My friend John Bjorlie was arrested while preaching from a public sidewalk to some college students at a campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The trial took all day. When the judge came to his summation, he told the packed courtroom that he had found this an unusual trial. It made him take down his Bible […]
“Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened.” —Helen Keller We begin Book III of the Psalter with a psalm by Asaph, the first of a set of eleven associated with him. Asaph was one of three Chief Musicians appointed over the singers and musicians at the temple. We spoke of […]
CHRIST the MAN of PRAYER: “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’” (Lk 11:1). The Lord Jesus was the only Man who could have, by Himself, made the right decision every time. But […]
“In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted” (Ps 77:2). Audra Lexin writes: “More people than ever are searching the internet for information on how to pray. Averaging 33,000 searches per month, 2020 has seen more searches […]
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ…that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Col 4:2-4). Sometimes we shrink from witnessing because we’re afraid of looking stupid; […]
It was just a slip of paper that fell at the bookbinder’s feet. But the timing could not have been better. And the message it bore could just as well have floated directly down from heaven. […]
“O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love” —Robert Grant We began our study of the breathtaking portrait of the King of kings in Psalm 72, noticing that Stanza 1 (vv 1-4) speaks of The King’s Righteous Reign. Stanza 2 (vv 5-7) presents The King’s Eternal Reign. Now Stanza 3 (vv […]
JESUS the FRIEND of ENEMIES: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Mt 5:44). Mitsuo Fuchida, the Japanese commander who led the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941, sat […]
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor 13:14). Only the Lord knows how many times this request has been borrowed to pray over the people of God. And no wonder! It is marked by succinctness, being just […]