Moses, more than anyone in Old Testament scripture, had close encounters with God. One of the first times we see it is in the odd story of the ‘burning bush’. Moses was leading a flock of sheep to the base of Horeb (the mountain of God Exodus 3v1). And then…
[Read more…]“Called, Loved and Kept”
“To those who have been called, who are loved in God and kept for Jesus Christ”. Jude 1
We are going through a very bewildering time. For many of us, our lives have been turned upside down in many ways in recent months.
In such times it is easy for us to be confused, as though we can hardly think straight anymore. We struggle to make sense of things and to understand just what is going on.
It is easy to get our minds fixed on the things that we don’t understand – for them to fill our thoughts. And we feel very disorientated.
At such times I find it helpful to seek, with God’s help, to focus on the things that I do understand. Then, by God’s grace, I can know that whatever storms are raging around me, I am standing on solid rock.
[Read more…]The weak made strong
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ 1 Corinthians 1:25-31
I was reading about the ‘Olney Hymns’ – a collection of hymns written by John Newton and William Cowper – and was led to refresh my mind on the lives of these two great hymn writers. The account of their lives put me in mind of the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:25-31. Let me remind you briefly of the lives of these two men.
[Read more…]“Encourage one another daily”
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3v13
I have always been struck by this verse in Hebrews. The author clearly expects Christians to be in contact with other Christians on a daily basis – not just, say, weekly!
That is a challenge during this time when we haven’t even been free to meet as a church weekly, let alone daily!
[Read more…]Resting in Jesus
Not a difficult saying of Jesus today, but a hymn of praise to Him.
Jean Sophia Pigott was born in Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland on September 8th 1845. She died on October 12 1882 in Leixlip, County Kildare, aged 37. There is no biographical information about here, and maybe that is just as well.
The following hymn for which she is remembered says everything about her spiritual state. The language may be quaint but the message is clear. It has blessed me more than I can say and I trust it will do the same for you.
[Read more…]Watch Me
For my daily readings I use the CWR booklet ‘Inspiring Women Every Day’ which is written by women for women. The title for the month of June was ‘Hope in the waiting’ exploring what it means to walk as a Christian holding on to hope, and showing that whatever our circumstances we can place our trust in God, and that there is value to be found in times of waiting.
[Read more…]“Obedience fatigue”
We are familiar with the idea of “compassion fatigue” – when we hear of so many people across the world that need help (such as victims of famines and other natural disasters, refugees, etc) that we become weary of responding with compassion. I was very struck with a verse in Galatians that introduces another sort of fatigue -what I have labelled “obedience fatigue”.
Galatians 6v9: “Let us not become weary in doing good …”
A weariness, not of compassion, but of doing good. It is possible to become weary of doing all the good things that God commands us to do.
[Read more…]The Alternative Beatitudes
This is the fifth in the series and reminds us of what life was like before we became Christians and had all the benefits of Jesus’ wonderful yet challenging teaching at the beginning of Matthew chapter 5.
[Read more…]“No one has ever seen God”
“No one has ever seen God”. Do you know where this phrase appears? Maybe in some best-selling atheistic book? Something like “The God Delusion” by Richard Dawkins, or maybe “God Is Not Great” by the late Christopher Hitchens. Maybe it does appear in those books. But the phrase “No one has ever seen God” is in the Bible! Twice!
[Read more…]A Jealous God…
Have you ever found it odd that God describes Himself as a jealous God? But there it is, right there in the middle of the Ten Commandments, God says, “for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God!” And we’re left thinking, ‘What kind of God gets jealous?!”
Well, the answer is, “A God who loves.”
[Read more…]