Biblical Teachings

I am going to get right down inside this thing. What is a Christian?

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from “The School of Christ,” by T. Austin-Sparks, ch. 2 I am going to get right down inside this thing. What is a Christian? Is a Christian one who was not a very good tempered person, but is now good-tempered; not a very genial person, but is now very much more genial; a person who was not very zealous, but is now very zealous; a person who is different in disposition from what he was formerly. Is that a true definition of a Christian? Give me a homeopathic cabinet. Bring along to me a very irritable person. Give him a …

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You cannot be born from above backwards

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Hebrews 6:4-8 (KJV) 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: …

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Double Time

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Pete Garcia The three most dreaded words in the Army are, double time, March! For those not familiar with military drill and ceremony commands, this just means start running. Military folk has a far greater appreciation for and sensitivity to time in a way that most civilians cannot fully appreciate. For instance, if you’re not ten minutes early to an event, you’re late. If you have a formation at 0600 (depending on the level of formation-Division, Brigade, Battalion, Company) that really means you have to be there at 0530 (at the latest). Deployments? I think we invented the phrase “hurry …

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“Then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.” Genesis 8:9

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Wearied out with her wanderings, the dove returns at length to the ark as her only resting place. How heavily she flies–she will drop–she will never reach the ark! But she struggles on. Noah has been looking out for his dove all day long, and is ready to receive her. She has just strength to reach the edge of the ark, she can hardly alight upon it, and is ready to drop, when Noah puts forth his hand and pulls her in unto him. Mark that: “pulled her in unto him.” She did not fly right in herself, but was …

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The Purification of Our Faith

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Adversity hurts, but in God’s hand, it purifies our faith and shapes us to look more like Jesus. Hebrews 11:32-40 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. …

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The Weight of the World and Christ’s Coming

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Alf Cengia A few years ago I worked in a corporate environment. I was surrounded by account managers, salespeople and technical engineers who were constantly in and out of the office. They could be anywhere at any time, so I hardly ever paid much attention to what they were doing. I didn’t report to them and we had our own tasks to worry about. It was different with my boss. He’s the sort of man who demands hard work and quality performance from his staff. Under his leadership our branch of the business broke record after record. It was flattering …

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—If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Matthew 9:20-21

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“Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the hem of his cloak. She said to herself—If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Matthew 9:20-21 The ‘cloak of Christ’ still trails nearby us. It is by us, when we open the Bible and read His words. It is by us, when we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with us. It is by our beds of pain, when we are sick. It is by us, when it grows dark around us with the gloom of …

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Grace to the Guilty

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Genesis 45:1-8 (KJV) 45 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. …

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The Work of the Spirit of God

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Reflections But when the Comforter is come, which I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, shall testify of Me. (John 15:26) What is the purpose and work of the Holy Spirit of God? It is to testify of Christ, glorify Christ, and edify in Christ. The purpose of the Spirit of God is to form Christ in us. That word, “form,” means, “to inwardly realize and express.” Thus, the Spirit of God is to reveal Jesus TO us, and IN us, and THROUGH us. The result is that we …

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75 – Prophecy against Edom

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This prophecy is an expansion of that which the Lord gave Ezekiel which was recorded in Ezekiel 25:12-14. Edom is characterized here by the mountain range on the east border of the Wadi Arabah south of the Dead Sea. Edom is a prototype of all Gentile nations in general and more specifically the Arab States. Ezekiel is commanded to convey a prophecy of God to the nation of Edom emphasizing His desire to destroy Edom as a judgment for the way in which they have historically treated Israel. One question which always seems to arise is why the judgment on just Esau. When, Esau (Edom) was Jacob’s (Israel) brother they both seemed to be sinners. From birth Jacob had his hand upon the heel of his brother Esau. Jacob was to receive the Abrahamic covenant as revealed to his mother Rebecca. But he took advantage of Esau and some would say stole the covenant by deceit. He did that to be sure but God’s plan was for him to have it and he was punished by God through his father in law Lavan for the manner in which he took it. Laban made him an indentured servant for nearly twenty years. God has said that, “I loved Jacob! And Esau I hated” (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13). Since God looks on the heart of a person and not the outward appearance we can see that God says that Esau despised his birthright.

 

75 – Prophecy against Edom

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour.” Matthew 5:43

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“Love thy neighbour.” Perhaps he rolls in riches, and thou art poor, and living in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion; thou seest every day his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous banquets; God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with thine own lot, if thou canst not better it, but do not look upon thy neighbour, and wish that he were as thyself. Love him, and then thou wilt not envy him. Perhaps, on the other hand, thou art rich, and near thee reside …

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