Pastoral Messages (Page 7)

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21) In Ephesians, Paul advises fathers against causing anger or bitterness in their children, urging instead to raise them up in the discipline and…

Which is more important: the self, the immediate community, or the wider community? I suspect when it comes down to it, all of us would have the self as our primary motivation. Each of us is the centre of our own universes, and the immediate and wider communities are only important insofar as they impact the self. This means we live in a world of overlapping universes,…

Samson, the judge of Israel, struck fear in the hearts of its enemies, the Philistines. They knew they were unable to defeat this mighty hero of Israel—he tore the lion apart with his bare hands (Judg. 14:6); the ropes that tied him were easily broken as they were like a charred flax to him (15:14); he struck down a thousand Philistine men (15:15); and he lifted the…

 6“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In Deuteronomy, parents are instructed to diligently teach their children at every opportunity. Indeed, parents have a vital role in teaching their children…

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: … I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to the…