Prepared for earthquakes When we lived in California, we were regularly told to be prepared for earthquakes. We lived through many of them, small and large, but I never needed to use the supplies,...

Bing! Bing! Bing! We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by...

Works For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created...

Belonging to Christ And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:6 (NLT) What a blessing, privilege and honour it is, for those who are called, to...

Letting go There are some things that are easier than others to let go of. It depends on the value we put on them. It amazes me how much we can stuff in a cupboard or closet. Have you ever set out to...

My little children This study is the twenty-fourth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (1 John – read in 9 minutes) And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us...

Calling 911 Have you ever had to call 9-1-1 (999 in the UK)? I hope not, but if you have, it was probably because you were in a serious situation that needed an immediate response. That’s why we...

Silence of the soul When I saw an email about a new thing called “Silent Walking,” I had to read it, since it was about two of my favourite things, silence, and walking. It turns out it...

The sweet fragrance of reconciliation Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Philippians 4:1 (NIVUK) The...

The quality of courage Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear!…” Isaiah 35:3-4 (NKJV) Sixty seven years ago...

A clash of worldviews See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on...

He is our rock and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV). My daughter and I took a trip to...

Before I go This study is the twenty-third in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (2 Peter – read in 6 minutes) Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder...

The clean doorstep  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all  sin. 1 John 1:7 (NIV) Too many...

The great unwashed All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6...

Eyes on the prize? …But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ...

Anna, meaning: favour or grace There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,  and...

‘All change!’ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) As children, my siblings and I...

A winter wonder I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…...

Closure Irene Wilson was a regular writer for Word of Life until her death in July 2023. The many studies she wrote reflected her joyful Christian life and she was able to share her faith through many...

Cooperative games Have you ever played a cooperative board game? Cooperative games have become a popular alternative to the common competitive board games like Monopoly, Clue, or Risk. Competitive...

Home is where He is As much fun as a vacation or trip can be, it’s always good to get home. Even after being gone for a few hours, coming back to the familiar place and my own things gives me a...

Porridge drawer In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… Philippians 2:5 (NIV) Have you heard the joke about the Scotsman and his porridge drawer? Long ago,...

Face to face Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Psalm 80: 3 (NIVUK) Imagine for a moment that a teenager is not behaving as his parents would like. He is spending his...

A further thought on Bletchley Park  Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch....

The price of freedom I was reading about the unwanted fame of a well-known musician. He was in shell shock, they said. He never wanted this sort of attention. His freedom was taken away; he spent much...

We suffer as Christ suffered This study is the twenty-second in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (1 Peter – read in 9 minutes) …to the degree that you share the sufferings of...

Reaching out to the lonely Are you a fan of the Beatles? If so, you may remember their well-known song, Eleanor Rigby. In the chorus they sing, ‘…look at all the lonely people, where do they all...

Encouraging encouragement If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of someone’s less than successful attempt at encouragement, you may relate to what I once heard a pastor say –...

What do we live and die for? For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (NIVUK) What matters to you most? What is it that shapes your priorities? What is it that motivates you?...

The promises of God For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV) Abraham believed in God’s...

The secret of Bletchley Park  Through the grace of God we have different gifts. If our gift is preaching, let us preach to the limit of our vision. If it is serving others let us concentrate on our...

The restless soul  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your...

Perfect, complete, lacking nothing  This study is the twenty-first in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament  (James – read in 9 minutes) For as the body without the spirit is dead,...