…[Paul] said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?…when there was made a great silence, [Paul] spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue. Acts 21:37, 40
When Paul addressed the Roman guard, he spoke in Greek. When he addressed the Jewish crowds, he used Hebrew. While his message did not waver, the way he delivered that message was geared to his audience. He spoke in the language that each understood best. In our ever-changing world, we must be careful to stay true to the Word of God. But, we must also present Christ in a way that can be understood by a new generation. May the Lord give us divine wisdom!
—Lynn Shatford
Sing it o’er and over again, Christ receiveth sinful men; Make the message clear and plain: Christ receiveth sinful men. —Bevan
…for the Lord…he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6
Moses, now 120 years old, is passing the leader’s “baton” to Joshua. Moses may well be recalling his own hesitancy, 40 years ago, when the Lord called him to lead Israel. Nor could he have forgotten the trials he endured as the people fell into unbelief during the “Wilderness Years”. Through all the difficulties, the Lord remained faithful. Having proved God personally, Moses was qualified to encourage Joshua to trust Him too. Today let us so live that we encourage and strengthen others. —George Hall
Lord help me to help; help me to give; Thy wisdom to share; Thy will to live! —Author Unknown
And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord thy God. Deuteronomy 26:4
In the offering of the first fruits, the offerer came with his basket filled with produce from the land, evidence of God’s faithful provision. It was given to the priest who would offer it to God. It was the means by which he expressed his thankfulness to the Lord. As we come together, we too should also come with baskets filled with praise, the fruit of our lips. Presented to our Great High Priest the Lord Jesus, it is then offered on our behalf as the joyful expression of a thankful heart.
—Mark Kolchin
To all our prayers and praises, Christ adds His sweet perfume, And love the censer raises, these odours to consume. —Mary Bowley
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. John 3:14
When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he… John 8:28
…If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32
These three statements of the Lord all referred to His crucifixion. Through our Saviour’s death He has brought us life, just as when Moses lifted up the serpent on a pole. Secondly, His death proved that He was the Son of Man. Lastly, with arms open wide He draws all peoples to Himself. Have you come to Him for life? —Rex Trogdon
Lifted up was He to die, it is finished was His cry; Now in heaven exalted high: Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss
This is not a command to love God but to live in the constant and conscious enjoyment of God’s love. When out walking on a sunny day we may find ourselves under the shade of a tree and we instantly lose the full warmth of the sun. The sun has not stopped shining but the boughs of the tree have come between us and the sun. Likewise God always loves us, but all too often we allow the shadow of sin to come between ourselves and the sunshine of His love. We need to examine our lives and get rid of all that weakens our appreciation of the Lord. —Paul Young
Nothing between, Lord, nothing between; Shine with unclouded ray, chasing each mist away, O’er my whole heart bear sway—nothing between. —Evan H. Hopkins
David’s complaint (vv. 1-3) eventually became the basis for his praise (vv. 4-7). It is a pattern we see in a number of other psalms, when overwhelming problems eventually give way to a new perspective. A case in point would be the hills that give way to the God who made those hills (see Ps. 121:1-2). David is clear that God will deal with the problems in a far better way than he could. While everyone counts on someone else to help them, we can always count on God. He will turn our sorrows to joy. —N. C. Funston
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side, Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my guide. —John E. Bode
“This is a book that traces the most remarkable story and work of Colleen Redit, founder of Christian Missions Charitable Trust, Chennai, India. However, in reading the book I was struck by the simple and very ‘matter of fact’ way in which this story is told. This beautiful book contains many photographs, and, at times, a detailed narrative, yet it does not convey much of the drama of the trials of missionary work amongst some of the poorest and neediest people of India. It is a book that seeks to let the facts speak for themselves.
What makes this book interesting and challenging is the thread that runs throughout. God is faithful! Yet the reader must pause and appreciate the remarkable nature of events that are recorded so simply. There is no attempt to emphasize the difficulties of financing or staffing a growing work of this nature and magnitude. There is little attempt to convey the burden of such a work on the person responsible for the vision. What is communicated is the warmth, wisdom, and enthusiasm of Colleen Redit.
There is a lot of practical insight that might prove useful to those considering a work for the Lord. Being unfamiliar with the New Zealand background of the author I found it difficult to appreciate the Every Girl’s Rally work. Equally, having never been to India, it is difficult to appreciate the challenges of working in that country. However, the replication of the Rally concept in an Indian context was an interesting insight into how difficulties and tensions can be overcome. Equally, it is encouraging to see something of the support of the commending assemblies, as well as those Indian believers who now share the vision, and the burden for its delivery. It needs to be remembered, this is an on-going work! This is not just a book to read. It is a book to ponder.”
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. 2 Kings 4:21
An unspeakable tragedy had taken place in the home of this Shunammite woman. Her only son had died. It is worthy of note how this godly woman responded to the crisis. She put her son on Elisha’s bed, closed the door, and ran to him. There are times when crises arise in our life, where there’s nothing we can do to reverse the situation. The example of the godly Shunammite is surely our best recourse—to close the door, and leave it with the Lord. —W. H. Burnett
The sorrows of the daily life, The shadows o’er my path which fall, Too oft obscure the glory’s light, Until I rise above them all. —Author Unknown
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22
The first part of this verse is a lovely pearl! It is a well known fact that to have an optimistic attitude and a happy spirit is to promote good health. A solid, hearty laugh releases good endorphins into the system and relaxes tightened muscles. We all know what a broken spirit does to the stomach and mind—it gives no rest or peace! But to trust the Lord is to have His peace in spite of the circumstances around us. —G. Frear
‘Tis better by far to be happy and glad, Than to be deep in misery, self pity and sad, Our Father in heaven sees all that we do, In pleasing Him here, we please others too. —G. F.
