“And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow.” (Matthew 13:3) The Lord Jesus Christ often taught His disciples through parables, and this verse both contains the first reference to parables in
True Source of Pardon and Peace
For Your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.—Psalm 25:11 The Corinthian believers, once so prone to lose sight of their high calling in Christ, had developed strength of Christian character. Their words and acts revealed
In the Carpenter’s Shop with Joseph
But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.—Philippians 2:7 Christ was the only sinless one who ever dwelt on earth; yet for nearly thirty years He lived among the
The Interview with Nicodemus
And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.—Luke 4:15 In the interview with Nicodemus, Jesus unfolded the plan of salvation, and His mission to the world. In none of His subsequent discourses did He explain so fully, step
The Source of Immortality
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of
Heavenly Messenger
And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”—Genesis 32:26 Jacob’s experience during that night of wrestling and anguish represents the trial through which the people
Name Above All Names
“If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”—Mark 9:35 There was in these words a solemnity and impressiveness which the disciples were far from comprehending. That which Christ discerned they could not
The King is Coming
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”—Luke 21:27 Christ had bidden His people watch for the signs of His advent and rejoice as they should behold the tokens of their coming
Bread of Heaven
“This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.”—John 6:50 The Bible is the only book giving a positive description of Christ Jesus; and if every human being would study it
Master Worker
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.—Romans 7:18 None of the apostles or prophets ever claimed to be without sin. Those who have lived nearest to God, those who would sacrifice life itself
Name Above All Names
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.—John 1:11 Jesus came by the authority of God, bearing His image, fulfilling His word, and seeking His glory; yet He was not accepted by the leaders in Israel;
Am I a Laodicean?
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15, 16 The
We Are The Clay
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we are all the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8 We do not know what the Lord will do for us, if we will
Rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice…. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:4-6 It may seem difficult to rejoice in
No Power Can Separate From Christ
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 How precious in time of need is the assurance of union with Jesus! … We can
Nature Speaks of God
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Psalm 143:5, 6 We have
Watch Your Step!
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Proverbs 4:26 “Make straight paths for your feet,” says the apostle, “lest that which is lame be turned out of the way.” Hebrews 12:13. The path that leads away
A Ring of Fire
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11 Satan is continually seeking to influence human minds by his subtle arts. His is a master mind, given of God, but prostituted with
A Curse or a Blessing?
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. Matthew 6:19 Treasures are those things which engross the mind, and absorb the attention, to the exclusion of God and
One With the Church Above
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ephesians 3:14, 15 The church of God upon the earth is one with the
The Work of Heart-keeping
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 Diligent heart-keeping is essential to a healthy growth in grace. The heart in its natural state is a habitation for unholy thoughts and
The Sign of the New Heart
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
Saved by God’s Grace
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8, 9 The divine favor, the grace of God bestowed upon us through
Separate From the World
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 21 Those who hear from the lips of Christ the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” will be heroic
Mine to Choose
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 In our world there are two classes.
To those who obey, a Promise
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. Exodus 19:5 This pledge was given not only to Israel