“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 The text says that not only can God be just, but it says something more: it says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us […]
Faith and Healing
“On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.”In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road. Mark 10 v 52 We could read much into this verse, blind by sight but also blind to Jesus, this man reached out and asked for eyesight which he got […]
No shortcuts
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. Matthew 7 v 13-14 “How strait,” says Erasmus, […]
God isn’t late
Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space […]
Jesus is the cornerstone
With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One […]
We’re not all going to die
But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die— but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. On signal from […]
God-Colours
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, […]
Are you heavy laden?
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 “We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” […]
A Spirit of Power
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 Good things as well as bad, you know, are caught by a kind of infection…. You want to be warm, you must stand near a fire: if you want to be wet, you must get in […]
Weaknesses
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and […]
Do you want Jesus to come back?
He will and he is coming back – soon. But we don’t get to know the time. He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses […]
Challenges
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient […]