Caused by others: 6:60-71; 9:35-41; 10:22-42; 11:45-57; 12:37-50; 18:15-18; 18:25-27 Predicted by Jesus: 5:16-47; 12:20-36; 13:18-38; 15:18 – 16:4 This is the first theme in John that focuses on something negative. So many of those around Jesus rejected Him, His ways, His teaching and the fullness of life that He was offering. It’s perhaps easier […]
Romans 15: 14-33 It feels as though this section of Romans is the start of Paul bringing things to a conclusion, but he still has plenty to say. He uses his own example, his own working out of what it means to be “living the gospel” to encourage us to be: priestly (vs. 14-17); powerful […]
Luke 1:47-56; 67-79 The songs of Mary (Luke 1:47-56) and Zechariah (Luke 1:67-79) express how they were living the experience of the Lord’s activity in their lives. Luke first introduced us to Mary & Zechariah through their questions and doubts. Yet, it was as the Lord worked in and through them that the song of […]
Romans 7: 1-25 Commentaries warn us to be careful not to try squeezing more meaning out of the illustrations we read in Roman’s than Paul would have intended. That’s certainly true for this chapter! Paul is not commenting in full about every aspect of marriage, but using just one headline example from the Mosaic law […]
Ruth 4. There is a moment in this chapter when it feels like the promise of hope is going to fail. Ruth’s rightful kinsman-redeemer will not meet his obligations, showing more concern for his own interests than in doing the right thing. Boaz stepped in and in doing so demonstrated the fullness of God’s ways […]
Living questionable lives – Live to Bless. Philippians 2: 1-11. This week’s task: “I will bless three people this week, at least one of whom is not a member of our church”. We underestimate the impact of blessing someone. A word of encouragement or affirmation, an act of kindness, or a thoughtful gift can bless […]
Matthew 6:12-15; Luke 11:4 A prayer-filled life of intimacy with God and trusting Him in all things needs to include seeking forgiveness for ourselves, from others, and towards others. A life of unity is vital for the flourishing of God’s Kingdom, and it’s reflected in the sincerity of our hearts of love. Anything less distorts […]
Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:1-11. Let’s not be too hasty to move on from Easter without noticing the implications for us today of the words of Jesus in “The great commission” (Mt. 28), and the commissioning of His church “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8)! We don’t have any comment in Matthew about a […]
John, 5:1-15; 6:1-15; 6:16-25; 20:30 The Bible passages selected here are just by way of a few examples. Many others can be looked at, and as John asserts, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book”. But these are written that you may believe […]
Luke 1: 26 – 56. Mary was young, not yet married, and pregnant. “How can this be?” is a perfectly reasonable question for her to ask! The conversation between Mary & the Angel of the Lord, and then Mary & Elizabeth, enabled her to find joy, even in the midst of unusual circumstances. Mary expressed […]