The gift that keeps on giving Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end… Isaiah 9:7 (ESV) Way back in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble made one of science’s greatest...

No excuses Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through...

The conundrum of our relationship with God …among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on...

We can trust God …we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIVUK) On the one hand Paul’s statement, in...

The Lord will remember them When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up...

Deep weeping Have you ever felt like you are at the bottom of the ocean crying for help? In my many years of pastoral ministry, I have encountered many people who find themselves in this circumstance,...

Terms and conditions If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NIV) Have you ever noticed that...

Glorify and enjoy God forever ‘Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave...

Stopping where Jesus stops In the 1970s, experts posited that we were exposed to 500 to 1,600 advertisements a day. Now the numbers are more like 6,000 to 10,000. And that’s just ads—it doesn’t...

Jesus is our all in all As another year in the Christian worship calendar draws to a close, The Revised Common Lectionary directs us to the book of Hebrews. Though this epistle addresses a situation...

The Prophet who wanted to die …“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” I Kings 19:4 (NLT) Wouldn’t it be great...

The reason Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But – When God...

The unfolding of your word The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 (ESV) I am of the age that when you went out walking you clutched a printed...

Does fire burn within you? “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me…” John 5:39 (NIV) It is...

Loneliness Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Psalm 25:16 (NRSV) How often have we said that we miss fellowshipping with other Christians in our congregations? Probably...

The power of his presence Do you believe that God is with you? Do you believe that the Creator of the universe hears you when you call and is present for every moment of your life? As unbelievable as...

This study has been specifically written to coincide with Black History Month and relates Sherwin’s personal experiences of being a black person in the UK and his hopes for the future. Reflections...

The glorious temple …“LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below…” 1 Kings 8:23 (NIV) These words are the start of the dedication prayer King Solomon...

My Hindu background For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we...

Under the shadow of privilege This study has been specifically written to coincide with Black History Month and relates Maureen’s personal experiences of being a black person in the UK and her hopes...

This is love This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No...

The cutting takes root If you’ve ever done any gardening, you know it can be frustrating. You have to strike the right balance between caring for something and leaving it alone so it will grow and...

Facing our prejudices “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” John 1:46 (NIV) Although I love the town in which I live, it is a place that would generally be termed ‘deprived’. Thus,...

The heart of the matter “…The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) The account of...

What does it mean to be black in Britain today? This study has been specifically written to coincide with Black History Month and relates Alberta’s personal experiences of being a black person in...

Do not enter if you are ill! Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 (NIV)...

Having only a natural relationship with a supernatural God Imagine the greatest chef of all time was cooking for you, and all you asked for was a bowl of cereal. Or that the most profound singer of...

Don’t be imprisoned by the past …But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me...

God can work with anyone ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ 1 Samuel 3:10 (NIVUK) Do you ever feel that God couldn’t work with you because you’re too old or too young? Maybe there are...

King David’s foil Don Quixote had Sancho Panza. Sherlock had Watson. The hare had the tortoise. This literary convention called the ‘foil’ has been around since stories were told. The foil is...

For what it’s worth …God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness’… Genesis 1:26 (NIVUK) For most of us there are times, when watching news reports of tragic events...

What is it? …in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. Exodus 16:13-14 (NIV) I wonder...

Restoration and revival We are at a time now where we pray for God’s blessing to add new life and younger members to the body of Christ, and especially to our fellowship. Several verses in Psalm 85...

Happy trees They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade… Psalm 1:3 (CEB) If I see a plant in the garden that...