Category: Uncategorized

Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ.” Why would the apostle Paul pray such a basic prayer? Surely he knew him already? He certainly knew him far better than us. But he recognized how far he still had to go. And he knew there was a clear difference between knowing about someone, and truly knowing…

James 1:19 “My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” My name, Simon, means ‘Listener’. My wife finds that ironic. She says I never listen to her… at least that’s what I think she said! And yet most of us are better (or quicker) at speaking than…

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the Lord, not for men.” Why is it that often Christians are known for doing things shoddily? In Burundi, we’ve attempted to build the best conference centre in the country to generate funds for God’s work, and people come up to…

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” Today’s choice comes from A.W.Tozer’s quote: “We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.” Really? It doesn’t sound much fun! However, if…

Ephesians 2:6 “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” ‘Under the circumstances’ is a common enough phrase, but if Jesus is over and above all circumstances – and as our verse says we too are seated with him ‘in the heavenly realms’ – then…

John 19:30  Jesus said: “It is finished!” When Jesus died on the cross, his last words included the emphatic: “Tetelestai!”, or “It is finished!” What did that phrase convey? Several things: ‘Tetelestai’ was used on a receipt to indicate the bill had been fully paid. Jesus actually bought us when he died on the cross.…

Watch the video here! 1 Corinthians 12:13 “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” Everything happens for a reason. When God closes a door he opens a window.…

Ephesians 6 “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests… be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” A missionary was back in America on furlough and speaking at his home church. He told of how one of his jobs was to go to the nearest…

John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The story is told of a rich man who enjoyed collecting rare works of art with his son, including some Picassos. His son then died in Vietnam as…

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” God has chosen and appointed you to ‘go and bear fruit’. He is the vine and we are the branches that produce fruit…