Seeing as Jesus sees It’s getting harder and harder to watch the news. Horrible things happen every day – shootings, stabbings, drug overdoses, bombings and many other examples of...

What’s in a title? There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:38 (NIV) Why are titles so important to people? In a way it is like ‘instant...

It’s great to give Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Times are very...

Give us a clue “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that...

Sought and restored Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with...

What’s in a name?  Part four of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer “ ‘…hallowed be your name…’ ” Matthew 6:9 (NIV) To know a person’s name – to be introduced to them – is...

Memorial Day During the second and third centuries A.D., the church would meet in the catacombs and bury the dead in a ritual of remembrance. The term to describe these ancient resting places...

Awakened to gratitude Many of us wake up in the middle of the night, minds racing with fears, worries and/or things we need to do. We toss and turn, hoping to go back to sleep for a little while, with...

God’s comforting presence “…make up your mind not to worry beforehand…” Luke 21:14 (NIV) It can be exciting imagining that we are part of a key moment in history, and that the return of...

We will remember them  …They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more....

Peace, peace, peace! “They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14 (NKJV)  Is there peace in this world today? Even...

Reflecting his light And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV) This is an invitation...

Heaven is a place… Part three of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9 (NKJV) In the BBC series ‘The Repair Shop’, damaged and neglected items,...

Remembering God’s goodness Have you ever left home without your wallet or cell phone? Or any item that you almost always have with you? I think most of us can relate to the wave of panic that ensues...

Our biggest need fulfilled Beyond food, clothing and shelter, human beings have another basic and universal need – to be loved. Lack of love in infancy and childhood have profound effects on how...

Children of the resurrection Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection...

Do as Esther did “…Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And...

Be still and know “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46: 10 (NIV) This scripture is easy to remember, but much harder to live. We often go through our lives trying to control every...

A special love letter “Come to me, all of you who toil and carry burdens, and I, yes, I, will lead you into rest.” Matthew 11:28 (Williams)  I am currently reading a book by Bill Bryson, and just...

Our Father Part two of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven…” Luke 11:2 (NKJV) Throughout the gospel accounts, Christ referred...

Invisible reality If you never saw a tree, you would have a hard time understanding what a tree was—even if someone described it to you. Trees are so big, beautiful, and majestic that without...

Sheltering in Jesus The three basic needs of human beings are food, clothing and shelter and these become even more apparent – and urgent – during a catastrophe. Hurricane Ian tore through...

He climbed into a tree and welcomed Jesus home for tea So [Zacchaeus] ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see [Jesus]…So [Zacchaeus] came down at once and welcomed [Jesus] gladly. Luke...

Closure Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Humanly speaking we like closure. Society requires it for you. Something packaged and done with – now you need to...

Fuel for the heart I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Psalm 85:8 (NLT) Many times I partner...

Memories But Timothy… has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 1...

Teach us how to pray Part one of a series of studies on the Lord’s Prayer One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to...

Debt forgiveness in Christ In The United States of America, more than 44 million people have outstanding school loan debt – amounting to more than $1.5 trillion that is currently owed. The...

The Man up there As I listened to Neil Diamond’s Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show, my attention was drawn to the phrase “the man up there.” I used to think it was...

The tax collector “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ” Luke 18:13 (ESV) We...

The brown-eyed girl Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body…But in fact...

Kingdom of Jesus Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…but now My kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to Him,...

Joy And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty...

God is a relationship  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV) If you were to ask anyone to describe God, the...

Mrs. Fidget In C.S. Lewis’ book, The Four Loves, Lewis writes a descriptive picture of love gone bad. He introduces us to Mrs. Fidget, who is known for living for her family. But it turns out that...

A great Christ Over the years, I’ve done a lot of things outside my comfort zone. I’ve experienced several different reactions, including hiding in the ladies’ room and praying....

Delighting in prayer And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them...

Little is much when God is in it “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your...

Follow me John 21:1-19 (NIV) The smell of a charcoal fire, hot bread and broiled fish wafts over the shore to the seven disciples who had been fishing all night but had caught nothing. Suddenly, in...

Do you love Jesus? “You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.7 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; hence she has shown great love....