Peter's response cuts to the heart of a peculiar modern delusion: "Thy money perish with thee." Simon believed, as many in our commercial age believe, that wealth can purchase anything—even the gifts of Elohim.

Acts 8:17Universalthe limits of worldly wealthspiritual power cannot be purchased

Joseph S. Exell

220 words

Historical

Apples of Gold: The Power of Timely, Gracious Speech

"Pictures of silver" refers to the creamy-white flowers that frame the golden harvest.

Proverbs 25:11UniversalThe power of timely speechGrace as essential to witness

Joseph S. Exell

203 words

Historical

Enlarged Steps and Steadfast Feet: Twin Mercies of Divine Protection

The psalmist had known confinement—threading narrow mountain paths, hiding in cavern cracks and corners while fleeing Saul's persecution.

Psalms 18:36Universaldivine protectionspiritual growth through testing

Joseph S. Exell

201 words

Historical

The King's Highway Across Life's Trackless Desert

First, the lost traveler in an endless desert—surrounded by bleaching bones of former victims, the monotonous swells of sand-heaps stretching to the horizon, no landmarks, no guides.

Isaiah 35:8-9Universaldivine provisionspiritual direction

Alexander Maclaren

228 words

Historical

Love Covers Sin: The Hidden Work of Charity

Love is no sentimental weakness; it is the ardent, sagacious, far-sighted virtue that Scripture commends.

Proverbs 9:12Universalredemptive coveringdivine mercy

Joseph S. Exell

205 words

Historical

A Wretch Like Me

In the parish church of Olney, Buckinghamshire, on New Year's Day 1773, curate John Newton introduced a new hymn to his congregation. The words carried...

Ephesians 2:8-9Universalgraceredemption

272 words

Historical

A Broken Man's Masterpiece

In the final years of his life, Rembrandt van Rijn had lost nearly everything. The Dutch master who once commanded the highest commissions in Amsterdam...

Ephesians 2:4-5Universalgraceforgiveness

253 words

Historical

The Silver Candlesticks That Changed Everything

In April 1862, Victor Hugo published *Les Misérables* from his exile on the island of Guernsey, where political banishment from France had given him years...

Ephesians 2:8-9Universalgraceredemption

242 words

Historical

Standing at the Edge of the Grave

On December 22, 1849, twenty-eight-year-old Fyodor Dostoevsky stood in the bitter cold of Semyonov Place in St. Petersburg, wearing a white execution shirt. He and...

Psalm 116:8-9Universalnew lifegrace

240 words

Historical

The Morning Dostoevsky Never Expected

On December 22, 1849, twenty-eight-year-old Fyodor Dostoevsky stood in the bitter cold of Semyonov Place in St. Petersburg, dressed in a white execution shroud. He...

Lamentations 3:22-23Universalnew lifegrace

278 words

Historical

From Forsaken to Sought Out: The Wonder of Divine Grace

First, Jerusalem—despoiled by enemies, forsaken for generations, a city "which no man seeketh after"—shall be restored to glory.

Isaiah 62:12Universaldivine pursuit of the lostrestoration and renewal

Joseph S. Exell

207 words

Historical

The Believer's Eternal Possession That Death Cannot Touch

A landlord cannot truthfully declare of his fields, "These are mine forever and ever." A king cannot say of his crown with certainty, "This shall be mine eternally." These earthly possessions inevitably change masters; their possessors soon mingle with dust,...

Psalms 47:14UniversalGod's eternal naturethe believer's security in God

Charles H. Spurgeon

202 words

Historical

The Kingdom's Hidden Power: Leaven Working Within

First, the power to raise humanity must come from without—from the Divine.

Matthew 10:83Universalinternal transformationhidden divine power

Joseph S. Exell

215 words

PreviousPage 12 of 12