BandM

"Serve the Lord with gladness”. What a problem 'miserable Christians' are: there must be some doubt whether they really are Christians if they are miserable. Some people like this have gained Christians a reputation for being miserable. But the true servants of the Lord are glad to be serving Him. Grateful for the privilege, happy ... Read more

"a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand”. He rated appearance more important than durability. His house made a great impression while it was standing; but a fool of him when it collapsed. Your life may look good, but how about the foundation? Skimp on the foundation to spend on the superstructure and ... Read more

"As it turned out”. What seemed like a chance event was arranged by God Himself. Ruth's servant heart was what God needed to fulfil His divine plan. As well as sharing the sadness of widow-hood, she was willing to share in the burden that came with it. Yet little did she know what God had ... Read more

"their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors”. Was it that they did not get on with their supervisors or did they baulk at putting their shoulders to anything, these nobles of Tekoa? They were rebuilding a section of wall near the Fish Gate in the days of Nehemiah. They ... Read more

"We'll go with you”. When an opportunity to go arises it is not enough to ask where they are going and why, but whether you should go. Was Peter needing a break from the excitement and trauma of recent days when he decided to go fishing? Was it right that he should return to the ... Read more

"keep your gifts for yourself”. Belshazzar wanted to influence what Daniel said. But Daniel was not open to a bribe. He knew that the gifts of man are nothing compared with being right before God. His obedience to God was not to be compromised by gifts. For all who want to obey the Lord, there ... Read more

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! ". You only really give thanks when you recognise the value of what you have received. This exhortation occurs at the end of a lengthy inventory of blessing in the Psalm that David delivered to Asaph and his choristers. Time only served to underline its ... Read more

"work for the food that lasts for eternal life". When man fell in the Garden of Eden he was told by God that he would need to work hard if the ground was to produce anything. And much time must be spent in labour if we would take our proper place in society. But Jesus ... Read more

"Bring me another vessel". When this widow went to the prophet for help he told her to gather empty vessels from all her neighbours, go into the house, close the door and pour oil from her one small jar into all the containers; then sell the oil and pay her debt. She did this and ... Read more

"you obeyed from the heart". Servants must obey and it is very important whom they obey. Of second importance is whether they obey from the heart. If someone else put you up to 'being a Christian' or if you were in any way coerced into it, your service may not last for long and will ... Read more

"What gives life is God's Spirit". Not enthusiasm - the best of which may wane and disappear according to the strength of the opposition or feelings of the individual. Not learning - this might make a theologian but not a Spirit-filled Christian. Not science - continually being updated yet never touching the spiritual aspect. Not ... Read more

"he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord". King Hezekiah was succeeded by his son Manasseh who did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. It is surprising because his father was a godly king. Manasseh was succeeded by Amon who also did that which was evil. Then ... Read more

That we don't deserve it doesn't matter; when mercy takes over blessings fall unimpeded. Call for mercy and He will bless you!"God be merciful unto us, and bless us". This prayer at the beginning of a delightful psalm acknowledges our need for mercy. We do not bring the good that we have done but our ... Read more

"an honest and good heart". It is not where you live or work that determines your success, it is what you are. All too often we make our environment the excuse for our failure - as though what we really are will only reach its potential in different surroundings. I always remember working with a ... Read more

"in all points tempted like as we are". Because of this everybody and anybody can come to Jesus knowing He will understand their case. We may come boldly to His throne in prayer and expect mercy and know forgiveness. But it does not end there. Because He was tempted, He can guide you safely through ... Read more

"where have you come from, and where are you going? " The two questions must be asked if you would accurately determine your present position. They relate to a spiritual journey, as Hagar was to learn. It is an honest answer to these questions that will help you. The past you cannot change. You may, ... Read more

"Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you". Spectacular displays are short-lived and usually achieve little of lasting value. Jesus could have given the Pharisees all they wanted and much more. But three years of miracles would not have saved a soul. It was only by giving His life on the cross that ... Read more

"I will strengthen you". What more do you need? If the Lord strengthens your weak frame you can be sure it will be strong enough to withstand all the strains it will meet, for He knows exactly what demands will be made upon it. There will be no problem deciding when strength should be applied ... Read more

"meaningless talk". It can be very convincing and sound very well and the more fascinating it appears the more useless it is likely to be. Talking for talking's sake, or because you like the sound of your own voice is quite futile and can be harmful. Paul's wise counsel to the young man Timothy is ... Read more

"whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven" These words of Jesus remind the disciple of an important aspect of life that might otherwise be forgotten. What has been done on earth will not be dismissed in heaven. Effort expended in supporting, gathering and strengthening human relationships for the betterment of all concerned ... Read more

"you will eat and be satisfied". This is the promise for all who walk in obedience to the Lord. It speaks of God's provision for His people. For the Israelites it was provision for their physical needs. The rain produced a harvest of grain, wine and oil which in turn provided food for them to ... Read more

"David said to Gad, 'I am in great distress ....' “. His distress was all his own fault. He sinned in numbering Israel and had to suffer for his error. Some of us only learn that fire is dangerous after we have been burned. The Bible makes it clear that sin and rebellion will not ... Read more

