What attitudes does the Lord look for in us? What attitudes do we actually display?
Can I rest when there is so much to do? God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. Hebrews 4v1 I can slip over those last words about failing to experience rest. It is easy to miss it in … Continue reading Rest?
When I hear people considering the dire state of the church the answer is often a technique of ministry or to humble ourselves and repent. The underlying thrust is to take initiative – “This is my problem how do I solve it?” Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel … Show us your mighty power. Come … Continue reading Whose answer?
When I am looking for signs is it because I don’t know which is God’s way and am willing to go anywhere he reveals, or is it because I am struggling to overcome unbelief or is it because I don’t want to believe and I put up obstacles to justify my unbelief? the Pharisees and … Continue reading Motives for a sign
A commercial view can invade my spirituality. when I see a need I can evaluate by what is “Necessary and sufficient”. Cost becomes king. Looking at the tenderness of Song of Songs shows our Lord expressing a different value system. I am the spring crocus blooming on the Sharon Plain, the lily of the valley. … Continue reading Tender Grace
What is my reference point? I live in a culture where the first port of call is expert opinion. Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. psalm119v89 I find myself looking at how experts have understood the world and then evaluating God’s word through the lens of that understanding. Yet, God’s … Continue reading Reference point
How do I behave when troubles have mounted up and I am squeezed beyond what I can cope with? Whenever I have been through such times my experience has been – We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. … Continue reading When do I squeak?
The eyes of the world have been on COP26. Will our leaders be able to save the world? Yet there is someone else we might want to be looking for Why was no one there when I came? Isaiah 50v2 We are so determined that salvation is in our hands that we seem incapable of … Continue reading Save the planet?
I can be indignant at the way people relate with me. I want God to deal with them but when I see how the Lord has dealt with me I see gentleness. There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of war. Psalm 76:3 I am interrupted … Continue reading Dealing with enemies?
Those who are invested in what they have, whether it is wealth or beliefs or value systems struggle giving them up to gain Jesus. Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Luke 18:17 There is a simplicity in following Jesus that threatens what we esteem. … Continue reading Too much to lose?
Jesus lived in a world of intense legalism. We live in a world where the battle lines are around values – BLM, Me Too, No Platforming, Pride, … The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. Psalm 2:2 Whenever people face off … Continue reading Battle Lines
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