“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14). The series of events are in sequential order. First they were appointed that they might be with Him. Then they were sent out to preach. If they had not come to Him when He called them to be with…
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7). The Lord has dispensed to each member of the Body of Christ a measure of grace. We have been enabled to function as a whole but yet dependent on every part doing its share. It is from the wholeness of the Body…
“God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend” (Job 11:8 MSG). Dimensions of God extend far beyond our imaginations. It is impossible for any of us to understand what is to be known of God. Even those with vivid imaginations who can create fiction with such realism as to draw out tender emotions from…
The relationship between God the Father and Jesus is a continuing story that preceded Creation. In the beginning, God is and before there was a beginning, God was and will always be. He is Father and Son in One mysterious union. As gravity is subordinate to a restricted environment, so is the succession within the numerical system. Father, Son, and…
It must be pointed out for one to fully realize how important a mother really is. When we take the time to cease from our daily efforts and ponder the value given to the second person of God’s creation, we cannot help but thank God for such a wonder. Yes, fathers originate the process, and that began with God our…
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6-7). His promises would have been mere empty words without power if the tomb had contained His Body without interruption. His Words would have faded off the scene as snowflakes in the heat of a warming sun if they were…
“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, ’Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’ ” (Luke 23:33-34). The blinding and paralyzing effect of sin restricts one’s view and motion towards the right…
Thomas Paine, at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, wrote, ‘these are the times that try men’s souls.” The deluge of pressures converging during these tenuous times raises questions within the heart and soul. Here the bravery of men is addressed, especially for those who fought in the war even at the expense of possibly losing their lives. Yet, he…
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14). The path to victory leads into the heat of the battle. There the soldier must defend his honor and stand against the onslaught of opposing forces. There would be no retreat from…
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Sublimation according to Dr. Hadfield, is “the process by which instinctive emotions were diverted from their original ends, and re-directed to purposes satisfying to the individual and of value to the community.” Man will instinctively fulfill the lust of the flesh.…
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). Jesus was acknowledged by His disciples as both Lord and Teacher. He both rules over them, therefore having the right to demand their servitude and He is their teacher, one who instructs them in the ways of righteousness. This…
“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21). These times are different from any other. There was a time when people both thought and acted differently. The environment has an effect upon the times. The mood is set…