Jesus referred to himself as the true vine, yet the passages he refers to have an uncomfortable outcome. You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it…it took root and filled the land. [Psalm 80:8-11] Things start well: Just as the vine is planted and fills the land so the … More True Vine violated
The shock of my Christian life was realising that this description of the wicked fit me… In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. [Psalm 10:2] Arrogance comes from believing ourselves to be so ‘right’ we can tell others how to live. We give ourselves … More Realising my wickedness
After a long day, with the next day promising to be longer, I retired early. Then boisterous voices awakened me. It was going to be a long night! I was more frustrated for lack of sleep than the opportunity to meet God. Then I read this- I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he … More Is Jesus welcome?
When I lose peace, Psalm 73 helps… When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. (Psalm 73:21-22) I find I can’t settle my heart, let alone pray. I fight imaginary battles over what grieved and embittered me. Recognising this isn’t enough. I … More Regain peace
When I am thirsty for God I don’t want to be with him. Spiritual thirst drives out love so I reject its source. Practically, I struggle to read the Bible or pray, while being tempted by my cravings. … God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, … in a dry and parched land … More Finding God when spiritually empty
A single phrase changed my view of a whole passage. I had understood Psalm 78 as a history lesson of failure. Take- The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; they … refused to live by his law. They forgot … the wonders he had shown them. (Psalm … More What do we tell the next generation?
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by events and am disoriented – … the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. [Psalm 46:2-3] In such times I am comforted by the Lord as I look back at times … More Fear or love
We discover Glory through seeing Jesus’ return to heaven. How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! … For you have … withheld nothing he requested. (Psalm 21:1-2NLT) Following his crucifixion, Jesus returns with joy at God’s victory. All has been done, not by superman Jesus but, in divine partnership with God. You have … More Sharing in Heavenly Glory
The last of three avenues that Jesus says lead to glory- Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. [John 12:26] When the Lord of the universe honours us, there is glory, like in the parable of the talents … More Glory in service
The second of three avenues that Jesus says bring glory is the road to eternal life. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25) This eternal life is our hope; the hope of a life of intimacy with … More Glory in eternal life
