Dear Ones: Nearly one hundred and fifty years before Cyrus the Persian came on the scene, God revealed to Isaiah that Cyrus would come. (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1) It is as if God took His bow and shot His arrow across time and civilizations to declare that He is sovereign. He will do as He wills,…
Dear Ones: The life to which we are called is one from heaven, in Christ, by the Spirit. It does not have its origin, or essence, in anything of this earth. It was Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, who said, “Any fruit born while not abiding in Christ, is fruit of the…
Dear Ones: How shall the goodness of God be revealed in us? Whether in great works or in the common, ordinary acts of everyday life there is only one way and it is by faith. In Robert M. M’Cheyne‘s great hymn, “When This Passing World Is Done”, he writes:
Dear Ones: How can we know that God is near? David was conscious of God’s nearness. “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” (Psalm 139:4) David was aware that God knew all of his thoughts and words. But on an even more intimate level David…
Dear Ones: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10) It is one thing to know ABOUT the power of His resurrection. It is quite another to KNOW that power in the life, where we live. We are apt to think that we do not need such power in the…
Dear Ones: If there is one thing that is clear throughout the entire Bible, it is the truth that we are called to singular devotion to God, and to His Son, Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament it is written: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul,…
Dear Ones: “And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; ‘for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; “and he will answer from within and…
Dear Ones: The Apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation: “And He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Revelation 22:1) In his gospel John also wrote: “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood…
“This strength that God gives has many forms. One manifestation of His strength is the ability to repulse any attempt of our enemy to make us afraid, dissatisfied, disappointed, or discouraged. We are called to be “anxious for nothing.” (Philippians 4:6-7) How can this be?”
Dear Ones: Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” (John 14:27) The Apostle Paul spoke of this peace, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…” (Philippians 4:7) Why does the peace that Christ gives pass all understanding?