Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 2 Peter 1:12
Peter reminds us in this verse that to revisit spiritual ground that has been traveled over before should never be avoided. Circumstances change as do world conditions and to regularly review the truth found in God’s timeless Word will reveal new and helpful applications for the need at hand. It will strengthen those already established in the faith and firmly plant the next generation to continue in His Word and walk in His ways. —Mark Kolchin
Lord, through all the generations of the children of our race, In our fears and tribulations, Thou hast been our dwelling place. —Author Unknown
And Crispus…believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Acts 18:8
Here is the pattern desired by God for each of us. What have you heard about the Lord Jesus? He is God’s Son sent to be the Saviour of the world; He is sinless; He died on the cross for our sins and He rose from the grave. Do you believe this? If you truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, why not follow His command and be baptized? —Bob Cretney
Oh believe it! Oh believe it! Jesus died on Calvary, That from sin we might be free, Oh believe it! Oh believe it! Jesus died for you and me, Oh believe it! —James R. Murray
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…it shall be given him. James 1:5
We serve a loving God but this promise in today’s verse is not unconditional. The preceding verse tells us we need to exercise patience and let it have its perfect work. The following verse adds that we should ask in faith. Any wisdom God gives us also begins with a proper measure of the fear of the Lord (Ps. 111:10). If we are willing to do things God’s way, many blessings including wisdom can be ours. —Ken Gross
Teach me Thy way, O Lord; teach me Thy way! Thy gracious aid afford; Teach me Thy way! —B. Mansell Ramsey
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3
…for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
Having been lifted out of the pit of sin I have a wonderful new song in my mouth and a joy deep in my heart. The Psalmist says that this song is not just to be heard but to be seen! Our song of joy is not dependent upon outward circumstances. Rather it is the deep seated joy of the Lord which results in a life of victory and praise which others can see. If they do see such a song, we are assured that many shall trust in the Lord. —David Croudace
God leads His dear children along; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. —George A. Young
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. Psalm 102:7
The lonely sparrow keeps its vigil atop the storm-swept roof. Protection, companionship and hope are unknown as he keeps alert and waits. Calvary’s solitary vigil, too, was kept. There was no need for its silent Sufferer to watch. He had been forsaken. There, having been buffeted by the storms of God’s wrath, He died for you and me.
—Arnot P. McIntee
Alone, yes, all alone, the Saviour died for me; Alone, yes, all alone, from sin to set me free; Without a hope, this world was sunk in sin and shame until, The Saviour came to do the Father’s will. —Helen Griggs
…and his voice as the sound of many waters. Revelation 1:15
I recently parked by the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia as a hurricane was passing by only a few kilometres off shore. The noise of the wind and waves pummeling the shoreline was deafening and any sound I could make with my voice was inaudible by comparison. No excuse or objection will be heard in that day when He comes to rule in His glory, no matter how vehement or persistent. He speaks and the entire universe listens in silent awe. —Rick Morse
Thy voice like great waters, how calmly our soul, Shall hear in the glory its deep waters roll; Though now it rebukes and humbles our pride, It shall speak only love to Thy glorified bride. —E. G.
Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. Jeremiah 1:9
While the Spirit specially gifts some to be evangelists or teachers (Eph. 4:11-12), priesthood is the prerogative of all believers. They are privileged to praise and worship God daily. They also ought to tell others about the Saviour, the Lord Jesus. Since their words flow from the heart’s reservoir, they should fill their minds with thoughts about God from His Word. Tell someone today about Him! —K. R. Keyser
He has told us the wonderful secrets, Father of glory, once hidden from man; Fully revealed now to us by Thy Spirit, All Thou desiredst—eternity’s plan! —H. Sattler
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. Luke 7:45
The woman did what the host of the home would not do. He did not give his guest water to wash His feet; she did so with her tears. He did not anoint his guest’s head with oil; she did so with her costly ointment. He gave his guest no welcome kiss; she kissed His feet and wiped them with the hair of her head. Are you honouring the unseen guest in your home—by “distributing to the necessity of saints”; being generous in hospitality (Rom. 12:13) when they visit your house?
—K. C. Ung
Christ is the Head of this house, The unseen guest at every meal; The silent listener to every conversation. —Author Unknown
“This book has arisen from its author’s firm conviction that the message of the gospel is as relevant and as necessary for the people of our day as it was for those of the first century. It has been written with the express purpose of helping, at an introductory level, college and university students who will almost certainly come up against the influences of postmodernism in the course of their studies and to make an older generation aware of current thinking. It will also be suitable as a means of explaining the relevance of the gospel to the non-Christian.
In the first three chapters John Parkinson takes his reader carefully through the content of the gospel, and examines the reaction both of Jews and of Gentiles of the first century. He stresses the similarities between the polytheism, the philosophies, and the occult practices of Paul’s day, and the postmodernism and New Age mysticism of today. As the author takes us on from the modernism that sprang from the eighteenth century Enlightenment through to the relativism of our own day, he demonstrates the universal and enduring relevance of the gospel to fallen man. In so doing he is able not only to inform, but also to encourage believers to witness, confident in the knowledge that only the gospel can meet the deepest needs of the men and women of today.
The new edition of this valuable work, now offered with an appendix on postmodernism, is not for those believers who may wish to bury their heads in the sand. The author reminds us that, ‘it is also vital to understand that our young people are being educated in the language, premises, and terminology of postmodern philosophy. Ought we not, as parents, to be interested in what our families may be imbibing at school and university?’ This book will amply reward careful reading and reflection on its contents. Chapter 5, ‘The Question of Origins’, is pivotal. The Glossary of Terms is very helpful, and the Bibliography will encourage further study. This is a very valuable resource.”
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2:5
The palsied man’s friends made heroic efforts to bring him to the feet of the Lord Jesus, to the extent of opening up the roof and lowering him down. At this point they had done all they could do. Mark then records, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said…Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Do we have such a concern for the lost that we make exceptional efforts to bring them before the Lord? Let’s engage in this powerful exercise of prayer, personally and corporately, and expect results to follow. —W. H. Burnett
Few there are who seem to care, and few there are who pray; Melt my heart, and fill my life, give me one soul today. —W. H. Houghton
