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Faith in God

You really can’t fail!

How many times do we disciples lose heart? “I’ve failed again, I’ve messed up—God wouldn’t want me in His Kingdom!” So did you notice what God says in ALL of today’s Bible readings (Joshua 1; Isaiah 7; 1 Thessalonians 1, 2)? In a number of ways He gives each of us comfort and encouragement. He […]

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Faith in God

It is God who adds the ‘extra’ to ‘ordinary’! Lesson from Samson

Some years ago I was presenting on the life of David at a Bible study camp and had just finished a study on his battle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17). A sister came to me and said, “Ken, I could NEVER be like David—I don’t have what it takes to be a hero!” Is that […]

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Faith in God

How is Jesus the silent lamb?

It is difficult to comprehend how God’s ‘chosen one in whom He delights’ (Isaiah 42 v 1) could so soon become the one who has no attractiveness and is despised and rejected and from whom people hide their faces! In today’s second reading in Isaiah 53, God through His holy prophet, confronts each of us, […]

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Faith in God

Whose child are you? 1 Samuel 17

In our first reading today (1 Samuel 17) we have the wonderful story that has inspired every boy’s (and girl’s?) imagination—David and Goliath. At the end of the chapter, there is an exchange that occurs between king Saul and his army commander, Abner, concerning David. David is summoned and stands before king Saul: “Whose son […]

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Bible Exposition Faith in God

Jesus, standing among the candlesticks!

In our New Testament reading today (Revelation 1, 2), we see through John’s eyes, a wonderful picture of our Lord and Master. There is something which we might almost overlook, but which should be encouraging! John turns to hear the one addressing him and sees seven golden lampstands (ch 1 v 12). What comes next […]

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Faith in God

Have you noticed returning to Egypt is not an option?

As we’ve done our Bible readings in Numbers, a recurring theme occurs. It was the view expressed by dissidents and complainers that they were better off in Egypt. Indeed, on one occasion their exasperation is reflected in the Hebrew language—“why on earth did we ever come out of Egypt?” (Numbers 11 v 20). Constantly however […]

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Faith in God

When you see these things happening, lift up your head!(Encouragement based on Luke 21)

Jesus had been asked by his disciples what would be the signs and conditions that would exist prior to his coming. In what is described as the “Mount Olivet Prophecy” (see also Matthew 24 and Mark 13), Jesus responds with events that would have had particular relevance to those in Jesus’ time who would experience […]

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Faith in God

It’s my life good enough to inherit the kingdom of God?

More often than not, we ascribe goodness to people who (according to our perception) have lived a quiet and a respectable life. So we hear statements like: “he is a good man’, ‘he/she loves all manner of people’, he/she tries to live at peace with all,” and the like. But I want us to draw […]