Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14
A light must burn brightly before it can show the way. A candle under a bucket is useless; it must be clearly seen to be of use. So we must be a light to others, pointing the way by our deeds and words. We have been called by the Lord out of darkness to His marvelous light so that He can be glorified. As He is the Light of the world, so we too must reflect His light. —G. Frear
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide; The Light of the world is Jesus! We walk in the light when we follow our Guide! The Light of the world is Jesus! —Philip P. Bliss
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. Isaiah 40:16
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12
Lebanon was known for two things: its cedar trees and its livestock. Isaiah says here that if all the cedar trees of Lebanon were used for firewood and all its beasts burned on the ensuing flames, it would not be enough. There is only one offering that satisfies the heart of God for all eternity. It is the once for all sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. God is satisfied with that finished work of Christ. Are you?—Paul Robertson
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. —Elvina M. Hall
“The Publishers describe Out of Egypt as “a devotional study of Exodus”. Certainly the author in his Preface suggests that there are in this volume 100 brief devotions; he adds that they can be “a reference source for deeper studies”, with which view the reviewer is pleased to concur. Out of Egypt would be a good starting point for any reader seeking to grasp the lessons of Exodus. The author sets out clearly the teaching of Exodus relating to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the nation’s first year in the wilderness. He deals clearly with the key events and their significance for Israel and the lessons they contain for Christians today.
Out of Egypt provides a commentary on the 40 chapters of Exodus, so the exposition does not deal with every verse in detail. Its purpose is not to consider minutely the laws Israel were to keep, the liturgy that would mark the Tabernacle which was to be the focal point of their religious observances, or the materials and construction of the Tabernacle itself. He follows the advice of another author writing on another book: “…we must not attempt to allegorise every detail here: that would…involve us in hopeless difficulty”. However, the author does deal with intriguing matters such as the Book of Life, or of the Living (Ex 32.32), and the Tabernacle pitched outside the camp (Ex 33.7).
Warren Henderson quotes much from Mackintosh, F W Grant, William Kelly, J N Darby, J B Bellett, and other authors of a past day as well as authors of the present day such as William MacDonald and Warren Wiersbe. He does not cite John Ritchie with whose Egypt to Canaan many readers of this Magazine will be familiar.”
Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge [vindicate] me by thy strength. Psalm 54:1
The Oxford Dictionary defines vindication as “justification by evidence or argument”. For the believer, Christ is our argument. The arc of His salvation work stretches from His incarnation, to His death and then to His resurrection. We remember Him today. And in our remembrance our minds are drawn to His body and His blood, viewing them symbolized in the bread and wine. Praise Him, Christ Jesus our justification. —George Ferrier
I need no other argument, I need no other plea, It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me. —Eliza Hewitt
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished. John 19:30
The story is told of a Christian man who had an unsaved friend who was a cabinet maker. The unsaved friend could not understand how Christ finished the work of redemption and why he could not do something for his own soul’s salvation. One day in the man’s shop, his Christian friend picked up a plane and walked toward a beautiful finished cabinet. As he pretended to make some finishing touches, the cabinet maker let out a yell, “Don’t touch that, it’s finished!” The same is true for Christ’s work; it is finished and cannot be added to. —W. Ross Rainey
Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished”, was His cry; Now in heaven exalted high! Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Romans 16:5
The early church gathered in homes in order to worship God and fellowship together. What is our home known for? Is it a place where the family gathers to seek the Lord? Or is it cluttered with activities and amusements that have little to do with spiritual growth? Has discouragement moved in—replacing the time we used to spend with the Lord? Perhaps it’s time for some de-cluttering and re-prioritizing. Let’s make God’s Word, prayer and worship the priorities in our homes. —Deborah Manera
Lift up your hearts! We lift them, Lord, to Thee; Here at Thy feet none other may we see: Lift up your hearts! Even so, with one accord, We lift them up, we lift them to the Lord. —H. Butler
So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 (NKJV)
Are you a good neighbour? From this story, there are three different responses to that question. Do I pass by like the priest, not even showing any interest? Perhaps I am like the Levite, making myself aware of the problem but in the end, not willing to get involved. Or do I treat everyone I know and meet, friend or stranger, with a heart and mind like the good Samaritan? —J. D. Fraser
My guilt was borne by Jesus; He cleansed the crimson stains, In His own blood most precious, and not a spot remains. —Horatius Bonar
“When communism was imposed on Vietnam during the 1970’s, Angela Tran’s parents decided that she should flee from the country alone. She was only sixteen years old.
As Bob Cretney follows the varied events of Angela’s life, the reader will discover that the hand of God is one that will never let go.
This does not mean that life was going to be easy for Angela. As one of the “boat people”, she initially found herself stranded in the South China Sea with over four hundred hopeful emigrants and a captain who had lost his way. The reader will discover how God spoke to her through this incident. Her steps are then traced through a Bankok refugee camp until she finally reached Canada.
In Canada, valued help was received from Bob Cretney, his wife, and the local believers.The bookalso considers how Angela adapted to the many cultural changes, and reveals how she met her husband.
The chapter entitled “Dark Secrets” relates Angela’s struggles when depression struck. She states, “I would ask myself, ‘How can I get out of this cloudiness that has engulfed me?’” Following this, how would she cope in her fight against cancer?
She observes, “I escaped from a cavern of sorrow, but I know I could not have accomplished what I did without God’s hand upon me”.
The focus upon Angela’s conversion and her battles along the rocky roads of life are woven in with a personal appeal to any non-Christian reader to trust in the Saviour. Bible verses with reference to salvation are carefully employed. This feature makes it a suitable book for presenting to those who are not Christians. The Unseen Hand is also enhanced with relevant full colour photos.
Angela’s purpose in relating her experiences is plainly stated: “…that you will come to realize that the God whom I love is there for you when you face seemingly unbearable circumstances in your life”.
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37
At the end of life all our material possessions will never purchase our admission into Heaven. “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious)” (Ps. 49:6-8). Jesus paid the price by His death to save us from the eternal consequences of sin. Are you a saved or a lost soul? Are you living for this world at the expense of preparing for eternity? —Jim Paul
Where will you spend eternity? This question comes to you and me! Tell me, what shall your answer be? Where will you spend eternity? —Elisha A. Hoffman
“Put yourself in someone else’s shoes and be ready to be challenged and encouraged. “Living at the End of the Rope” by Ron Hughes … is a raw but gentle look into the life of 10 couples and individuals. These lives have been damaged, sidetracked and crushed in various ways and yet the presence of grace is still powerful in their lives.
These men and women have come through deep adversity due to health problems, marriage difficulties and breakup, mental illness, death of a child or spouse, a special needs child or struggling with old age. They have faced (and still are facing) many battles, climbed many rough mountains and felt the blow of pain.
Yet, despite all of these struggles there is a foundation of hope. There is a clinging to the Lord that has enabled them to face each day. There is an encouragement to remember that God is faithful.
Every one of us face trials. Reading this book will lift your eyes higher and fix them on the only One who can help.”
Living at the End of the Rope