“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.“ PSALM 119:105
There is no real dispute among serious historians about the validity of the claim that Jesus rose from the dead. The only real dispute is whether you believe that it is sufficient to solve the quest for life or not.
What is a Christian and how to become one:
https://www.gotquestions.org/become-a-Christian.html
“The service commenced and as soon as the first hymn/song was announced I began to well up. We started to sing, and in that way that happens on occasion – your life, your feelings and the moment collide and collude to hit you where you’re at.”
“Only a couple of times in my life have I ever felt so alone that I wanted to give up the fight…”
Should Christians worry when there are threats to cancel Christmas?
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II left me feeling a little uneasy. I felt that a reassuring presence had been taken away. But I remembered that we do have a King and I felt reassured again…
We hold David up as an example, a paragon of virtue and as a type of Christ. And he is – but he is still a sinful human being and even godly men can err. David recognised his own weakness as a sinner; a rebel by nature from birth. But it is a great encouragement and relief to us that we can call upon a loving, merciful God when we mess up.
While life can often feel like a battleground – with all its ups and downs and struggles – we can live with real hope, knowing that one day, we will be with our Lord Jesus when the consummation of all our hopes are finally satisfied.
Read more on Hope: https://walking-with-the-word.com/2019/12/25/overview-luke-24-theres-always-hope/
One of the most fundamental things for a Christian to grasp is who they have become in Christ. We can easily see the benefits of being in Christ: eternal security through the forgiveness of sins, a relationship with the living God and the hope that sustains us through our earthy pilgrimage, but what is it that underpins it all?
We have been given ‘Every Spiritual Blessing’ to keep us and to help us to stand in a world which is very much at odds with us.
In this series on Ephesians, I will explore these spiritual blessings, the heavenly weapons we have to fight with and the reality of sitting, walking and standing in-Christ.
More from this series:
https://notrecommendedforministry.wordpress.com/tag/sit-walk-stand/
Further Reading: https://www.reachtheisles.com/post/my-hope-is-built-on-nothing-less
There will be times when you feel less than confident in following your calling, and this is understandable – the task can at times seem overwhelming – some days you may even struggle to get out of bed to do what you have been called to do, making all sorts of excuses. You will also inevitably face all sorts of opposition, not only from within, but also from without.
How can we be confident going forward?
The fifth part of series about Calling and Missions called ‘Be Ready’.
More from this series: https://notrecommendedforministry.wordpress.com/tag/missions/
It can be very tempting when engaging in ministry to get ahead of yourself, where the temptation is to ‘hit the ground running’, but, if we limit ourselves to our own efforts and imagination and work within our own comfort zone, we do exactly that: we limit ourselves and will fall short of what He has called us to do!
The fourth part of series about Calling and Missions called ‘Be Ready’.
A friend asked the question, “Is it okay to prune my shrub back hard because it has become unruly and leggy?” I double checked online and then answered in the affirmative. My friend was concerned it would look dead and woody, so I assured them that they will get some nice fresh growth when it grows back.
Does your life need any pruning to encourage ‘fresh growth’?
Explore Further: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPm1d8kBhT30qtoh6uTbg9i2ZVJGePo12
In order to get us to the place where we can completely rely upon God and trust in His Word, our hearts must be prepared… the third part of series about Calling and Missions called ‘Be Ready’.
The third article in the series Be Ready…
Other articles in this ‘Be Ready’ series:
https://notrecommendedforministry.wordpress.com/tag/missions/
In church meetings across the world, week after week, we hear this rather encouraging portion of Scripture, reminding us that God is with us when we are gathered together in His [Jesus] name. Is it true that where two or three are gathered, God is with us…? Read on to see the answer to this question…
Some Christians question their assurance of salvation based on whether they said the right words when they prayed to receive Christ.
So, what are we to rely upon, and how are we to be saved?
I often refer to the sentiment: “It’s not just pie-in-the-sky when you die; it’s also steak-on-your-plate while you wait.” It may be rather crude and unscientific, but I like the simple way it encourages us to realise that although we know we ought to live with eternity in mind, we also need to understand that life was always meant to be a fulfilling prospect too.
