The Word and the words (10): Jesus is the light of the world -and he calls us to be witnesses to the light.

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the …

When we feel like the light’s been switched off

Our light can go out. Jesus' light never goes out. This is something we must never forget. It's not about our light. It's about His light. Our feelings tell us one thing. Jesus tells us something else. Who are we to believe: our feelings or Jesus, our Saviour? We know what our answer should be, …

God Is Our Helper. He Is Our Saviour.

“You are against Me, your Helper” (Hosea 13:9). God is our Helper. This is grace. How does He help us? He is our “Saviour” (Hosea 13:4). “You are against Me.” This is ingratitude. It’s not only disobedience of a command. It’s rejection of a love, the greatest love of all, the love of God. If …

We’re called to be “a people holy to the Lord our God.”

Deuteronomy 13:1-14:21 Obedience to God involves an uncompromising attitude toward those who would lead people away from God. Those who say 'Let us go and serve other gods' (13:2,6,13) must not be permitted to exert their evil influence on God's people. God says, 'You must not listen to them (13:3,8). Temptations to 'idolatry' can come …

Forgiveness and Victory

Genesis 26:1-35 ‘History repeats itself’. Sin has a ‘like father, like son’ quality about it - Isaac is like Abraham (7; 12:13, 20:2, 12-13), Jacob is like Isaac (7; 25:31,27:19). Grace repeats itself. God is faithful. He gives forgiveness and victory over temptation (1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13). He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy …

Love that goes on and on …

"God's love endures forever" (Psalm 106:1).  God's love for us is so much greater than our love for him. When life is hard and our love for God grows weak, God's love for us remains the same. He doesn't stop loving us. He keeps on loving us. When you feel like giving up, remember this: …

God loved you in the past. He loves you in the present. He will love you in the future.

We're no longer in the past. We're not yet in the future. We're in the present. What are we to say about our life in the present? Can we understand our life in the present without thinking about our past and our future? We're shaped by our past. We're preparing for our future. What kind …

God has done great things for us – and he will continue to do great things for us.

"Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord" (Psalm 130:1). "I will remember their sins no more" (Jeremiah 31:34). Who will lift us up - out of the depths? Can we do this for ourselves? or Must this be done for us - by God? The Lord finds us when we're in the depths - when …

Guide me in your truth…

“Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Saviour, and my hope is in You all day long. Remember, Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they have existed from eternity” (Psalm 25:5-6).What does God’s “truth” teach us? He is our “Saviour.” He is our “hope.” He is the God of “great mercy.” He …

Everything Can Be Turned Around – By God!

"This chapter reads like a whirlwind! And the Lord is in the whirlwind. What has angered God at Moab? See verse 26 - “Make her drunk, for she has defied the Lord. Let Moab wallow in her vomit;     let her be an object of ridicule." - this is the sin of sins. Judgment inevitably …

How are we to resist the devil?

‘Surely He will save you from the traps of the hunter’(Psalm 91:3). God has given us His warning. We must ‘be alert’- ‘Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’. He also gives us His promise - ‘Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’. How are …