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?
What is the trail we leave behind? Is it of love, zeal or complacency? In our pursuit of Jesus we fall into traps. After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Galatians 3:3 I run ahead of Jesus. I presume that by … Continue reading What trail do I leave?
Many want endorsement through signs and wonders, after all- God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him. Acts 2:22 Yet we forget that endorsement was not enough Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. Acts 2:23 When … Continue reading Who is exalted?
Our culture has only one question to determine value – “Does it work?” Jesus takes a different view. After feeding the 5000 He leaves. Most would have continued the ministry. When the people find Him, He challenges their motives – ‘… you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but … Continue reading What do we value?
Jesus’ unearths His followers’ motives following the feeding of the 5000 because it is here that the eternal value of what someone does is seen. ‘Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. John 6:26 … Continue reading Live for eternity
Life circumstances push faith to the limit. We wonder why our ‘faithful God’ has abandoned us. Such trials expose the extent of our faithfulness to God’s word. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. (Ps 119:92) We can be so angry with God for allowing affliction that spiritual … Continue reading Life in trials
We see a world in flux. The ‘best’ lasts six months. The ‘must have’ I-Phone 5, gives way to I-Phone 6. If ‘the best’ lasts a year, how can the Bible, written thousands of years ago claim to persist? The Bible is clear about itself – Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. … Continue reading Eternal Word?
Jesus talks of how we choose to receive His word. An emphasis on visible results has pushed us towards – The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. Results are easy! We can count green shoots of decisions … Continue reading Choose Jesus’ way
What does it mean to be human? I find Jesus’ take shocking. When I survey our culture’s opinions I see anything from a triumphalistic ‘Top of the heap’ to ‘A virus wreaking destruction’. For many Christians, people are made in the image of God, and so to be respected. My shock came looking at the … Continue reading Being human
If God is so great, how come he made me like this? There are many who look at themselves and see only imperfections and a choice between a helpless God, or a God who doesn’t care. God speaks to this in Isaiah 44:2. This is what the Lord says – he who made you, who … Continue reading Created perfect?
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