“Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, that I may not be ashamed” (Ps 119:80). What does it mean to have a blameless heart? The Hebrew word here translated “blameless” is often rendered “perfect.” But the word does not mean sinlessly perfect; that will have to await the moment of our final glorification. It […]
God-hungry men find God. “As the hart pants after the water brooks” (Ps 42:1), so the souls of the Upper-Room crowd panted for the living God. Spiritually naked, they fled to Him to be clothed upon with the blessed Spirit. Empty, they craved to be filled. Powerless, they tarried until they were endued. Bankrupt, they […]
CHRIST the FINISHER: “I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (Jn 17:4). Christ’s saving work for you is complete; His work in you is ongoing. Believer, you are “the elect of God” (Col 3:12); but you are “to make your call and election sure” (2 Pet 1:10). True, “you have […]
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mk 11:24). Is this really true? It is helpful to note that the word given here as “ask” is better translated “desire,” and strong desire at that. The same word is also rendered […]
“Is not My word like…a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jer 23:29). A couple of undergraduates were standing in one of the quads in Oxford. One was a Christian. In his hand he held a Bible, having come from a church service. The other man looked at him and said, “What have you […]
CHRIST the LIGHT: “A light to lighten to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32). In Gospel Reminiscences, Leonard Strong tells of visiting the last of the 16 plantations in British Guiana opened to him. To his surprise, Strong found an old man who was a glowing believer. How he had heard the gospel since no missionary had […]
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zech 4:6). Do you pray, asking for the Spirit? The Lord Jesus instructs us to do this, in Luke 11:13. Not for His presence (guaranteed to God’s people, 2 Cor 5:5), but for His fullness; not for the baptism (an […]
“The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus” (Jn 12:21). Sometimes the enemy tries to convince us that no one is interested in the gospel. Not true. Millions today will receive earth-shattering news—inoperable cancer, a spouse is leaving them, job loss, or […]
Yes, he’s a bully. He picks on the vulnerable, kicking us when we’re down. But just wait till Jesus shows up! “Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job…” (Job 2:7). Who is this vile creature who loves to curse people as God loves to bless? We’ve already met him as the “accuser […]