A gem of grace Reading the Bible can be like mining for treasure and it’s great when we discover something new or see a verse in a new way. We also have the benefit of the labour of other...

Abba, Father  …And by him [The Holy Spirit] we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ Romans 8:15 (NIVUK) A key role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian is to assure us that we are God’s children...

Forgiven denial  “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”  Matthew 26: 34 (NIV) After listening to a recent message in...

True renewal You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say ‘it is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. Isaiah 57:10 (NIV) I felt drawn...

Unto you I lift my eyes Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Psalm 123:1 (NKJV) Target fixation is something that I began as I started riding motorcycles. As one of my...

All things through Christ This study is the twelfth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (Philippians – read in 9 minutes) …but one thing I do, forgetting those things which...

Better well done… There is a saying that goes, ‘Better well done than well said.’ This phrase wisely reminds us that words can sometimes be empty, and our actions often say much more about...

Instead Driving around the area where I live I often see signs in people’s yards supporting various causes or ideologies. A common one is “choose kindness.” I suppose they believe...

The unbelievable and outrageous truth Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… Romans 8:1 (NIV) This is a verse that provides comfort, reassurance and hope. It’s...

Conviction not condemnation There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (ESVUK) It’s easy for Christians to fall into a form of legalism without realising...

What is in a name? I am renewing a project in my yard this summer. It had gotten way overgrown and in need of a new start. As I was washing some of the bricks that I had put around a small water...

Noticing, attending, and wondering Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. John 14:19 (NIV) Realising God is dwelling within and among...

The lens of eternity This study is the eleventh in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (Ephesians – read in 12 minutes) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called...

Three responses When it comes to responding to all that’s wrong in our world—oppression and captivity, hunger, and broken health, good people being cast down while the wicked are promoted—we...

Engaging with the Spirit Putting on Jesus (or spiritual transformation) begins with faithful acceptance of everyday problems followed by interacting with the Holy Spirit. This includes being aware of...

A double-minded man … For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18 (NIV) Paul’s famous struggle laid bare in chapter 7 of Romans has been described as spiritual...

Prayer is not easy …We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26 (NIVUK) This weekend will be a time of national prayer for...

Life in the Body Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep...

A personal appearance It is hard to find quiet time for me. Life is loud here most of the day. I understand why Jesus would leave the group in order to connect solidly with his Father. So, when I was...

Obedience to what law? This study is the tenth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (Galatians – read in 13 minutes) “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness...

False assumptions A friend of mine was taking a web design class and one of the assignments was to find a poorly designed website to improve by redesigning it. One day one of her classmates asked her...

Walk in the Spirit One of my favorite things to do since we moved from the “wilds” of southern California to a forest area in Oregon is to walk in the woods. Before I go, I put on the...

Can we go on sinning? For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIVUK) Our header scripture is one that Christians often use in...

Ancient words  “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He...

Rock-solid love I was reminded recently of the rock-solid love of Christ. I collect rocks that I feel are unusual, and some of the ones I find precious are the heart shaped rocks I find when needing...

A new heart A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you, and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (NRSVUE) I was born...

Power made perfect in weakness This study is the ninth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (2 Corinthians – read in 23 minutes) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient...

Know who you’re talking with Have you ever been involved in a mistaken identity? Several years back when I was working for Youth for Christ, I was in Denver, Colorado for ministry training. Some...

Putting on Jesus Some verses in the Bible are hard to understand. For example, I’ve never really known what to do with Romans 13:14, which says we are to put on or clothe ourselves with the Lord...