JJ25 #22 – The Life-Giving Spirit

The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. (Genesis 2:7) Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy […]

JJ25 #21 – The Hovering Spirit

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2) God Sent His Spirit. The hovering presence of the Spirit never fails to intrigue me. There He was, hovering over the chaos that was the […]

JJ25 #20 – The King and His Kingdom

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36) God Sent His Son The controversy over the status of Jesus started even at His birth. When men […]

JJ25 #15 – Attentive

Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. (2 Chronicles 7:15-16) What an occasion for the people of […]

OTKC 24: Preach the Kingdom of Heaven

Proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Matthew 10:7 (ESVUK) What Did Jesus Mean? With this command, Jesus summons His disciples to announce God’s royal rule breaking into the present through His own person and work. The “kingdom of heaven” is not merely a place we go when we die; […]

OTKC 23: Pray for Workers of the Harvest

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:36-38 (ESVUK) What Did Jesus Mean? In the bustling […]

OTKC 21: Enter the Narrow Gate

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 (ESVUK) What Did Jesus Mean? […]

OTKC 18: Judge Not Hypocritically

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how […]

Marriage Reflections

It’s that time of year again when I prayfully reflect on the precious gift of marriage. On this occasion, with the time coinciding with the actual day that the private was confirmed publicly, it seemed right to share some of my reflections. 1. Love Her It might seem as though it gets easier after a […]

OTKC 16: Lay Up Your Treasures in Heaven

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. […]