pined away in captivity.
The Love Of God
This is divine love: Jesus loved not only His friends but also His enemies—the God-hating, Christ-murdering world.
One Window
Windows have two primary functions: one is to let people look out, the other is to let the light shine in.
Which World?
"How is your son John doing?" said a pastor to the father of a prosperous young man.
Camel Journey
While Isaac was out in the field, he saw the camels in the distance, carrying his bride. At the same time Rebekah saw Isaac afar off also, and we read, "Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; for she had said to the servant, 'Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?' The servant said, 'It is my master.' So she took a veil and covered herself" (Gen. 24:64-65).
Unclouded Truth
The book of Jude contains one of the most vivid and interesting descriptions of apostate teachers. These people who heap up for themselves the severe and certain judgment of God (v.4) are likened to "clouds without water" (v.12).
In The Belly Of A Fish
Jonah must have been very uncomfortable in the belly of the fish. Yet there are many people in this dark and suffocating world who seem to think that the place they find themselves is a pretty good place to be. They believe that the world needs only a few social and political improvements. And they also hold that people themselves possess the ability to make all the needed changes.
Chastening
As the story goes, a little piece of wood once bitterly complained because its owner kept whittling away at it, gouging it and making holes in it. But the one who was cutting it paid no attention to the stick's protests. He was making a flute out of that piece of ebony, and he was too wise to stop when the wood complained so bitterly.
Radiant Christians
Psalm 34 breathes with the spirit of exuberant confidence and faith in God. The Lord, said David, delivers us from all our fears (v.4). Not only that, but those who look up to Him with a heaven-born confidence reflect the light of His countenance so that they become radiant (v.5). The inner joy bubbles over and reveals itself in their eyes and face.
The Gift Of Prayer
The disciples of Jesus did not ask the Lord, "Teach us to preach" or "Teach us to sing," but they asked for what was most important: "Lord, teach us to pray" (Lk. 11:1).
A Mouthful Of Gravel
A mouthful of gravel! What an unpleasant feeling! Proverbs 20:17 pictures a man who began eating a piece of sweet bread which he had obtained by dishonest methods, but then found that his mouth was filled with stones.
Proper Perspective
Many a Christian has almost lost his spiritual footing by getting his eyes focused on other people instead of fixing them on the Lord Jesus. All human idols have feet of clay, and sooner or later they may fall and seriously disappoint us.
Cheerful Giving
During World War II this slogan was often heard: "Give until it hurts." Now, that may be all right for the world, but certainly it is not a proper slogan for the Christian who wants to be all that he should be for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Family First
The nearest thing to heaven on this earth is the home where husband and wife, parents and children live in love and peace together for the Lord and for each other. The nearest thing to hell on earth is an ungodly home, damaged by sin and iniquity, where parents quarrel and bicker, and children are abandoned to the devil and all the forces of wickedness.
Mirror Of The Heart
Have you ever looked into a mirror of curved glass that was designed to distort the image it reflects? Perhaps you are short and stocky, but in the glass you look tall and lean.
Above The Circumstances
I remember a story about a woman who was very discouraged because of the many problems in her life. As she was walking down the street, she met a fellow believer who asked, "How are you doing today?"
The Light Of The World
Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (Jn. 9:5). But what happened to the light when He ascended to heaven?
The Face Of Christ
Our face reflects our personality, and therefore it is the most expressive, the most cherished part of our being!
Who Holds The Rope?
Some years ago I read an account that went something like this:
Infallible Proofs
The Bible says that Jesus "presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3). This is more than a historic statement made by Luke. It is a challenge to all the critics who would deny the literalness of the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke made the amazing and startling statement that Jesus was alive, He was seen by a great multitude of people, and His resurrection was confirmed by a great number of convincing proofs.
The Core Of Thankfulness
To have all earthly gifts, pleasures, and benefits without also knowing the heavenly Giver is a tragedy of eternal proportions! The Word of God clearly teaches that if we do not respond to God's gracious gifts by acknowledging the heavenly Benefactor, our ungratefulness will only ensure our final doom and misery (Rom. 2:4-10).
Finished!
The Lord Jesus ended His work and suffering on the cross of Calvary with the words "It is finished!" (Jn. 19:30). In the original language in which John recorded these words, only one word is spoken by the Lord Jesus—tetelestai. Not three words but one—finished.
Broken Things
You may feel as if you are being broken today—in body, in spirit, or in material things. If so, consider that it may be God's way of bringing forth something good.
Pinpointing Prayer
If we want specific answers to our prayers, we must make definite, individual, personalized requests.
Unshakable
We live in the age of the atomic bomb—an age of fear. The usually calm leaders of science and diplomacy are shaken and frankly pessimistic about the future. It is remarkable that some modern-day scientists have taken over the preachers' prerogative and have become prophets of doom!
Standing Still
Stand still! That is a difficult thing for anyone to do. We all like to be busy.
