Restore, Renew, Revive, Refresh
Numerous are the verses of Scripture which speak of the Lord coming to refresh, or give rest, to the weary soul. He is the great Shepherd of the sheep, not only calling them all by name, but seeking to meet the needs of them all individually. That which prevents Him from doing so is the lack of a vision of His goodness, and grace, and the will to come to Him honestly.
God's Answer To The Thirsting Soul
Does God know of the thirsts of the soul? Does he have the answer, one that will truly satisfy? The answer lies in the love of God, His wisdom, and His commitment and will to meet the deepest need of the one who truly seeks Him.
Concepts Of Communion With God
What is communion with God? Can we be sure that we are in communion with him? Before God gave his Son to die on Calvary, He had provided a perfect pathway and work by which a redeemed sinner, but believer, could actually have fellowship with God, and be sure of it. The discovery of God's ways unlocks the blessed door of fellowship with God.
The Wretchedness Of Sin
How do we determine how wrong, and wretched sin is? What is our standard? Is it that of man who looks through sinful eyes to sinful actions of men, or can we find a closer, more accurate picture of sin from God's perfect standpoint? The cross of Christ, and the Son of God suffering and dying on that cross, represents God's attitude of sin. His animosity is so intensely opposed to it, that it would take Christ alone to die on the cross to deal with it. No other person was so worthy as Christ to deal with such an issue as sin.
The Worthy Lamb
The worth of the Lamb of God is so great that to reject Him is to incur the wrath of God. Why? The whole of redemption is discovered in one place, or rather, in one person, the Lord Jesus Christ. This Lamb, perfect and pure in every aspect of His being, and the Lion of Judah, the absolute Conqueror over every enemy of lost man, is of greatest worth to the Father. To embrace Him, and His work on Calvary, is to honor God for His highest, and most worthy sacrifice. To reject Him is to reject indeed the pearl of greatest price, depriving oneself of life eternal.
The Simple Meeting That Changed The World
It is often in a small context, in great simplicity, that God moves in mysterious ways. This He did so as to persuade the early church, specifically the Jews, that the blessing of Pentecost had come not only for Israel, but for the world. For the gentiles, it was also in a small meeting in a home, that the Spirit of God would be poured out, and the world would know that the gospel, and the blessings of it, were destined for all men.
The Overcoming Of Spiritual Barriers
It is very evident that Joshua and the people of Israel faced spiritual forces that defied them, and would have denied them entrance into the promised land beyond Jericho, were it not for the intervention of God. The coming of the Man with the drawn sword was a key moment in the conquering of Jericho, because the enemy of God certainly was behind the steadfast resolve of the people of Nineveh to resist, and seek to deter the Israelites access into the land to possess it. It would take God's intervention to bring down the walls of Jericho.
Faith's Strengthening Vision
Scripture tells us that without a vision the people perish. But, what if the believer has a vision, a true perception of spiritual truths of God, and a true knowledge of His ways? It is there in that perception of God by the Spirit that faith is strengthened, as one catches a glimpse of His glory and might.
Christ's Call To Faith
What is the proper response, according to God, to every unveiling, or revelation of Christ according to the Scriptures? The answer is singular: it is faith. Just as the essence of sin is unbelief, so the manner in which a person is rendered just before God is by faith, for it involves receiving from God that which He alone can give.
The Saving Sanctifying Power Of Christ
When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God, He spoke of power. There was the evident authority of the King of the kingdom, but there was also the power with and by which the King accomplished His will. Salvation, as well as sanctification, comes when the power of God is working to strengthen the believer to believe and lay hold on God.