R.H. blog

I n 1 Kings chapter 19, fire falls from heaven to consume the altar which Elijah erected in the sight of all Israel, while the prophets of Baal strove all day to bring fire down. But should Elijah really have executed all the prophets, wicked or not? What Jezebel says to him sounds just enough: “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them…” (1 Kings 19:2, NKJV). This is the outlook the world might take, but for Christians it is blasphemous. The prophets of Baal doomed themselves to death when first they sinned; they were no worse off, spiritually at least, when Elijah executed them than they had ever been in life—if their sinful existence can even be called life! For Elijah’s part, he is God’s obedient servant; subject to His righteous will and judgement, and his life, sanctified by God, should never be compared with those of Baal’s prophets, as Jezebel so errantly did. Elijah’s life, just like ours, can never be taken (see 1 Ki...

“W ho then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?” --1 Chronicles 29:5 (NKJV) “The work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the LORD God.” --1 Chronicles 29:1 (NKJV) The Lord builds His temple in us, as a result of Christ’s death. Yes, it is through the suffering of Jesus Christ that we are granted this privilege, therefore should we not willingly give all that we have toward the building of that temple? For, as David put it, “…all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” Why should we withhold that which God has given us? Let us “set our affection on the house of God,” and “give to the house of God over and above….” I n 2 Samuel chapter 12, when the LORD judges David’s sin and sends Nathan the prophet to tell him of his wrongdoing, I find it interesting that David did not at first recognize “the rich man” in the parable as himself. And yet, every human being has that unfortunate tendency—all the more detestable in Chr...

“F or this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off…but the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.” --Deuteronomy 30:11, 14 (NKJV) There is nothing mysterious or distant about the Word of God. That is just a silly excuse invented by man to ignore God’s commandment. “But the word is very near you,” you have but to reach for it! However hard you try to suppress it, it is lurking in your heart, is sleeping on your lips; you have but to call to God and He will waken it, He will “stir the slumb’ring chords again”! God’s commandments are entirely within reach, “that you may do [them].” Sadly, many modern-day Christians often neglect the Old Testament because they think it is “too mysterious”; because they do not understand it. While it is true that the New Testament is much clearer and applies more directly to our lives, it is also true that a thorough understanding of the Old Testament will lead to a...

  From the June 2015 Literary Lamp   “When Christians meet together, they talk too much about religion, preachers, and sermons. I cannot but think that if they communed less about religion and more of Jesus, it would give a higher tone of spirituality to their conversation, and prove more refreshing to the soul.”   -Mary Winslow   How true are the above words! I selected this quote from an article by Mary Winslow which I recently received from a good friend and customer. The wisdom and truth in these words struck me then and unfailingly does so every time I read them. It is shocking to discover how often the devil uses “religion” to lead Christians away from Christ. The word “religion” implies beliefs, creeds, and laws, rather than the simple truth of God’s Word and the blessings of a life committed to Christ. God wrote but one book for His servants, with only ten chief commandments, and yet mankind muddles it all up by adding their own rules and instruct...

As we approach the 4th of July it is fitting we remember the faith of the Pilgrims   Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.     The Pilgrims             They took their lamps, but newly-lit, Each one with holy light; And strove to keep the narrow path And for their Master fight.   They set out in the grim unknown, Their Father’s will to do; To walk the path He set for them And to the cross stay true.   Through rain, through storm and raging sea, They held their torches high, And strove to bear their cross with strength And utter not a sigh!   What strength they had! What vigilance! Their Father taught them well, To bear His flaming torches up A...

   Oh humble flower on the way, You'll not see day again; My careless tread hath brought thou low, I've crushed thee; what a sin! Your life was short enough before, But now-barely in bloom! My heedlessness hath crushed thou life! I brought your death too soon! But for my clumsy, stomping boot, You might have lived 'til fall; Now all the vibrant, color'd leaves You will not see at all. How oft, by thoughtless word or deed, We tread on little things! Or stomp upon a seed of hope To which a brother clings! Our tongues too oft fly loosely, And sometimes we forget that nothing is too small to God, Nor insignificant. Too wrapped up in our own concerns, How frequently we smite The little things upon our way That pride veils from our sight.