Fattening itself along the trade routes of southern Europe sat Lyons, France, a center of the silk trade in the region. Fattening his own fortunes there was a wealthy young banker and merchant named Peter Waldo (?-1217). In 1160, he was stunned by the death of a guest at one of his banquets. Peter had […]
Our plane rose toward the morning sun as we left behind the narrow slice of green that hugs either side of the Nile River. Ahead of us lay the forbidding wastes of the Sinai Peninsula. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but the bleached rock and pale blue of the eastern […]
“This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Ex. 12:2). New Year’s resolutions are good but fragile, that is, easily broken. New Year’s prayers are better; they ascend to the throne of God and set answering wheels in motion. As we come […]
In the early chapters of the book of Numbers, the author has invited his readers to consider three classes in the camp of Israel. The warrior enrolled at twenty years of age, the Levite enlisted at twenty-five, and the priest’s service opened on his attaining his thirtieth year. Each of these has its counterpart in […]
You guessed it! The prayer meeting. Treating the prayer meeting as optional cannot continue if we are going to be strong and healthy assemblies. A minority of readers might wonder what the fuss is about. In these rare assemblies, most of the believers are out to the prayer meeting. But sadly, a majority of local […]
In the epistles–Romans through Jude–the word “feast” or “feasts” is mentioned only four times. Three of these references evidently refer to collective gatherings that include the saints of God. There is significant teaching relevant to these three references. A feast in scripture is not an orgy of eating. Rather, as God ordained a feast, it […]
In Israel’s Song of Liberation (Ex. 15), beautifully simple and refreshing to the spirit, God is everything and satisfaction is the result. Even though you may have been a long time on the wilderness journey, yet you can turn back with joy to re-echo this song. And if you have just set out on the […]
Did some U. S. Christians cast their ballots for the incumbent in the recent election? Then surely they must have uneasy consciences about their choice for what ought to be obvious reasons. Probably more Christians voted for the Republican nominee. But do they wonder if they have voted contrary to the will of God when […]
Matthew Henry (1662-1714) was born into a model Christian home. When Philip Henry was courting Miss Matthews of Worthenbury, her family objected to the engagement because they did not know much about his background. When told that they hardly knew where Philip was from, she replied, “Yes, that is more or less true; but I […]