Many of us are familiar with the parable of the prodigal son who asked for his inheritance, left his home, and squandered his riches on a sinful lifestyle, only to return home to his father’s house repentant and broken. The story can be found in Luke 15:11-32. However, it is the prodigal’s older brother I … Continue reading The Unprodigal Son
The Kingdom
He Must Increase
Our Father is seeking spiritual fruit. The fruit He looks for are the fruits of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22,23. These are the attributes, or character, of His Son. Jesus told us that His Father, as the vinedresser, takes away the branches that bear no fruit, and those which bear fruit He prunes so … Continue reading He Must Increase
Greater Than The Temple
From the beginning God has fervently pursued an active, thriving relationship with His human family. Of all created beings, He determined that only humans would be made in His own image and likeness. Thus, immediately after the fall, as the first man and woman hid themselves from Him, God came seeking them. His cry of … Continue reading Greater Than The Temple
Ears To Hear
The shock, confusion and disbelief experienced by Jesus’ shattered disciples immediately after His death on the Cross must have been immeasurable. Drawing from our own human experience we can only imagine the questions that went through their minds and the sense of utter despair they must have felt. Imagine, if you can, Nathanael¹, poignantly recalling … Continue reading Ears To Hear
The Priests, the Politician and the Patriots
Once there was a very proud nation that had been richly blessed by God. The nation’s founders had enshrined allegiance to the one true God within its laws. Furthermore, the nation’s children were educated to study, respect and adhere to their nation’s founding values. This nation had once fought mighty battles, conquered enemies and become … Continue reading The Priests, the Politician and the Patriots
The Testimony of Jesus and the Spirit of Prophecy
Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb’”. And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of … Continue reading The Testimony of Jesus and the Spirit of Prophecy
“So Where Do You Go To Church?”
“So where do you go to church?” A seemingly innocent question, and one that will be familiar to followers of Jesus Christ. But if, like me, you’re one of the growing number of believers who choose to refrain from participation in traditional local church life, it’s too often a question that sets alarm bells ringing. … Continue reading “So Where Do You Go To Church?”
To Whom Shall We Go?
Into every life there comes at least one crucial watershed moment. Moments where the soul is sifted and the true motivations of our hearts are revealed. Moments when events align around us that will require hard choices and ultimately determine our destiny. It is my belief the slowing down currently caused by the world-wide coronavirus … Continue reading To Whom Shall We Go?
So You Want To Go Back To Normal
Coronavirus. I doubt there’s a single person reading this it hasn’t impacted. Many of us are reeling at the extent and speed with which the world around has changed, dramatically, within what seems like a nano-second. It’s mind boggling, isn’t it! Everywhere I turn – internet, TV news, social media, family discussion – the question … Continue reading So You Want To Go Back To Normal
River
"'And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of … Continue reading River
THE LAMB Part Three
If we are Christ-followers, we live our earthly lives contending with a world system that violently opposes the authority of the King and Kingdom we serve (Jn. 15:19). In this world, authority is synonymous with ‘’greatness’’. Nations demonstrate their greatness through displays of military and economic might. Leaders boast openly about their nation’s greatness … Continue reading THE LAMB Part Three
THE LAMB Part Two
Part Two of a three part series. To read Part One of The Lamb, please go here. It is dawn on a quiet Galilean beach. Eight men are gathered around a small fire, sharing a meal of fish and bread. One of them is Jesus Christ, known recently to have died on a Roman … Continue reading THE LAMB Part Two
THE LAMB Part One
Image supplied by Heartlight.org The year is AD96 or thereabouts. The location is Patmos, a remote island-prison outpost of the mighty Roman Empire. The ageing Christian apostle John has been exiled and imprisoned on the island because of, in his words, “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” In worship John hears … Continue reading THE LAMB Part One
The Gospel Time Forgot
I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you … Continue reading The Gospel Time Forgot
Crucified! (Reposted)
The mood among them was sombre to say the least. Passover was meant to be a celebration of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, but all this talk of Him going away without them was hitting them like a bucket of cold water. Now His conversation had turned again to the Father and the One He called … Continue reading Crucified! (Reposted)
Rediscovering Identity
Identity. It’s an invisible badge each of us wear from the moment we enter this world. Most of us will have our first little identity badge pinned on us at birth or even before. Proud parents and/or family members declare to the world a new child has been added to the house of Smith, or … Continue reading Rediscovering Identity
The Perfection Of Weakness
There’s a misconception, a lie if you like, that is pervasive within modern Christian church culture. At one time I was fully immersed in it; maybe you have been also. It goes along these lines: ‘’As Christians we are called to be strong, authoritative personalities who know what we’re about, face every challenge … Continue reading The Perfection Of Weakness
A Kingdom Of Priests
While much of organised Christianity continues fortifying kingdoms of men, behind the scenes the Holy Spirit has strategically and quietly been preparing a company of believers dedicated solely to the expansion of the Kingdom of God on earth. Let’s backtrack a little. From the beginning God has desired a human priesthood. Essentially, the first … Continue reading A Kingdom Of Priests
A Kingdom Bursting Forth and an Incomplete Gospel
Their jaws set purposefully, the two men pushed roughly through the crowd. Their teacher was imprisoned, in peril of his life, and they had been sent on an urgent mission. They had a message to deliver and an answer to obtain, and they would not be delayed. “Are You the One we’ve been expecting, or … Continue reading A Kingdom Bursting Forth and an Incomplete Gospel
Seasons
If I asked you which season you are in right now, no doubt you would answer me with “Spring” or “Autumn”, depending on which hemisphere you currently live in. You could point to physical and climatic signs to back up your answer. Here in Australia leaves have turned red and golden, there is a gentle … Continue reading Seasons