We desire to see the Lord’s fame go to the world, to see God yield His harvest. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him. (Psalm67:6-7) This skips to the end of a process. It … Continue reading Overflowing grace
Only when we understand Jesus, do we understand life, for He defines it. When we understand Him we are aligned with the One who is the Life. Jesus was challenged over the validity of his teaching. “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” (John 8:13) His defence was curious. … Continue reading Live the Truth
What does it mean for a loved child of God to wear ‘the mantle of shame’? (Ps89:45) We live in a world that beats down our identity and threatens us. In our insecurity we accuse the world of doing this, but the Psalmist points to the Lord– ‘YOU have broken through all his walls and … Continue reading Mantle of shame
8 Praise our God, all peoples, … 13 You brought us to a place of abundance. These verses of Psalm 66 begin and end with something we desire: To overflow with praise at God’s abundance. The road to abundance however, runs through fires of refining. 11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on … Continue reading Price of abundance
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
Christmas is often expressed as a time to live without limits. John the Baptist challenges our generation with its rejection of boundaries. We don’t think to ask “Who has God made me to be?” but rather, “What could I make of myself?” John the Baptist knew who he wasn’t. He did not fail to confess, … Continue reading Christmas without limits?
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