The seed of faithfulness  … In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world… Colossians 1:6 (NIV) As Christians, living in the busy modern world, we may not...

Preeminence of Christ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He...

We are not what we experience Many in this world have experienced horrible, almost unspeakable circumstances. They have been brought on by war, violence, illnesses, loss, and abandonment. These...

Walk in the light … “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV) He said, ‘Never had fish fingers before!’...

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth Have you ever been deceived with the truth? It’s much harder to fall for an outright lie, but if a little truth is mixed in—a fact here and a...

Our power is His power Very few people have been or can be described as powerful. Some have great physical strength; some have been given the power to command countries or armies; some have intellects...

Speedy boarding “But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence...

Humility Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the...

A love that frees us …God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this...

Come to the table! “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…” Luke 14:13 (NIV) As children, always being hungry, we loved to hear the clarion call,...

 Just ask Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Children are great at asking...

The boy from the well Have you ever felt completely powerless? Have you been in the unenviable place of having no recourse—no action you can take that will change your situation? Imagine being stuck...

Surrender first In 1940, Winston Churchill addressed the British House of Commons on the defence of Dunkirk and the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force. Toward the end of this dramatic...

Traditions or mission? Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the...

Seal of approval  “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”...

Along about midnight Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. (Acts 16:25 The Message) Your faith is not...

God loves us But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV) Speaking in public comes with pitfalls as well as rewards. On this...

A day for good news! How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God...

The story since day one Do you ever have a commercial jingle or a theme song from a TV show that you can remember perfectly years later? Decades might pass, you will have forgotten libraries of...

In need of rescue I’ve never needed to be rescued from a burning building or been in danger of drowning, but I did experience a rescue of sorts when I broke my arm several years ago. I started...

We’re surrounded. Run for it! Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run...

Journeys interrupted As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them… Luke 24:15 (NIV) There are two journeys described in some detail in...

A deep well A person’s thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out. (Proverbs 20:5 GNT) Have you ever considered the effect that a well-used bucket could have...

The Garden of Eden  The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed… The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge...

Abraham’s journey What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also...

Hitting too close to home Have you ever uttered the words, “That hit just a little too close to home?” It’s a familiar phrase we use when something is said that makes us feel uncomfortable or...

The miracle of seeds After living in big city-adjacent suburbs for most of my life, I’ve been enjoying rural life for the past two and a half years. Driving by fields of wheat, grasses and...

Before breakfast Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV 1984) Alice laughed…‘one CAN’T believe impossible things.’ ‘I daresay...

What great love But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 (NLT) Looking at human failure from heaven’s point of view and observing...

Be Still Be still and know that I am God. Be still. Amidst the hurry, flurry and worry of modern life – be still. But we are always on the go – productivity rules, the demands never cease. You...

Looking through the eyes of a child … “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the...

Even angels long to look into these things It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached...

Practicing Christ in the kitchen In the summer of 1642, a young disabled veteran named Nicolas Herman took vows to join a religious community in Paris. He described himself as a “great awkward...

Eyes on Jesus The word focus, like a lot of words in the English language, has several applications. We focus our eyes, a laser beam, a light, a camera lens. Our minds can be focused too but it often...

A rich relationship with God “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21 (NLT) We were new to the neighbourhood and were taking a...

Pleasing God And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)...

Abide in me “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever...

Jesus, our new life For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:3-4 NIV) There is...

Love of God “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (NKJV) Recently I shared this...

No comparisons Comparison is a trap that is so easy to fall into. It’s a cheap and easy ego boost to notice when we are bigger, better, faster, stronger than someone else we know. It can also be...