The progenitor of both the Israelites and the lshmaelites emerges from the shadows of ancient history as the friend of God. Called from his native country, he established the principle that man’s relationship to God was through faith and consequent obedience. The scene at Mount Moriah with Isaac on the altar is read frequently as […]
God called Abraham from the city of Ur in Chaldea, situated on the banks of the Euphrates. Archaeologists have recently brought to light wonderful discoveries there and have shown that it was a mighty civilization. From a luxurious life Abraham, at God’s command, left all to become a nomad, “dwelling in tents.” Separated from Kin […]
Three times over in the Bible, and each in an entirely different context, Abraham is called “the friend of God” (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; Jas. 2:23). In 2 Chronicles 20:7, King Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord in a time of national crisis and referred to Abraham as God’s “friend forever”: while James, at the […]
In Genesis 14 we trace the blessedness of the path of faith in answer to the call of God, and how our steps can slip unless held by the power of the Lord. In Chapter 13, we see the renunciation of the world by the believer who treads the path of faith; and, in contrast, […]
When we speak about preaching the gospel in the local church, we are not saying that it is the only place the gospel should be preached. There are many opportunities to preach the gospel both publicly and privately. Preaching the gospel at assembly meetings and on street corners are not mutually exclusive. Also, we should […]
“Come! hear the gospel sound– “Yet there is room!” This contagious gospel song tied into the conversion of an Irishman named George West Frazer (1839-1896). He put his own conversion experience to poetry, God’s house is filling fast– “Yet there is room!” Some soul will be the last– “Yet there is room!” Yes, soon Salvation’s […]
From the beginning of our marriage, Gladys and I used our vacations to either hold special meetings, or to distribute tracts. The story really began the summer that A. N. O’Brien, an older brother who meant much to us in our spiritual life, called from Duluth, Minnesota. Dedicated to giving his life to the Lord’s […]
The old adage, “Charity begins at home,” is not a trite sound bite. The home should be the school for life, and anyone who would love others must first love his brother. Sweet reasonableness, common (increasingly uncommon) kindness, and old-fashioned charity need to be practiced in everyday experiences of life before they can be shown […]
There are two lines in John Bunyan’s immortal allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, which you may readily recall: A man there was, though some did count him mad, The more he cast away, the more he had. We are naturally so self-centered that even as Christians we can be deluded into thinking that the greatest happiness […]