Days of Praise from ICR

Memory and the Holy Spirit

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)

John wrote his detailed discourses of Jesus (almost half of the verses in John's gospel consist of His words) approximately fifty years after Christ spoke them,... More...

The Gospel of Peace

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Isaiah 52:7)

Surprisingly, there are more verses containing the word "peace" in the Old Testament book of Isaiah (King James Version) than in any other ... More...

The Opened Heavens

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." (Revelation 19:11)

This is the final climactic reference in the Bible to God's opened heavens. Sometimes, as in this verse, heaven is opened in judgment; sometimes in blessing. Sometimes it is the atm... More...

God's Sovereignty

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?" (Exodus 4:11)

This divine rebuke to Moses was occasioned when Moses complained of his inability to speak eloquently for God before Pharaoh. It is also a rebuke to each of us who would dare question God's wisdom in making us as we ar... More...

On All the Heathen

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head." (Obadiah 15)

The book of Obadiah was possibly the earliest of the prophetic books of the Old Testament and is certainly the shortest, with its single chapter. Its theme is God's coming judgment on the Edomite nation, not on... More...

Judging Error

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18)

In order to mark and avoid those professing Christian ... More...

When We Abide in Christ

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." (John 15:4)

The Lord Jesus has told us to be careful always to “abide" in Him. The Greek word means “remain," “endure," “continue," or “dwell." He is to be our motivation, ... More...

Good Soldiers

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3-4)

From a kingdom perspective, a good soldier has several responsibilities. Initially, we can expect challenges, wherein we might "suffer trouble as an... More...

They Have Their Reward

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." (Matthew 6:2)

Evidently in our Lord's day there were individuals who, when they went to the synagogue to give of their money, did so with great sho... More...

Astonishing Doctrine

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine." (Matthew 7:28)

This is the first mention of "doctrine" (Greek didache) in the New Testament, and as such it is significant that it refers to the doctrines taught by Christ in the so-called Sermon on the Mount. It is also significant that there... More...

Take Heed

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you." (Mark 13:5)

In the account of Christ's great prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, as recorded in Mark chapter 13, the Lord Jesus warns us no less than four times to "take heed!" This fourfold admonition (Mark 13:5, More...

Faithful Men

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2)

Although this verse has been claimed by many as a model for their ministry, the Bible warns, "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" (2 John 1)

The Greek word for "lady" (kuria) is used only two times in the Bible, and both of these occurrences are here in the one-chapter epistle of 2 John. It is also fascinating to note that kuria is... More...

God of All Graces

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"Now the God of peace be with you all." (Romans 15:33)

Our God of all the world has been known by many names in Scripture (Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai, etc.), but He is also identified, especially in the New Testament, as the God of many virtues and graces.

Our text calls Him, for example, the "God of peace." The same appellation is given Him in... More...

The Father's Love for the Son

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)

In this remarkable verse, God the Father, speaking from heaven itself, introduces His beloved Son to the world. This is the first New Testament reference to "love," just as the Father's love for the Son was the first love that ever existed. As Christ prayed... More...

This Same Jesus

Thu, 9 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8)

When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, then later ascended into heaven, His body was immortal, no longer subject to death--yet it was a physical body, capable of being seen and heard and touched, even capable of eating with His disciples. He was clearly recognizable, yet could quickly... More...

Things Not Seen

Wed, 8 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." (Hebrews 11:7)

The little phrase "things not seen" is used three times in the New Testament, and interestingly enough, these refer to the ... More...

When to Pray

Tue, 7 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)

There is no set time to pray, for it is always appropriate. Our text tells us to "continue" in prayer, and this is the same word as in Romans 12:12, which urges us to be "instant in" prayer. In fact, the admonition ... More...

The Christian's Lifestyle: Our Relationships

Mon, 6 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (Ephesians 5:21)

Our calling is to walk worthy.

Our gifts are perfect and complete.

Our behavior is changed by the new man.

Our wisdom is to understand the will of the Lord.

Our control is being filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:22 through 6:9 presents a basic primer on huma... More...

Results of Religious Compromise

Sun, 5 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD." (2 Chronicles 19:2)

Jehoshaphat was a godly king of Judah who faithfully served the Lord, but he made the tragic mistake of forming an alliance with ungodly ki... More...

The Strength of the Lord

Sat, 4 May 2013 00:00:00 PST

"I will go in the strength of the LORD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only." (Psalm 71:16)

Since God the Creator is omnipotent, if we can go in His strength, there would seem to be no limit to what could be accomplished. The book of Psalms, in particular, over and over again, testifies that God indeed is our strength. For example: "I ... More...