Archive

The sweet fragrance of reconciliation Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Philippians 4:1 (NIVUK) The...

The quality of courage Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear!…” Isaiah 35:3-4 (NKJV) Sixty seven years ago...

A clash of worldviews See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on...

He is our rock and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV). My daughter and I took a trip to...

Before I go This study is the twenty-third in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (2 Peter – read in 6 minutes) Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder...

The clean doorstep  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all  sin. 1 John 1:7 (NIV) Too many...

The great unwashed All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6...

Eyes on the prize? …But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ...

Anna, meaning: favour or grace There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,  and...

‘All change!’ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) As children, my siblings and I...

A winter wonder I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…...

Closure Irene Wilson was a regular writer for Word of Life until her death in July 2023. The many studies she wrote reflected her joyful Christian life and she was able to share her faith through many...

Cooperative games Have you ever played a cooperative board game? Cooperative games have become a popular alternative to the common competitive board games like Monopoly, Clue, or Risk. Competitive...

Home is where He is As much fun as a vacation or trip can be, it’s always good to get home. Even after being gone for a few hours, coming back to the familiar place and my own things gives me a...

Porridge drawer In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… Philippians 2:5 (NIV) Have you heard the joke about the Scotsman and his porridge drawer? Long ago,...

Face to face Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Psalm 80: 3 (NIVUK) Imagine for a moment that a teenager is not behaving as his parents would like. He is spending his...

A further thought on Bletchley Park  Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch....

The price of freedom I was reading about the unwanted fame of a well-known musician. He was in shell shock, they said. He never wanted this sort of attention. His freedom was taken away; he spent much...

We suffer as Christ suffered This study is the twenty-second in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (1 Peter – read in 9 minutes) …to the degree that you share the sufferings of...

Reaching out to the lonely Are you a fan of the Beatles? If so, you may remember their well-known song, Eleanor Rigby. In the chorus they sing, ‘…look at all the lonely people, where do they all...

Encouraging encouragement If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of someone’s less than successful attempt at encouragement, you may relate to what I once heard a pastor say –...

What do we live and die for? For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (NIVUK) What matters to you most? What is it that shapes your priorities? What is it that motivates you?...

The promises of God For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV) Abraham believed in God’s...

The secret of Bletchley Park  Through the grace of God we have different gifts. If our gift is preaching, let us preach to the limit of our vision. If it is serving others let us concentrate on our...

The restless soul  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your...

Perfect, complete, lacking nothing  This study is the twenty-first in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament  (James – read in 9 minutes) For as the body without the spirit is dead,...

Describing the indescribable Have you ever tried to describe a moment so wonderful that it defies your best efforts? How do you describe the feeling of watching the sunset over the mountains or the...

Relax and rest Not long ago, I stumbled over a bump on the sidewalk and ended up sprawled all over the hard cement. I was embarrassed, but the only other damage was a few bruises and bent eyeglasses....

The meat of the matter One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who...

All one in Christ Jesus There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NIVUK) The first female Cabinet...

Lay down your life “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NIV) Our Lord and Saviour Jesus laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16). He did...

The God of all comfort Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those...

Christ is the best This study is the twentieth in a series of studies on the books of the NewTestament (Hebrews – read in 27 minutes) God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time...

Born again As a Christian, you are probably familiar with the metaphor of being ‘born again.’ Jesus used it when talking to Nicodemus to try to explain the radical difference that one must undergo...

Comfort in our suffering When a child is hurt, the mother or father rush to comfort the little one. Hugs, kisses and soothing words don’t make the pain go away, but they go a long way toward easing...

Can debt ever be a good thing? Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 (NIV) No one likes to be in...

The Mighty Fortress The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:11 (NIV) Recently my wife and I visited the ruins of Harlech Castle in North Wales. This castle was built...

The baptism of Jesus  Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus replied,...

Set your heart Since, Then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 (NIV) There is a definite pull in this...

The power of reconciliation This study is the nineteenth in a series of studies on the books of the NewTestament (Philemon – read in 2 minutes) … yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of...