We have a Redeemer This is the fifteenth study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His...

Language of love We all grew up learning a language. Whether our first, or native language, is Spanish, Tagalog, English, Dutch, Portuguese, ASL or another sign language – we all find ways to...

Does God use us? Christians often talk about being used by God. But being used often connotes someone selfishly taking advantage of other human beings and their freedom. Besides the negative...

Lessons from Pentecost ‘…when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…’ John 16:13 (NIVUK) The Christian church continues to commemorate the coming of the Holy...

Navigating our world Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Psalm 31:3 (NIV) Have you ever thought what it is like to be a Dachshund? Rather unlikely –...

The Spirit’s role in prayer This is the seventh in a series of studies on the subject of prayer. …the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit...

Bloom where you are planted Bloom where you are planted. What an interesting phrase. A flower does not have a lot of choice where it will grow. A seed may fall to the ground near the parent plant....

Jesus: Saviour, Judge, King This is the fourteenth study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them...

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 who...

Little deaths Putting broad biblical principles into practice can be a bit overwhelming. The concept of dying to self is one such principle. It’s a fundamental aspect of being a Christian, but...

Displaced and placed people “ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as...

‘I’ll be back’ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have...

Never give up This is the sixth in a series of studies on the subject of prayer. …Jesus told his disciples…that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 (NIVUK) Immediately after...

Let there be light Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day...

All will come to pass This is the thirteenth study in a series of studies about shadows in scripture So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and...

Empty tomb and open gate A few weeks ago, we celebrated Easter Sunday, one of the most significant days in the Christian calendar. Many of us likely spent a lot of time hearing about and meditating on...

Glorious scars No one gets through life without scars. Some are small, others are large and some are disfiguring. We don’t like them but they are part of the story of our lives and remind us of...

The Father’s love “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9 (NIV) My husband and I have quite different tastes in films. I like romantic comedies and...

Praising the Lord in prayer This is the fifth in a series of studies on the subject of prayer. God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. Psalm...

Our troubled world Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and...

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...