As from today, Monday, folk in the UK will no longer be discouraged from hugging. As various lockdown restrictions are being lifted, there are opportunities for more personal contact such as holding hands, giving a hug, things denied us for many months but which we have long taken for granted. It is that personal touch, ….  Read More

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, ….  Read More

How many of us could, like David, identify the ONE THING in our life that we desire above all else? There were few men more active and successful in the kingdom of Israel than King David, e.g. he tended flocks of sheep and defended them; he slew Goliath; he slew lions and bears; he led ….  Read More

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! 2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up Your strength, and come and save us! 3 Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! 4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will You be angry against the prayer of ….  Read More

Ever since sin invaded God’s creation there have been scoffers. They say, in ignorance, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation’, 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 4. Peter highlights how ignorant they are: Firstly, they are ignorant of ….  Read More

I suspect that many of you, like me, struggle with getting your priorities right. We allow the ‘many things’ to crowd out the more important ‘one thing’. In the Bible we meet those who ‘got it right’ and those who did not. Two sisters, Mary and Martha, lived in the attractive village of Bethany. On ….  Read More

O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your holy temple they have defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps. 2 The dead bodies of Your servants they have given as food for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. 3 Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem, and there ….  Read More

… so said the prophet Nahum and many more since his day, even when not understanding the purposes of God and the difficulties and sorrows in their lives. ‘The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him’ Nahum chapter 1 verse 7. We can be greatly encouraged, and challenged, ….  Read More

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your ….  Read More

So far this week we have considered two men, who asked the question, ‘WHAT SHALL I DO?’, as they faced momentous decisions. In conclusion, we meet the owner of a vineyard, in a parable Jesus told, who asked the same question, Luke chapter 20 verses 9-16. The owner planted a vineyard that he let out ….  Read More