One day a pastor was conducting an object lesson with some children. He held up a walnut shell and pulled a piece of paper out of it on which he had written this verse: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The pastor held the piece of paper up and asked, "What is this?" One child replied, "Sir, that is the Gospel in a nutshell!"
What … Continue Reading ››
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16b).
Tools! What a frustration it is to have a job to do and not to have the right tool to do it. The lack of a special screwdriver or socket wrench may mean the difference between a finished job and a failure.
But having the right tool is only part of the equation. There is also the factor of knowing how to use it. The most sophisticated and productive tool is useless in the hands … Continue Reading ››
"Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" (Psalm 85:6)
The following is taken from One Day at a Time, a 366-day devotional by William MacDonald, who went home to be with the Lord in December 2007.
A BACKSLIDDEN CONDITION IS OFTEN LIKE A CANCER; we don't know we have it. We can grow spiritually cold so gradually that we don't realize how carnal we have actually become. Sometimes it takes a tragedy, a crisis, or the voice of some prophet of … Continue Reading ››
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:44-47).
I read the story of a postal worker whose wife died in a traffic accident a few months before Christmas. He was overcome with grief, especially during the Christmas season, and tried to stay busy at work sorting through the stacks of mail that inevitably come through the post office this time of year. On a particular day he was in charge of letters inadequately addressed. In his stack of mail, he discovered a card to Santa Claus, North Pole, and it had his return … Continue Reading ››
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"(Philippians 2:5-7).
The entire Gospel message runs contrary to human thinking. The Creator being sacrificed for His creatures. The Judge of all the earth paying the penalty of the guilty. The immortal One dying. The … Continue Reading ››
"For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:30-32).
Among those waiting for the Messiah was a devout man by the name of Simeon. Luke 2:26 says, "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ." The "Lord's Christ" refers to "the anointed One, the Messiah." Simeon recognized the … Continue Reading ››
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, an angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around.
"Fear not," said he for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind, "glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind."
—While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, Nahum Tate (1700)
Above are the first two stanzas of the familiar Christmas carol, "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks." Adopted by virtually all hymnals since the time of its writing, … Continue Reading ››
"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever" (Psalm 136:1).
Thanksgiving...what a wonderful season of the year! I am reminded of Psalm 100:4, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." The apostle Paul expressed a similar thought in I Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Our thanksgiving should not be confined to the … Continue Reading ››
Psalm 100 is a well known psalm, probably second only in popularity to Psalm 23. It emphasizes the universal nature of God's kingship and is a benediction to that series of psalms (Psalms 93,95-100) which are devoted to the Lord's kingdom rule during the Millennium. Most of it is a call to praise and thanksgiving.
Thanking the Lord, however, is something we must do with our lives as well as with our lips. How shall we do it?
