“Remove Christ from the Scriptures and there is nothing left”, states Martin Luther. That is so true. Without Christ there would not be a way back to God. Without Christ there would not be life and more life to come. Without Christ we would be lost. That’s why I agree wholeheartedly with Paul writing: For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified…
Put your nose into the Bible everyday. It is your spiritual food. And then share it. Make a vow not to be a lukewarm Christian. (Kirk Cameron) This quote urges everyone to reach for their Bibles and then turn to others with the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Bible really is our spiritual food. Through the Holy Bible God still speaks to us. It is old but it is always up to date. Because it is the living word…
God rules: there’s something to shout over! On the double, mainlands and islands—celebrate! Bright clouds and storm clouds circle ’round him; Right and justice anchor his rule. Fire blazes out before him, Flaming high up the craggy mountains. His lightnings light up the world; Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear. The mountains take one look at God And melt, melt like wax before earth’s Lord. The heavens announce that he’ll set everything right, And everyone will see it happen—glorious! All who…
Nicolas Poussin. Eliezer Meets Rebecca. 1659-1661. Oil on canvas. Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, UK.Are you one of the people reading through the Bible in 2010? How is your reading going? I have struggled to find my way to do it. First, I realised that I need to keep a spiritual journal to report my questions and insights along the way. It has helped a lot. I have this tendency to always dig deeper. It’s fine but this way it takes forever…
God, God…my God! Why did you dump me miles from nowhere?Doubled up with pain, I call to God all the day long. No answer. Nothing.I keep at it all night, tossing and turning. And you! Are you indifferent, above it all, leaning back on the cushions of Israel’s praise?We know you were there for our parents: they cried for your help and you gave it; they trusted and lived a good life. And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm, something…
No doubt about it! God is good— good to good people, good to the good-hearted.But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness. I was looking the other way, looking up to the people At the top, envying the wicked who have it made,Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world. Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness.They jeer, using words to…
In the first part of the series I presented a formula for spiritual health. We need to have a healthy diet and a good balance of exercise and rest. All that together equals as the spiritual immune system. God (the Spiritual Immune System) : Father(Nutrition) + Son(Rest)+ Holy Spirit(Exercise) The second part of the series was about the Father/Rest in the equation. This third part of the series is about the Son/Nutrition. The fourth part of the series is going…
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20 NIV) Jesus is knocking. Can you hear him? Or is your life too noisy? Jesus is knocking. Will you open the door? Or are you too busy? Lent is a perfect time to get an annual spiritual check-up. How is your hearing? How is your vision? How…
How are you doing with you Lent resolutions? How is your fasting going? Are you experiencing any hardship yet? Have you been tempted? That’s part of the process. What do you do when temptations rise? To give in or not to give in, that’s the question. Jesus was tempted by the Devil right after he was baptised. Read Luke 4:1-13 (the Message). Jesus did not give in. Instead, he quoted Scripture back to the Devil: ‘Man does not live on…
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil.4:6, NIV) Do not be anxious! Easier said than done, right? But I do think that we can either worry or pray. We can’t do both. Either we worry and keep focusing on our problems. Or we pray and surrender to God. We are instructed to go to God with everything. With our joys, our sorrows, our troubles, our emptiness….
