Words of blessing  “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “‘“The Lord bless you  and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be...

An orderly account  This study is the fourth in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament (Luke’s gospel – read in 1 hour, 26 minutes) …many have taken in hand to set in order a...

Ascension Forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended bodily into heaven. The Ascension is so important that all the major creeds of Christian faith affirm it. Christ’s bodily ascension...

Our only hope I was in college when Star Wars first hit the theaters. Some of us were able to hitch a ride to a nearby city where we got to see it in all its cinematic glory. It was an historic...

Suffering for being a Christian Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you...

The circle of life When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they...

Ascension  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  After he said...

Jesus, the scriptures, and resurrection Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in...

The Son of Man must suffer many things… This study is the third in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament. (Mark’s gospel – read in 45 minutes 13 seconds) “For even the Son of...

Words of encouragement The most iconic scene in several of the most successful movies is a scene that involves an inspiring speech. This usually features the protagonist addressing a group of people,...

Not destined for obscurity When a celebrity dies, we usually hear all about their lives in the media. People post tributes and many sing their praises. Depending on the person, the buzz could go on...

Another advocate “…and he will give you another advocate to help you…” John 14:16 (NIV) We have all heard the expression ‘Would you like another… ?’ You fill in the dots. Maybe...

Pillar of the church He erected the pillars at the portico of the temple. The pillar to the south he named Jakin and the one to the north Boaz. The capitals on top were in the shape of lilies. And...

Not I but Christ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,...

At cross purposes … but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles… 1 Corinthians 1:23 ( ESV) As the header scripture above demonstrates, humanity often gets...

Son of God, King, Saviour  This study is the second in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament. (Matthew’s gospel – read in 1 hour 20 minutes) “She will give birth to a son, and...

Incognito royalty Passengers on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines may be surprised to know that on any number of flights over the past few decades, they were flying with royalty. And I don’t mean squeezing...

That’s a lot of books I’ve been an avid book reader since I was a young girl. I loved getting lost in a good story and it seemed as if reading really was like a magic carpet that took me...

Our identity But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession… 1 Peter 2:9 (NIVUK) There is a lot of talk in the news about a person’s identity and how...

Tell me there’s a heaven It seems that every time we turn on our TV screens we see abject suffering of one form or another. Singer/musician/songwriter Chris Rea’s song Tell Me There’s a Heaven...

Praying in accordance with God’s will And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we...

Eating together In many African cultures, there are various occasions and customs where communities are encouraged to share meals together. Traditionally in Kikuyu culture [Kenya’s largest ethnic...

Time well spent This study is an introduction to a series of studies on the books of the New Testament. The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also...

Chosen by Life Life is full of difficult decisions. Sometimes you can make it through by consulting with your spouse, close friends, or coworkers. But sometimes difficult decisions have to be made for...

Eyes on Jesus We’ve just come through the most worshipful season on the Christian calendar. Now what? Is it possible to maintain the level of awareness of the events of Jesus’ life and the...

Acts in action Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of...

The glory of Christ What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory… John 2:11 (NIVUK) One of the most precious occasions in life is a wedding....

Reaching out  While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”  And...

Jesus is sending his church  What is your mission in life? How are you serving others? Regardless of what you do, Jesus Christ gives all his disciples a mission: Therefore go and make disciples of...

Light up the dark! … even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalms 139:12 (NIV) I was taking a walk with some of my family and...

The A-Team We all remember the A-Team. It was one of the most popular action shows of the ’80s and even inspired a big Hollywood movie. I remember seeing a poster for the film that read: ‘The...

He’s the only one I’ve been watching Star Trek again – the original series this time. While the special effects are corny and some of the interaction among the characters...

Christ in all the Scriptures And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27 (NIV) Today’s reading from Luke...

I will tell the wondrous story In that wonderful day you will say, “Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the world about his wondrous love. How mighty he is!” Isaiah 12:4 (TLB) When the writer of...

Great is your faithfulness …  great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23 (NIV) All I have needed your hand has provided, great is your faithfulness, Lord, unto me. 1  My dog, Darley, waits...

But the Lord said go Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to...

A Godly hug “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, and in his majesty through the skies. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the...

No one special, just chosen ‘Circle, circle, dot, dot, now I got my cootie shot. Circle, circle, square square, now I got them everywhere.’ Is a common playground rhyme chanted to tease or exclude...

Room to grow I don’t spend much time on Facebook – it’s way too easy to get sucked in and waste a lot of time. But every now and then, a post comes along that makes a few minutes...

God’s perspective on suffering In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6 (NIVUK) Three things are true...