Category: Teaching
‘The Apple of My Eye’
We forget how much of an influence our Authorised King James Version of the Bible has been in our country and wherever English has been spoken. The two most significant influences on the English language have been the AV and Shakespeare’s plays. There are a huge number of expressions that you and I use that…
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‘At My Wit’s End’
To ‘have your wits about you’ is an expression that means you are mentally on top of things, you are in control, you are doing fine. On the other hand, when you say, ‘I’m at my wit’s end’ you mean you are up against it, you don’t know what to do, you are lost. Many…
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‘A Drop in the Bucket’
There are times when we encounter a real financial need, not for ourselves, but for others. It may be that the church we belong to is raising funds for some venture or other, or we are being persuaded to send money to someone we know is in deep trouble and we have very little money…
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‘The Root of the Matter’
We seem to be facing countless public enquiries these days as we live in a blame culture and everyone wants to blame everyone else. These enquiries are supposed to go to ‘the root of the matter’ but they seldom do. It may surprise you to know that the phrase, ‘the root of the matter’ was…
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This do in remembrance of me
Ever since our Lord sat down with eleven of His disciples in a room upstairs in a house in Jerusalem, Christians the world over have remembered the occasion. We find the very first Christians in Jerusalem continuing steadfastly ‘in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers’, Acts 2. 42.…
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Breaking of Bread
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After…
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Herod – who mocked Him
It is important to remember in reading our New Testament that the name ‘Herod’ belonged to several people of the same family, much as there were many kings of England named Charles, or George. The first Herod we encounter in the New Testament was the one who ruled in Judea at the time of the…
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Peter – who denied Him
Most of the characters we encounter around the cross of out Lord were unbelievers; Peter stands out as an exception. He is a very popular character because he is so spontaneous and so honest, often opening his mouth and putting his foot in it. Yet Peter loved his Lord intensely and had such a profound…
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Caiaphas – who sacrificed Him
The word of God can be wonderfully dismissive. In Luke chapter 3 we have a long list of very impressive names and titles which ends with ‘Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests’. One would have thought the word of God would have come to these high priests, but it passed them by. We do…
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Judas – who betrayed Him
The dreadful example of Judas Iscariot has been burned into the hearts of believers over the years by the phrase at the beginning of the frequently-read passage on the Lord’s Supper, ‘In the night in which He was betrayed’, 1 Cor 11. 23. It is as though the Spirit of God wants to impress on…
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The Prodigal – Returning son or waiting father?
In this story our Lord spoke of the moment when an estranged father and son were reunited at last. The son had left home, spurning his father’s love and care, forgetting his father’s needs and feelings, living for himself and his own pleasures only, and no doubt blotting out the memory of a father for many…
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Dinner anyone?
Better a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proverbs 15:17 Which of us has not preferred a simple meal with good companions to a feast with those with whom we do not get on? The force of this proverb is that a happy loving relationship, though it may…
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Supper being ended
In the quiet placeat close of dayHe washes the feet of my mind from the dust of its fret. His infinite eyessee the staining wounds of the road, his handsbring smartingand cleansingand balm. The grace of His healthrestores my soulher place in the circling stars of perpetual praise. Then, taking again the seam-less robe, the…
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Not my will, but Thine
I want my heart so cleared of selfThat my dear Lord can comeAnd set up His own furnishings,And make my heart His home. And since I know what this requiresEach morning, while it’s still,I slip into that secret placeAnd leave with Him my will. He always takes it graciously,Presenting me with His;I’m ready, then, to…
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