The Importance of God’s Word

The book of Nehemiah shows us, among other things, the importance of reading, and obeying God’s Word. Nehemiah 8:1-8 As Ezra reads God’s Word, the people praise God. The people gather and Ezra reads God’s words to them. All morning he reads to them and the Bible says they ‘were attentive’ to the Word, verse 3. They also worshipped the Lord. Some Things to Think About How important is God’s Word to you? Reading God’s Word should encourage us to worship Him. Have you read God’s Word today? If not, why not take time to do it now? What has … Continue reading

Protecting Your Child from Mistakes

You can’t always protect your children from mistakes. Sometimes you’ve got to let them go, trusting God to uphold and undertake for them. It’s not easy. I know. Letting go is something I struggle with, but I’ve had to learn to do it. You have to trust that you have brought them up so that ultimately they will make the right choices and not make decisions that will endanger their lives. It might mean making choices we won’t agree with, like dating a non Christian or them becoming involved in activities we would rather they did not or that we … Continue reading

Do You Want Better Social Skills?

If you want to improve at social skills read fiction. No, you did not read wrongly. If you want to improve at social skills read fiction. That’s the latest finding by cognitive scientists in Toronto. Over the years, I’ve met Christians who tell me with an element of pride they never read fiction – not just Christian fiction but ANY fiction. The implication is that their time is far too valuable to waste on fiction and stories that to their minds are made-up and therefore not true. I admit I’ve always found this is peculiar attitude and think they are … Continue reading

Ignoring God’s Promptings

Have you ever felt prompted NOT to do a certain thing but went ahead anyway? Or you felt a prompting to do something but didn’t? Afterwards you realized you should have listened to that inner voice. A while back I had such an experience. For our 40th wedding anniversary my husband bought me a beautiful ring. I wanted to wear it to a 21st birthday party. So I did. We slept overnight at our son’s place, which meant I also wore the ring to the football game the next day. Even though I felt prompted to take the ring off, … Continue reading

Laziness – Part 3- In Our Relationship With God.

Laziness in our relationship with God sometimes seems easy to fall into. We can tend to take God for granted. Have a look at this article about the way one woman is feeling about her relationship with the Lord. But before you jump in to condemn her, can you honestly say your have never felt this way? I know I can’t. At one stage I remember thinking that being a Christian was all too hard. What stopped me from opting out? I couldn’t contemplate the alternative. Recently someone mentioned to me about the doubts that have crept in as life … Continue reading

Are You Letting God Speak to You?

Did you read God’s Word this morning? Or was it a week ago, a month maybe longer since you opened the bible and allowed God to speak to you? Are you thankful each day for the great blessing of being able to read God’s Word? Do you realize what a privilege and joy it is to be able to do this? For many people in our world this is not the reality because they do not have a bible in their own language. In 2006, for the first time in South Eastern Mexico, 200,000 Huasteca Nahuatl (pronounced Was-te-ca Nah What-l) … Continue reading

Do You Value What You Have?

This year the Bible Society reported they had published translations of ‘at least one complete book of the Bible ‘in 2426 languages’ and that UBS (United Bible Societies) is at present is involved in ‘500 translation projects.’ But what about those of us who have the whole Bible or maybe more than one Bible translation in our homes in our own language, do we value what we have? Or does it spend much of its time sitting next to the bed or tucked away in a bookcase unopened? When you’re seeking advice on a problem is the Bible the first … Continue reading

What Makes Christmas, Christmas?

You could be forgiven for thinking Christmas is all about presents, food, family, Santa and all the other things the world pushes at us. On the radio recently the announcer said, ‘What makes Christmas, Christmas?’ He then went on to answer his own question and tell everyone, ‘Christmas is lights, family, food and loyalty points.’ Excuse me? None of those things make Christmas, Christmas. Now don’t get me wrong I enjoy looking at Christmas lights and I enjoy Christmas food. I love spending time with family, not just at Christmas but at any time of the year. But none of … Continue reading

Sunday Christians?

In Romans 12 Paul urges believers to be ‘living sacrifices’ verse 1. What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? It means that we will ensure that we make decisions and choices each day that are pleasing to God. That may mean sometimes having to put aside what we want to do to help someone else or to so something for God and for His Kingdom. Like today I had to put aside going shopping do for some summer tops while they are on sale to do what I believed God was calling me to do. It’s no good … Continue reading

Actions Bring Consequences

We often hear that God is a God of love and He is. He is also a God of judgment as we see in Isaiah 3. The thing is that God’s judgment does arrive without Him first giving His people warning of what is to come if they do not change their ways. Isaiah 3:1-8 God warns He will divest Judah of leadership supports because of defiant deeds. While we might criticize these people for not listening to Isaiah’s prophecy and the warning God gave, how often do we refuse to listen to what God is saying to us? Maybe … Continue reading