Genealogies can be boring. Matthew 1 starts with one. But for Jews, ancestry was all about identity, I think. This genealogy tells us who Jesus is. He is the promised Son of David: the King who will rule forever.He is the son of Abraham. He is the one through whom all the nations will be blessed. He is the one people have been waiting for … Continue reading Matthew 1
We all have things we struggle with. How do we keep perspective in hard times? One important answer is hope. In the Bible, hope is a certain assurance that God will help us, and that we have great things awaiting us in our heavenly future.1 As I’ve been studying hope, I’ve found some gems, and I’d like to share one with you: Therefore we … Continue reading Hope
Do you feel busy and overcome by all the different demands screaming at you in different directions? Do you feel you have no time to pray or be with the Lord? Martha could relate: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, … Continue reading Too busy to sit still?
Praise EAr (listen) Rest Love Lately I’ve been learning to live live from an attitude of praise and prayer and rest in Jesus, and then to love from that. Priority number #1 should be being with Jesus. From being with Him and listening to Him in His word, we can do everything else: not from being rushed, but by His power within us. A pearl … Continue reading pearl
Right now, I’m reading Leviticus. It’s a difficult book, about sacrifices, being unclean, impure blood flows, and so on. How does that have to do with our modern lives, and with our lives as a Christian? Of course, it goes back to a different time and a different culture. It was before Jesus, who revolutionised the way we could come to God. At the same … Continue reading Holiness and Leviticus
How many times have you looked in the mirror the past day? As women especially, we’re often looking in mirrors. (Male readers, I’m pretty sure this post is relevant to you as well; please keep reading!) I confess, I like staring in the mirror, and especially enjoy seeing it when my radiant face looks back at me. I look into the mirror rather a lot, … Continue reading mirrors
What do you look at? What do you gaze at in enjoyment and wonder? Is it your child when they score a goal? Is it the face of your loved one in the morning? Is it the sunset or sunrise that strikes you with beautiful colours? Or the beauty of the night-sky? We are inundated with images from day to day, some worth looking at … Continue reading gaze
Exodus 17:8-16 (NIV) 8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the … Continue reading victory
1 Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give … Continue reading love #1: the problem
In the previous blog, I discussed the necessity of going to the wilderness. Now we see Jesus Himself illustrate this. After Jesus was baptised, He was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. First however, he was gloriously affirmed by His heavenly Father: You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. Note that Jesus received this affirmation before He did any … Continue reading In the desert place #2 – Mark 1:9-13
Deeper 