Church News (Page 63)

By Not Known There was a very interesting incident in Luke 11 that we often miss. As Jesus continued in his journey toward Jerusalem, he gave various instructions to his disciples. As they moved along, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said: “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed” (Lk 11:27). The woman recognized…

By Not Known “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:36) When Nehemiah led the people to complete the restoration of the wall in Jerusalem, he finished a chapter in the history of the Jews. Another chapter is coming to an end too in Mark’s gospel. In Jesus’ words in Mark 13:32-37, he has placed his followers on another…

By Not Known The decision to put away all the pagan wives and their children in Nehemiah 13, must certainly be heartrending for those Israelite men and their families. Why did God allow this most seemingly cruel event to take place? Why didn’t He intervene to prevent the families from being broken up? Wouldn’t that be more appropriate and merciful? In order to…

By Not Known A ‘yes’ man may not always be the best man to entrust an important responsibility. A ‘yes’ indicates a promise to be or to do something. With a promise comes responsibility. With a responsibility comes accountability. Without accountability, a ‘yes’ can become an empty promise and a lie. Do you often say ‘yes’…

By Not Known How easy it is to wrestle an apology from a child who did wrong – intimidate, threaten, deprive, punish… But does a ‘sorry’ mean anything to an unrepentant, stubborn, arrogant and rebellious child? Probably not! It is merely a smart way of getting out of trouble in order to carry on as usual. How often are you truly sorry when you say…

By Not Known Do you believe that God is on our side? Is He going to help us? Can He truly do what He said He would? Skepticism is what many have today about God. That’s why skeptics invented all kinds of stories to help explain the Bible’s miracles; or when they couldn’t explain it, they would come up with theories to dispel its authenticity. How many of…

By Not Known Fear is a terrible ‘thing’ to live with. People in some countries have lived in fear of their tyrannical governments. The international community constantly live in fear of some reclusively unpredictable neighbours. Children often also lived in fear of their angry parents. Fear has its way of controlling, suppressing, and manipulating human…

By Not Known One of our members was awarded the finisher medal for the 116th Boston Marathon held on 17 April. (We’re proud of you!) Winning the race is one thing, for some finishing is totally another. Much have been written about finishing the race. But one aspect of finishing has to do with another character trait. The questions below may differ but the answer is…

By Not Known We struggle between the tension of praying and action (planning). Some are comfortable with the aspect of praying by faith into a great unknown, living with ambiguity and uncertainty – all the while resisting the urge to over-plan, because we want to “leave room for God.” Some are comfortable with over- planning, having the steps laid out in…

By Not Known You came down from Heaven’s throne This Earth You formed was not Your home A love like this the world had never known A crown of thorns to mock Your name Forgiveness fell upon Your face A love like this the world had never known You took our sin You bore our shame You rose to life You defeated the grave A love like this the world has never known Be…