"the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark". A godly home in which John Mark was brought up to love the Lord and desire to serve Him. It was the centre for meaningful church activity and the natural choice for an all-night prayer meeting among the believers when Peter was imprisoned and under sentence ... Read more

"Teach us to number our days aright". We do need to value and properly use each day the Lord gives us. Today added to yesterday prepares us for tomorrow. Few things are completed in a day, just as some things we need to leave for others to complete. A night's sleep is for refreshment not ... Read more

"By faith Moses … refused". The offer Moses refused included all the ease and comfort that Pharaoh's court could offer. It was made on the pretext that Pharaoh's daughter had taken a liking to him since finding him in the bulrushes. But the offer was an enticement away from his real identity and from God's ... Read more

"When she heard about Jesus". What had she heard? Report from many of the leaders in the synagogue would be critical but from the crowds that heard Him it would be wonderfully thrilling. Not having seen Him herself, the word of others was enough. She recognised that this was the Person who could do for ... Read more

"my salvation shall be for ever". God's salvation stands as a lighthouse in the stormy seas of life. We work and plan as though we are in this scene of time for ever. We make as little mention as we can of the reality of death and destruction. We fail to see that the bricks ... Read more

"a left-handed man". Years ago people who were left-handed were made to use their right hand for writing and other everyday tasks. Thankfully God had no such prejudice and used Ehud's left-handedness to act unexpectedly and bring an end to the oppression of Israel under king Eglon. It's surprising what God can use for His ... Read more

"I have written briefly". Then it's unlikely your letter will bore the reader. Your letter will deal with the things that matter. Because brief, it will most likely be read. What you say will not be so long and complicated that the reader either doesn't know where to start or forgets half you've written. Lots ... Read more

"Is there anything of which one can say, 'Look! This is something new' ". It may be new to you, but in one way or another it's likely to have been around for many years. Old ideas appear in a new guise. Our new machines run on old track and are subject to the laws ... Read more

"Go, stand and speak … all the words of this life". So commissioned the angel who opened the prison to release Peter. That night in prison did Peter good. It was the common prison and he saw prison conditions at their worst. His arrest was made at the request of the high priest and other ... Read more

"And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you". This promise of Jesus was given after Jesus had related the parable of the 'Friend at midnight'. Strength of friendship may not get a person out of bed to help, but continual asking will secure the desired aid. So we should know that ... Read more