Nehemiah 8:1-18. Christians often quote Proverbs 29.18 from KJV: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” in connection with strategy or planning. However, modern translations render the word vision’ as ‘guidance’, ‘revelation’ or ‘prophecy’. It is in remembering who they are that the people will live as they should. Ezra plays a key role […]
Nehemiah 6:15 to 7:73 The completion of the wall is a cause of celebration. (It’s important to celebrate our achievements and thank God for His guidance, help etc.) However, there is still a lot of work to be done and Nehemiah turns his attention to the community’s spiritual, social and economic development. Again, he offers […]
Start of a series entitled – Open to God through serving. Based on the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 1: 1-11. Sometimes it’s a big challenge to serve the Lord right where we are and/ or in the place we come from. Yet a vital part of our witness means identifying ourselves with those to whom […]
John 19:30, Matthew 27: 51, 51, 62-66, Luke 24: 1-8, ! Corinthians 15: 3-10. Matthew 27.62-66 tells us the religious leaders were worried about Jesus’ disciples spreading rumours of resurrection. (Hence the seal and guard on the tomb.) However, there’s little evidence Peter & Co. were expecting this or in any mood to make up […]
Luke 19:28-48. This passage is full of surprises! The disciples puzzled over what Jesus was up to, as did the owners of the colt. The Pharisees are scandalised by the “crowd of disciples” (v.37) using Messianic-sounding language. As for those doing business in the temple courts and the religious leaders, Jesus’ words and actions are […]
Colossians 3: 1-11 This chapter begins: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (NIV) Once again the Apostle sets our sights high – “on things above”. Not that we’re to become ‘so heavenly-minded we’re of no earthly use.’ […]
Colossians 1:9-14; 21-23 St. Paul celebrates what Christ has done: delivering us from the power of darkness, reconciling us to God, transferring us into the kingdom of light, bringing us into the presence of God as holy people. It’s wonderful! In the light of all this he earnestly prays that the believers will continue to […]
Matthew 2:1-18.
Luke 1:26 – 38.
Isaiah 66 – After images of ‘new heavens and a new earth’, the end of Isaiah seems a bit ‘untidy’! Or is it just ‘back to reality’? So, our hope lies in the God who made everything but in Jesus entered creation to redeem it.