On looking around at the Lord’s work, and the vast amount of machinery of one kind and another in operation, it must strike even the most careless observer that the results are terribly small in proportion to the means used. It is true that the gospel is to be preached for a witness; true that […]
We watched the women prisoners file slowly from their cells into the common area. Their plain, dull uniforms seemed to match their expressionless faces. The team of four women from our assembly stood at the front of the room trying to urge a smile or even a mumbled hello. A few were obviously relieved by […]
There has been much work, effort, and expense in the establishment of local testimonies and their maintenance over the years. Now some saints are older and often tired and discouraged. They may even be tempted to give up. Some assemblies are in peril of closing. The consequences: lost testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ; and […]
“The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect […]
Acres of peach trees spread over the hillsides of a fertile valley through which we were speeding in the Sydney-Melbourne express. They were clothed in pink and white blossom, standing as a fair bride to receive the smiles and kisses of the sun which looked upon them from a cloudless sky like a radiant bridegroom. […]
It was a call of desperation. Though the brother on the line was an elder, this was the first time he had been called on to conduct a funeral. Since normally there are only two or three days given to prepare for a funeral message, a first time request can be frightening. With great anxiety, […]
It is of the utmost importance that the heart be established in the certainty of every “Thus saith the Lord.” These are days of research and criticism, when things are not taken for granted because taught by one’s forefathers. Everything nowadays is thrown into the crucible and tested, the most hoary and time-honored beliefs are […]
Much can be said about the role that each of us ought to play in the local assembly in the future. But wouldn’t it also be helpful for us to stop and think about the role we have now? For, make no mistake, each of us already has a role, whether we realize it or […]
The design of our heavenly Father in all His gracious work for us and in us is that we should willingly become His servants here, and in perfection His servants forever above. Should we not all press forward beyond the winning of personal security, to the desire that, by our influence, example, and labors, others […]