Paul identifies himself as both a servant of Christ and one entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed (1 Corinthians 4:1). It is to the first part that we warm to; we know our place as servants. The challenge is the second part; that we have been given a sacred trust of the mysteries that … Continue reading Entrusted with mysteries
Sometimes we presume God will act. The Psalmist indicates that prayer is needed even when it seems God is sure to act. Psalm 119:169 May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. I can presume that if I spend time meditating on God’s word I will gain understanding since … Continue reading Not presuming on the Lord
A sense of horror overwhelmed me as I realised that it was only by the Lord holding me on a tight leash that I was kept from working for the destruction of His people. The Lord has given me a degree of wisdom. As I have watched a spiritual train wreck happening, I have been … Continue reading Wise foolishness
When I focus on my Father, I see His kindness and His justice in the way He tenderly deals with my failure and restores me. As I focus on Him, I begin to live out His values of kindness, justice and righteousness. The means a person uses to focus on the Father is their spiritual … Continue reading Focus on the Father
My life is shake proof after I let go of the shakable. I find out what is shakable when circumstances threaten and I seek God for His peace. “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, he is my fortress, I shall never … Continue reading What is shakable?
When we think we have ‘the answer’ in a spiritual pathway, then we risk worldliness. Paul says, Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. … 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not … Continue reading Worldly spirituality
Why would God allow a law changing the understanding of marriage to go through parliament? As I pondered in prayer, it occurred to me that the Lord is being consistent. How many times I have looked at a situation getting worse and thought, I must do something about that. I put it off only to … Continue reading Facing reality
When I read of the collapse of God’s people in the last days of Israel before the Assyrian invasion, I am amazed that godliness could be wiped out in such a short time. Then I look at what has happened in the UK. Thirty years ago even an agnostic would know the basics of Christianity … Continue reading Torrent to come?
I can feel the burden of ministry and a responsibility to serve. Yet ‘He says, “I removed the burden from their shoulders, their hands were set free from the basket.’ (Psalm 81:6) It is the Lord I serve. If He removes the burden and asks me to walk away from something then why stubbornly refuse? … Continue reading Letting go
Are we answering questions people are not asking? The gap between those with theological training, and those without has become so great, and developed so quickly, that the spiritually mature can be unaware that their answers fail to meet the questions of the spiritually unaware. Henry Nouwen’s ‘Reaching Out’ points out that a hospitable teacher … Continue reading Asking questions of society
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