Easter has just passed, and I found myself reading John 3:14-15, where Jesus refers to Numbers 21:4-9. Both are well-known texts, but what strikes me is the way that Jesus, in His early days, must have pensively considered the text as He read it or heard it read. It must have been hard to dwell on. In His… Read More »
I discovered a new word recently. Well, I’ll come clean: I heard it on Radio 4 as I drove to work, and after looking it up in the dictionary, I began to muse about it. The word is “palimpsest,” which refers to a piece of writing material, like parchment, that was used multiple times after earlier writing was… Read More »
It is intriguing to note that in the bible narrative where Moses appoints seventy elders for Israel and brings them before God for God to anoint them with the Holy Spirit, that only two of them are named – the ones who are in the camp, Eldad and Medad. (Num 11:16-29) The incident is interesting because a number… Read More »
drawing close to God The Church I attend, Emmanuel Sheffield is one of many across the UK that has realised the great encouragement the gift and ministry of prophecy brings. We embrace it because, as we learn from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, prophecy—along with the other gifts (or ‘gracelets’) of the Spirit—builds, encourages, and edifies the church,… Read More »
If you are reading through your Bible in a year, the book of Jude at approximately 431 words will probably be a treat. What will be a challenge, however, is what to do with Jude’s challenge “Keep yourselves in the love of God,” (Jude 1:21-23). It’s a verse that leaps out at you and carries a richness and… Read More »
In all the excitement of the Book of Acts, we sometimes need to apply the brakes on the narrative rather than accelerating through significant moments onto the thrilling spectacles of signs, wonders, healings, and miracles. A case in point is Acts 15, where, upon realising that the Gentiles were also privy to the greatest opportunity in history (the… Read More »
What is your big story? What has God been orchestrating in your life throughout the years? The story of Jonah, profoundly familiar to us, demonstrates open and honest transparency—at least in the manner he narrates it. Had Jonah not confessed his flaws, we would have remained oblivious to the truth. Alternatively, the prophecy of Jonah could have been… Read More »
I wonder what would have happened if Adam and Eve had repented of their sin of disobedience in the Garden, where not a single weed existed and everything flourished beautifully. I’m not sure they understood the implications of their actions until the time of confrontation—everything about life at that moment was brilliant; surely, whatever came next would be… Read More »
Romans 12:1-11 marks a pivotal moment in the Book of Romans, serving as a practical guide for followers of Jesus, illustrating how to embody our beliefs in tangible ways. It acts as a manual for putting faith into practical action. Initially, Paul urges us to live our lives as a ‘thank you’ to God, acknowledging His deeds for… Read More »
In our Christian journey, we are met with a wide range of experiences that challenge and stretch us. These moments, at first glance, might seem like hurdles, yet upon closer reflection, they unfold as divine invitations from God, calling us deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ. We’re not adopting an optimistic view through rose-tinted glasses here; it’s… Read More »
Have you ever pondered why some Jews sway back and forth whilst praying or reading the Torah? Why don’t Christians practise this, or do they? It appears this action is known as shuckling, and it’s conceivable that Jesus Himself may have engaged in it. If He did, you can be certain the Apostles did as well. Implications? This… Read More »
If there’s one thing that could be said about Stephen’s presentation of the gospel in the book of Acts, it’s “courage.” Stephen’s well known sermon in Acts 7, especially his change in tone in Acts 7:51 where he confronts the Jewish council, saying, “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As… Read More »
I don’t follow football closely, but the recent news about Jürgen Klopp, the 56-year-old manager of Liverpool Football Club, resonated with me and sparked my curiosity. When Jürgen announced his decision to step down, citing a realisation that his previously seemingly endless energy levels were now depleted, it was easy for people to speculate about more sensational reasons… Read More »
If you read the Psalms through regularly, you will have come across a verse in Psalm 62:11 written by David, the second king of Israel. God has spoken once; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God. He’s a larger-than-life character, revered as a poet, warrior, and a man deeply devoted to God. Many of his… Read More »
One of the remarkable things about the Lord’s Prayer is the disclosure that ‘when you pray, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret – and… your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’ (Mt 6:6-7) It doesn’t tell you how to pray, what to say, or even how… Read More »
In the powerful and inspiring tale of Noah and the Ark, especially in those tension-laden seven days before the heavens opened, we find a challenging reflection of our own lives. Noah’s days were not merely a countdown; they were a profound journey of faith, a testament to unshakable belief amidst doubt and ridicule. Chopping down trees left right… Read More »
You will have noticed elsewhere on this website that the towering figure of Samuel is my favourite. For me, Samuel stands larger than life in biblical history, not merely as an Old Testament prophet of archaic depictions, but as a vibrant, active ministry whose influence reverberates into the life of the Church today. Why? His life and ministry,… Read More »
Reading the engaging text of Matthew 10 today, I thought about a different version: “Proclaim as you go, ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Calm storms, increase food supplies, turn water into wine, walk on water.” That would be an intriguing angle on Jesus’ ministry and his message about the kingdom of heaven, providing us with another thought-provoking… Read More »
Recently, while sharing a brief prophetic word at church about Zechariah 1:3, I found myself restating the text. As I stepped away from the microphone, I concluded with “says the Lord of hosts,” just as the verse ends. The cringe factor was off the scale! I felt like I had been transported back in time to when I… Read More »
The gift of tongues was never meant to be a source of controversy. Along with the other gifts of the Spirit, it has sadly become just that: controversial. At the heart of this frustration lie two camps: the cessationists – convinced that miraculous gifts like tongues were exclusive to the apostolic era and only necessary until the Bible’s… Read More »