"Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you". Spectacular displays are short-lived and usually achieve little of lasting value. Jesus could have given the Pharisees all they wanted and much more. But three years of miracles would not have saved a soul. It was only by giving His life on the cross that ... Read more

"I will strengthen you". What more do you need? If the Lord strengthens your weak frame you can be sure it will be strong enough to withstand all the strains it will meet, for He knows exactly what demands will be made upon it. There will be no problem deciding when strength should be applied ... Read more

"meaningless talk". It can be very convincing and sound very well and the more fascinating it appears the more useless it is likely to be. Talking for talking's sake, or because you like the sound of your own voice is quite futile and can be harmful. Paul's wise counsel to the young man Timothy is ... Read more

"whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven" These words of Jesus remind the disciple of an important aspect of life that might otherwise be forgotten. What has been done on earth will not be dismissed in heaven. Effort expended in supporting, gathering and strengthening human relationships for the betterment of all concerned ... Read more

"you will eat and be satisfied". This is the promise for all who walk in obedience to the Lord. It speaks of God's provision for His people. For the Israelites it was provision for their physical needs. The rain produced a harvest of grain, wine and oil which in turn provided food for them to ... Read more

"David said to Gad, 'I am in great distress ....' “. His distress was all his own fault. He sinned in numbering Israel and had to suffer for his error. Some of us only learn that fire is dangerous after we have been burned. The Bible makes it clear that sin and rebellion will not ... Read more

"confessing their sins". John the Baptist preached repentance and those baptised by him in Jordan confessed their sins. The Apostle John wrote that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and James in his letter says that we should confess our faults one to another. It sometimes seems ... Read more

"the angels of God met him". The angels of God must often meet God's children. The difference is that whereas Jacob apparently recognised they were angels, we do not normally recognise them. Angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to those who are the heirs of salvation through faith in Christ. There is no evidence ... Read more

p>"He gives power to the weak". The Lord can confidently give this promise because the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth neither faints nor is weary. Do you ever run out of strength; out of moral courage to do that which you know to be right? Do you begin ... Read more

"all the people said, 'Amen!' and praised the Lord"It was not the murmur we sometimes hear at the close of set prayer or intercession: neither was it the expression of relief I have sometimes made when an exceptionally long prayer has concluded! It was a 'so be it Lord' to all that Asaph and his ... Read more