“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 […]
Wounds are history frozen in time. My grandfather’s war wounds told me of his sacrifice. But Jesus’ wounds tell me something else. […]
“How unsearchable are His judgments…and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! ” (Rom 11:33, AMP). While the selection process unfolded in the palace, Mordecai has been occupied with more than pacing “in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare” (Est 2:11). With his ear tuned to hear any news from the […]
CHRIST OUR REFUGE: “You have been…a refuge from the storm…” (Isa 25:4). The steamer Empire State scarcely caused a ripple that autumn evening. It was 10:30 pm. Most passengers had retired below deck when suddenly a deafening blast rocked the ship. A boiler had exploded! Panicking, everyone rushed toward the upper deck; the melee that […]
“I will pray to the Lord for you” (1 Sam 7:5). Howard Hendricks’ father was not saved. He had tried many times to share the gospel, but his father would reply, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll work it out with God.” One day a Christian in Detroit handed a cassette to Butch Hardman: “Here’s a […]
Charles Finney writes: “I once labored in a village in New York where Universalism prevailed. The leading man among them had a sick wife who sympathized with his views. I called to see her, and endeavored to expose the fallacy of her delusion. After I left, her husband returned, and his wife, her eyes being […]
Cinderella has nothing on Esther. This young woman will change the whole course of history! As the king scanned the bevy of beauties gathered for his appraisal at his winter palace in Shushan (Susa), one young lady stood out from the crowd. “Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor” (Est 2:9). What was […]
CHRIST STRONGER than the STRONG MAN: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils” (Lk 11:21-22). Is it true that one […]