“Before Abraham was, I am” [John 8:58]. “Was” and “Am” are two parts of the verb “to be.” However, the Greek text uses two different verbs. “Before Abraham was made (came to be) I am.” Abraham was a mere creature and came into being. The Son of God is eternal and uncreated. Jesus [...]
“He hath made everything beautiful in his time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 We believe that whatever the Bible says is true. Yet sometimes experiences cause us to question whether certain things are personally relevant. The tension between doctrine and experience is a common test of faith. Solomon's conclusion that God has made every time beautiful and [...]
This short verse [Genesis 1:16] is one of the most amazing in the Bible, and our minds boggle at the greatness of our God. It is estimated that there are about 200 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy. It has also been estimated that there are about 100 billion other galaxies. If [...]
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2 Christ, Himself is to be the single object of our attention in the spiritual race we pursue. The word looking comes from a verb that means 'to look away from.' It denotes the idea of viewing with undivided, fixed, earnest attention. This [...]
Sorry, I had no Bits & Pieces for you last week but I had a painful and unpleasant medical condition that put me out of action for some days. Fortunately, things seem to be on the mend. I do appreciate your prayers. Tony Puccini was a godly, gracious man who was liked by [...]
"Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly." Jonah 2:1 The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples that when they prayed, they should go to their room, shut the door, and pray to their Father in secret. Jonah could not quite manage that; he was in a fish's belly! But [...]
"I am for you." Ezekiel 36:9 Ezekiel 35:3 contains the very worst words the enemies of God can hear: Behold, . . . I am against thee. Chapter 36 has the very best words for the feeble saint: Behold, I am for you. These words are a reminder that God's purposes will be opposed. [...]
“So run, that ye may obtain” 1 Corinthians.9:24. Many have spent the last two weeks glued to their TV sets watching the Olympic games in Japan. The apostle Paul was familiar with the games of his day. But he was not just a passive observer. He used what he saw to present some practical [...]
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 Paul offers here a timeless and universal remedy for anxiety as he counsels his readers not to be overly anxious about human problems. Instead of giving way to such corroding care, the Philippians are exhorted to [...]
The apostle Paul was an extremely well-educated man, and no one can read his epistles without being impressed by his giant intellect. Yet Paul renounced the preaching that uses “wisdom of words” [1 Corinthians 1:17] for a plainness of speech that left none of his listeners in any doubt about the thrust of his [...]
I will make all my mountains a way. Isaiah 49:11 God will make obstacles serve His purpose. We all have mountains in our lives. There are people and things that threaten to bar our progress in the Divine life. Those heavy claims, that uncongenial occupation, that thorn in the flesh, that daily cross—we think [...]
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not.” A most amazing and amusing human practice is sleep. Amazingly, one who has reached the Biblical seventy years has already spent about twenty-three in bed! It is amusing as we all, overcome by an uncontrollable urge, climb into bed, put the lights out, and wait – until the [...]
