“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:4-5). Our comprehension will become the measure of our apprehension. When there is a willingness to understand that part of Jesus Christ which has been given to the saving of the soul, one…
“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1Corinthians 2:2-3). The strong language used by Paul was to express how he directed his will to block out all information that would in any way compete with the knowledge of Christ that he had attained. This knowledge would serve as the filter because it…
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ’Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’ ” (1Samuel 16:7). God’s eyes are upon the truth in every situation. His judgments are…
“Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7). God does not respond merely to needs. He looks for passion. Even when we think we have the passion to press…
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Note the faith released to enable us to initially respond to Him. That is our starting point. There is also a faith that sustains us along the way. When it is difficult and sometimes impossible to see what lies ahead, active faith would…
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path“ (Psalm 119:105). In a dark place, all things seem to be the same. No distinction can be made between a man and a mannequin if both stand together. Things that are false and counterfeit can appear to be more perfect than things that are real in…
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). The words “good” and “perfect” are given deeper meanings when God is speaking. He does not restrict Himself to our definitions of these terms. There is a goodness that transcends all efforts on our part and remains good even when…
“Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless” (Psalm 60:11). None has ever trusted God so completely that they never had a shadow of doubt. It is in the shadows where we look away from God in search for what appears to be strong but is lacking in content and in character. The challenge came to…
“My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:18). God provides security for His own people. Though competitive and threatening storms of life rise on occasion, God’s peace quiets us in the midst of the storm. We dwell in the secret and secure place where the activities of discord and doubt…
“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1Timothy 4:16). Doctrines have been the dividing line among many within the Church. The debate over doctrine has split brethren from fellowshipping with each other. And some who do not understand the importance of doctrine…
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1Corinthians 9:16). “I must” means to brave the storms of life in spite of the difficulties required of me to survive. I can only give light consideration to the cost attached…
“For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:24). People who are in exile are a people removed from their place. We see Israel being scattered among the nations and some taking on the character of the nations where they had been forced to occupy.…