"When she heard about Jesus". What had she heard? Report from many of the leaders in the synagogue would be critical but from the crowds that heard Him it would be wonderfully thrilling. Not having seen Him herself, the word of others was enough. She recognised that this was the Person who could do for ... Read more

"my salvation shall be for ever". God's salvation stands as a lighthouse in the stormy seas of life. We work and plan as though we are in this scene of time for ever. We make as little mention as we can of the reality of death and destruction. We fail to see that the bricks ... Read more

"a left-handed man". Years ago people who were left-handed were made to use their right hand for writing and other everyday tasks. Thankfully God had no such prejudice and used Ehud's left-handedness to act unexpectedly and bring an end to the oppression of Israel under king Eglon. It's surprising what God can use for His ... Read more

"I have written briefly". Then it's unlikely your letter will bore the reader. Your letter will deal with the things that matter. Because brief, it will most likely be read. What you say will not be so long and complicated that the reader either doesn't know where to start or forgets half you've written. Lots ... Read more

"Is there anything of which one can say, 'Look! This is something new' ". It may be new to you, but in one way or another it's likely to have been around for many years. Old ideas appear in a new guise. Our new machines run on old track and are subject to the laws ... Read more

"Go, stand and speak … all the words of this life". So commissioned the angel who opened the prison to release Peter. That night in prison did Peter good. It was the common prison and he saw prison conditions at their worst. His arrest was made at the request of the high priest and other ... Read more

"And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you". This promise of Jesus was given after Jesus had related the parable of the 'Friend at midnight'. Strength of friendship may not get a person out of bed to help, but continual asking will secure the desired aid. So we should know that ... Read more

"Why do you say … 'My way is hidden from the Lord' ". Isaiah answers this question for all who cannot or will not believe God is at work in their lives. The Lord is the everlasting God, Creator of all things: there is no-one greater than He. He does not grow weary or disinterested ... Read more

"As for God, his way is perfect". In whatever man says or does there will be a flaw, it will not be perfect; some aspect or fact of it will let you down. Not so the Lord. "Trust Him wholly, and find Him wholly true", as the line of the hymn says. So you can ... Read more

"workers together with him". God could manage without us but chose not to do so! He could have saved those He had chosen and placed them safely in His display case called heaven for all to marvel at without any one of them doing anything. But He didn't. He called His servants, the Patriarchs and ... Read more

"how can we know the way? ". More than just listening to the words of Jesus, we need the illumination of the Holy Spirit upon the words. Thomas lacked this. He should have known that when he saw Jesus he saw the Father. He should have believed that the Father was in the Son and ... Read more

"The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul". This is especially so when it is a noble desire. There is no satisfaction like the job well done. God's plan extends to the smallest things in life and is undertaken by the humblest of persons. Patient perseverance is a valuable addition, for the greater the task ... Read more

"if this come to the governor's ears". Did the chief priests and elders really think the Resurrection could be kept secret? The tale about 'stolen while the guards slept' must have worn very thin! Jesus appeared to His disciples after the Resurrection. That He was alive was attested by many infallible proofs. The launch of ... Read more

"a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy and truth". A poor soul indeed that cannot find help here! Compassion looks upon us with an appreciation of our need and a readiness to help in situations where no one is doing anything. Graciousness conveys love and concern; it is a quality ... Read more

"no room left". It was worth going to hear Jesus and they did so until the house was full. "No room" happened then because the words of Jesus were localised into one place. Today the words of Jesus are proclaimed by His followers the world over. "No room" even though they did not really know ... Read more

"Abdon … had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys". This is an unusual way to describe Abdon who judged Israel for eight years. Yet it emphasizes the importance the Lord attaches to families. And in a day when the family is under threat this is a good reminder. It must have ... Read more

"Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven". We can rejoice and be glad that Jesus not only rose from the dead but that He went into heaven. There He is exalted to the right hand of the throne of God, angels and authorities and powers made subject unto Him. And it is as our glorified ... Read more

"I will come again". This promise is for all the followers of Jesus. Those who fall asleep in Jesus will not be left forgotten in the grave. If the Lord is preparing a dwelling place for each one of His redeemed children, He will see to it that each one is there to occupy it. ... Read more

"expecting to receive something". We all expect to receive something from life. The Lord wants to give us more than we could ever think. This crippled beggar expected to receive money: any disappointment he had on hearing Peter and John had none soon evaporated when his feet and ankle bones received strength. Take those expecting ... Read more

"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the Lord really speaks through you! ". Those who have descended to the very depths and risen again can best testify to having found the Lord in reality and truth. This widow gave her last cake of bread to Elijah and witnessed God's ... Read more

"when they had received it, they murmured". Not content with what was given them, looking at how others were doing, working for what they could get out of it, dissatisfied with the agreement they had made; having much, they wanted more. Are we like this? We murmur when we do not fully trust the Lord's ... Read more

"shining ever brighter". Each new day in the path of discipleship sees the light at the end of the way grow brighter. Even when hidden in the mists of this world or obscured from our view by the valley we are called to cross, it is growing brighter, for in the path of discipleship we ... Read more

"they kept themselves pure". These words are taken from the thrilling scene of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion. This was the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God that earlier had taken the scroll of the purposes of God the Father and broken the seals. Now He stands with an attendant ... Read more

"Lord, it is good for us to be here". Thank God for the mountain top experience! Peter and the others didn't appreciate it all, but felt it was wonderful. God give you and me those experiences when we seem to be ushered into the very throne room of heaven where the glory of God radiates ... Read more

"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

"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

"He is a good man". This is the only thing we're told about him, yet what better epitaph could he ask! His name is Ahimaaz son of Zadok and few know of him. He came running from the battlefield to tell king David that the insurrection was over. We are grateful to the watchman who ... Read more