The Normal Life Of Rejoicing

“I will extol Thee, my God, O King; and I will bless Thy name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:1 Dear Ones: What is the “normal” Christian life?  The answer to that question is quite extensive because one has to deal with the great reality and truth of one’s union with Christ, and the manifestation…

The Sermon In Samaria: Worship

“…the true worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23 Dear Ones: In John’s gospel, we find the story of a woman who had had five husbands, and was living with a man who was not her husband.  The evident fact revealed in the life of this woman was that she…

It Is Time To Awaken

“Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14 Dear Ones: There are three calls to “awaken” in the 51st and 52 chapters of Isaiah.  The first has to do with praying for God to do so. (51:9)  What does this mean?  Is God ever asleep?  No,…

The King And The Kingdom

“My kingdom is not of this world.”  John 18:36 Dear Ones: In the book of Isaiah, we have one of the clearest presentations of what the kingdom of God is, and who IS the King: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the GOVERNMENT shall be upon His…

A Believer’s Manifesto

“The Lord IS my Shepherd…” Psalm 23:1 Dear Ones: Have you ever noticed in David’s writings, especially as revealed in the Psalms, the two phrases where he says, “…The Lord IS…,” and “The Lord is MY..?”  Over and over again he uses these two phrases to declare what God IS according to the truth of…

The Sword Of The Spirit

“…and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.”  Revelation 1:16 Dear Ones: Why does the Apostle John, on the isle of Patmos, receive the revelation of Jesus Christ, with a sharp two-edged sword coming from His mouth?  We find the same symbolism in at least two other passages of Scripture, the first being…

Lamps Of Oil And Present Opportunity

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.” Matthew 24:44 Dear Ones: How do we know that we are doing what we should do, and living as God would have us live?  The answer lies in the meaning and application of the word, “Readiness.”…

The God Of Seventy Years

“For thus says the Lord, ‘After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you, and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.’” Jeremiah 29:10 Dear Ones: God, through His servant Jeremiah, had spoken to Israel concerning the coming Babylonian captivity.  Israel would be carried away captive…

Faith’s Promise

“‘…more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,’ says the Lord.”  Isaiah 54:2 Dear Ones: Though the previous verse of Scripture is found in the writings of Isaiah, the apostle Paul also used it in his letter to the Galatians.  Why?  It is because of the consistent, applicable truth…

The Rendezvous With LIFE

“Then Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” John 6:68 Dear Ones: Every individual on the face of this earth is called to one of two rendezvous.  The first is that which we confront every day in this world, where sin takes its toll, and…