As a follower of Jesus what do you live for, the cross or the crown? It’s a question that occurred to me this evening. The symbol of the cross is a prominent one in the faith. Paul mentions the cross on a number of occasions in his letters and Peter mentions it once in his. […]
Read More Cross or CrownThis evening, my friend Oenca Fontaine had a book launch for her new book My God In A Time Like Now. Oenca has a lot of strings to her bow, she is an incredibly talented trainer, communicator and networker. Her book launch was a brilliant expression of that. The event had people from a variety […]
Read More Abundant LifeNow Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not […]
Read More Acts Actually: 6 – Stephen, The Spirit and Trouble Part 1Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. (Acts 4:29, 30, […]
Read More Acts Actually: 4 – Responding to ResistanceThen Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6) The interesting thing about money and the pursuit of it is that it’s not really about the money. It’s always about what the money will get […]
Read More Acts Actually: 3 – Giving What You’ve GotThey devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every […]
Read More Acts Actually: 2 – Simple ChurchDear children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21) The end of the love letter of John to the church is rather abrupt and can appear to come from nowhere. After all, he has been outlining the importance of faith in the Son, living in the Son, accepting the testimony about Jesus Christ being the […]
Read More The Love Letter of John: 5 – How To Avoid IdolatryThere’s nothing like a good epilogue. I enjoy watching the end of the episode of a long saga where apparently all the loose ends have been tied up. Only to see afterwards a mini-episode with something else for us to consider. Something that helps us consider the fact that the story is not yet over. […]
Read More The Word In John: 21 – You Must Follow MeChristianity is not about a system of how to be good. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31) The gospel of John evidently could have been written with other material and other stories, […]
Read More The Word In John: 20 – So That You Will BelieveIt used to be with a very heavy heart that I used to read this chapter. Of late, however, I read it with intrigue. In chapter 1 when Nathaniel received proof of the claims of Jesus, he reverently acknowledged Him as the King of Israel. In this chapter Pilate recognises more about the status of […]
Read More The Word In John: 19 – The King Crucified, The Job Finished
