For who hath despised the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10
We often hear the cliché, “The bigger the better”, yet God delights in using “small things” to accomplish His purposes. He used Gideon’s three hundred men to defeat the Midianites; David, a shepherd boy to defeat Goliath; five barley loaves and two small fish to feed a multitude; and He brought forth our Redeemer out of one of the smallest towns in Judah! Never discount what you have to offer as being too small. God can use it for His glory. —E. V.
Give of your best to the Master, Give Him first place in your heart; Give Him first place in your service, Consecrate every part. —Howard B. Grose
…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord… Psalm 27:4
David’s heart-longing was to be in the presence of the Lord and “to behold the beauty of the Lord”. As we come together to worship, especially at the Lord’s Supper, what is the focus of our attention? Do we muse and meditate upon the beautiful character and person of our Saviour? His words were full of grace and truth. His life was fragrant with love for all. His loving hands healed the sick. His loving lips spoke words of forgiveness to the broken sinner. His agonizing death for sinners proclaimed the amazing love of God. He is a beautiful Saviour! Behold the beauty of the Lord! —Donald L. Norbie
Beautiful Saviour, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I love Thee, truly I serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown. —Written by German Jesuits
And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. Number 6:18
Have you ever smelled burning hair? It is not pleasant. That which would be naturally repugnant to the nostrils of man had found acceptance and appreciation by the Lord. The world looks with disdain and disgust at the believer that wants to lead a life separated to God. Yet to God it is a sweet smelling savour. The Nazarite offered his hair as a sacrifice—that hair was the token of his separation to the Lord. —Sid Halsband
Take my life, and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, let them flow with ceaseless praise. —Frances Ridley Havergal
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:5
As awareness of the wine shortage spread amongst the wedding guests, we can be sure that many possible solutions were proposed. Mary’s, however, was the best! It was rooted in her unwavering trust in the uniqueness of the Son she had borne. Today, multitudes around us have problems, fears and false hopes. We know the One who is the Answer. Have we the conviction and the courage to point others to Him, as Mary did? —George Hall
Can we whose souls are lighted with wisdom from on high; Can we to men benighted, the lamp of life deny? Salvation! O salvation! The joyful sound proclaim, Till men of every nation have heard the Saviour’s name!—Reginald Heber
“This is a short book amongst a number of recent very helpful books by this author. The presentation of the Thessalonian church as a ‘model’ church, as is the premise of this book, has much to commend it, although this idea has been outlined by a number of other authors.1 This is an eminently readable primer for further detailed study and is easily read in a couple of sittings. It covers each section in the Epistle in turn, with a short introduction followed by sections where most verses are commented on. Good practical application flows from sound interpretation of the text. The balance in dealing with the text across the Epistle is about right, although chapter 3 seems to get a little lost amidst coverage of the larger issues.
It is not a detailed exposition of the book, and does not set out to be so. Thus, it does not cover in detail a number of exegetical challenges, mostly eschatological in nature, for example, which phase of the Lord’s return is being referred to in chapter 3 verse 13, but covers it sufficiently to whet the appetite for further studies. The brevity does, however, raise some issues: the section dealing with differences between the dispensational and reformed/covenant view of scripture, particularly in the context of future events, is, of necessity, rather scant. Unfortunately, this results in the presentation of a ‘straw man’, which does not present the nuance of the reformed position accurately. What McBride does present might be easily dismissed and, thus, it is open to criticism, albeit this reviewer agrees with his conclusions. The comments throughout the book on the insufficiency of many contemporary presentations of the gospel are welcome (some of which are not the gospel at all), and many of the practical points raised in this regard should be adopted in our proclamation of the gospel. Overall, well worth reading and worth encouraging others to read.”
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. Psalm 84:3
What a picture of the welcoming heart of God. The sparrow doesn’t sing and is not beautiful. In Jesus’ time two sparrows were sold for a farthing. The sparrow had little worth but found significance in God’s presence. The swallow is a restless bird, yet the swallow too found tranquility in the temple. Like these common birds, all believers were once spiritually worthless and restless, but now we have found spiritual significance and peace with God in the refuge of Christ. —W. A. H.
With broken heart and contrite sigh, a trembling sinner, Lord, I cry; Thy pardoning grace is rich and free: O God be merciful to me. —C. Elven
To another faith by the same Spirit… 1 Corinthians 12:9
Faith is a spiritual gift. Not saving faith, but the kind of visionary faith that George Müller demonstrated. If that kind of faith is a spiritual gift, and not everyone has been given it, then God doesn’t expect us all to have that type of faith. It is easy to feel that we are somehow failing God by not attaining to a certain level of spiritual ability. But God doesn’t expect us to excel at everything and He has equipped the church so that it complements itself. Everyone has a critical role to play. We need to live out who we are in Christ, as God has made and equipped us. Not despairing in our inadequacies but rejoicing in our unique opportunities. —J. L.
All is in Christ; your whole self present to Him. For God’s Son, th’ Immortal King, freely give Him everything. —Claire Lise de Benoit
…neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24
He was a child from a middle class family, while his friend was from a poor family. When he had eaten his lunch, his poor friend would take his crusts, his apple cores and if he was lucky, the occasional dropped raisin and eat them. The boy who had eaten his lunch felt he was doing his friend a favour. Are we guilty of the same thing? Do we give our Lord the scraps, or do we, like the widow lady, give Him our all? —Janet Fleming
Today, in love His words I hear, “I died to set you free, I gave My life, My all for you; will you give less for Me?” —Janet Fleming
But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 2 Chronicles 15:4
Troubles can come in small or large doses, but we must make sure that when they arrive we turn to the Lord first. Other believers may help, but with the Lord there is an absolute guarantee that He will answer and give us exactly what we require to manage and overcome.
—Brian Russell
Beyond our utmost wants, His love and power can bless. To praying souls He always grants, More than they can express. —John Newton
Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24
Every day, and certainly every Lord’s day, we should consider what great things He has done for us. The Lord’s Supper places two graphic reminders before us: the bread and the wine. What has He done for us? He gave His body to be broken for us. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. He shed His precious blood in remission of our sins. That’s the greatest thing He has done for us all, but certainly not the only thing, for in Him we have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Let us consider it all and worship Him today. —Carl Knott
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son. —Fanny J. Crosby
A Study of First Thessalonians: The Model Church