…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
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
This verse gives a warning that we have all heard since we were young. “Pride goes before destruction!” There is an antidote to this in the next verse. It is better to have a humble spirit with ordinary people than to try to climb the social ladder of popularity and fame. There is an even better reason for being humble. A proud spirit is an abomination to the Lord. May the Lord enable us to live humbly before Him. —G. Frear
Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died, On Calvary. —W. R. Newell
The first two words of this psalm are the bedrock for every other belief and practice. As atheistic teachings multiply, we must regularly consolidate our belief in the reality of one true God whose wisdom, power and greatness are unchanging. This God is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (v. 1). Through obeying His Word and yielding our lives to Him, we advance spiritually in day-by-day commitment to Him. He invites each of His children to “Be still, and know that I am God” (v. 10). —George Hall
O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while life shall last, And our eternal home. —Isaac Watts
O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1
The poet urges those who had experienced God’s salvation to “sing unto the Lord”. Not by singing songs of dead rote, but new songs which reflect the soul’s joy over receiving fresh mercies from the Lord. In Exodus 15 we find the first mention of singing. Euphoria swept through the Israelites as they marched further into the wilderness under the shadow of Jehovah’s cloud. It is a great privilege for the redeemed to sing praises to the Lord, day after day. —W. A. H.
With harps and with viols, there stand a great throng; In the presence of Jesus, and sing this new song: Unto Him who hath loved us and washed us from sin, Unto Him be the glory forever, Amen. —A. T. Pierson
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. Deuteronomy 6:6
This year I am trying to memorize one Bible verse a week. It’s not for some exemplary reason. It’s just for me. When my day is long and sad, 1 Peter 5:7, is there for encouragement. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”. When my day is kind and glad, Psalm 103:1, is there to remind me of God’s goodness. “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Every day I thank God for His written Word, the Holy Bible. —Deborah Douglas
Cling to the Bible! This jewel and treasure; Surely its value no mortal can measure. —M. J. Smith
…Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son… Luke 1:13
The Bible doesn’t record any of the specific prayers this couple prayed. It doesn’t tell us their exact age or how much they had longed for a child. It does tell us they were “upright and blameless” in their devotion to God—and that He had heard their prayer. God keeps track of our petitions—He doesn’t forget. He sees our faithfulness—and often delights to bless that faithfulness through extraordinary intervention. An ordinary day, turned into a miracle for Zacharias and Elisabeth. And so it can be today for us. —Deborah Manera
O Father God, how faithful You are through eternity; For Your eternal purpose, You are faithful now in me. —Author Unknown
