Month: September 2011

An unreasonable desire for money will lead to sin and shame. A more healthy attitude is to be rich in good works regarding the needs of others. We have been "created in Christ Jesus unto good works," (Ephesians 2:10). Such wealth manifests itself in a readiness to share our resources with those who are in need or simply to encourage fellow believers. May we do so for the glory of God. —Bob Cretney

It is a privilege to learn something new from Scripture but sometimes we just need to be reminded of truths with which we are well familiar. Such is this verse. Are you cumbered down with the cares of this world? My dear Christian friend, if you have trusted your precious soul to the Saviour for all eternity, can you not trust Him now for much lesser things? He will not fail you! His everlasting love will keep you securely till you are safely home in the Father’s House. —E. MacLelland

When the Tabernacle was completed, the princes of Israel brought their offerings of worship. One golden dish full of incense was part of the required offering. This image reminds us of our own responsibility to worship. The dish was of gold, often associated with the glory of God. Thus we are to leave self aside and glorify God as we worship Him. It was also to be full of incense. No one was allowed to approach God empty (Deut. 16:16). Is your dish empty, or are you full of the incense of worship today? —K. C. Ung

Walking the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, these disciples spoke together of the sorrow each had carried since the day their Saviour had died. Unnoticed, a Stranger joined them. Enquiring about their obvious grief, “He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Who could better comfort their broken hearts than the One who had experienced Calvary’s suffering? In your hour of grief He is prepared to walk with you and to share your sorrows. —Arnot P. McIntee

This is the first recorded song and first reference to singing in Scripture. Euphoria swept through the Israelites as they marched toward Canaan as a redeemed people. A mark of God’s redeemed is their joyous singing. Why not enter into a melodious song of praise and thank your Redeemer for saving your soul today! —Warren Henderson

This is as bold a statement as any our Saviour ever made. This side of Calvary, we can look back and see that He was absolutely correct, excepting those things which are yet to be fulfilled at His second coming. Having our faith buoyed by the perfect record of prophetic fulfillment, we can indeed stand upon every promise He made. Every one is a clear statement of fact. In our Lord’s mind, it is already done. Faith simply waits excitedly for its accomplishment. —Rick Morse

The Lord Jesus loved to talk about life. In this passage He speaks of the enemies of the sheep—the thief who comes to steal and to kill and to destroy. The wolf has a similar ambition and the hireling is no better. So different is the motive of the Lord the Shepherd. He comes to give His life and by so doing is able to impart life more abundantly to those who put their confidence and trust in Him. He said, “I am the good Shepherd, the good Shepherd giveth His Life for the sheep,” (Jn. 10:11). Have you received life from Him? —R. J.

This is a remarkable application of the Lord’s words, "No man can serve two masters." It concerns the issue of preaching and teaching the Word. We must never allow our desire for popularity to interfere with publicly setting forth truths that are clearly taught by the Scriptures. Our preaching needs to be done in love but it must be firmly grounded in truth—no matter what the cost. —Drew Craig

It is one thing to have Christ within but quite another to "put Him on." The one is internal and the other external. Our first verse says that we put Him on when we are baptized into Him, the other says we put Him on by "making no provision for the flesh." The first happens when we are saved. The other is ongoing throughout life. If He is the Resident within, He should also be the President. This can only be possible when we have crucified the flesh and the lusts thereof (Galatians 5:24). —Harold G. Smith

There is a small piece of ground, on a lonely hill, outside the city walls of Jerusalem where a Roman cross was erected. There are many important historical locations on the earth, but they all pale to insignificance when compared to that place called Calvary. Upon that cross, the man Christ Jesus fought the greatest battle that ever was or will be. There He conquered sin, death and the grave. By faith may we draw near to that place today and worship. — S. D. B.