Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

John W. Bramhall

Mr. John W. Bramhall, who was commended to the work of the Lord in 1934 and makes his home in Charlotte, N.C., is a frequent contributor to Focus.

In this warm devotional study he shows how certain individuals were attracted to Christ. In so doing he helps the reader appreciate more fully our altogether lovely

Lord Jesus Christ.

https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/9738

John Bramhall

The Epistle of Titus beautifully portrays the spiritual adornment of a local church. Titus was instructed by Paul to minister in God’s assembly on Crete, and to establish God’s testimony according to scriptural pattern. Chapters one and two present God’s appreciation of an assembly testimony: He is impressed neither by outward adornment nor by geographical surroundings, but rather by the spiritual character and conduct of His beloved people.

https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/6928

By John Bramhall

Sunday School teaching is not getting any easier, and this is not surprising, for “in the last days, difficult times shall come” (2 Tim. 3:1-5). There is no promise of spiritual recovery to pristine beauty and strength; only further emphasis of increasing apostasy and declension as “wicked men wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:1).

In such perilous days, every teacher needs a prayerful and thoughtful appraisal of his spiritual resources, coupled with a determination to appropriate them for his blessing and for God’s glory. God has always provided the necessary resources for His children in every age; but we must know what they are and how to use them, if we are going to serve Him effectively in bringing the gospel to girls and boys today.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFSyM4xeJk/YRAHH_K1vKYoby7af5t35Q/watch?utm_content=DAFSyM4xeJk&utm_campaign=share_your_design&utm_medium=link&utm_source=shareyourdesignpanel

The minutest division of time can be defined as a “moment”! How many moments have passed in human history is incalculable to us, yet in our lives, there have been moments of importance. Some have been moments of eager expectation, with the anticipation of an event perhaps being greater than the event itself! However, there is one perspective moment before the Christian which will be the greatest experienced and without disappointment, filled with great surprise! It will not be of any transitory character, for it will usher us into eternal ages of glory! This special “moment” is in God’s Word declared by the Holy Spirit through His servant, the Apostle Paul:

“Behold, I shew you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52).

https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/9675

A look at the Hymn "Man of Sorrow" by Philip P. Bliss.

Link to his Bio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfl75wZ8V1I

Moses was spiritually unconscious of the glory of God, which shone in his face; he is a shining example to us all. Samson was spiritually unconscious of the fact that the Lord had left him impotent; his life was a solemn warning. 

https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/6866

In his second epistle, Peter describes the condition of professing Christendom and the unbelieving world as existing at the end of the age. Two particular forms of evil are recorded: first, in chapter 2, the presence of false teachers propagating unsound doctrine, accompanied by wicked deeds, prominently characterizes the last days of Christendom; second, in chapter 3, the increase of scoffing infidels signifies another proof of the last days. With arrogant unbelief, the promise of Christ's coming is openly denied by men, supposedly on the basis that the present creation has eternal stability. Peter reminds such that a universal catastrophe once destroyed the earth and foretells another disaster of divine intervention that will not only destroy the present earth but the heavens also (2 Peter 3:5-10). The peril of the last days is indicated by the apostle in a twofold way: first, "many shall follow" the dissolute ways of the false teachers bringing in "damnable heresies" (2 Peter 2:1-3), and second, the danger of spiritual inertia exists among the saints of God in these same days, causing the apostle to frequently emphasize the need of diligence (2 Peter 1:5, 10, 12, 15; 3:14).

https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/1348

One great proof of our Lord’s resurrection is the work He performed on the day He arose. Though the sheep were all scattered when the Shepherd was smitten (Zech. 13:7. Matt. 26:31. Mark 14:50), He sought them throughout the day of resurrection until, at its close, they were all gathered around Him once again.

What He did THAT day has been repeated many times since and will yet be repeated till He comes for His own bye and bye.

https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/7041

“Thou wilt keep in perfect peace the mind stayed on thee, for he confideth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3, J.N. Darby trans.).

Do we believe and prove the above words of God? Though oppressed and surrounded with difficulties, can we know this “perfect peace” of heart and mind? Is it a practical, absolute defence for us in every circumstance and trial of life, or should we consider it an impossibility?

https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/9659

In this devotional study on the believer’s love for Christ, Mr. John W. Bramhall of Charlotte, N.C., takes us into two homes we read about in the Gospels. His Insights, among other things, should help us understand how we may maintain and deepen our love for our Lord.

Let us visit two homes: the home of Simon the Pharisee and the home at Bethany, where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. In the first one, we can learn of love to Christ awakened, and in the other, of love to Christ maintained and deepened.

https://plymouthbrethren.org/article/9880