July – August 2022
The opening chapter of John’s gospel provides a wonderful introduction to the work of redemption in Christ. Beginnings always propose something important. Whether it is the beginning of God’s creative majesty in Genesis 1, or the rearrangement of the calendar to commemorate a great act of nation…
Full of Grace and Truth Read More »
In Paul’s epistle to the Romans, he dedicates nearly all of chapter 4 to argue (using the example of Abraham) that we are made righteous through faith, not by works of law or circumcision. However, in a chapter which talks extensively about Abraham’s faith shown in his implicit belief that God w…
Psalm 51 – Faith in Forgiveness Read More »
It will be recalled that at the time of 1 John there had been an ecclesial split over the teaching of the Gnostics. The Gnostics claimed to possess a profound knowledge (Gk: gnosis) of God and to have an intimate relationship with God that was far superior to that of other, lesser, brothers and sist…
First John (7) – God Is Love Read More »
From time to time, we come across some scriptural gems—nuggets of gold—which we have not seen before. Recent discussion about sin entering the world brought our thoughts to that amazing phrase, “the foundation of the world”. It is a New Testament phrase, occurring 10 times in the record, but…
The Foundation of the World Read More »
Viewed from afar, it might seem that the wall was built without a lot of interruption. Such a view would be completely wrong! Any building site, ancient or modern, faces challenges of one type or another. This one had them all! A brief summary:
Type
Response
Reference
Ridicule
It’…
Nehemiah – The Courageous Cupbearer (2) Read More »
Do you know there are seven new songs in the Old Testament Scriptures? I want to briefly take you over six of those songs. What, then, are we going to sing in the age to come? We are going to sing a new song—new, because for the first time we are going to experience these things. And our hearts wi…
Without involvement, there is no commitment. Mark it down, asterisk it, circle it, underline it. “No involvement, no commitment”—Stephen Covey.
Just how involved are we in the Lord’s work? Remember that at the age of twelve the Lord Jesus asked his mother, “Why did you seek me? Did you not…
Commitment Without Involvement is Dead Read More »
More than half desert, frequently hit with drought and subject to chronic water shortages in the past, Israel now produces 20 percent more water than it needs. But, in 2015, the gap between demand and available natural water supplies had reached 1 billion cubic metres. Israel’s rapidly growing po…
How Israel Used Innovation to Overcome its Water Crisis Read More »
In our postmodern times, most people regard prophecy with a great deal of scepticism. This was not the case in the ancient Greek world. People frequently consulted an oracle to know what to do in the future. Herodotus, in the 5th century BC, records a significant number of prophecies issued by the o…
Thinking too highly of ourselves
There is a great danger in thinking too highly of ourselves. Faithful men in the Bible fell into this trap during times of stress. Moses and Aaron had been instruments in God’s hands, fulfilling His will, and demonstrating His power to the nation of Israel. At one…
Seek Ye First (18) Read More »
