SCRIPTURE: Psalm 144 “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1) I do not live in the violent world that David lived in. War, crime, violence… people were always attacking each other. Does God really prepare us for battle? Not in the cruel, violent, unjust sense,…
Be very very careful!
SCRIPTURE: Jude 1 “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23) We are in the world, but we should not be of the world, or like the world. We are not called to hide but…
Faith that works
SCRIPTURE: James 1-5 “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (James 2:22) There is no such thing as true faith that does not work itself out in love. If I say I believe in the grace and love of Jesus, yet I don’t…
Finishing well!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 20:13-24 “My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.” (Acts 20:24) Paul has a very clear sense of calling and purpose. This is his personal mission statement:“The task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24) Can you express your sense of calling…
Just as He determines!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 20:7-12 “The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.” (Acts 20:12) I wish I had this healing gift: to raise up people who fall asleep in my sermons. God graces this community with this miracle through Paul to comfort them. God will grace each person or church differently… just as He…
Wanted: Encouragers!!!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 20:1-6 “Speaking many words of encouragement to the people.” (Acts 20:2) Having just survived a riot, Paul meets with the disciples to encourage them. He travels to the churches, encouraging all the disciples. If ever there was a time for encouragement, now is the time. Being a Jesus follower is not easy, with many social,…
Reading the Bible with Jesus: Psalm 63
You can find more about my weekly Bible readings HERE. This week I am focusing on Psalm 63 (Monday, August 3 – Sunday August 9)
Fight fair!
SCRIPTURE: Acts 19:32-41 “It must be settled in a legal assembly.” (Acts 19:39) The city clerk believes in ‘the great Artemis’, which he feels is undeniable (v.36). Yet he speaks with wisdom and justice, and handles this city crisis well. We can find wisdom and justice among those who don’t know Jesus! We are all created by God,…
Led by His Spirit
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 143 “So my spirit grows faint within me.” (Psalm 143:4) With all that is going on in David’s life, his inner spirit is failing. He is desperate, weak, overwhelmed, dismayed… yet not defeated! He still knows where to find the strength, wisdom and direction he needs. “May your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”…
Fixing our eyes on Jesus
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 12-13 “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” (Hebrews 12:1) So much in this life can get in the way of hanging on to God’s life. How we live now has a huge bearing on how we will live forever. The Jesus life, the only fulfilling way to…