Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

By John Bramhall The last, tender and sympathetic words of Jesus were spoken to His disciples in the quietness of the upper room as recorded in John, chapters 14 to 16. They are filled with consolation, instruction, and warning as His great heart breathed out His concern and His provision for them in view of His departure to the Father’s house. Though few in number, these disciples were “His own”...

By John Bramhall The second advent of Christ will catch the unsuspecting world with surprise and terrible destruction (1 Thess. 5:3), but no believer should be unaware of its approach, for it is written, “Ye brethren are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:4). Yet, how many Christians are alert to the nearness of this great event? Do we actually realize the s...

By John Bramhall This article has two parts, but I included them in this video/audio.  Out of the numerous and glorious names given to Christ in the Word of God, the special one purposely designated for prominence in the book of Revelation is the Lamb! It is repeated twenty-eight times in all, expressed in the diminutive, meaning literally—the little lamb. Why should this name be predominant...

By John Bramhall The Work of Christ is the perfect resting place for the conscience. The Word of Christ is the perfect guide for the path, but THE PERSON OF CHRIST is the perfect object for the heart! Do we find this true in our experience today? Our great need is for an experimental and constant delight in the Person of Christ in the midst of the confusion and spiritual decline. Are we enraptured...

By John Bramhall The longing hearts of many believers for the return of our blessed Lord can be expressed in the words of Judges 5:28, “Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariot”? The multiplicity of violence and corruption upon the earth today, coupled with increased testings of various kinds, may also tend to produce the spirit of impatience for our final delivera...

By John Bramhall THE SAINTS ARE TO BE MELTED — Beloved, so proud and cold are we today that we often appear to others as lifeless statues. God must bring us down and put us in the crucible of testing. https://plymouthbrethren.org/author/29

By John Bramhall The Second Epistle to Timothy was written at the close of Paul’s life; it was the last inspired communication from his pen. Even then, the truth was becoming unpopular; nominal Christians were ashamed to identify themselves with the Apostle and the testimony of the Lord. God permitted these circumstances to provide, through Paul’s inspired pen, His guidance for the individual sain...

By John Bramhall Personal knowledge of God will change character, performing transformations that follow the new birth. It is gradual, not sudden in its change, as the Spirit of God introduces new motives and objects into the life for God’s glory— (2 Corinthians 3:18). ‘Christianity in its revelation of a personal God and Saviour, of a future life, and of moral responsibility, and its view that th...

By John Bramhall Have you ever considered that, in very few words, the Scriptures describe the blessedness of those who have gone to be with Christ? Yet these few words are complete in their revelation to convey to our hearts the eternal blessedness of it! https://plymouthbrethren.org/author/29

By John Bramhall This is a 3-part series, and all 3 parts are in this one Video/Audio. Paul’s pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus possess valuable instruction for young believers, both for individual encouragement and also in guidance as to assembly responsibility. 1 Timothy reveals our great responsibilities toward the corporate testimony of God’s assembly. The key verse is 1 Tim. 3:15 — “that...

By John Bramhall “The greatest mission in the world is SUB-mission.” These words are attributed to J. Hudson Taylor, one of the greatest missionaries to China. There is a searching and challenging truth in them for each of our hearts. The life that proves this truth will be lived for the glory of God. The Word of God exemplifies the statement in the life of our Lord and also in the lives of His se...

By John Bramhall When the Saviour said to His disciples, “It is expedient for you that I go away” (John 16:7), it was difficult for them to accept its truthfulness. His constant companionship during His earthly ministry with them, and their immediate expectation of His Kingdom, made His words appear incredible and impossible! How could His departure be for their profit? Nevertheless, subsequent hi...

By John Bramhall The terminal of our earthly pilgrimage is suitably described in the Song of Solomon, chapter 8 and verse 5, saying—"Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness leaning on her beloved?" Some believers have a deep realization of this being near for them when they will be "with Christ—which is far better." (Phil. 1:23) Our text describes the manner in which the pilgrimage should...

By John Bramhall Romans 8:18-30 The doctrinal section of Romans extends from chapter 1 through chapter 8. Two distinct themes are given by the Spirit of God: God’s justification of a sinner — Chapter 1 through 5:11. God’s deliverance of a saint — 5:12 through 8:39. The last section can be subdivided as follows: Deliverance of a saint from sin’s power — 5:12-6:23. Deliverance of a saint from the la...

By John Bramhall One of the greatest crossroads of the Christian experience is the last one in the normal course of events. The apostle Paul describes it when writing his own farewell to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:6). His faithful devotion to his blessed Master had brought him through many crucial exp...

By John Bramhall “I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”—Revelation 22:16. In this passage of Holy Writ, there is a threefold presentation of Christ, a presentation that reveals the glorious titles of our Lord in relation to the world, Israel, and the Church. https://plymouthbrethr...

By John Bramhall Over the triple doorways of Milan Cathedral, there are three inscriptions spanning the splendid arches. Above one is carved a wreath of roses, and underneath is the legend: “All that Pleases is but for a Moment.” Over the Second is sculptured a cross, and underneath are the words: “All that Troubles is but for a Moment.” While underneath the great central entrance to the main aisl...

By John W. Bramhall Mr. John W. Bramhall, a resident of Charlotte, N. C., and an esteemed servant of the Lord, is a frequent contributor to Focus. In this helpful article, he reminds us of the rich spiritual blessings which are ours as a result of Christ having enshrined Himself invisibly at the right hand of God the Father. Have we fully appreciated the meaning of our Saviour’s words when He said...

By John Bramhall “The waters of Marah were bitter… the waters were made sweet” (Exod. 15:23-25). The slavery of Egypt was over. Pharaoh’s evil host was drowned in the sea. A song of triumph rose from joyous hearts. The Israelites were well on their way to the promised land (Exod. 12-15). For three days they travelled before finding water — only to discover that the water was bitter and unfit for d...

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...

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,...

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 e...

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