What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretence. Tell your neighbour the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Ephesians 4: 25(MSG) Comment If asked: “Do you ever lie?” I would say: “No! Honesty is very important to...
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give...
You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Ephesians 5:...
I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. John 15 v 1-2 Comment Today we took down a large beech tree in our garden. We planted it 20 years ago –...
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 Comment We have recently...
It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:2 (NLT) Comment Valentine’s day came and went. What is different? Sometimes our communication gets blocked. We try to connect but we feel stuck and can’t get through to each other. When this happens in our...
Love does not give up. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love does not put itself up as being important. Love has no pride. Love does not do the wrong thing. Love never thinks of itself. Love does not get angry. Love does not remember the suffering that comes from being hurt by someone. Love is not happy with...
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Psalm 23:1-3 (MSG) Comment Many of us know these verses so well we almost forget what the impact of...
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4 v 6 NLV Comment Paul’s advice on prayer is to mix our requests with thanksgiving. This has 2 effects on us: It builds our faith that God will answer us, because he has been kind in the past It builds the relationship: God knows we...
We must work while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. John 9 v 4 Comment The COVID pandemic has shocked the world. There have been many funerals and it’s been really tough to not be able to pay our respects to departed loved ones. Their funeral will have featured many tributes – but sadly those husbands,...
