"and their minds (are) closed so they cannot understand”. Whoever will form a balanced opinion must see what God's Word says and must take God into the equation. The prophet was writing about people who were religious but whose religion was nonsensical. They cut down wood - with one piece light a fire and bake ... Read more

"the disciples came together to break bread”. It was a time of spiritual refreshment and worship as well as fellowship with one another. Persecution and opposition ensured they looked forward to this occasion. The disciples would draw great strength from this act of obedience and communication: they would also eagerly anticipate the return of the ... Read more

"as the clay is in the potter's hand”. The lump of clay does not resist the potter's work upon it. If it could resist the vessel might never be made. The potter has complete control. Even when an attempt is thwarted for one reason and another, the potter will start again. So the Lord will ... Read more

"So you also must be ready”. A day is coming when Jesus will return. Repeatedly we read of this in the New Testament. Jesus said He was coming back and the disciples preached this truth. After two thousand years it is a promise nearer fulfilment than ever. No one knows when it will be and ... Read more

"I answered you in the secret place of thunder”. Thunder is at the same time both majestic and mysterious. It is frightening yet demands our attention. To the soul that is sensitive to the voice of God in the world of nature it speaks of His invisible might and power. We cannot pin-point its location ... Read more

"teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine”. There must be more to the Christian experience than being happy - more than being lost in wonder, love and praise and no longer in touch with the reality of life. Joy accompanies salvation and salvation is received by faith often without knowing very much about the foundations ... Read more

"the scarlet cord in the window”. No special merit in the cord, though it was red in colour, strong in texture and used to lower the two spies from her window on the walls of Jericho. It marked Rahab's covenant with the spies and her house did not perish when Jericho was taken. It is ... Read more

"Woman, you have great faith”. Faith that receives such commendation from the lips of Jesus deserves our examination. 1. She believed that the Lord would help her. This was the starting point. More than feeling sure He would, we might say 'she knew He would'. 2. She acted upon her faith, going to Jesus and ... Read more

"a new and living way”. New religions will for ever be springing up, yet sooner or later they will all suffer from stagnation and become monuments. It is nearly two thousand years now since the birth of the Early Christian Church. Today it is the strongest it has ever been and for one very good ... Read more

"a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”. Such is the civil engineering project God will undertake for His people. It is a blessing promised to any experiencing the dryness of a wilderness and desert experience just now. We are not told whether it will be a way out of the wilderness or ... Read more