Posts from July 2023

Unto The Lord Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:8 Never lay stress on the technical side of Christianity, but always on the fundamental fact that we are Christ’s, and that all we do is unto him. We live “unto the Lord” and we die “unto the Lord.” We must never see to persuade those who differ from us merely to think and act as we do. Our one aim must to be to lead…

Born In Zion His foundation is on the holy mountain. The Lord loves the gates of ZionMore than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel). Glorious things are spoken of you,O city of God [Jerusalem]. Selah. “I will mention Rahab (Egypt) and Babylon among those who know Me—Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia (Cush)—‘This one was born there.’” But of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her,”And the Most High Himself will establish her.…

Paradox Perplexed, yet not unto despair. 2 Corinthians 4:8 From the day I was converted, my sincere ambition was to be a true Christian. Of course I had my own conception of what a Christian should be, and I tried my utmost to be that kind of Christian. A true Christian, I reasoned, should smile from morning to night! If ever he shed a tear, he had ceased to be victorious. He must, too, be unfailingly courageous. The slightest sign…

Starting Over O Lord, You have [at last] shown favor to Your land [of Canaan];You have restored [from Babylon] the captives of Jacob (Israel). You have forgiven the wickedness of Your people;You have covered all their sin. Selah. You have withdrawn all Your wrath,You have turned away from Your burning anger. Restore us, O God of our salvation,And cause Your indignation toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever?Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will…

How Far Is Far Enough? Whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him twain. Matthew 5:41 A brother in South China had a rice field in the middle of the hill. In time of drought he used a waterwheel, worked by a treadmill, to lift water from the irrigation stream into his field. His neighbor had two fields below his, and one night he made a breach in the dividing bank and drained off all his water.…

Trouble On Every Side Do not keep silent, O God;Do not hold Your peace or be still, O God. For behold, Your enemies are in tumult,And those who hate You have raised their heads [in hatred of You]. They concoct crafty schemes against Your people,And conspire together against Your hidden and precious ones. They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation;Let the name of Israel be remembered no more.” For they have conspired together with…

Whose I Am God, whose I am, whom I also serve. Acts 27:23 It is a great thing when I discover I am no longer my own but his. If the money in my pocket belongs to me. I have full authority over it. But if it belongs to another who has committed it to me in trust, then I cannot buy what I please with it, and I dare not lose it. How many of us dare not use…

One God Or Many? God stands in the divine assembly;He judges among the gods (divine beings). How long will you judge unjustlyAnd show partiality to the wicked? Selah. Vindicate the weak and fatherless;Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy;Rescue them from the hand of the wicked. The rulers do not know nor do they understand;They walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction];All the foundations of the earth [the fundamental principles…

Heart Response Be it unto me according to thy word. Luke 1:38 How essential it was that in the virgin Mary the Living Word should find a free way if God’s purpose of sending it was to be fulfilled. God spoke, and because her faith responded, his miracle took place. Alas many of us think it quite enough if we are orthodox in doctrine and give unqualified mental assent to the Word of Truth. But unless that Truth is taking…

One Voice I will give into thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 16:19 What qualified Peter to become God’s mouthpiece, to open the door of faith first to Jews and then to Gentiles? Surely it was that before Peter spoke he had himself been spoken to, for before he could make use of the keys of the Kingdom he must encounter the demands of that Kingdom upon himself. What does the term “kingdom” mean? Surely it is…