Fire From Heaven

Dear Ones: There are times when there seems to be a certain respite in history.  And though the war rages around, there is still something of the quietness of opportunity, and the consequent pleading prayer for God to intervene.  Such was the case in Zechariah 1:11.  Those who were sent throughout the whole earth reported…

Life’s “What ifs?”

Dear Ones: When Lazarus died, both sisters told Jesus the same thing:  “Lord, IF thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” (Jn. 11:21, 32)  But, Jesus was not there, and Lazarus did die.  When we follow the narrative, we discover something of the sorrow, and sense of loss of all involved, especially the…

Made To Endure

Dear Ones: I believe it was David Livingstone who said that, “…I will go anywhere, as long as it is forward.”  Let’s go a step further, and with Biblical warrant declare, “I will only go forward and upward, not looking back.”  This was Paul’s declaration in Philippians 3:13-14, “…forgetting those things which are behind, and…

Lessons From The Lily

Dear Ones: It has been said that “a picture is worth a thousand words.”What if the picture is worth a life-changing experience?  We know that the Lord Jesus said, “…and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (Jn. 8:32)  Here we have the groundwork for true “freedom,” freedom from the…

Go Forward

Dear Ones: How many are the promises of God with respect to being instructed, and led by Him?  Psalm 25 and 32 are filled with verses which declare this reality.  Why is it then that some times it is so difficult to know the way, to make the right choice?  In all certainty the cause…

Speak To The Wind

Dear Ones: In Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones (Ez. 37), God tells him to speak the word of God to the dry bones.  They come together, and sinews and flesh came upon them…”but there was NO breath in them.” (v.8)  It is at this point that the Lord commands Ezekiel to “Prophesy…

Bezaleel Was No Preacher

Dear Ones: A most significant figure in the Old Testament, but one that we almost never talk about, is a man by the name of Bezaleel.  In Exodus 31:1-1-6, we find that God had called him by name, and said, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and…

A Donkey’s Lesson

Dear Ones: One of the most unusual stories in the Bible is found in Numbers 22, when Baalam was saved by a donkey three times, and was even spoken to by the donkey.  You might ask, what is the value in considering this story, and the role of a donkey?  To put the matter into…

Into The Storm

Dear Ones: Jesus had just finished feeding the five thousand.  In accomplishing this in a most miraculous manner, he had ordered his disciples:  “Give ye them to eat.”  Of course this was impossible…and they knew it.  But then, He commanded that the multitude sit down, and He prayed.  Then the miracle began.  He gave bread…

Practical Limits

Dear Ones: It is interesting that throughout Scripture, the appeal of God is addressed primarily at our will.  “Whosoever will may come…”  “If any man is willing to do His will, …” “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  This is why Christianity is a very practical matter.  It is not a…