"I was afraid". Some people say anything. The man in this parable with one talent was one of them. Of what was he afraid? He was lazy - pleasure loving too - for he felt able to please himself once the talent was safely buried. He was short-sighted. He did not consider the consequence he ... Read more

"woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel". The Apostle Paul felt the need to preach the gospel because he had heard it, received it and experienced its blessings. The same holds for all who know the truth of the gospel. Preaching is proclaiming and Paul preached to individuals and to groups. Our ... Read more

"whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple". A turning point came in the 21st chapter. Up to that time the Apostle had more or less been free to plan and make his own itinerary. In this chapter he was mobbed by his fellow countrymen in Jerusalem and rescued by the Roman militia ... Read more

"He was a burning and a shining light". John was what all who hear God's voice should be. He shone in the darkness that was around in his day. He was more anxious to convey the truth than to please his hearers. Note these distinctive features about his ministry. 1 He ever exalted Jesus, preparing ... Read more

"supposing to add affliction to my bonds". The Apostle Paul was referring to those who sought to ridicule his faith and who made evil insinuations about the followers of the Lord. Their intentions back-fired for, as Paul says later, 'every way … Christ is preached'. Today there are those around who take delight in stirring ... Read more

"He has done all things well". The miraculous healing of a deaf mute was the latest in a line of miracles Jesus performed. He healed and blessed people wherever He went. When He tried to escape the crowd He could not be hidden. All were talking about Him and listening intently to His parables and ... Read more

"saved". We need to be saved because we are lost - spiritually dead in transgressions and sins. Adam's disobedience brought sin into our world. The second Adam, Jesus, brought salvation and this is offered freely for all who will believe. It is saved from destruction or perishing. It relates to the present - John wrote ... Read more

"I am like a green olive tree". It is not so much that the olive trees in the house of God were green in colour as that they were flourishing and well watered, adding to the glory of God in His temple. So today in the wilderness and deserts of this life there are those ... Read more

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God". This is not about earthly comfort or discomfort. In that respect the poor suffer while the rich enjoy relative ease. It is not about possessions and something to fall back on when need arises. The materially poor have a hand to mouth ... Read more

"eternal encouragement". When interest wanes or monotony sets in it is encouragement we need. Encouragement is an essential ingredient of life and service. Here Paul reminds us that Jesus who loved us and died to redeem us gives us eternal encouragement. Fix your mind upon Him and you will not be discouraged for long. See ... Read more