Our Father’s Idols

“Take thy father’s oxen…and throw down that altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it.” Judges 6:25 Dear Ones: When God called Abraham to leave his home in Mesopotamia, in order to bring him into Canaan, the promised land, He most certainly did so in order to…

Climbing Higher

“…That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and REVELATION in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17 Dear Ones: How does one climb higher in the Christian faith?  We know that the foundational principle which governs our lives is that of FAITH in…

The Way Must Be Taught

“Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.”  Psalm 25:4 Dear Ones: Why is it that Moses, a most extraordinary man of God, very intellectual and strong, would make it a centerpiece of his prayer life to pray, “Show me Your way, that I may know You.” (Exodus 33:13)  How is it that…

The Song In The Heart

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19 Dear Ones: It is quite logical that if the Holy Spirit is in the heart, and the fruit of the Spirit’s presence and action is “love, joy, and peace,” then it is certainly…

The Weight And Remedy Of Shame

“For the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:2 Dear Ones: In the great hymn, “Full Salvation! Full Salvation,” we find these tremendous words:  “Care and doubting, gloom and sorrow, Fear and SHAME are mine…

The Eternal Guide

” (They) …were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia…they tried to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit did not allow them.” Acts 16:6-7 Dear Ones: Believing in God can be a real problem, especially when we approach the issue from a physiological perspective.  For example, let’s look at a vase…

The Power To Believe

“He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength.” Isaiah 40:29 Dear Ones: In Jesus’ model prayer in Matthew 6, He uses this phrase:  “…in earth, as it is in heaven.” (v.10)  How can His name be hallowed, His kingdom come, and His will be done, ON EARTH…

The Sheep’s Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 Dear Ones: How could anyone doubt the love of God who considers that Christ gave that which was most precious…His life, not to mention the suffering endured prior and during the crucifixion?  Fanny Crosby wrote the following:  “All the…

Everlasting Fruit

“…I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” John 15:16 Dear Ones: There is coming a day when every believer, disciple of Christ, will be judged, not with regard to God’s wrath and condemnation, but with regard to the QUALITY of the…

The Possible Impossibility

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.’” Genesis 41:16 Dear Ones: It was O. Hallesby who once said, “God doesn’t use many men these days; they are too big.”  What did he mean by this, and is it true? The story of Joseph in…