Some excellent material on Worldview:
https://youtu.be/49_M-hYw7hs
(1st in a series of short clips on Worldview)
Every year thousands gather to Remember the fallen from wars fought that allow us the freedom we enjoy today. Remembrance is in the heart of God for us humans, because we so easily forget the good things He has done.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
To End All Wars: https://youtu.be/StuOWU4b1to
Mankind’s insatiable appetite for progress, improvement and perfection drives us to seek great achievements in fulfilling that appetite. One can easily become obsessed with things like accumulating knowledge, attaining athletic prowess or taking extreme measures to maintain our youthful good looks. But does this really achieve what it sets out to do…?
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” (Jim Carrey)
How many times have you heard the expression that a leopard cannot change its spots? Perhaps you don’t believe that people can change but, according to the Bible, even the worst of sinners who repent can be transformed.
Watch this video “Hope Beyond Coronavirus” : https://youtu.be/KoQMg4-u-wU
Are you ever accused of not having enough faith when life gets tough? Are you in the middle of a storm and long for calm. Do you long for peace in the midst of chaos? Jesus wants us to learn to trust Him and not be afraid, despite what may be happening in our lives!
Watch this video “Hope Beyond Coronavirus” : https://youtu.be/KoQMg4-u-wU
Worship can take many forms but the stipulation from Scripture is to worship in ‘Spirit and in Truth’. There is, however a danger of us committing idol worship. There can also be a tendency for us to add something to the simple worship of God. Let’s see what Manasseh, King of Israel did once he realised his mistake…
During the Covid19 lockdown period many of us had a lot of time on our hands. I don’t know about you but I made many plans to catch up on all the things I complain I don’t usually have the time to do. It’s surprising how difficult it can sometimes be to motivate ourselves to get on with things sometimes, we are creatures of habit… but there is hope – we are not left to our own devices!
Sometimes, I think we can switch between being like Saul, or being like David, as we navigate our walk through the Christian life. Where is your heart today? Do you trust and seek the Lord in all things, or are you content doing your own thing?
In my last article I tried to reassure us that when God calls a person to a specific work, the calling is unmistakeable. Notwithstanding this certainty, even once called we can still be plagued by a feeling of inadequacy: will we have the ability to carry out that which we have been called to do?
The second part of series about Calling and Missions called ‘Be Ready’.
More from the series Be Ready:
https://notrecommendedforministry.wordpress.com/tag/missions/
Do you have a dream for your future? Do you ever wonder if you’ll miss the calling of God on your life?
A look at the calling of Moses.
This is the first part of series about Calling and Missions called ‘Be Ready’. For more from this series: https://notrecommendedforministry.wordpress.com/tag/missions/
Death hangs over us all whether we like it or not: It’s the one thing we cannot escape or have any control over. Jesus death was hanging over the disciples as He lay in the tomb, all their illusions shattered at the Cross. But it’s not over yet.
The Resurrection is the most important event in human history bar none.
https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/bethanypwllgwaun/sermons/42620112277491/
Finally, after all the plotting and scheming by the religious leaders they were getting their way and were openly calling for His demise. So that was that, Jesus would be crucified. His disciples and followers must have been confused and bewildered at this turn of events.
The whole of Jerusalem is preparing for Passover. Jesus, the Son of God will soon become the Passover Lamb. His sacrifice and the subsequent application of His blood will cause death to pass-over those to whom it is applied, freeing them from their slavery to sin and death.
The account of the widows gift to the temple may seem out of place just prior to the discourse about end times, but talking of its future highlights the contrast between how devoted the people were to this institution which became redundant long ago and its imminent destruction (which happened only 40 years later in AD70). We must not be overly engrossed in how things are going to go before the end; be on your guard, don’t be overly distracted by the pleasures or the worries of life.
You can imagine the Pharisees wondering who this upstart was who turns up and acts like He owns the place. Here was Jesus throwing tables around, teaching about Scripture like He wrote it and constantly insulting them as though they didn’t know God at all.
We pick up the account here in Jericho, but Jesus has always been heading towards Jerusalem. There is still much to be said and done, still more to learn from Jesus, but the very purpose of His visitation (to earth) will soon come to a head. Meanwhile, the jealous leading religious Jews of the city were looking for a way to destroy Him.
Walking With the Word : Paul Curd 