Bigger Than Ourselves

“Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee.” Jeremiah 32:17 Dear Ones: Have you ever wondered why the songwriters of the Psalms consistently come back again and again to blessing the Lord, praising Him, and…

The Highest Reason

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 Dear Ones: Jesus once told the story of a “Good Samaritan.”  He speaks of a man who, traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among thieves who robbed and beat him, leaving him half dead.  A Samaritan…

The Rising Chorus

“Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth.” Isaiah 42:10 Dear Ones: In the book of Revelation, we find a “new song” sung by the redeemed of all the ages.  It is the joyous anthem of Christ’s victory and work as the slain Lamb of God, the…

“IF”

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 Dear Ones: The word “if” is a mighty big, little word.  It is small in that it only has two letters, and often passes unperceived in a sentence or conversation.  However, its significance is enormous, both with respect to what it means, and especially because of…

Audacious Faith

“…Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” Hebrews 10:19,22 Dear Ones: In T. Brimney’s great hymn, ‘Eternal Light! Eternal Light!” he writes: “There is a way for man to rise, To that sublime abode; An offering…

The Preacher’s Master

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Romans 10:15 Dear Ones: It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”  The story is told of a young missionary who was in route to Africa many years ago, on board a wooden ship.  The captain of…

His Presence, His Way

“And He said, ‘My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.’” Exodus 33:14 Dear Ones: Moses, like Elisha, came to know through revelation and experience, that there are certain things that are imperative to KNOW, with regard to walking before, and with God.  For Elisha it would be the  “double portion”…

Beyond Culture And Nations

“Where there is neither Greek or Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all in all.” Colossians 3:11 Dear Ones: When God created the world, there were no cultures, no nations, no different ethnic groups, languages, or social/economical systems.  Nor were there any religions or philosophies.  So, when man was…

Chosen To Be Witnesses

“‘You are My witnesses,’ saith the Lord, ‘and My servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe Me’…”  Isaiah 43:10 Dear Ones: What is a witness?  It is first of all one who has seen or heard something.  From a spiritual perspective, it is one who by faith has looked into the…

The Angel’s Prayer

“Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, ‘O Lord of Hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah?’” Zechariah 1:12 Dear Ones: Isaiah wrote a very sad commentary concerning the heart condition of Israel, not only with respect to God, but also, with respect to…