”when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray". The crowd was the field in which Jesus laboured. But it prevented Him having audience in prayer with his Father, so He needed to send it away. Some of the things we need to shut out, if we would be still in ... Read more
”declare the praises of him". Declaring something is to make it known. It is a deliberate act. It is public and to the benefit of others. In a society that debases the name of Christ, ours is the joy to declare His praise. Praise to God is in response to who He is and what ... Read more
”Sell your possessions and give to the poor". Never has this been more timely than today! More people have more than ever before, while there are more people in poverty than ever. The poverty trap will not open until the rich turn the key in the door. Looking after your surplus can be a worry: ... Read more
”a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat". Storm and heat - two of the elements that can make life intolerable for us. Storms that come upon us unexpectedly and dash our hopes to pieces. Heat that beats down upon us when shelter we enjoyed has been taken from us. It is ... Read more
”they … supposed that they had seen a spirit". A silly question often asked when I was at primary school was, 'Do you believe in ghosts?' The Bible makes no attempt to hide the reality and influence of a spirit world. Any attempt at contact or communication with it is strictly forbidden. Seeing a ghost ... Read more
”For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised". Do you match God's greatness to you by the greatness of your praise for Him? You praise Him in those times of worship when you close the door and meditate and magnify His Name in prayer. You praise Him when you testify to others of ... Read more
”Having therefore obtained help of God". Paul had gone a long way since his Saul of Tarsus days! He had obeyed the vision God gave him on the Damascus Road, as he told King Agrippa. He had found what all who follow the Lord find - once you begin to obey the Lord He gives ... Read more
”there will be a fulfilment of those things". Both Elizabeth and her cousin Mary had amazing experiences regarding their bearing children and the prophecies concerning them. As with so many instances where God works the events are quite startling. Elizabeth had confirmation of her feelings when the babe leapt in her womb when Mary visited ... Read more
”My soul magnifies the Lord". Mary's heart welled up in praise at the events that had overtaken her. God's goodness and graciousness to her was overwhelming. As her cousin joined her, the two women were able to rejoice together in what God was doing. This should be the lasting sentiment of all our lives once ... Read more
”you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ". The Son of God left the glory of heaven to enter our world through the womb of a woman. He lived and mingled unrecognised with the world of His day to give Himself as a sacrifice for the sin of the world. Freely and willingly and ... Read more