"now he commands all men everywhere to repent". These words are taken from the Apostle Paul's sermon on Mars Hill Athens, after he had seen the altar they had erected "to the Unknown God." He told of the true God's dealings with men in time past. Now, since Jesus came, God is looking for those ... Read more
"Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged". These were God's words to Joshua and that made all the difference. We are afraid and become discouraged because we do not know and cannot see God's plan. God says "Do not be afraid" because those who follow Him have nothing to fear. Fear will be fuelled ... Read more
"faith as small as a mustard seed". The disciples had asked Jesus to increase their faith. It was as if they thought Jesus was responsible for their level of faith. Jesus put the onus back on them. It is not so much about how much faith we have but rather what we do with the ... Read more
"we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard". You can't keep quiet: what has happened directs your mind and governs your tongue. You know that if God can bless you, He can bless anybody and you tell them so. It has been so wonderful to experience the Lord at work that you ... Read more
"live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature". Think and act positively expecting the new life in the Spirit to kill the desires of the flesh. Go on the offensive, be strong in the Lord. Draw your strength and pleasure from Him. Don't entertain the devil for one ... Read more
"Apply your mind to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge". Learning comes more easily to some than others. Some find no difficulty in paying attention while others have thoughts that wander all too easily. Learning about the Lord is the highest application for the mind and attention to His voice will produce the ... Read more
"You have stayed long enough at this mountain". Some of us can settle down and be comfortable anywhere. But a halfway house is not for permanent residence. The Children of Israel lingered too long at Mount Horeb and the Lord had to tell Moses to get them on their way to the Promised Land. A ... Read more
"salvation has come to this house". We are not told what happened other than Jesus stayed there with Zacchaeus. He was a seeking soul and it is therefore not surprising that he found salvation in this Friend of Sinners. That Jesus included "this house" suggests that the others in the family trusted Christ, too. They ... Read more
"be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray". No good being taken up with an hundred and one other things if you want to be effective in prayer. You must be able to put out all the hindrances and temptations if you would wrestle in prayer with God. If, like the church in ... Read more
"Take careful heed to yourselves". The Lord leading and protecting His people for 40 years in the desert did not absolve them from responsibility, neither was God's care any excuse for them to be careless. The Israelite's experience was not unique. We who claim to be disciples need to take heed these many years later. ... Read more