So wrote the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians when their faith was being challenged by adversity. In God’s economy, all manner of trials will beset the way of the disciple in order to test faith and commitment: “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small” (Prov 24:10). One o…
The Faithfulness of God Read More »
It is surprising to note how many times Scripture affirms that our pilgrimage to the Kingdom will not be without pain and suffering. The very profession of God’s Truth can often bring animosity and persecution. It is all a verification of that said in the beginning, that there would be enmity betw…
Profit in Pain and Suffering? Read More »
When God gathers out of the Gentiles a people for His Name, in most circumstances He provides an ecclesial environment within which the new converts can grow and contribute to the wellbeing of others. For those of us who have the benefits of ecclesial life, we should pause and thank God for the stim…
The apostle Paul addressed these words to believers at Philippi in the midst of a warning that there were some “whose interests were centred on earthly matters”. Appended to his comment about our heavenly citizenship (Gk politeuma, from whence our word politics is derived) is the salient explana…
Christ and Politics Read More »
We live in a time of intense pressure, pressure in society and the ecclesia. It is a world of uncertainty and anxiety, fear and suspicion. What is needed at such a time?
The leaders of our world look to more rigorous safeguards, stricter policing, stronger military, more wiretaps, more security c…
Our Hope and Vision Read More »
With these words the Lord Jesus emphasized the sanctity of marriage. It is God who hears and acknowledges the solemn vows entered into by husbands and wives in which fidelity to each other is promised until death or the coming of the Lord. This solemn undertaking should not be entered into lightly, …
The Sanctity of Marriage Read More »
There are many reasons for the saint to be thankful—there always have been—but surely no generation ever had more for which to praise and thank the Father. Thanksgiving for the provision of our physical needs is obvious and, in addition, our thankfulness should know no bounds when it comes to th…
The above words are taken from the hymn which paraphrases the Lord’s Prayer. There is a salient lesson here for the followers of the Son of God. In Matthew’s account the words are, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (6:12). In the prayer we are caused to recognize that our…
“Forgive, As We Forgive” Read More »
In the November 13th 2006 Time Magazine there was an account of a 90 minute debate arranged by Time between an eminent Christian scientist, Francis Collins, and Richard Dawkins, an Oxford professor and an atheist. Collins says he believes God’s creative power “brought it all into being in the fi…
Evolution and Inspiration Read More »
“The Bible is the enlightener. If men would not be carried about by every wind that blows, let them study this. It will unfold to them the future, and make them wiser than the world. The coming years will not be years of peace. The policy of the Autocrat will be to throw his adversaries off their …
Faith Which Works by Love Read More »
