“There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me.” 2 Corinthians "12":7 The amazing fact apparent in the Bible is that it is relatively easy for a “heathen” to be healed, but that healing for a Christian is not as easy. The New Testament overwhelmingly shows us […]
“My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to accomplish his work.” John "4":34 A wonderful feature of spiritual ministry is that it refreshes the one who engages in it. Take, for example, the incident of Jesus at the well of Sychar. He was genuinely thirsty when He asked the
“Casting down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God.” 2 Corinthians "10":5 One sphere of Satan’s operations is man’s thought life. He arouses imaginations which must first be suppressed before we can bring our thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ. We need to know what satanic temptation
“He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant.” Psalm "105":17 Of the many typical servants of God in the Old Testament, Joseph is perhaps the most perfect. Yet while the Scripture reveals no apparent flaw in his character, we know well that his was no easy pathway. From a comparatively early
“The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans "8":16 Man’s regeneration can never be produced by the activities of his soul. To be penitent, to express sorrow for sin even with tears, and then to make a decision for Christ do not in themselves save a man. Confession,
“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” Isaiah "57":15 As God’s people, we may think erroneously that we need a contrite spirit only when we first repent and believe in the Lord or when we subsequently fall into sin. We should know, however,
“Lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your thoughts should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.” 2 Corinthians "11":3 Before a man can receive a new heart from God, he needs to have a change of mind. This is what happens at conversion. Even
“In lowliness of mind, each counting other better than himself.” Philippians "2":3 An elderly Christian who had served the Lord for many decades was once asked, “What is the most difficult to achieve of all Christian virtues?” “Lowliness of mind” was the answer. “To count the other better than myself is the problem.” “Then what
“In Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians "4":15 Abraham, so we are told, is the father of all them who believe. This is an interesting expression, for it shows us that all true spirituality is based on birth and not on preaching. Men are not changed by listening to doctrine or
“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham.” Galatians "3":8 Paul reminds us that grace does not begin with the New Testament. What God gave to Abraham was not the law but the promise of the gospel. According to Galatians, today’s gospel is based upon
