“…and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 Dear Ones: When Jesus speaks of the “kingdom of heaven,” He makes very clear that His point of reference is not the things of this earth, but that which is of…
“I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Dear Ones: We are apt to think that when one comes to Christ, “works” are to be central in our service to Him. …
“Awake, O north wind, and come O south! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out.” Song of Solomon 4:16 Dear Ones: The effect and power of the wind is extraordinary. We have only to go to the ocean’s shore to see how wind can cause massive waves to come crashing forward, in…
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.” Job 38:4 Dear Ones: In the book of Isaiah, the Lord asks two questions very similar to the one which He asked Job: “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor has taught Him? With…
“Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9 Dear Ones: Someone has said that the Christian life is a “…series of multiplied new beginnings.” How can this be, and how does one experience the reality of this? In…
“Except the Lord build a house, they labor in vain that build it.” Psalm 127:1 Dear Ones: It was following the great confession of Peter to the Lord Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” that the Lord declares one of the great applications of His sovereignty and power: “I will…
“‘I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,’ saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 Dear Ones: If there is one thing that the entirety of Scripture does, it is to elevate our thoughts and concepts of God. Indeed, our faith, its strength…
“Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” Psalm 42:5 Dear Ones: Thirsting after God is a wonderful thing. Why? First of all, it is a thirst that is given BY God to reveal our need of Him. And secondly, it is the call of God to…
“So run, that you may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 Dear Ones: The Apostle Paul wrote on several occasions concerning the subject of “running,” specifically, “running a race.” But what is this race of which he spoke? It is first of all an engagement, a commitment of all that one is and has, to attain an…
“And this He said to prove him: for He Himself knew what He would do.” John 6:6 Dear Ones: In all of Jesus’ dealings with individuals, He is ever seeking to bring the to faith in God, or increase their faith. There is a procedure He follows in doing this, and we see it in…