"confessing their sins". John the Baptist preached repentance and those baptised by him in Jordan confessed their sins. The Apostle John wrote that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and James in his letter says that we should confess our faults one to another. It sometimes seems ... Read more

"the angels of God met him". The angels of God must often meet God's children. The difference is that whereas Jacob apparently recognised they were angels, we do not normally recognise them. Angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to those who are the heirs of salvation through faith in Christ. There is no evidence ... Read more

p>"He gives power to the weak". The Lord can confidently give this promise because the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth neither faints nor is weary. Do you ever run out of strength; out of moral courage to do that which you know to be right? Do you begin ... Read more

"all the people said, 'Amen!' and praised the Lord"It was not the murmur we sometimes hear at the close of set prayer or intercession: neither was it the expression of relief I have sometimes made when an exceptionally long prayer has concluded! It was a 'so be it Lord' to all that Asaph and his ... Read more

"This fellow is one of them". Peter missed his opportunity to witness! He could have stood out, true to his word and been the only voice raised in support of Jesus. Indeed, he could have died with His Lord. We all miss these opportunities and try to excuse ourselves in numerous ways. "Are you a ... Read more

"thy judgments are a great deep". The Psalmist here is referring to all God's ways and decisions particularly as they affect us. Knowing that His judgments are the product of an all-loving heavenly Father who cares for His children does not remove the difficulty we have in understanding or interpreting them. When we do not ... Read more

"be imitators of God, as beloved children". Children make good imitators because they watch. They stand and stare and take in everything. Then when you're gone, they put on a little show that takes you off to everyone's amusement. Those striving after godliness should note the illustration. You will only become like the Lord as ... Read more

"something should be given her to eat”. It needed this word from Jesus to remind the parents of their need to give food to their daughter whom He had raised to life. It is a timely reminder needed today. In the excitement that follows a decision to follow Christ let us not neglect to provide ... Read more

"But Jonah ran away". Not the best thing to do in hindsight, but an instinctive reaction when called to go to Nineveh. Jonah could have thought of a number of places he would rather go to. Nineveh had a reputation and it wasn't the sort of place to highlight wickedness. He would rather be all ... Read more

"Christ lives in me". With these words the Apostle Paul describes the distinctive feature of true Christians in every generation the world over. They are not mere followers of Christ - Christ lives in them. For them, living the Christian life is not so much finding where the Lord is leading, but allowing Him to ... Read more

"all that is within me”. The Psalmist told his soul to praise the Lord, but more than that, marshalled all his forces - "all that is within me". That would involve some drastic changes in most of us. Nothing within us is naturally inclined to do this. We need the cleansing from sin that the ... Read more

"There is none to guide her". The prophet is making one of his calls to Jerusalem to waken from her drunken orgy. She is like a boat that has dragged her anchor in the sea of God's fury. Like the world in the 21st century she does not know where she is going. The hands ... Read more

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills". There is something awe inspiring about a range of hills. They convey majesty, might and permanency as they rise up from the plains. Their irregular shape suggests some Almighty hand placing them there, never to be moved again. The sight of them reminded the Psalmist of ... Read more

"Christ died for our sins". This is the simple truth behind the gospel of Jesus. Unless we acknowledge our part in Christ's death, we cannot know the forgiveness His death can bring. It was His great love for us that fashioned the plan of salvation, but it was because of our sin that He died. ... Read more

"See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness" Those who have the light should see that it is shining. The entrance of God's word gives light. Jesus is the Light of the World and calls disciples to be lights in the world. That light shines out through lives that are changed ... Read more

"remembering you in my prayers". Paul's prayer is personal. He knows the saints in Ephesus. He knows their situation and their needs. He is encouraged by their faith in Christ and their love for all the saints. Paul's prayer is persistent. His thanks to God for their example and encouragement is ongoing and he keeps ... Read more

"Great peace have they which love thy law". It is these who have great peace because what they cannot explain they know God can and He has everything under His control. They have great peace because when it seems they have failed, they know God can take the broken pieces and make them into something ... Read more

"Arise, and do not be afraid". The disciples fell on their faces and were greatly afraid when the voice of God the Father was heard on the Mount of Transfiguration. No human eye can gaze upon God and no ear catch His voice without great consternation gripping the heart. But for the disciple the eye ... Read more

"See that you do not refuse him who speaks". We can wilfully refuse to listen and obey God or we may do so without realising it. Because we do not train our ear to hear His voice or take time out to seek His face or are too busy and miss it, we may bring ... Read more

"What has happened to all your joy? ". One way to judge your walk with the Lord is how much joy in the Lord you have. This is not superficial but a deep joy that derives its source from the peace He gives. It is joy that is there in the midst of sorrow. Turbulence, ... Read more

"Deborah, Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel". This is the first of two Deborahs in the Bible, the second being a prophetess and judge in Israel. We are only told of the first when she died though she must have made a deep impression upon the life of Rebekah and the household ... Read more