What the Bible says about Blessing
What does it mean to bless someone? Does it actually do anything? How can a human bless God? We need a firm Biblical foundation for answering these questions. (Genesis to Revelation)
Baptism: Leaving the Old and Entering the New
The truth behind baptism is deeply empowering and encouraging, and can explain some of the tensions we experience as we try to live the Christian life. (Romans 6:3–11)
Chesed—A Word for Love Stronger than Any Other (Is 54:10; Ps 136 +)
Through stories of how God relates to humans we learn of a different kind of love that is at the core of who God is. Chesed is utterly faithful, loyal to the very end, a love that will never let you go. When you understand it, there is no word that is more beautiful. (Is 54:10; Ps 136 & other verses)
The Life of the Resurrection in Us Today (John 20, 1 Cor 15, Col 3)
The resurrection of Jesus was not simply coming back to life, but the start of a new kind of humanity. It gives us access to a new kind of life within us—empowered for victory. (John 20, 1 Cor 15, Col 3)
Reading the Old Testament in our Devotions
Old Testament Devotions Part 1 (Num 21; Ps 1,3; Isa 42; Gen 14) All the Bible is God’s Word, and is beneficial, but different parts have different purposes. Some parts are more suitable for study than devotional reading and we can get discouraged if we make this mistake. Here is a way of deciding where to read.
Loving and Worshipping the One Who Ransomed us
Mark in a Month Part 6 (Mark 14-16) Let us read the last three chapters, and feel what it was like for Jesus, the one who paid our ransom, and be filled with love and adoration for him.
Two Difficult Passages in Mark (11:23-24 & ch.13)
Mark in a Month Part 5 (Mark 11:23-24 & ch.13) Most of Mark’s Gospel is very easy to understand, but here are a couple of passages that give people problems: Jesus’ instructions about praying in faith seem confusing, and his predictions about the end of the age are hard to make sense of.
The Unexpected Message at the Center of Mark
Mark in a Month Part 4 (Mark 8:22-10:52) The center of Mark holds the core of Jesus’ teachings, but it is not what anyone was expecting. Even today there are many who call themselves Christians but don’t understand this idea. First and foremost it is a challenge to us to follow Jesus in this surprising way.
Making Sure our Hearts are not Hard, and our Ears are Ready to Hear
Mark in a Month Part 3 (Mark 4:9-13, 8:17-19) Does God deliberately harden people’s hearts to stop them repenting? Why did Jesus frequently accuse the disciples of unbelief? These are some of the questions that come up as we read through Mark, and lead to some powerful opportunities of hearing Jesus speak to us.
Daily Reading through Mark - The Big Story and Structure
Mark in a Month Part 2 (Mark 2:13-22) Let Mark’s presentation of Jesus engage you, captivate you, and change your life!
Hearing God Speak to you Personally Through the Bible
Mark in a Month Part 1 (Matt 5:13-16 & Mark 1:1-20) A method for daily Bible readings that you can try out for yourself, which will help you to more clearly hear God speak to you through the Bible.
What God Loves to Do
What God loves to do is to undo the work of Satan, turning the most broken and damaged people into the strongest and beautiful members of his Kingdom. (Mark 5:1–20)
Setting up Stones to Remember what God has Done
The practice of “raising up stones” is a powerful one that we should be doing to grow in our faith. Here are some stories to get you started. (Joshua 4 & 1 Samuel 7)
A Different Take on How to Please God
It’s wonderful to live under Grace and not Law, but sometimes it can leave us with a level of confusion. Is God pleased with me right now? Does it matter what I do? What God actually wants from us is not what most of us think! (Rom 4 & Gen 15)
Pulling Together the Overall Message of Ephesians that will Change your Life
Ephesians Part 26 (Eph 6:21-24) The New Creation has already begun, but the Old has not yet ended. We are living in the overlap, which is tough, but if we understand it will be a source of immense power and joy.
“I Will be With You!” - The most important thing to know in the coming year
The most amazing promises of God being with people run through the Bible. If we can truly get hold of these promises and allow them to sink deeply into us, it will be a huge strength for us as we go into the New Year (various Scriptures)
Connecting Deeply with Jesus as a Human
Jesus became a man, in part, so that we could have a deep relationship with him. The challenge today is, how can we deepen that relationship? (Heb 4:15-16)
How to Put On God’s Armour
Ephesians Part 25 (Eph 6:14-20) Fully taking hold of the message of Ephesians equips us for warfare in the spiritual world.
You’re Taller and Stronger than You Think You Are
Ephesians Part 24 (Eph 6:10-13) You live in two realities: material plus spiritual where there is a huge war raging. You are joined inseparably to Jesus, so take a stand with courage and joy.
Slaves and Masters — on Earth and in Heaven
Ephesians Part 23 (Eph 6:5-9) We ask why the Bible does not condemn slavery directly, explore the rich content of Ephesians 6:5-9 and the shocking challenge to all of us in the workplace, and talk about how this works out in practice today.