Grow in grace, and give the glory to Jesus.

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18). This is the final thought Peter leaves us with, at the end of the second of his two letters. It's like he's saying to us, "This what I, really, want you to remember. …

The grace of God was poured out on me abundantly.

Acts 9:1-43 Saul the persecutor become Paul the Apostle (13:9). What a great turning-point this was in the life of the early Church! When we read of Paul's missionary journeys (13:1-28:31). we may be tempted to think, 'What a great man Paul must have been'. In his letters, Paul insists that we must not think …

To God be the glory!

"He who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31). Salvation is never something that we earn. It's always God's gift. When He saves us, He doesn't reward us for our good works. He saves us - despite our persistent failure to live the kind of life that pleases Him. He saves us …

The Problem, the Returning, the Blessing

James 5:19-20 The Problem - "if one of you should wander from the truth" The Returning - "if ... someone should bring him back" The Blessing - "Whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Does God have a message of hope for …

The Lord bless you and keep you.

"He placed a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see this and worship. They will trust the Lord. Blessed is the person who places his confidence in the Lord ... " (Psalm 40:3-4). Our worship brings joy to the heart of the Lord - and it, also, brings blessing …

“Is there any word from the Lord?” (Jeremiah 37:17).

There are different ways of asking questions. "Is there any word from the Lord?" This is a question which invites Jeremiah to speak the Word of the Lord. In Genesis 3:1, we have a very different way of asking questions - "the serpent ... said to the woman, Did God really say ... ?" The "ancient serpent …

Has God forgotten us?

Genesis 30:25-31:55 We read about Jacob and Laban. Jacob says that he wants to return to his homeland: "Send me on my way so that I can return to my homeland" (30:25). Laban persuades Jacob to "stay" (30:27). As time passed - it became clear that things weren't working out well. Jacob and Laban weren't …

Walking in the truth, and walking in love

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us... As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love" (2 John, verse 4 and 2 John, verse 6). Walking in the truth, Walking in love, We need …

I have been delivered.

Genesis 32:1-33:20 Between preparing for meeting Esau (32:1-23) and meeting Esau (33:1-20) - there is the mysterious incident of Jacob wrestling with an angel (32:24-32). This is the section on which we focus our attention We emphasize Jacob's words - "I will not let you go unless you bless me" (26). What was the blessing …

Mourning For Our Sin, Rejoicing In God’s Salvation

"It is surely ours to combine these elements of mourning for sin and joy in our salvation in one complex and composite experience which keeps us perpetually humble and yet perpetually joyful too" (Rev William Still - on Numbers 28:16-25).

Jesus is the risen Lord.

"The revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1). "I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!" (Revelation 1:18). Jesus reveals himself to us. What does he tell us about himself? He tells us that he is "the Living One." He was dead. Now, he's alive. The book …

Is there any hope for our nation?

‘Look at the land of the Babylonians, this people that is now of no account!’ (Isaiah 23:13). We read these words, Lord, and we wonder, “What about our nation? Is there any hope for our nation?” To the nation which turns to You, Lord, You  speak Your promise of blessing – ‘Blessed is the nation …

Lord, You call us to ‘draw near’ to You.

Lord, You call us to ‘draw near’ to You. You want us to ‘pay attention’ to You. Help us to ‘listen’ to His Word (Isaiah 34:1). Your Word is not always what we want to hear. It will always be what we need to hear. ‘The Lord is angry with all nations’ (Isaiah 34:2). We don’t like to hear …

The Sin, the Suffering, the Supplication, the Salvation

(1) The Sin "They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!’" (Numbers 21:5). (2) The Suffering "Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people …

Trust in the Lord forever.

"Trust in the Lord forever.... the Lord is an everlasting rock!" (Isaiah 26:4). Forever, everlasting - We must never lose sight of this eternal perspective.