Archive

A word of encouragement …there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). Acts 4:36 (NLT) Every person needs a little encouragement at one time...

Eyewitness testimony Many movies and TV shows feature dramatic courtroom scenes where a surprise witness gives testimony that shocks the courtroom. The witness is so compelling that there is no doubt...

The Enabler It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us… 2 Corinthians 1:21 (NLT) It is five years since my husband died, years filled with time...

Follow Jesus [Jesus] said…“Follow me.” Luke 9:59 (NIV) I’m sure we can all remember one time or another when procrastination has got the better of us. Maybe there was a job to do or someone we...

Sweet harmony How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard, and...

Those ‘little grey cells’ Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 1 Corinthians 14:20 (ESV) Some scriptures point a finger at how abysmal...

The Divine irony No other writer in the New Testament uses metaphors of combat and conquering more than the gentle Apostle John. Notice this passage: …for whatever is born of God conquers the...

In the beginning was the Word In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him… John 1:1-3...

Praising our God O come, let us sing to the Lord…For he is our God. Psalm 95:1, 7 (NRSV) In Psalm 95, God is at the centre of our public praises. The psalmist brings out four aspects of the God we...

The GOAT I was having a conversation with my grandson about one of basketball’s superstars when he commented, “He’s the goat.” What? I thought – he hasn’t been the player who lost the game...

God is your giant killer “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to...

The beginning of wisdom The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom… Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) Taxi fares here in Cali, Colombia, are incredibly cheap and taxis are plentiful. I often wonder how...

Bind us together Lord “You didn’t choose me. I chose you…” John 15:16 (NLT) Look at the disparate group Jesus chose as his apostles. Some we know very little about, but we are given enough...

Jesus Goes Viral Have you ever seen a video that moved you so much or made you laugh so hard that you just had to share it with someone else? If so, you may have participated in making that video...

The blood of Christ …in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV) In God’s plan, the lamb was slain before the foundation of...

How much does the Father love us? “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then...

Clothed in righteousness And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son…he said to his servants, ‘The...

Waiting I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 (NLT) The bougainvillea plant was removed from a large pot and replanted near the trellis over our...

The town hall clock The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Proverbs 15:3 (NIV) There is an old expression in Scotland to describe someone who is hypocritical or...

The power of words. “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be...

The green in rugged pastures One of the most famously quoted Psalms is Psalm 23, and if you don’t understand the countryside in Israel, you can miss part of the meaning of the Psalm. You know the...

Son of encouragement He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:24 (NIV) What a wonderful obituary to be written about...

Complete metamorphosis And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to… the prince of the power of the air…fulfilling the desires of the...

Gardening tips that we… may grow up in all things Ephesians 4: 14-15 (NKJV) During periods of warm sunny weather, I like to take the opportunity to contemplate while doing some gardening. This...

Between a rock and a hard place And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord…but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” 2 Samuel 24:14...

Prehistory “He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.” Job 12:22 (NIV) Prehistory is the time during the development of human culture before the appearance...

Shining out of darkness Were you ever afraid of the dark? Many of us have had this fear at some point. Oftentimes, the darkness conjures our nightmares, causing us to see things that are not there....

Who is the Holy Spirit? After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31 (NIV) Believers are...

Running the race …I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord…will give me on that day, and not only to me...

Jesus’ healing ministry Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened… Isaiah 35:5 (NKJV) It’s almost 2000 years since Jesus Christ commenced his ministry in Israel. As the incarnate Son of God...

14 days in the arms of Jesus In September 2020 I experienced a health crisis that sent me to the emergency room. After tests and medication, I was recommended for non-cancerous prostate surgery....

The Good Shepherd ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he...

The sacred irony A memory scripture from my youth is a familiar verse to many. In fact, it’s a gold standard for kids memorizing scripture in Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible School. For by grace...

Waiting game Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14. (NKJV) If you observe the behaviour of people, you will find nobody likes...

Pray all the time …pray without ceasing…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NKJV) It’s not always easy to ask for help; just ask any man whether...

Eagles in flight Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they...

Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might… 2 Samuel 6:14 (NIV) Some would say life is a dance. Sometimes it’s slow, slow, and...

“ I will give them one heart and one way… ” Jeremiah 32:39 (ESVUK) There are many good public footpaths where I live, one of which will take walkers through the nearest farm to me. Walking back...

No room for bullies Let me set up a dilemma for you and then I’m going to ask you to solve it. Ready? You are a farmer who raises cattle and you get up one morning to check on your herd in the...

His face shone like the sun Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the...