Words of repentance The words of Psalm 51:10 are included in the Offertory liturgy of the Service with Communion, page 13 of LHS. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Those who are serious about repentance in today’s moral climate will be swimming upstream. In the world we live in, it’s not particularly fashionable to repent of anything. We’re encouraged to assert ourselves, be good …
Thirsty for God We know of the perils of being physically dehydrated; and not heeding the warning signs can have adverse health problems, even death. However, our alienation from God has an even more tragic consequence when we unknowingly are spiritually dehydrated. We only know of our need to drink of the Living Water, Jesus, when the Holy Spirit brings us to that realisation in his Word. As we reflect on Psalm 42: As the …
Psalms – Hymns and Prayers of God’s people How are we going, praying? Is prayer becoming more relaxed as we first reflect on his Word in our prayers. Can we get a sense of being in David’s shoes, for example, as we express the very depth of our being in very down-to-earth, even rhetorical language? A few thoughts in Psalm 23: God as the Shepherd dominates the psalm and is constant throughout. The emotional centre is v4 …
Psalms – Hymns and Prayers of God’s people Whilst reading Psalm 15, it could be so easy just to tick off all the attributes of a Christian and think to ourselves that we measure up. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! God measured up, in sending Jesus to the cross for us. Jesus paid the price and now we, as baptised children of God, live in the power of Jesus’ resurrection. We are God’s temple and the mercy …
Psalms 1 and 2 Psalms 1 and 2 work as funnels directing all the Law (through Psalm 1) and all the Prophets (through Psalm 2), into the way of prayer. By means of Psalm 1 we become a tree, putting down roots into well-irrigated soil of the Law. Psalm 1 concentrates our energies into mediative attention. A righteous life is blessed (1:1a) When we live a life like Christ – a righteous life – we …
Hymns and prayers of God’s people Most Christians over the centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms. The Hebrews with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provided us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us. The Psalms as a book of 150 songs (or poems) which refer to events throughout the Old Testament …
God-given Gifts Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV) I started learning to play the piano when I was about nine. I was never a good student and didn’t do much practice. However, my parents felt it was important that I kept learning, and they paid for my lessons for about six years. My teacher …
Good News But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people”. (Luke 2:10 NIV) We all love to share good news. When my children were born, I was eager to let people know and they in turn spread the good news to other people. To spread good news, we must talk about it. When Jesus our Saviour was born, an …
Conversations: Jesus and … Mary and Martha when Lazarus died Please read John 11:17–44. An account which is rich with emotional depth and powerful conversations with Jesus. Mary and Martha’s grief: Picture: the sorrow and grief of Mary and Martha as they mourn the loss of their brother and feel their desperation as they express their pain to Jesus. Personal Reflection: Do I bring my pain and sorrow of grief and loss to Jesus, trusting …
Conversations: Jesus and … Jairus In Mark 5:21–24, 35–43 we read an account of a person’s deep faith, desperation, and the compassionate nature of Jesus. Jairus, a synagogue leader, approaches Jesus in desperation, pleading for the healing of his dying daughter (20 words). Jesus responds with compassion and reassurance, ultimately raising the girl from death to life (23 words). A dialogue of few words. Desperation: Recall moments in your life when you felt utterly helpless, …
Conversations: Jesus and … The Paralysed Man Read: Mark 2:1–12. This account is also recorded in Matthew 9:1–8 and Luke 5:17–26. Visualise the scene: A crowded house in Jesus’ hometown, Capernaum, including the Pharisees and teachers of the law from every town in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. As we read the account of Jesus healing the paralysed man in Mark, we are drawn into the depth of faith, the power of Jesus’ words, …
Conversations: Jesus and … A Rich Young Man “What must I DO to …?” Have you ever found yourself asking this question of an “expert” in relation to achieving an improved outcome in a particular area of your life? Maybe: a doctor and your health, a teacher and your child’s progress at school, a financial advisor and your retirement, or a pastor and your relationship with Jesus. During your inquiry, you may have found yourself …