“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine” (II Timothy 4:2).

Paul’s “charge” to young Timothy, just before the great apostle’s martyrdom, was urgently needed by Christians in those early days of persecution and incipient apostasy, and his words are even more appropriate today.

“Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with His people, and He will plead with Israel” (Micah 6:2).

At this Thanksgiving season, it has been good for me to think back over the countless blessings from God on the ICR ministries in our earlier days. From extremely small and unimpressive beginnings in 1970, it does seem that God may have called ICR "to the kingdom for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14).

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17).

This is one of Paul’s most personal and precious prayers involving all the persons of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of wisdom,” and the Father is called the “Father of glory.”