The power of proclamation After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of  God has come near. Repent...

Praise the Lord in prayer This is the first in a series of studies on praise and worship. God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. Psalm 145:3 (The...

Learn from Nathan After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of...

Witnessing transformation How do I see or experience God in the everyday or in the streets? One way I see God in the everyday is when I touch the lives of people who I least expect. In one example,...

Born from above Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” [Margin: The Greek for ‘again’ also means ‘from above’; also in...

Where there is no vision How would your life be different without access to your car? Without the availability of motor vehicles, many of us would not be able to get to work, school, or even church....

A stairway to heaven … ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.’ John 1:51 (NIVUK) In Genesis 28, Jacob, the...

The suddenlies A friend used to call unexpected events, especially the negative or sad ones, “the suddenlies.” She shared about the time her son-in-law was killed in a car accident –...

Some reflections about Jesus …‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and...

Clothes make the man …for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27 (NIV) The statement ‘Clothes make the man’ is attributed to Mark...

Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord, For this bright sunny morning Thank you for the birds that sing. For the tune of praise that they wing Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord, For another day to praise you...

Executive function 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) Executive Function. What is...

Yesterday, today, forever Have you heard of the smartphone app Postmates? It lets you order food from almost any restaurant in your city and have it delivered right to your door. It’s amazing! These...

Epiphany – the great revelation After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born...

Dear son… Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11 (NKJV) One of my earliest memories was waking up to find my dad packing his rucksack....

The gift The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of...

Just who’s got this? Language is always changing. All you have to do to prove this is read a book written as few as forty or fifty years ago. Many phrases aren’t used anymore and even the...

Touching Jesus And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.  She came up behind [Jesus]and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her...

Don’t fear the future ‘Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will...

Already a good New Year This week, we are blessed to celebrate the coming of another year with fireworks, parties, and cheers of “goodbye” to 2023 and “hello” to 2024. At the start of a new...

One-word prayer  There is something about starting a new year that brings energy, excitement, and hope. The flipping of the calendar from December 31 to January 1 is a built-in rhythm of renewal. It...

The kiss of experience  But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because...

Love and goodwill The Christmas season is upon us and the sounds of jingling bells, songs of winter sleighs and roaring fires, and of course, peace and goodwill toward all are in the air. We like to...

God has come … “God has come to help his people.” Luke 7:16 (NIV) The people witnessing the miracle before them, spoken of in Luke chapter 7, could only respond in amazement. This...

Christmas unwrapped – the slaughter of the innocents. This is the fifth in a series of Christmas studies. When Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave...

Noisy night Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared…praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke...

The joy of Christmas Christmas is my favourite holiday. It’s more than just a single day — it’s an entire season! Here in America you ‘hear’ the Christmas season before you see it. That’s...

Coming of the King – Advent love This is the fourth in a series of studies on Advent. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Lamentations 3:22...

A nobody, born to nobodies? And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the...

No room for Jesus In the days before the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem for the census. When Joseph tried to find a place to stay for the night – Mary was in labour...

‘Tis the season for babies… …and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger… Luke 2:7 (NIV) …or at least one baby in particular. In an...

Christmas unwrapped – a Christmas exchange This is the fourth in a series of Christmas studies. …Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be...

Away in a manger …and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7 (NIVUK) The Christmas...

Expectant waiting Most of us don’t like to wait. And while most waiting does seem painful and arduous – like standing in line, or sitting in traffic – sometimes waiting brings great excitement...

Coming of the King – Advent joy This is the third in a series of studies on Advent. The Lord is my strength and my shield;  my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and...

John the witness  There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he...

  Home for Christmas Everyone wants to be home for Christmas. What is it that makes them almost inseparable? Both words conjure up feelings of warmth, security, comfort, nurture, and love. The...

Incarnation, perfection, salvation! “Behold, the virgin shall be with a child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)...

Christmas unwrapped – come all ye faithful This is the third in a series of Christmas studies. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to...

Joy to the world He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:22 (NLT) ‘What do you want me to know Lord?’, I said in my mind. Joy and laughter was my...