"I come to you in the name of the Lord". David with his stones and sling must have looked very vulnerable against the armour-clad giant, Goliath. Five smooth stones seemed little match for a coat of mail weighing 5,000 shekels of bronze. Yet, as in all of life's conflicts, appearances can be deceptive. The exchange ... Read more
"Repent, and believe in the gospel". Have we emphasised the need to have faith and believe in Christ at the expense of neglecting the first step of repentance? Jesus tells us to repent and believe. Believing without repenting may bring short-term blessing but it can make for disillusionment. All who would be saved need to ... Read more
"Your eyes ... will see the land that is very far off". This prophecy was given by Isaiah to the besieged inhabitants of Jerusalem where king Hezekiah and his suffering people longed for deliverance. It speaks prophetically to everyone who loves Jesus, of the land of heaven and God's eternal kingdom. When surrounded by the ... Read more
"If any man have ears to hear, let him hear". These words of Jesus make clear the responsibility everyman has to use his ears. There is more in life than material and financial gain and greater pursuits than pleasure, success, fame and amusement. The Word of God addresses a higher spiritual plane than any other ... Read more
p>"the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres". So it was in Nehemiah's day and so it should be today. Joyful Christians are always in demand - not only in worship ... Read more
"You created my inmost being". Most of us are prepared to acknowledge that God created the heavens and the earth. We pass lightly over the fact that He created us right to the very core or centre of our being. Recalling this truth will show us the folly of thinking we will confine the Lord ... Read more
"take heed to yourselves". All the signs that now adorn our highways are of little use unless the traveller heeds them. Likewise, good words of counsel God gives His children are only of use when put into practice. God promises to come into any life that seeks Him and bring blessing, but that life must ... Read more
"could sling a stone at a hair and not miss". One can imagine the practice session for these left-handed slingshots. Hairs strung out at various distances tested their accuracy and competence. We are told that they did not miss. It reflected their dedication and practice. Serving the Lord is not about choosing the easy option ... Read more
"But who do you say that I am? ". Jesus was interested in what Peter thought. It is easy to be influenced by the opinion of the majority. Democracy is based upon accepting the voice of the majority. But when it comes to receiving and trusting Christ it is accepting a minority verdict and a ... Read more
p>"a new song". The wise man in Ecclesiastes wrote that there is nothing new under the sun - knowing this saves a lot of running 'to and fro' after every so-called 'new' thing. But he was not conversant with the Psalmist who spoke of a new song in his mouth, even praise to the Lord. ... Read more