The Father’s amazing plan … His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4:3 (NIV) I am sure you will agree that we all look forward to some good...

May we forgive them In the narrative of Jesus’ ministry on earth, there are many stories that demonstrated his profound love for those he encountered. And to be honest, many people he encountered...

Not in the eyes! After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. John 9:6 (NIV) My children were playing in a sandpit today and, as often...

Independence Day – really? “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NIV) It was the fourth of July and I was busy sending e-cards to my very dear friends across the...

Labels Have you ever gone into a pantry and found a can of food without a label on it? The only way for you to figure out what’s inside is by opening the can. After opening the unlabeled item, what...

Sociable, not social I once had the opportunity to take a river tour along a short stretch of the Colorado River. A recorded voice gave highlights of the history and geography of the area as well as...

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness “…rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 (NIV)  Recently I was visiting an elderly gentleman for whom I have a great deal of...

The Royal family But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous...

Recognising God’s presence Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome...

A Thorn in the Flesh But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a ESV) How often do we find ourselves crying out to God...

Jesus prayed for you and me   “…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their [the disciples’] message…” John 17:20 (NIV) Do you find it difficult to pray sometimes? I...

The myth of instancy Most of us remember the dial-up internet of the past—and by past, we don’t mean very long ago, maybe a couple of decades ago. The website scrolled down the page at an...

There’s a place for us “You must not let yourselves be distressed—you must hold on to your faith in God and to your faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s House. If there were not,...

The (un)easy option … “Follow Me [accepting Me as Master and Teacher].”… Luke 9:59 (Amp) While living for Jesus is the most wonderful way of life imaginable, he doesn’t promise us that...

Jesus lives to make intercession “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that...

What does this mean? In Acts 1:8 (ESV), Jesus promised, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria,...

Established in faith But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)...

Submit and surrender Some of us can be controlling at times (you, I mean we, know who we are). We think we know best and want things to turn out our way. We are also sometimes afraid that if we...

Don’t settle for less Have you ever settled for less in your relationships? Healthy relationships don’t come easy and there is always a temptation to avoid the hard work they require. So, when...

In control, not controlling If you’ve ever been in the position of having someone looking over your shoulder, watching everything you do and correcting or critiquing every move you make, you...

Deliverance When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. Luke 8:33 (NIV) Next month marks the 50th anniversary...

 The mind of Lucifer  How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will...

Perseverance May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23...

‘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 healer of ears  When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we strike with our swords?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his...

The wisdom of delight On this Trinity Sunday, we’re thinking about God’s triune nature and how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in loving communion with one another. One aspect of this...

The Holy Spirit’s work in the church ‘I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak...

Hope from the throne room of God “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”...

Freedom is a precious thing! “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NIV) On the 1st of April 2003, Private Jessica Lynch was rescued from a hospital in Iraq by a...

The way of peace “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) The Knife Angel is the name of a sculpture built from knives and other weapons handed to...

Weathering storms Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. Matthew 14:25 (NIV) Venturing out to sea can be an uncertain prospect. The weather can change quickly. In a small...

And that end is love Most of the writing we have from Paul addresses issues coming up in the churches he planted. In the Corinthian letters we have dialogue with a fledgling church in a complex,...

Pentecost: The God of great reversals When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where...

The peace of God Then you will experience God’s peace… Philippians 4:7 (NLT) Some people are ‘fixers’ by nature and they are the people who swoop in at the eleventh hour and fix everything....

Who am I? Figuring out who we are is something everyone has to go through. Some are fortunate to have parents or mentors to help them with the process, but many have to do it on their own. We used to...

The waterwheel … that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man… Ephesians 3:16 (NKJV) For as the body without the...

The treasure hunt  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 (NIV) On...

Whom to trust Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) According to the...

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...

For Us or For Us Language can be tricky, and sometimes when we hear or read something, the words and the wording can seem ambiguous. Then add in our perspectives and frame of mind and our...