“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). Those who are drawn to Jesus by the Spirit are kept by the Spirit. The mysterious attraction of the cross of Christ produces within the heart of the believer a willingness to follow after Him even when circumstances are difficult. They see…
“Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, ’Sir, we wish to see Jesus’ ” (John 12:21). Religious activity today has been involved with many causes. They tell us to be more relevant so that the Church may establish her position in society. Many leaders have risen to the occasion with the valor…
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). There is an unfathomable degree of both wisdom and knowledge made available to any who would be willing to seek after it. Paul on other occasions spoke of height, depth, and breadth, indicating…
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). What God began in you required your dedication to His cause. He saw you struggling in your own strength, trying to make life make sense. When your attempts…
“For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them” (Ecclesiastes 9:12). Action taken without any knowledge of our time is the entrapment of the enemy. We would lose sight of all…
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Is it our works that qualify us for heaven or a faith that translates into efforts that are pleasing to God? Many among the professors of religion have believed that no evidence is…
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The knowledge of God is complete in itself. The expanse of His knowledge reaches from eternity past through time into the farthest regions of eternity future. It cuts through the knowledge of man…
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world” (1John 4:17). The love of Jesus Christ is conveyed to the world through those who trust in Him. It is spread abroad through those who have no other motive other than to…
“The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart” (Proverbs 20:27). Our spirits have full knowledge of our true selves. It is not what we project, but who we are that the light of the spirit searches out. Experiences of the past are registered in the heart thus carving out…
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26). A change of heart must take place before the heart can be fully trusted. It is too easily influenced by external forces. It can be manipulated by infatuations, deceived by insinuations, and deeply distressed by insecurities and fears. Wisdom is made…
“And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority” (Luke 4:33). The conventional wisdom and language of the people was mere talk without power to back it up. There had been many who had made impressive speeches that dazzled the crowds and held their undivided attention. But none was able to speak with such words of…
“An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:30- 31). When the power of God is absent, the people follow the dictates of their own hearts. They gravitate…