This question was asked by some in the crowd, after Jesus had explained about who he was – the Good Shepherd (vv. 7-18). They were still confused, some saw him as a demon, some looked at what signs...
Have you ever heard of the phrase, ‘in the limelight’? It means that someone is the centre of attention. Limelight is an intense white light which is produced by heating a piece of lime in a flame...
The Church is often compared to a body – living, dynamic, interconnected, and filled with life. But it is also like a flame, ignited by the Spirit, burning brightly to bring warmth and light to the...
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost gave birth to a new living entity, a body whose international members powerfully proclaimed the revolution of Christ’s kingdom on earth: diversity does...
I’m about to hit the twelve-gallon mark of blood/platelet donations – when giving a pint at a time, it takes years. I hope to make it to 100 donations by next year. A needle in the arm is...
In his gospel account, Luke searches out the predictions of milestones that would define the life of Jesus. And he does it through the experiences of Mary. Mary was given a lot of information in...
Isaiah described the Holy Spirit as ‘the Spirit of fire’ (Isaiah 4:4 margin) or ‘spirit of burning’ (ESVUK), which is a particularly significant symbol of the Holy Spirit representing the...
Have you ever had to split a cookie with one of your siblings? You try to make it perfectly even, because the other person has the first pick. They spend some time sizing it up, looking for the one...
The final verse of the New Testament encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith and the heart of Jesus’s message to humanity. The grace of Jesus is not earned by our actions or merits, it is...
A commonly held assumption for treating people suffering from heat exhaustion is to just give them more water. The problem is that the person who is suffering could drink a gallon of water and still...
A lot of us enjoy a good superhero story or movie. When I was a child, I remember being quite taken with the Spiderman tales. It was fun reading about a strong, larger than life hero, fighting evil...
In his farewell address before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave his disciples a mission and promised them assistance – the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, but they still didn’t understand...
After his resurrection, Jesus spent another forty days preparing the apostles for his ascension and for Pentecost, when they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit. During these forty days of...
One of the pivotal roles attributed to the Holy Spirit is that of a seal, marking believers as God’s own and guaranteeing their inheritance in Christ. This concept, deeply rooted in Scripture,...
I did not recognise my writing at first because of the edit made to the title, which is perfectly fine by the way. I realise the way I think is not always understood by others. I have a sense of...
As he draws his letter to the seven churches to a close, John paints a picture of the eternal glory and divine presence that awaits in the New Jerusalem. For Christians under persecution in the first...
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 there’s conflict, we may...
In our world, we have many things that come with warnings attached, such as the chemicals we may use in our homes and garden pesticides. Cigarette packets now are printed with warnings of serious...
The book of Revelation is intended for all believers in all ages. With all the present chaos and turbulence that pervades the present geopolitical landscape, Christians need not become agitated about...
I love driving through the countryside near my home. On my way into town, I pass several flocks of sheep, grazing or resting in beautiful green fields. A feeling of peace always comes over me as I...
The Bible is replete with references to water symbolising the Holy Spirit, each instance unveiling and describing his different attributes. In the Old Testament, water often symbolises life and...
Paul did not have that perfect life, a life that we all dream of, and continue to seek, he had many trials to endure. We all have our difficulties in life. I was reading about an incident on my local...
I enjoy watching murder mystery programmes that are full of twists and turns, red herrings, cul-de-sacs, suspense, deception and intrigue, all the while keeping the viewer guessing about the identity...
‘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 another kid. As humans, it...
In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul speaks very boldly about the nature of his ministry and the motivation that drives his message. Chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians...
Growing up in the Pacific, my fellow islanders and I have always been blessed with a rich heritage of culture, tradition, and faith. Just as the waves shape our shores, Christ’s love shapes our...
As beings with a human nature, we are all intimately acquainted with our old selves. If anyone needs a reminder, all they have to do is read Colossians 3, which paints a pretty good picture. Paul goes...
One of the most evocative symbols of the Holy Spirit is that of wind, illustrating his dynamic, invisible, and omnipresent nature. The Hebrew words ruach and nishmat together with the Greek word...
I never planned on becoming an enemy of God, but sooner or later we all chose the defiant way of life. So why is it that we are so easily swayed to take that path? There before the first man and woman...
Probably the most famous psalm in the psalter begins, ‘The Lord is my shepherd’ (Psalm 23:1). It is a profound metaphor depicting and affirming God’s loving care. The Lord our shepherd: ...
Have you ever misheard the lyrics to a song in a way that drastically changed the meaning? Most of us have done this at one time or another, perhaps you even had a favourite song that you only...
Visits from God’s messengers are threads that run through Jewish history, as recorded throughout the Old Testament. So although Mary was ‘troubled’ at the appearance of an angel, it was not an...
Have you ever run across a scripture you memorised years ago and have it slap you in the face with the fact that you haven’t fully updated your interpretation of it recently? That happened to me...
How many choices do we make in a day? Hundreds, thousands? From getting out of bed, to what we eat for breakfast, to picking up our phones or our Bibles, everything in our entire day requires choices....
The use of oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit is deeply embedded in the Bible. In the Old Testament oil was used for anointing kings and priests, signifying their consecration to God’s service. When...
Have you ever been frustrated to the point of tears? I bet you already have a view of my week. I, like everyone else, have a breaking point. I know I am weak compared to the strength, majesty, and...
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