"this waste of the ointment". Opinion on whether ointment is wasted or not varies - a fact very obvious when this woman anointed the feet of Jesus. His enemies said it was a waste, He said it would be an everlasting memorial of her. It really depends on what your objectives are. She loved Him ... Read more

"seek peace, and pursue it". Peace does not come easily. You only have to look at situations around the world to realise this. The smiles and handshakes cover the hearts of selfishness and greed. Peace is costly and the price is too high for many. The psalmist tells us that if we are to seek ... Read more

"with all speed". This was the command that Paul sent to Silas and Timothy in Thessalonica, as he waited for them in Athens. It was more than as soon as possible, it was as fast as possible. Speed certainly is an ingredient that many of us could mix into the recipe of our lives, nowhere ... Read more

"the tradition of the elders". Some tradition provides a good foundation for life and duty. Other tradition is of little importance. Resistance against change and new blessings God would give us, we must guard against. Tradition can be like unnecessary baggage that we carry around with us. In Jesus' day tradition had got out of ... Read more

"Deliver me from my enemies, O God". This is the cry of a man who cannot find his own way out of the dilemma in which he finds himself. It might be that his own indiscretion has landed him in this predicament. More likely it is because he has stood firm for the truth that ... Read more

"Jesus took the loaves". It takes an eye of faith to spot the starting material! You or I would have politely thanked the boy but done nothing more. Jesus took the gift and used it mightily. Don't look at the size of the gift. Jesus promised that His followers would do greater works than this ... Read more

"He supposed that his brethren understood". Moses was not the only man to assume his fellow men would understand, only to find they did not appreciate what he was doing. Folk can change, and those who have gone along with what we said for years can suddenly turn against us. Some whom we trust implicitly ... Read more

"the preaching of the cross". Many noble lessons may be drawn from the life and death of Jesus. Lessons drawn must not take the place of the actual fact that Christ died for our sins. The sins of the world were laid upon Him and His death atones for the sin of all who believe. ... Read more

"profit". This word has become associated with business: Jesus applied it to living. He made it clear that after death, or the conclusion of life as we know it, there was to be a resurrection and judgment based on this present life. Goods and possessions cannot be carried into the next world, but treasure can ... Read more

"the Lord himself will strike him". David had opportunity to slay Saul and did not take it. Sometimes what seem to be opportunities are best left alone. Abishai, David's companion gave two good reasons why David should take the opportunity to slay Saul. First, Saul hated David for selfish reasons and hounded him throughout the ... Read more