Hebrews 6 describes some people who have come so far in their faith, but in the end reject God. Verse 6 has a strongly worded warning: “To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” It is as if they are figuratively aligning themselves with … Continue reading When a loving heart manifests as growling teeth
Podcast
God notices you
They were tired. They were undergoing hardship. They were questioning Jesus. You get the sense that they didn’t think God was noticing their work, their love, and the help they were giving to others. ‘Was any of it making a difference?’ It’s fair to say that they needed some encouragement. So the writer of Hebrews … Continue reading God notices you
Tie your shoes first
Knowing the ABC’s of Christianity is important. In fact, if we don’t have a solid grasp of the basics, it’s going to be difficult for us to move on to more complicated matters. The writer of Hebrews was frustrated with his readers. He says: “though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need … Continue reading Tie your shoes first
Stumbling blocks or building blocks?
The writer of the book of Hebrews was frustrated. His readers were being slow learners: “by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!... But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use … Continue reading Stumbling blocks or building blocks?
You shall have as much again, and 10 times more
In The Pilgrim’s Progress, two characters named Gaius and Mr. Honest have a poetic exchange: “A man there was (though some did count him mad),The more he cast away the more he had.He who bestows his goods upon the poor,Shall have as much again, and ten times more.”* There’s truth in that, isn’t there? People … Continue reading You shall have as much again, and 10 times more
When God adopts us
“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5, NLT). Dwain and Lorie Hargis had fostered many children. One year they met Olivia, a young girl who had bounced from house to house. She had a tough life and had learned how to … Continue reading When God adopts us
God’s timely help
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” In our time of need. You could also translate that phrase “for timely help.” In other words, God’s … Continue reading God’s timely help
Stay centred
A man answered a challenge to ride a remote control bull. He got on and started to ride. He thought he was doing pretty well, getting jolted this way and that. It had twelve levels so he was a bit shocked to learn that he had only managed to navigate level one! The operator had … Continue reading Stay centred
Why you can approach this throne with confidence
When you’re in over your head, who do you go to? You go to someone you know personally, who is trustworthy, and who has a track record of being helpful. I think that one of the reasons we don’t open up to God and invite him into our most desperate places is because, perhaps, we … Continue reading Why you can approach this throne with confidence
Beliefs that change how you live
In the much-quoted Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Brothers and sisters, you don’t actually believe beliefs that don’t change how you live. Notes: … Continue reading Beliefs that change how you live
