May We Glory in the Cross
Matthew 27:26-44 is some of Matthew’s account of the cross. Note that Matthew seems to hold back from writing a detailed account of all that went on. Actually, the other gospel writers tell us more than does Matthew – but they all manifest a reticence to write all the details. What took place at Calvary is so deeply involved in the mind and love of God that it was impossible for these men to write it in detail. We will note some attitudes that were manifested. (more…)
Ye Must Be Born Again
John 3:7, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
Jesus is the One Who demands the new birth. The force of a command depends upon the authority of the one speaking. In this case, it is the Lord of Glory Who tells us we must be born again. Therefore, it is a definite fact–“Ye must be born again.”
WHO MUST BE BORN AGAIN?
Everyone! In John 3:3 Jesus
said, “Except a man be
born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God.” That
includes every person.
Someone may say that be
believes the new birth is
fine for a drunkard or a
harlot or one deep in sin.
However, Jesus spoke these
words to Nicodemus who was a
religious man, for verse l
says he was a ruler of the
Jews. Nicodemus was a
respectable man, for we are
told he was a man of the
Pharisees. His very name,
“Nicodemus,” means
“above the people.” He
was a good man, a better
than the average run of men.
He was also a man who
recognized that Jesus came
from God (verse 2). (more…)
Happy New Year?
Recommended Bible Reading: Genesis 1-3
New Year’s Day – I like it. My two favorite holidays of the year are New Year’s Day and my birthday. The reason I like both of these days so much is that they are days of beginning again. I can look forward to the future and endeavor to make it a time different from the failures of the past. I like this poem –
A
NEW LEAF
He came to my desk with
quivering lip; the lesson
was done.
“Have you a new leaf for me,
dear Teacher? I have
spoiled this one!” (more…)
The Dreadful Sin of Ingratitude
A
grateful heart is the very
center and core of true
character. Gratitude is a
forgotten art in our modern
busy life. When gratitude
dies, a man is well nigh
done. His character is gone
and his life will be empty.
When man lost his blessed estate with God and went down into dreadful defeat and perversion, what was the key to his downfall? Read Romans 1:21, “Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful…”.
Man’s downward plunge in sin has as one of its key sources an unthankful spirit. That spirit is manifest on every hand today.
A spiritual person is always
a thankful person.
“Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by
prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let
your requests be made
known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6 (more…)
In Your Word I Delight
In Your Word I Delight
In Psalm 119:137-144, the verses reveal that the testimonies of the LORD are righteous because they are given by a righteous God. In these eight verses, the word righteous and righteousness appear five times and the word upright appears once. Verse 137 begins the stanza by stating that God in His very nature is righteous: “Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.” Therefore, any word that comes from God is going to spring out of His righteous character. God is always right; therefore, He is right in His commands and testimonies.
Verse 140 reads: “Thy word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it.” From a fountain of pure water nothing impure can come. So, the Bible is a pure book because it comes from our righteous Lord. The psalmist stated that he loved the Word of God because of its righteous and pure character. What a blessed Book it is! (more…)