Winners have "the look."  One can see it in their eyes.  Christians are to run the race set before them "looking unto Jesus."

It is interesting to trace the literal "ups" and "downs" in Paul's life from his conversion forward.  It all comes to a climax, when he was taken into the third heaven and brought back down.  

In terms of talent, output, and wealth, a casual observer cannot but "see" unequal distribution.  It's a fact.  What precisely did Jesus mean, when He said, "To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away" (Matthew 25:29)?

The willingness and ability to hear God's word is the starting point of salvation and blessings.  Some in Isaiah's day, when hearing the preaching of the word, could only hear, "Blah, blah, blah."  It's good to examine things that interfere with hearing God's word.

The Spirit of God inspired several people to speak forth lyrics to amazing hymns; not leas among them is Mary's Magnificat.  It is inspiring on many levels.

Why would Paul boast about having been shipwrecked three times?

A ship without a rudder, or one with a damaged or defective rudder, is destined for shipwreck.  Similar somewhat to items on an aptitude test, Inspiration notes that:  What a bit is to the horse and a rudder to a ship, so the tongue is to the human body.  We are sailing across life's sea, and the tongue is our rudder.  The lessons are obvious.

In a brilliant blend of personal feelings and ponderous doctrinal themes, this section of Scripture shows us what made Paul "tick."

People often are not charitable, when it comes to the preaching of Christ and the Gospel.  Just like his Lord, Paul was essentially accused of being crazy.  Let's see why.

One of the comparatively few kings who did things "right in the eyes of the Lord" was Jehoshaphat.  His story should be read.  One must note, however, that God wrecked the king's fleet at Ezion-Geber.  A serious student must ask, Why?

"Those who sleep in Christ Jesus" is actually an awakening and exhilirating thought.  The idea of departed faithful Christians' sleeping is from our perspective.  They, in fact, are quite alive, awake and well.

Paul mentions two examples of Christians, who "concerning the faith" had "suffered shipwreck."  Using the whole "maritime" theme as an overlay, this chapter (1 Timothy 1) shows us how to avoid shipwreck.

Paul plainly says that the empty grave into which had been placed the corpse of Jesus of Nazareth will lead to the emptying of all graves. The apostle has left us a "map" from that one empty grave that shows the way to all empty graves.

Mary and Jesus were guests at a wedding feast.  They ran out of wine, and Mary brought the problem to the attention of her son. He ultimately used a great miracle to solve the problem.  What, then, before the miracle, did he mean when he responded, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with me?" 

Using Paul's perilous journey to Rome, it is interesting to use the record as an overlay on the topic, Who's in Control?

"Shipwrecked" connotes disaster; but examining the events that lead to 276 souls escaping safely to the island of Malta, gives us grounds for other perspectives.

It's easy to focus on the routing of the Philistines in these chapters, and miss the sadly ominous message that the commander in chief, Saul, was not a man after God's own heart.

Israel was so pitifully weak, that the Philistines forbade them to have blacksmiths to prevent their having swords and spears.  Not only that, but the Hebrews had to see out Philistine blacksmiths just to have their farm implements sharpened.  God's people are in danger of being that pathetically weak, as well.

Paul longed for his brethren with the "affection of Jesus Christ." Affection is the translation of the Greek, splangknon, which is the origin of the English, splanknology:  the study of the viscera.  Something deeply, internally, felt is the idea.

The Spirit describing the dominion of man over all things, enigmatically says, "We don't yet see all things under him."

God's people, of all ages, ought to first inquire for the word of the Lord before proceeding on any course of action.  Some do; some give lip service to the concept.  The story of the sad alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab tells us much about people and their motivations in this regard.

Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel.  The story is bizarre, and enlightening. The "son of Jacob," Jesus has only one, "wife," the church.  Yet there are hundreds of "churches," each distinct and different, and all claiming "wife" status with Jesus.  People say there's really no difference.  One might as well claim that there's no difference between Leah and Rachel; and, that makes no sense. 

There is God's timing; there is man's timing.  Happy is the one whose life is timed accorded to God's timing.  The widow, Anna, was such a person.

Shepherds, wise men, Herod, Simeon, Joseph and Mary all had something in common:  at one time or another, they wanted to know "Where is Jesus?"  Following events that lead to his crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension, the list grows even longer.  The sermon concerns itself with those first mentioned. The question itself is profound and portentous, and one each person should ask.

An arrogant and ruthless Ammonite king laid siege to Jabesh Gilead, and gave them an ultimatum:  Be killed, or sue for peace.  The term for suing for peace was " I may put out all your right eyes and bring reproach on all Israel."  Saul saved their lives, their right eyes, and left indelible lessons.

The sin of ambivalence about the body of Christ and Her members belies an ambivalent view of assembling and worship.  It renders worship null and void.

"He went His way" is more than just a record of a miracle.

Whereas the church at Corinth came together, "in assembly," among other things, to eat the Lord's Supper, Paul said, "It is not to eat the Lord's Supper."  In essence, they said, This is why we are here; and, Paul said, No, it's not. Many lessons lie within.

Given the way some treat the subject, when one hears mention of the Holy Spirit in hushed, mysterious, tones, he could almost expect to hear in the background theme music from the Twilight Zone.  The  Book of Galatians has so much to say about His nature and work; about His place in our hearts and lives; and, about our lives in Him.

The events that lead to young Samuel's becoming the protégé of Eli is a remarkable story within itself.  The voice of the Lord calling Samuel, and Eli's explaining it to him is also a story full of lessons and application.