Posts

PURE OF HEART

God is searching for a people who are pure and clean within, so that He can then manifest His glory and beauty to the world.   “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him,” (II Chronicles 16:9).   The psalmist David understood this when he said, “Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts,” and “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me,” (Psalm 51:6, 10).   After Saul had been rejected as king over Israel, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king from among the sons of Jesse.   Jesse had eight Sons; and when Samuel had come down to Jesse’s house, Jesse had his oldest son, Eliab, come before Samuel.   When Samuel saw Eliab, he said to himself, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before me,”    The Lord spoke to Samuel, however, and said, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I ha...
Post a Comment
Read more

TRUMPETS, PITCHERS, AND SWORDS

Gideon stood on the outskirts of the Midianite army’s camp with his 300 men.   They were waiting for the right moment to utter the words that would change the course of history for God’s oppressed people.   Gideon’s enemies numbered 135,000 warriors; his own army was but 300, divided into three companies scattered around the camp and waiting for their captain’s signal.   Suddenly, Gideon lifted his trumpet to his lips and gave a shrill blast that split the silence of the night air.   He then broke open the clay pitcher that was in his other hand, and the flame that was inside illuminated the darkness.   Last of all, Gideon raised his voice, and with all his strength shouted, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” (Judges 7:20).   Three hundred brave Israelites followed their leader’s example and did as he had done.   The Midianites, awaking out of their sleep, hearing the commotion and seeing the lights, were filled with fright and confusion.   ...
Post a Comment
Read more

FAITH COMES BY HEARING

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17).    Real faith comes, not from listening to or reading the Word of God, but by hearing it.   This kind of hearing can only come about when the Word of God is planted in our hearts, minds and spirits.   The Parable of the Sower shows us that many seeds fall by the wayside, on rocky ground, or among weeds.   They are then either lost or choked out.   Just hearing the Word is not enough, we must prepare a place for it to flourish.   Every good gardener knows that soil preparation is essential to having good, strong, healthy plants that will produce an abundance of produce.   It is the seed that is sown in the good ground that will produce fruit 30, 60, and 100-fold.     Many of the Jews in Jesus’ day had studied the scriptures and knew quite well what was written.   The trouble was that they weren’t hearing what God was speaking to them throug...
Post a Comment
Read more