The process of disentanglement from the fallen world can be a complex, delicate operation. Only the loving surgical hand of the Great Physician can accomplish it. Martin Luther encountered a Bible in the university library and correctly recognized the greatness of God. But that was just the beginning of his disentanglement.
Read MoreMartin found a Bible chained to the convent wall and spent every spare moment there. His rigorous works in the monastic life, augmented by fasting, scourging, and vigils brought him no sense of the desired pardon and peace. At the verge of total despair, God sent a friend who counseled him to cease looking to himself and look instead to Jesus.
Read MoreTo the right were the Pharisees and to the left were the Sadducees. From there, things became political as both groups sought to win followers. By the end of the earthly ministry of Jesus, they had united over a common enemy: JESUS!
Read MoreCorruption among the religious leaders who had rejected Jesus resulted in a voluntary blindness and deafness to any presentation of God’s Truth, which always—by contrast—points out error. They simply did not want to hear it. This pattern is often repeated in the Scriptures and continues still.
Read MoreIn the latter days of John Huss, tumult and confusion were heightened throughout Christendom as three popes were now contending for the coveted throne. Following the hurling of anathemas, they each sought to purchase arms and recruit soldiers. . .
Read MoreFor a brief time, Huss retreated to his native village. And once the tumult subsided, he returned to Bethlehem Chapel preaching with even more determination and greater power the precious truths of God’s Word. The spiritual battle continued to rage all around. Those who were being transformed by the Biblical message were growing in number.
Read MoreThis silent sermon arrested the attention of all classes. Crowds gazed, as the clear and unmistakable message pierced the very atmosphere of Prague. Even though the missionary artists were forced to flee, the lesson they taught was not forgotten.
Read MoreScripture reveals the Lord’s tender heart for orphans and widows. Evidence of His watchcare over a believing fourteenth century Bohemian mother who was widowed is a choice example. She surely must have prayed Luke 2:52 over her son . . .
Read MoreThe Word is anointed with supernatural power by the Holy Spirit, symbolized by oil. It is by the power of God’s love and the light of His truth that the Holy Spirit draws the sin-stained heart of fallen man into a transforming relationship with Him. No amount of human power or might can enact the metamorphosis from sinner to saint!
Read MoreWycliffe’s work of Bible translation shattered fetters of ignorance and vice, liberating and elevating his countrymen. Since this was still before the printing press, copies of the Word were multiplied by hand. The copyists could hardly keep up with the demand….
Read MoreWycliffe also organized a body of simple, devout men—who loved the truth and desired to share it—into preachers who went all over England—in the cities, marketplaces, country lanes seeking out the poor, sick, and aged in order to open to them the glad tidings of God’s grace.
Read MoreCries of agony were heard throughout the land, not only from bereft parents, but from the young people themselves who regretted the sorrow they had inflicted. Sadly, once in the sinister snare it was all but impossible to regain their freedom.
Read MoreWycliffe did not deliberately set himself in opposition to Rome. But inevitably, as the extensive errors were exposed by the Light, he fearlessly sought that the Bible be restored to the people and its authority re-established within the church.
Read MoreThese humble guardians of truth kept the Sabbath along with the rest of the articles of their simple faith. But Sabbath-keeping was against the command of the church of Rome. In fear and terror, there were churches across Europe who submitted to the prevailing error and superstition regarding church traditions.
Read MoreBeing followers of Christ and His principles of truth were valued above houses and lands, friends, kindred, even life itself. And even though the persecution of papal Rome often meant death for self, family and friends, they knew that no action of cruel men could blot out even one of His promises to those who love Him and desire do His will.
Read MoreThe ideas that lend credence to the coercive mark will be marketed in a positive light and probably sound very good economically and ecologically. But they will undermine the Lord’s foundational teachings regarding worship. The very words of God will be co-opted and misapplied in order to deceive people and divert worship away from Him.
Read MoreOnce again we encounter the theme of buying and selling. When any exchange between men is tainted with greed, the heart of the Lord is grieved. But when that which is set apart to represent Him to the lost world is polluted from within, the deadly cause of the enemy of our souls is promoted and advanced.
Read MoreBy God’s grace, the task of rebuilding the wall was completed in only fifty-two days! The opposition of surrounding enemies, plus abuses among his own brethren, made the quick completion of the task a feat that no one—not even their enemies—could deny was enabled by God. Nehemiah’s godly leadership continued for years as he endeavored to bring spiritual revival to the people of God within those rebuilt walls.
Read MoreEveryone who claims the name of the Lord Jesus (as a bride takes the name of her husband), should understand that he or she is to be the habitation of the Spirit of God, who has imparted the responsibility to rule over “the temple of God” and supplies the grace needed to live it out.
Read MoreGod, who looks upon the heart, knows the attitude and inclination of every heart. Two people who possess the very same information, can be moving in opposite directions: one towards the Lord and one away from Him—and all because of an attitude. Failing to esteem God’s truths renders one vulnerable to counterfeits …
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