Archive

The blessing of belonging “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent...

The law is spiritual This is the twelfth study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  John 1:17...

Prevailing with God If you’ve ever spent any time in a park, you’ve probably observed a parent with a toddler who wants to race. The three-year-old doesn’t care that her legs are about a third...

The discipline of the Lord When my children were small, we were blessed to have both sets of grandparents living next door. While I appreciated the built-in babysitters, it was the relationships they...

You lift us up “Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away…” John 15:2 (RSV) In the Old Testament the term ‘vine’ was used to describe Israel,1  but it was used to denote their...

Sparrows “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Matthew 10:29 (NIV) Due to time restraints, I didn’t get the...

Don’t compare This is the fourth in a series of studies on the subject of prayer. Don’t compare yourself with others… Galatians 6:4 (ERV) It is not uncommon for Christians to be dissatisfied...

He entered the room …the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:26 (NIV) Have you ever locked yourself out of your house or out of your car?...

The sword of the Spirit This is the eleventh study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says…”  Exodus 5:1 (NIV) Who was the man whom God...

Not wanting the shepherd Have you ever misheard the lyrics to a song in a way that drastically changed the meaning? Most of us have done this at one time or another, perhaps you even had a favourite...

Our momentary troubles Sometimes a phrase sticks in your head for years and every now and then, it pops to the surface, often when you need it. One such phrase from a sermon I heard when I was in...

The Lord’s my shepherd “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—” John 10:14 (NIV) Chapter 10 of John’s gospel begins innocently enough, with Jesus telling the Pharisees...

Listen silently This is the third in a series of studies on the subject of prayer. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak… Psalm 85:8 (ESVUK) There is an urban legend that President Franklin D....

Shining blessing ‘Have a blessed day!’ Often, I am told this or find myself saying this to those around me. It may only seem like a kind way to part ways, but it can make me ponder: is it really a...

Continue forward So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, Colossians 2:6 (NIV) Have you ever given up in frustration, only to find out that if you held...

Past, present, and future revealed “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’...

Stubbornness Have you ever been accused of being stubborn? I’m sure we’ve all had our moments. My wife and I sometimes joke around about which one of us is more stubborn. Truth be told, it’s me....

It’s all real! As children, many of us played pretend. My sister and I used to go down to our basement, hang sheets on the furniture and play all kinds of silly make-believe games. We let our...

A Father we can trust See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. I John 3:1  (NRSVUE) I recently read of a barbaric practice that...

Our God has ears This is the second in a series of studies on the subject of prayer. ‘For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer…’ 1 Peter 3:12...

Grounded in God’s Love Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body...

The tree of life ‘The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there...

‘Let my people go’ This is the tenth study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a...

God redeems our misfortunes When James Clear was in High School, he was accidentally struck in the face by a classmate’s baseball bat. The injury was so severe that he almost died at the hospital....

Decorating with diamonds When I lived in southern California, a rainstorm was a major event. Our area was a high desert, so we got a little rain in the winter, but by late spring, everything had...

Believing Thomas Thomas said to [Jesus], ‘My Lord and my God!’ John 20:28 (NIVUK) What do you think of Jesus’s disciple Thomas? It’s unfortunate that some 2,000 years after he lived, we still...

Indestructible “…For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.” Daniel 6:26 (NIV) The sycamore tree that grew in a gap in...

What a friend we have in Jesus This is the first in a series of studies on the subject of prayer. ‘I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I...

He touched her hand [Jesus] touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. Matthew 8:15 (NIV) If I asked for a show of hands of people who love to wait, I do not...

Father and Son This is the ninth study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning...

The last enemy Today is one of the most special days in the Christian calendar. We’re celebrating the resurrection of Christ from the dead. ‘Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!’ You see,...

The last words of Jesus from the cross: …‘Father into your hands I commit my spirit.’ This is the seventh in a series of studies for the Easter Preparation season. Jesus called out with a loud...

Catch that bus! Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he...

The great unwashed He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”  Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”...

An opportunity “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very...

The last words of Jesus from the cross: …‘finished’   This is the sixth in a series of studies for the Easter Preparation season. …Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’… John 19:30 (NIVUK)...

A great deliverance This is the eighth study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture  ‘…“What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers...

Always at your side When we’re faced with a difficult next step, whether it’s our health, our job, or our family situation, we often feel alone. How can we approach difficulties, including...

Writing it down Some time ago, I put a graphic of a Brother Lawrence quotation on my tablet. I didn’t know it would be so apropos for my word this year. ‘Let all our employment be to know God:...

Rights and privileges In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… Philippians 2:5 (NIV) My friend was frazzled. She was running late and had just had an argument...