DISCIPLE

    Doors Closing… Anyone using elevators will on various occasions have heard the announcements “Doors Opening” – – “Doors Closing”. The second announcement generally indicates that you can no longer change your mind and you are heading to your chosen destination. You may then hear another announcement: “Lift going up” or “Lift going down”. It reminds me that the great gospel door of opportunity, which has been wide open for almost twenty centuries, is about to close; it will, in an instant, at the coming again of the Lord Jesus. Those who have been privileged to hear the gospel but have never responded to the gracious invitation of the Saviour will discover that their opportunity to trust Him has been suddenly and unexpectedly withdrawn forever. How dreadful that day will be, when the possibility of being saved eternally will be gone, never to be presented again! Consider seriously these solemn words: “Strive to enter in at the strait [narrow] gate: for many, ...

  The Sad Life of Selfism by William MacDonald   In the pursuit of holiness there are few things more debilitating than occupation with self. Those who look inside for victory are looking in the wrong place; they invite disappointment, discouragement, and defeat. The world emphasizes man and his potential. In its pathetic desire for recognition, popularity and acceptance, the me-too church follows suit. It preaches secular humanism, faintly disguised in evangelical language. Religious publishers rush into print with a rash of new books on self-esteem. In a single visit to a Christian bookstore, I came across the following titles: Love Yourself The Art of Learning to Love Yourself Self-Love, the Dynamite Force of Success  I'm OK, You're OK Who Says I'm OK'? A True View of You Make Friends with Your Shadow The Art of Understanding Yourself Understanding Your Past, the Key to Your Future   My Beautiful Feeling You Can Feel Good About Yourself ...

Donald L. Norbie (1923-2017) The apostle Paul, in his last letters to Timothy, is deeply concerned that the doctrine which he and the other apostles had taught should be preserved and passed on faithfully. The verse above (2 Tim. 3.10) emphasizes the importance of this. Paul had taught Timothy faithfully. Timothy had listened carefully, watched Paul's life and understood the message. His life had been molded by that doctrine and characterized by obedience. Paul's last plea to Timothy is to maintain the purity of that doctrine: "Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine..." (1 Tim. 4.2-3 NKJV).      There are many lessons to learn from Church history. It is interesting to note how so many movements begin with a strong emphasis on the purity of the Gospel and obedience to the Word of God. The Word of God is emphasized in all of its...

  “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed” (Num. 22.12). Thought Israel was far from perfect and had failed repeatedly, God did not allow Balaam to curse Israel.             As then, so today Israel has many enemies who believe they are right in opposing Israel, hating it, and cursing it. It’s become fashionable again to be antisemitic. We should not be surprised, because the whole world is still under the evil one (1 Jn. 5.19), who is know for his hatred and persecution of the chosen nation (Rev. 12:13-17).             The unbelievers are Satan’s puppets, who walk “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2.2). No Christian should allow himself to be infected and contaminated by this devilish attitude. I...

  January 1 “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.”  Exodus 12.2 New Year’s resolutions are good but fragile, that is, easily broken. New Year’s prayers are better; they ascend to the throne of God and set answering wheels in motion. As we come to the beginning of another year, we would do well to make the following prayer requests our own: Lord Jesus, I rededicate myself afresh to You today. I want you to take my life this coming year and use it for Your glory. “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.” I pray that You will keep me from sin, from anything that will bring dishonor to Your Name. Keep me teachable by the Holy Spirit. I want to move forward for You. Don’t let me settle in a rut. May my motto this year be, “He must increase; I must decrease.” The glory must all be Yours. Help me not to touch it. Teach me to make every decision a matter of prayer. I dread the thought of lean...