In our fast-paced world, where every second is filled by something, is it any wonder we don’t have time to hear the voice of God? In the hurry to get tasks done, we neglect the glorious calling to direct our gaze heavenwards. Even the ‘quiet time’ can degenerate into one more task to tick off our list, rather than a time to linger in God’s presence, and hear him in his Word. On a diet of tweets and soundbites we... Read more
Who or what do you worship? Yourself? The idea of having a perfect partner? Money? Success? Power? Happiness? Jesus commands us to worship only God: Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” (Luke 4:8) As John Piper puts it: Everyone in the world worships something. From the most religious to the most secular, all people value something high enough to build their lives around it. It may be... Read more
Faith. Due to frequent distortions the word itself now raises antibodies among many Christians. The so-called ‘faith teachers’ have in many cases been responsible for the distortion of prosperity teaching, the worst export that America has given the world. It is an ongoing scandal and provocation to the Almighty that certain preachers are getting rich from deceptive preaching on ‘faith.’ Download a PDF version of this article for easier reading and printing. The idea that God can be turned into... Read more
Of course the term ‘angry watchbloggers’ hadn’t been invented during John Stott’s lifetime. But the type certainly already existed. And in an example of how there is nothing new under the sun, he had a rebuke for them which rings true today. Similarly modern progressive Christians sometimes don’t realise that they are echoing similar movements in previous generations. In Stotts day these would have been called liberals. And Stott has a strong message for those of them who in their... Read more
When you look at a crowd of people what do you see? A potential threat to withdraw from? A time-consuming multitude to avoid? A faceless mass to feel indifferent to? Not Jesus. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36) My pastor Tope Koleoso loves to watch crowds of people. I think he sees the crowd as a group of individuals. All of whom need... Read more
A year ago today I suddenly became unwell. And everything changed. At first the doctors were puzzled about my condition, which is never reassuring. It wasn’t till the 20th May that I was officially diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a slow growing form of blood cancer, which at the moment is relatively stable. I have previously mentioned that I’ve been unwell, and also posted some of the thoughts that have helped me in my journey so far. Throughout the... Read more
Perhaps the most remarkable advance in the history of human technology is the way social media can turn anyone into a one-person media organisation. This ability truly is as revolutionary as the printing press. Arguably the Reformation would never have happened if someone hadn’t published Luther’s 95 Theses and the books that spread the new Protestant theology. There is no question that reputations can be made and lost online. An amateur sitting in their bedroom can appear to be as... Read more
Lou Fellingham has just released an album called “This Changes Everything”. I cannot recommend it strongly enough. One day, when you are at your weakest, songs like these will give you strength. Here you will find hope no matter what you are facing. The whole album is strongly gospel focussed, and expounds both the Cross and the Resurrection, and as a result I have added a number of them to my Gospel Hope playlist. I hope this article may persuade you... Read more
Jesus would not have greatly surprised his hearers when he said that Love for God is the greatest commandment, but he would have scandalised them when he applied it also to Himself, thereby claiming to be God. Do you love Jesus? Do you love him more than anyone or anything? Is he the object of all your devotion? Does he thrill your heart more than money? More than power? More than sex? Is your love for him so great that... Read more
Good Friday is the day Jesus entered into our pain. It’s the day that demonstrates you are not alone in your suffering. For Jesus carried our pain as well as our sins on Calvary. Have y0u felt rejected? Jesus “came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” (John 1:11). Imagine, the one who had walked the streets of Israel performing miracles, and preaching like no one else could. Now the same crowds that had yelled ‘hosanna to the son of David!‘... Read more
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