Days of Praise from ICR

Lazarus and the Rich Man

Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried." (Luke 16:22)

Many scholars believe that the episode reported in Luke 16:19-31 actually happened; that it is a true story. If it is a parable, it is not ident... More...

Like a Wave of the Sea

Sat, 26 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally. . . . But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." (James 1:5-6)

A contrast is set up in these verses between faith and doubt. Jesus taught that "if ye have faith, and doubt |same word as 'waver&#... More...

Arrows in the Hand

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth." (Psalm 127:4)

This is the central verse in the 101 verses contained in a remarkable group of fifteen psalms called "The songs of degrees" (Psalms 120-134<... More...

God's Complete Supply

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

The key to this promise in today's verse is the need that must be met by the riches of the Great King as we render our service in His Kingdom. But how vast those needs can be and how different the supply is!

Millions of Israelites needed ... More...

Follow Me

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20)

It was not unusual for a man with a political cause or message to develop a following in the Israel of Jesus' day (see Acts 5:35-37, for example). It was even commo... More...

The Father of Glory

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." (Ephesians 1:17)

This is one of Paul's most personal and precious prayers involving all the persons of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of wisdom," and the Father is called the "Father o... More...

Without the Shedding of Blood

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Hebrews 9:22)

It is strange that so many people object to the biblical doctrine of salvation through the shed blood of Christ. Even some evangelicals will argue that the blood is merely a chemical mixture, and that it was the death of Christ that was ... More...

In-Law or Outlaw?

Sun, 20 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law." (1 Corinthians 9:21)

The preaching of the gospel weighed heavily on Paul, and in this passage (vv. 5-23), as well as surrounding ch... More...

The Glorious Gospel

Sat, 19 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." (1 Timothy 1:11)

In the opening chapter of Paul's first letter to Timothy, his "son in the faith" (v. 2), Paul gives various instructions concerning the proper teaching of doctrine, "which ... More...

Sweet-Smelling Sacrifice

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God." (Philippians 4:18)

The reference in this text goes back to the "sweet savour" that God smelled when Noah offered his initial sacrifice after disembarking from the year-long Flood. That offering triggered a promise from God t... More...

The Builder of the House

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (Hebrews 3:3-4)

Perhaps the single greatest category of evidence for supernatural creation is in the nature of the creation itself, which everywhere shows such intricate design that it could not have come about by random ch... More...

Forsake and Follow

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him." (Luke 5:10-11)

Perhaps we take too lightly the fact that the disciples "forsook all, and followed him." This action involved at least two aspects, the leaving of their former life and the realignment of their loyalty.

... More...

The Faithful Lord

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

The Lord Jesus Christ has many wonderful attributes, not the least of which is His faithfulness. That is, He is believable and trustworthy, sure to do all He promises. He will keep us from the evil one and from being overcome by evil in our lives, as promised in... More...

What Sort of Work

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (1 Corinthians 3:13)

This key verse of Scripture gives the principle by which God will evaluate our works in that great future day when all believers will be assembled before "t... More...

The Mother of Us All

Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." (Genesis 3:20)

Sarah, Abraham's wife, was called the mother of all "the children of promise" (Galatians 4:28), and the wife of Noah was the mother of all post-Flood mankind, but Mother Eve, alone, was "the mother... More...

The Linen Clothes

Sat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." (John 19:40)

The Jews of Jesus' day prepared bodies for burial in a much different fashion than we do today. In our text the word "wound" actually means "to bind, tie, or wind," and bodies were tightly rolled up in long str... More...

Things We Cannot Do Without

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20)

There are many things in life we can well do without, but there are at least seven things a Christian simply cannot do without. These are:

1. The Lord Jesus Christ. Speaking of the heathen nations before Christ, Paul said: "At that time ye were without Christ, .... More...

A Test for False Prophets

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him." (Deuteronomy 13:4)

Our text for today seems somewhat out of place, for it is tucked into a passage dealing with false prophets: instructing the people of Israel in ways to detect one who would lead them into false w... More...

The Promise of Liberty

Wed, 9 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." (2 Peter 2:19)

This chapter consists of a strong denunciation of false teachers. They are, among other things, sensuous, beguiling, covetous, and accursed (More...

Watching for Christ's Return

Tue, 8 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. . . . Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 24:42, 44)

Those who try to predict Christ's return may become skeptical about biblical prophecy. But this would be a sad m... More...

He Counted Me Faithful

Mon, 7 May 2012 00:00:00 PST

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry." (1 Timothy 1:12)

The testimony of a changed life is perhaps the best evidence that God is alive and active today. The fact that at salvation a dead slave to sin is given life and a new nature, comprises the only rational explanation for one who... More...