"I will teach you the good and the right way". Thank God for men like Samuel. Value and foster the friendship of all who do this. Modern life, the media, popular trends may combine to teach you the wrong way. Do not be overwhelmed by the weight of the opposition. Jesus promises that the Holy ... Read more

"Please let me speak to the people". The Roman soldiers ran to rescue Paul from the mob that was beating him and were about to take him into their barracks when Paul made this request. The appearance of these soldiers had quietened the riotous crowd and Paul saw his opportunity to speak to the people. ... Read more

"Many waters cannot quench love". The beauty of true love found in this book transcends the imperfections of human love and shows us divine love. Water may quench many fires, both of passion and arson but it cannot dampen love. True love is the property at the centre of one's being. Something painted on the ... Read more

"the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect". Describing His Second Coming in this way, Jesus is showing us the need to be always ready. You can be busy with the many things in life and yet ready at a moment's notice. Ready to hear His voice; ready to do ... Read more

"Come now, and let us reason together". Reason is often relegated to a low place in the list of qualities we apply in spiritual things. Is it not reasonable to think that God would do something about the havoc caused when man rebelled against His directive in the Garden of Eden? The wonderful thing is ... Read more

"the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house … because of Sarai". Even early in the Book of Genesis the Lord can be seen supporting the marriage bond. Abraham was thinking of his own life which he feared he might lose if Pharaoh had designs on his wife, so he pretended Sarai to be his sister. ... Read more

"Remember how short my time is". For some of us it is very short: others do not consider the matter because life should give them a long time yet. What might we want God to do with the time we have left? Grant us a smooth journey - yet it is in testings and trials ... Read more

"your reward is great in heaven". Statements of account held in heaven's bank are not published on earth. Jesus said that when a statement of their account was shown them the righteous said, "When did we see you hungry and fed you, thirsty and gave you drink, naked and clothed you" and so on. They ... Read more

"Shall your loving-kindness be declared in the grave? ". The Psalmist is saying that it should be made known now. There need be no doubting the reality of God's loving-kindness. Seen above all in the sending of His Son to be our Saviour, the lovingkindness of our God extends to every part of our life. ... Read more

"And they stirred up the people". Stirring up what can only be described as the baser nature of a man - greed, hate, strife, antagonism. It seems that once aroused, these must burn themselves out in vengeance upon one's fellowmen. A big question mark must hang over what war achieves, yet somewhere or other men ... Read more