“Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a kinsman…And he shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age” (Ruth 4:14-15). Christian, you can say this! Once a Gentile without hope, your Kinsman has not only given you new life, He installed you in […]
“Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart” (2 Chron 6:8). Holy desires are included in “doing well.” God “looks on the heart” and assesses the life, not as men do, but by a more gracious standard. Many a desire […]
“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy […]
“Beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1 Cor 8:9). It’s classic slapstick: eat a banana; toss the peel; someone’s feet slip, and Presto! an epic pratfall. But, says Paul, it’s no joke if my liberty leads to someone’s calamity. The peel is part of the […]
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps 111:10). Beginning a new career, project, chapter in life? If we want to do it wisely, then we must begin with God. Fearing Him means taking Him seriously. Don’t ask Him to bless your plans. Use His! […]
“If I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Lk 11:20). When we try to resist infernal powers ourselves, we’re like children trying to stop sea waves with sand castles. We must resist “in the faith” (1 Pet 5:9), faith in the One who does […]
“The Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (Deut 20:4). Goliath, world-like, seemed to have it all: physical prowess, the latest technology, his nation’s confidence. Just one thing was missing, David’s secret: “I come to you in the name of the Lord.” […]
“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” (Hag 1:4). You can tell that many of God’s people are hard workers. Just look at our houses and cars! Of course, these are not wrong in themselves—unless they’re squeezing out our work for the Lord. […]
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Heb 1:1-2). God spoke by His Son, who not only used familiar themes—eating, drinking, etc., He spoke to common need: love restored, forgiveness offered, freedom […]