"to be rich in good deeds". Paul has been playing on the word 'rich', speaking of the uncertainty of worldly riches compared with the eternal reward that comes from a rich and generous spirit. Good deeds will be the evidence of a generous heart. This is not a one-off action done out of guilt or ... Read more

"Why do we need any more testimony? ". If power is in the hands of those whose minds are made up, no further evidence is needed. The elders of the people, the chief priests and the scribes, decided that Jesus of Nazareth was safe enough in their custody for some sort of case to be ... Read more

"Behold, I am here, Lord". It was as though Ananias was just waiting for the Lord to give him instructions. It would come as no surprise that the Lord spoke to him by a vision. We wonder whether he would have been so ready to be told if he had known he was to be ... Read more

"But now bring me a harpist". Several times in the Bible we find an instrumentalist playing to soothe or inspire the troubled mind. In this case Elisha was disturbed to face the evil king of Israel who had come for advice along with the king of Judah. In the early days of his employment in ... Read more

"men ought always to pray, and not to faint". Prayer, an antidote to fainting, brings relief as follows: First, by the knowledge that there is an Advocate who will attend to one's need. Secondly, that any who are overwhelmed are invited, indeed, welcomed, to take advantage of this offer. Thirdly, as a result of prayer, ... Read more

"Is there not a warfare to man upon the earth? ". Life is not easy, or it might be better to say that those who have things easy do not get very far in this life. One translation of this verse says that life is like forced army service. We are certainly conscripted into it ... Read more

"but her husband Manoah was not with her". Manoah's wife could be trusted. This was the second time that the angel of the Lord had appeared to her without her husband present but she was entrusted with the news of what was to come. Given that she was unable to have children, the news of ... Read more

"What good will it be …? ". Jesus speaks to us all. What good will all that you are doing today be when the final tally is taken? There is so much of eternal value we can do in following truth and justice, relieving the oppressed and helping our brother in need. Sadly, much time ... Read more

"faith comes by hearing". This shows the need to proclaim or make known the gospel if folk are to believe. The heart is touched when the gospel is preached. There is a reaction - either to accept or reject. Acceptance means that the hearer believes and places their faith in it. They are able to ... Read more

"he brings them out of their distresses". Nowhere does the Word of God try to minimise the distress that men bring upon themselves. Usually as a result of unbelief or distrust, the heart finds itself carried to a place where no way out can be found. The Lord has a gracious way of taking His ... Read more