“speak the word only” [Matthew 8:8]

"speak the word only". The centurion must have recognised the authority that resided in Jesus and consequently he knew the power that was in His word. Jesus spoke with authority - "even the demons obey Him" was the sentiment expressed on one occasion. When He halted the funeral procession as it left Nain no wonder ... Read more

“Everyone living in Jerusalem knows” [Acts 4:16(NIV)]

"Everyone living in Jerusalem knows". The blessings of the gospel spilled outside the doors where the disciples were meeting. And when the man was healed at the Temple gate - everybody in Jerusalem knew about it. The world at large wants good news. When the Lord is at work among His people, the message is ... Read more

“he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem” [Luke 9:51]

"he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem". Jesus' task was greater than anyone living had ever performed or ever could perform. The path that lay before Him was one of suffering. He who was holy, harmless and undefiled was to bear the sin of the world and be sacrificed as the Lamb of ... Read more

“But you were unwilling to go up” [Deuteronomy 1:26(NIV)]

"But you were unwilling to go up". It was a contest between God's word and the Israelites' reasoning. They listened to the gloomy report of the majority of the spies. Their minds operated on an earthly level and did not take into account that the God who had brought them so mightily out of Egypt's ... Read more

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend” [Proverbs 27:6]

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend". Sometimes it is necessary to wound in order to heal: this is notably so in the case of surgery when the surgeon makes an incision to remove diseased tissue. It is also true in the things of the Spirit. Our waywardness and refusal to listen and obey the ... Read more