It was characteristic of Jesus to be in constant communication with his Father. Prayer was central to his life and ministry. The disciples who witnessed this discerned something of the importance of prayer and they asked Jesus to teach them to pray. We have considered how so many failed to hear Jesus and the message he had for them, how they distanced themselves from the kingdom.
Read More prayer, forgiveness, intimacy with God
These days God in the Old Testament is often contrasted with God in the New Testament. In the former, God is angry and capricious while in the New Testament he is loving and forgiving. Psalm 103 undermines this faulty stereotype.
The psalmist praises and thanks God for his kindness and love.
Read More compassion, forgiveness, praise
Disasters should serve as wake-up calls to repentance. This is certainly true with Joel’s prophecy.
The catalogue of destruction and devastation wrought by the locusts (vv 1-12) is followed by an appeal to the people to change their ways and turn to God so that he can wipe away their sins (vv 13-14).
Read More judgment, release, forgiveness, repentanceThis psalm was probably written by David to mark the day when the ark was brought into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12-15). As David joined in the festive procession, God helped him to see great truths behind what was happening.
Read More forgiveness, God’s presence, cleansing
Read Reflect Charges against Paul have been laid and Paul has responded to each charge by proclaiming his innocence. Felix takes the easy way out by awaiting the arrival of the garrison commander. The real reason he defers his judgment is to gain favour with the religious leaders. No governor wants word to get back to […]
Read More self-control, bribery, righteousness, forgiveness, judgmentDavid knew God in an intimate way. He had learned to trust him in every area of his life (v 1). Our God is an active Father who is fully in touch with each one of his children. He is totally trustworthy. He will never let us down (v 3). His involvement with us is deeply personal.
Read More trust, forgiveness, humility, teachablenessMany of the Christians in Colossae would have been Gentiles. Lacking the traditions and historical understandings of their fellow Christians with Jewish roots, they are particularly susceptible to the “ideas of the day.” Paul is writing to remind them to grow their lives with deep roots in Christ and to build their futures on a foundation that is firm and wide …
Read More forgiveness, roots, fresh startPaul, here is challenging Philemon to move from being a recipient of grace freely given to him to being a generous dispenser of grace to Onesimus who, like him, does not deserve it. Onesimus has run away from Philemon, risking the death penalty if captured. In the meantime, Onesimus has met Paul who has introduced him to Jesus.
Read More mercy, forgivenessIf you have ever had a deep conflict with another person, you know the deep emotional pain that comes with it. There are seasons of anger that are often accompanied by deep grief over a broken relationship. On the other side of this conflict is the joy that comes when we are reconciled with another person – when everything is in the open and love and grace freely flow.
Read More forgiveness, joy, conflict, reconciliation, confession, emotional painA Christian view of the world encourages high standards of conduct. It demands a refined conscience and a keen sense of appropriate behaviour. The lists of do’s and don’ts do not spring from rigid rule-making, but, rather, from a desire for relational harmony. “All of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble” (v 8).
Read More forgiveness, rules, behaviour, righteousness, harmony