Moments For You

Jesus said, “Whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was... Read more →

Generally speaking, a lord is someone with authority, control, or power over others. In Jesus’ day the word lord was often used as a title of respect toward earthly authorities. When the leper called Jesus “Lord” in Matthew 8:2, he was showing Jesus respect as a healer and teacher. However,... Read more →

“Ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Peter 1:6). All that God plans and performs in this life is in view of what He has in store for us in heaven. He is preparing us for the life and... Read more →

Imagine for a moment that your city is surrounded by enemy forces who aim to destroy you. And you are aware that enemy sympathizers live and work in the city with a view to undermining the city’s defenses. And suppose you discover that there is a song which the enemy... Read more →

There is no music in a rest, but there is the making of music in it. Our life’s melody is broken off here and there by “rests,” and we foolishly think we have come to the end of the tune. God writes the music of our lives, and the rests... Read more →

“I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5). Without question one of the most remarkable Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter a heart, settle down, and be at home there. Christ will make the human heart His abode.  One... Read more →

As our world grows smaller and we rub shoulders with people from different religious backgrounds, how do we explain what we believe in a way that they can understand? Don’t Be Afraid Too often fear makes us defensive about our faith. Don’t be afraid of someone who doesn’t share your... Read more →

“Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Timothy 3:14). You do not really believe something until you practice it. James says, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”... Read more →

The word that jumps out of the gospels describing Jesus’ emotion toward people in need is compassion. Our Lord often felt compassion, or was moved with compassion to heal and to save. The compassionate care He and the apostles gave to the poor and sick is inspirational. His unheard-of acts... Read more →

When detailing qualifications for leaders, the apostle Paul stressed the importance of possessing “a good report” from the world (1 Timothy 3:7). In other words, a candidate ready for leadership among God’s people is one who already enjoys a good witness in the community—one who confirms from Monday to Saturday... Read more →

While we may sometimes fail to see any immediate results from serving the Lord, Malachi 3:16–18 is a remarkable passage that tells us God is watching and is documenting the faithful deeds of His children: “The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before... Read more →

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).  A Christian friend shared several problems with me over the phone. He was particularly concerned about his frustration and anger. But talking seemed to help. The next day he sent this message to me: “After our... Read more →

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new’” (Revelation 21:5). The famous story of Noah and the flood fills Sunday school classes, kids’ books, and Christian art. But Noah’s flood isn’t simply a Sunday school story about zoo animals and rainbows. Real people... Read more →

Dear Lord Jesus, were I to sit down to list the titles I would instinctively give You, I’m not sure “preacher” would be on my initial list. But if anyone deserves that name, it is You. What is Christmas? It’s You coming nearer than near to us in Your incarnation.... Read more →

There are two series of seven characters mentioned by name in the first chapters of Luke. Note the unlikely “stars” of the nativity. Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Anna, John the Baptist The first seven are representative of the faithful ones among the people of God. Even though the world... Read more →