In 1915, Henry Barraclough wrote a hymn titled, “Ivory Palaces.” It is a hymn that should be included with the Christmas repertoire, but rarely if ever is. Consider the lyrics and see if you do not agree. He begins in the first verse speaking of the glory of the Lord and then in the refrainContinue reading “The Christmas Miracle (Psalm 45)”
Tag Archives: blessing
Good Versus Foul Food
“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. . . But thus says the Lord: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten,Continue reading “Good Versus Foul Food”
Contrasts
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.’” (JeremiahContinue reading “Contrasts”
Why?
“And when your people say, ‘Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us?’ you shall say to them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve foreigners in a land that is not yours.’” (Jeremiah 5:19, ESV) One of the strangest debates wasContinue reading “Why?”
Fallow Ground
“For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: ‘Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it,Continue reading “Fallow Ground”
Blessed Remnant
“Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” (Jeremiah 3:14, ESV) In 1973, I entered the United States Army Ranger School. I reported in with 290 candidates and of that numberContinue reading “Blessed Remnant”
Amply Supplied
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:19–20, KJV) Growing up in my household, I was truly blessed. My parents were not rich as we might think, but they were alsoContinue reading “Amply Supplied”
Blessings of Giving
“For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, aContinue reading “Blessings of Giving”
The Humble Recipient
“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.” (Philippians 4:14–16,Continue reading “The Humble Recipient”
Reason for Rejoicing
“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” (Philippians 2:16, KJV) When I worked as a plant manager, I came to a place where I took a new view of the employees’ motives. Many managers had theContinue reading “Reason for Rejoicing”
Renewing the Heart 