Ezra 5 — After 15 years of inactivity those who returned to Jerusalem finally recommenced work on the Temple. However, the work was once again opposed! As we consider this part of the narrative, it brings to the fore some bigger questions — why do bad things keep happening? Why doesn’t God make life easier? Why…
Luke 5:36-39 — In response to the Pharisees’ question about fasting, Jesus gave three well-known illustrations. He spoke of a new patch on an old garment, new wine in old wineskins and a person’s preference for old wine over new. The truth communicated in these illustrations is that men and women are right with God…
Colossians 3:1-2 — “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.” Every Christian has been made to share in the resurrection life of Jesus and that is remarkable! New life in union with Christ is the very essence of salvation. After conversion, Christians must live out their new life day-by-day and this…
Jeremiah 5:1-9 — When God commissioned Jeremiah to proclaim His Word, Judah was in a terrible spiritual condition. Community life was characterised by just about every form of sin. The prophets, who were supposed to speak for God, were telling lies and giving people false comfort. Why had things gotten so bad? Ultimately, it was because…
Philippians 2:1-4 — Unity, harmony, love and friendship — these are all attributes we would expect to find in the church, and yet so often they’re lacking. Sadly, many have been turned away from the church by the failure of Christians to get along. How can this be avoided? How can disunity be rectified? This is…
Colossians 2:23 — Counterfeit and worthless. This was Paul’s final assessment of the religious practices that had come into the churches at Colossae and Laodicea. They had the appearance of wisdom but were powerless to effect spiritual progress. These practices were man-made and simply efforts to control the flesh by means of the flesh.
Leviticus 9:1-10:7 — This passage records the first worship service conducted by the priests in Israel’s history. Aaron and his four sons offered sacrifices upon the altar in the court of the newly constructed Tabernacle. At the conclusion of the service, an amazing thing happened. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed…
Luke 5:33-35 — In these verses Luke records an interaction that Jesus had with some disciples of John the Baptist. The existence of these disciples at this point in Jesus’ ministry is curious. Why were these people still following John? These disciples had a question for Jesus concerning fasting. The content of this question plus…
II Corinthians 5:10 — The wonderful message of the Gospel is that Jesus bore the penalty of sin when He died on the cross. The person who places their faith in Jesus as Saviour is completely forgiven. The penalty of sin is forever removed but that does not mean there is no accountability. The New…
Luke 5:27-32 — Levi was a tax collector and that meant he was despised. Tax collectors grew rich by collaborating with the Jewish people’s enemies. Often they were mentioned in the same breath as the “sinners,” that is, they were grouped with men and women who were notorious for their wicked lifestyles. So in this text…