Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us. Jesus is the true and better Abel who, though innocently slain, has blood now that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for acquittal. Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the […]
Every Day
I will give thee for a covenant of the people
I will give thee for a covenant of the people Isaiah 49:8 Jesus Christ is himself the sum and substance of the covenant, and as one of its gifts. He is the property of every believer. Believer, canst thou estimate what thou hast gotten in Christ? “In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead […]
Let the people renew their strength
Let the people renew their strength Isaiah 41:1 All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing continueth by itself. “Thou renewest the face of the year,” was the Psalmist’s utterance. Even the trees, which wear not themselves with care, nor shorten their lives with labour, must drink of the rain of heaven […]
Continue in prayer
Continue in prayer Colossians 4:2 It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as […]
We will be glad and rejoice in thee
We will be glad and rejoice in thee. Song of Solomon 1:4 We will be glad and rejoice in thee. We will not open the gates of the year to the dolorous notes of the sackbut, but to the sweet strains of the harp of joy, and the high sounding cymbals of gladness. “O come, […]
They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year
“They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.” Joshua 5:12 Israel’s weary wanderings were all over, and the promised rest was attained. No more moving tents, fiery serpents, fierce Amalekites, and howling wildernesses: they came to the land which flowed with milk and honey, and they ate the old corn […]
It is time for a change
In 1984 I became a Christian and I have never regretted the decision. Becoming a Christian is life transforming – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5 v 22 – 23). You will become renewed. You will become a new creation. So then, […]
Water
He that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:25 We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. […]
Seek ye me in vain
I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. Isaiah 45:19 We may gain much solace by considering what God has not said. What he has said is inexpressibly full of comfort and delight; what he has not said is scarcely less rich in consolation. It was one of these “said […]
Riches
The unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8 My Master has riches beyond the count of arithmetic, the measurement of reason, the dream of imagination, or the eloquence of words. They are unsearchable! You may look, and study, and weigh, but Jesus is a greater Saviour than you think him to be when your thoughts are […]
Sick for my Lord
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love. Song of Solomon 5:8 Such is the language of the believer panting after present fellowship with Jesus, he is sick for his Lord. Gracious souls are never perfectly at ease except they are […]
It is finished
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19 v 30 This morning I heard these word sung in a worship song and it hit home once again, this is it, there is nothing more to be done, Jesus has […]
Fasting and Feasting
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom […]
Election and Holiness
Delivered on Sabbath Morning, March 11th, 1860 “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is […]
How To Become Fishers of Men
Charles Haddon Spurgeon(1834-1892) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 Verses quoted, unless otherwise noted, are taken from theHOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, ©1984 by the New York Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. When Christ calls us by his grace we must not […]
Peacemakers
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. Matthew 5:9 MSG We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things […]
The best meal
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. Matthew 5:6 MSG We seem in this to hear the lesson which our Lord had learnt from the recent experience of the wilderness. The craving of bodily hunger has become a parable of […]
I am the road
Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” John 14:6 MSG I am the way – See Isaiah 35:8. […]
Singing in Adversity
Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheep-less and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to GOD. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Saviour God. Counting on GOD’s Rule to prevail, I take […]
Love
My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is […]
Does God give up on you because you’re old!
No and you shouldn’t either. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they spoke to Pharaoh. Exodus 7:7Just take that in Moses was 80 and Aaron 83! And a rough estimate of Joshua’s age when starting his ministry is around 80! He entered the promised land and with God conquered the lands and […]
What is church to you?
The Anglican church in Cornwall is going through a rather dramatic and damaging change. It has decided to create 7 ‘mega-churches’ across the county, allowing smaller churches to die. The idea is that when the small local church dies they will go to one of these larger churches, reducing running costs across the county. But […]
God claims our trust
GOD wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors. GOD stepped in and mightily bought you back out of that world of slavery, freed you from […]
Salvation Gardening
Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, […]
Talking
There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can […]
Guidance
I am adding a new topic on this site where I will be blogging about the ups and downs of a Christian life. At this point I am reminded of Adrian Plass’ first diary entry in his amusing book, The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass. He basically opens his diary with an opening paragraph detailing […]
It will catch up with you
A God-loyal life keeps you on track; sin dumps the wicked in the ditch. Proverbs 13:6 MSG A God-loyal life is doing what is right and living to please God. It has nothing to do with your habits, preferences or traditions, it is simply journeying through life and going God’s way. It is the narrow […]
Do you justify yourself?
We justify our actions by appearances; GOD examines our motives. Proverbs 21:2 MSG Every person is right in his own eyes and in his own way – well nearly everybody! Your sinful ways promise you pleasure, profit and honour and your ways probably suit you. But the Lord he weighs your heart, he considers it […]
Who do you keep company with?
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Keeping company with God is an exciting journey, it is also to gain tranquillity. Why tranquillity? We seek after all manner of things – money, things, happiness, sex, love. When you keep company with the Lord he will […]
Do you know what you’re doing?
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master […]
Justice
I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time […]
End of my rope
Hurry with your answer, GOD! I’m nearly at the end of my rope. Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I’m all […]
In God
When I get really afraid I come to you in trust.I’m proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do? Psalm 56:4 – The Message How do you do at the height of your troubles? David had no hesitation to say, when I get really afraid, I trust God. His life was […]
Wisdom
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 – ESV The challenge here is not in these verses but in all the verses before these. Jesus has just finished the sermon on the mount full of much […]
The Holy Spirit
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 – ESV This verse has an importance when we take into account the promised aid of the Holy Spirit in preserving […]
Wisdom
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 – ESV There is only one source of wisdom and that is God. Looking elsewhere is foolishness. Unfortunately we see intelligence, education as wisdom and they are different. Even human wisdom is not as God gives. So what is Godly wisdom? […]
Salvation
Sing to God a brand-new song.He’s made a world of wonders!He rolled up his sleeves,He set things right.God made history with salvation,He showed the world what he could do.He remembered to love us, a bonusTo his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.The whole earth comes to attention.Look—God’s work of salvation! Shout your praises to God, everybody!Let loose and sing! Strike up […]
Goodness
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 – ESV Paul encourages us to do good to each other and focuses particularly on not repaying evil with evil. When he was writing this I wonder if he had in […]
Waiting on the Lord
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,“God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.He energises […]
Shepherds
There were shepherd’s camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Saviour has just […]
Virgin Birth
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him […]
Singing God’s praises
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:14 MSG Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who […]
Life-Light
Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out. John 1:4-5 MSG John is not writing a biography, he is writing about real life. […]
God with us
So Isaiah told him, “Then listen to this, government of David! It’s bad enough that you make people tired with your pious, timid hypocrisies, but now you’re making God tired. So the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She’ll […]
The Star
Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered […]
Jesus, our great High Priest
Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him […]
The Word
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14 MSG Christianity does not involve the belief that all things were made for man. it does involve the […]
Creation
Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out. John 1:5 MSG The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, […]
Jesus’ Priesthood
Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them. Hebrews 7:25 MSG The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a priest as “one […]
Filling your Minds
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realised. […]