“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thess 3:16). Abe Lincoln told a story about his circuit-riding days. Heading to the next court session, he and his companions had to cross many creeks swollen by the spring thaw. Although they had crossed […]
Reconciliation means “to be returned to favor.” This is necessary only on our side; God does not need to be reconciled. “All things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18). In the same way, our message to sinners […]
“Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are” (Jn 17:11). When Solomon’s temple was built, David had already laid in store what was needed to start the project. But this time we don’t read of warehoused provisions, outstanding craftsmen to supervise, or skilled artisans […]
CHRIST our TREASURE: “To you who believe He is precious” (1 Pet 2:7). The word “precious” is not an adjective but a noun. Hence the RV translates it, “For you therefore who believe He is the preciousness.” He is the essence and sum of all preciousness! Cyrus is reported to have said to Croesus, “The […]
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17). As Robert Cleaver Chapman explained this: “Turn everything in life into something to talk to God about.” To use the typology of Leviticus 6:13, “A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.” Charles Wesley expressed this well in this hymn: “O Thou, whose […]
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables…but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Pet 1:16). Amy Orr-Ewing writes: “Sceptics would be surprised by the number of extra-biblical writings which refer to events and places mentioned by the writers of the Bible. These writings come from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds, demonstrating that at […]
“When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t you quit!” —Edgar A. Guest We’re told in our decadent Western society that it’s dangerous to be too busy. Some have selected this as their favorite Bible verse: “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, […]
CHRIST the CONQUEROR: “When a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor” (Lk 11:22). Both from the case of the Gadarene demoniac and the one in the synagogue of Capernaum we learn that, great as was the sway of Satan over the bodies and souls of […]