July – 2014

“Bring. . . the books!” (II Timothy 4:13). These were some of Paul’s last words to Timothy. If books were not important they would not have been on his “wish” list. Someone said, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. “Andrew Bonar said that “Reading good books will wean us from the world and take us within the veil. ”His brother, Horatius said, “Whatever you read begin with God’s blessing on it. ” Solomon wisely said, “Of making many books there is no end and much study is wearisome to the flesh” (Eccl. 12:12). I do not wish to visit with you about the “many” books of which there are no end, but only a few select books that need to be “chewed and digested”. [Read more…]

As I reflect upon this Holy week preceding Resurrection Sunday, I see it in a new and fresh perspective having recently visited Israel for the very first time.  I stood in that place where John the Beloved leaned upon the Savior’s breast; where Jesus warned that one would betray Him; where all would say, “Lord is it I,” but Judas responded, “Rabbi, is it I?”  I stood in that place where Jesus picked up the bread and gave thanks saying, “Take, eat, this is my body.”  Then He took the cup and giving thanks said, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” I stood in that place where Jesus then said, “I say unto you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”  I stood in that place where they concluded their gathering by singing a hymn and then went out to the Mt. of Olives where Jesus was found praying while the three disciples were sleeping. From the Upper Room to the Garden Tomb there were several places along the path Jesus must trod which would lead to the fulfillment of many O.T. prophecies as well as His own. [Read more…]

The Christmas season is a wonderful time to reflect upon the many, many purposes of the Incarnation, that time when God became man and the Word became flesh. For some forty years, the late Harold T. Reese was pastor of a Michigan church. His son, James Reese, has served as a pastor, evangelist and well-known soloist, mostly in Canada. In 1960, Pastor Reese penned the lyrics and James wrote the music to a song entitled, God Became Man. I don’t know how widespread it became known, but to those of us who knew them, it was very special. I can still hear Brother Reese, in his rich bass voice singing: [Read more…]

Sufferings!  Trials!  Heartaches!  Afflictions! Testings!  Sound familiar?  Ring a bell?  The world, our nation, our communities, our families and friends face them on a daily basis. Maybe right now you are going through a fiery trial, if not, no doubt soon may.  For the believer, it could be enough to make one depressed if not for the fact, that sufferings can draw us closer to God and the examination of Scripture reminds us that sufferings are what help mold us into the image of His lovely Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Puritan Joseph Church stated, “Sufferings are but as little chips of the cross.”  Our sufferings can never be compared to the One who suffered ALL for us.  Thankfully, sufferings are just temporal (2 Corinthians 5:7); that during such times we should pray (James 5:13); that part of genuine discipleship is suffering (Matthew 16:24; Philippians 1:29); that in the fire we should glorify Him (Isaiah 24:15); and most encouraging of all, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). [Read more…]

Eccl. 11:1-6
Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. 2 Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. 4 He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.

Fall is the season when many churches host their annual missionary conferences and so as I write, I have missions on my mind. Actually missions have been on my mind since the early days of my conversion to Christ. At age sixteen I was led to Christ by a missionary appointee heading for the Philippines. He was serving as an intern in my home church, which also had missions on its mind. A year later when I went off to Bible College I joined the Far East Prayer Band, because that is where the Philippines was located and I wanted to pray for the missionary who led me to Christ. My place of academic learning also had missions on its mind. Missionaries were paraded through our Bible conferences, chapel services and even taught several of our classes. [Read more…]