"The Lord is my shepherd". Not the testimony of those who do not recognise themselves to be as sheep needing a shepherd. But to those who know themselves to be wandering and to all who find it impossible to return to the fold unaided, it is the blessed description of One Who says, 'I am ... Read more

"a great voice, as of a trumpet". The word 'great' occurs many times in the Book of the Revelation. There is great tribulation, a great sword, a great earthquake, a great star, a great furnace and the great river Euphrates, to mention but a few. In this verse it is the greatness of His voice ... Read more

"Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach his statutes". Ezra studied his subject before presenting it. When he found what was demanded of him by the law of the Lord, he did it. Once practising it in his own life he was able ... Read more

"(Ananias) stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, …' ". He was renowned for his hatred and persecution of the followers of Jesus; he supported the stoning of Stephen; he came to Damascus intending to commit disciples to prison. Yet Ananias addressed him, 'Brother Saul'! Ananias walked in the Spirit. He recognised that the vision ... Read more

"You have defied the word of the Lord". Life is littered with people who have taken the wrong turning. This happens in all sorts of ways and in many different departments of life. The Lord told a prophet from Judah that he should not eat or drink in any home in the northern kingdom. He ... Read more

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth". We need to ever remember that Jesus is Lord and Sovereign. Though He controls and influences everything, in this day of grace He builds His kingdom by invitation. It is a gospel invitation given to whoever will come. The all-powerful Lord of glory gives ... Read more

"the fiery darts of the wicked one". The Devil has a quiver full of these dreadful things and he knows the most effective one to use on any given occasion. Here are but a few: malicious lies, distorted truth, resurrecting the past, querying the truth of God's Words, denying the power of the blood of ... Read more

"What are you doing here, Elijah? ". It is clear from this question that the Lord is interested and concerned about us when we have lost confidence and interest in ourselves. It also shows that He is not prepared to allow disaffection among His servants to go unattended. Furthermore, it is a question that opens ... Read more

"Ruth was determined to go". Some change must have taken place in Ruth's heart when, or soon after, she married one of Naomi's sons. It may have been the different way of life, for he was a refugee from Judah and she a Moabitess or it may have been the sincerity and devotion of her ... Read more

"for great is the glory of the Lord". The glory of the Lord is seen in the splendour that surrounds His throne - a glory only seen by mortal eye in vision or dream. Something of that glory shone through the Lord Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration. The Apostle John in his Gospel says, ... Read more