“For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom 14:8). The believer understands both the how and why of life: “by faith” (Rom 1:17), “by every word of God” (Lk 4:4), “by the Spirit” (Gal […]
CHRIST the PROMISE-KEEPER: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb 10:23). Henry Durbanville tells the following story: William P. White recounts how, as a young preacher, he received a message one morning, “Father Junkins is dying and wants to see you.” The dying man […]
“Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble” (Ps 10:12). Humility brings vulnerability; but it also brings victory, since “the Lord lifts up the humble” (147:6). Before being called to India, William Carey was trained as a cobbler. But how did the Lord use him in the work? Robert […]
Abdullah did not see why the Messiah must die for our sins. I took him to Genesis, telling him the story of a holy, faithful, and loving God who created humans to enjoy a close relationship with Himself. Next, we heard of God’s prohibition to Adam (2:16-17). I asked Abdullah, “Did God tell Adam that […]
“I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies” (Ps 119:59). A person is not idle when absorbed in beneficial thought; self-examination in God’s presence is far more productive than mere busyness when our feet may be leading us away from God’s path. […]
CHRIST the LAMB of GOD: “Behold the Lamb…” (Jn 1:29). Sidlow Baxter points out the ten great Lamb passages: in Genesis 4, we see Abel and the necessity of the Lamb; in Genesis 22, it is Abraham and the provision of the Lamb; in Exodus 12, the Passover emphasizes the slaying of the Lamb; in […]
“He…offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears” (Heb 5:7, KJV). Jesus performed many mighty works without outward signs of strain, but these words describe His praying. J. Oswald Sanders writes: “‘Epaphras is always wrestling for you in his prayers,’ wrote Paul to the Colossians (4:12).…The word ‘wrestling’ is that from which our […]
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). Repentance simply means “a change of mind.” Man naturally does not think rightly about himself, sin, God, or the way of […]
“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Eccl 7:8). Often hard beginnings lead to good ends; small seeds can grow into fruitful trees. Proud spirits like glory from the start; patient spirits are content with slow, steady progress in God’s will. […]