Dear Ones: In our relationship with Christ, where does assurance, confidence, come from? When the Bible speaks of “…full assurance of faith,” does this not seem to be an unattainable attitude? Assurance is one thing, “full assurance” is another. To answer this matter, as it is very important, especially when it comes to praying in…
Dear Ones: To be such a small word, “IF” carries with it great significance. It seems to be a substitute for that which is conditional, or the certification of a promise. For example, “IF you believe this, then THIS will occur.” This is the conditional use. But if we say, as Elijah said, “IF I…
Dear Ones: We are all apt to think that the calling of God is to a work, mission, or occupation. These are outward aspects of the calling. The unchanging, undiminished calling of God is for us to fellowship with the Father and the Son, by the Spirit. John, in his first letter, writes: “That which…
Dear Ones: We have all heard the phrase, “Seeing is believing.” Spiritually speaking, this is also true. Most folk who do not believe in Christ today are not looking, not seeking. They, for the most part, do not want to “see.” And yet, Scripture is so clear: “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me,…
Dear Ones: One of the countless ways that we see the inspiration of Scripture is recognizing the continuity of the message. It is the same, from the beginning pages of Genesis until the last pages of Revelation. One of the great themes of the Bible is that of the perfect, personal, eternal work of God…
Dear Ones: Sometimes we forget that God is the God of all circumstances. This is particularly hard to grasp and remember when difficult and trying times come, especially on the individual level. But to believe that he is sovereign, and that in the “narrowness” of circumstances, and feeling cornered at times, there is this realty: …
Dear Ones: A witness is a person who sees and hears…observes something or someone. On the day of Pentecost, there was a mighty rushing wind. The disciples HEARD. Then there were the “cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” (Acts 2:2-3) The disciples SAW. But what made the disciples…
Dear Ones: There are many things that are true, but are not “realities” to us, because they are not “real” to our senses, minds, and hearts. God has made provision for this with regard to our knowing Him. Think of this…He makes the world, and us. He then comes to live by His Spirit in…
Dear Ones: After the resurrection of Christ, before His ascension, He instructed “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” to tell his disciples to go into Galilee. There was a promise associated with this simple command: “…THERE shall they see Me.” (Matt. 28:10) The Lord at one point spoke to Ezekiel and said: “…Arise, go forth…
Dear Ones: A secret is something that is hidden, unknown, kept privately in the heart and mind. With regard to men, we think it may be great or small, good or bad, long-lasting or short-term. But if we enter the realm of the eternal, and we consider the “secret of the Lord,” (Ps. 25:14), the…