“Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (or “faint,” KJV) (Lk 18:1). H.G. Bosch quotes a missionary commenting on this verse: “My concordance shows the root meaning of the word ‘faint’ is ‘to cave in.’ What causes a ‘cave-in’? It is weakness on one hand and pressure on the other. What causes a […]
One of the most important lessons in the book of Acts is this: there’s room for everyone on the team. Not all could preach like Peter, but Peter first had to be brought to Jesus, and was, by his otherwise retiring brother, Andrew. Matthew arranged a dinner for the local tax office and invited Someone […]
Where can we find Wisdom? “At the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words” (Prov 1:21). We began our journey around Jerusalem’s ramparts, learning lessons about the progress of faith from the first four gates: salvation at the Sheep Gate; testimony at the Fish Gate; obedience at the Old Gate; and humility at […]
CHRIST the HEIR: “His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things” (Heb 1:2). This passage in Hebrews includes the fulfilled prophecy from Psalm 2, “The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” But the psalm continues: “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations […]
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor 1:3-4). This […]
How can you believe a Bible that is full of contradictions? Josh McDowell writes: “Certain passages at first glance appear to be contradictory, but further investigation will show that this is not the case.” McDowell points out that different descriptions may be complementary, not contradictory (see one or two blind men, Mt 9:27; Mk 10:46). […]
The following studies are illustrations, not interpretations, of the access points into God’s presence. “Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers; mark well her bulwarks; consider her palaces; that you may tell it to the generation following. For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide […]
CHRIST the DISSATISFIED SHEPHERD: “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?” (Mt 18:12). George Clephane, a young Scot, came to Canada in 1842. One cold winter morning he was found insensible […]