‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 Last week, we saw that life and everything in this world is not necessarily meaningless, but it is fleeting. The idea behind “hebel” is like smoke, breath or a bubble that soon disappears. “Hebel” is also translated in the Bible as “idol”. And… Continue reading Can you handle the “hebel”? (part 2)
Tag: Jesus
Assurance & Justification
Why do Christians struggle with assurance of their salvation? In the last post I explored the Bible’s teaching about salvation generally. In this post I want us to go a little further and think about how that salvation works. At the heart of the Gospel, at the heart of salvation, is the doctrine of justification. What… Continue reading Assurance & Justification
Read the Bible like Isaac Watts.
In 1709 Isaac Watts wrote a hymn that has had a profound impact on my walk with Christ, and more particularly, on my understanding of the Bible. The words are as follows... “Laden with guilt and full of fears, I fly to thee, my Lord, And not a glimpse of hope appears, but in Thy… Continue reading Read the Bible like Isaac Watts.
Can you be a churchless Christian?
No. Let me explain. Normally when you hear this question, the answer goes something like this: "Yes you can be a Christian and not go to church because being a Christian is not about religion but about having a relationship with Jesus. You don't have to earn your relationship with Jesus, he gives it to… Continue reading Can you be a churchless Christian?
Save me from my enemies?
Psalm 3 English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK) A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. 1 O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; 2 many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 I cried aloud to… Continue reading Save me from my enemies?
When we shake our fists at God
Psalm 2 English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK) 2 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”… Continue reading When we shake our fists at God
Psalm 17: I Shall See Your Face (part 2)
Psalm 17 6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. 7 Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide… Continue reading Psalm 17: I Shall See Your Face (part 2)
Psalm 17: I Shall See Your Face (part 1)
Psalm 17 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) A prayer of David. God is the one who vindicates his people 1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer – it does not rise from deceitful lips. 2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Essentially this is a prayer… Continue reading Psalm 17: I Shall See Your Face (part 1)
Is Christianity unfair to those raised in other faiths? (Part 1 – learning to be honest)
The Challenge of the Global Village The world is becoming a smaller place and more people are being exposed to the various cultures, religions and practices contained within it. This, I would argue, is a good thing. When I moved to London from a fairly sheltered community in South Africa, it was one of the… Continue reading Is Christianity unfair to those raised in other faiths? (Part 1 – learning to be honest)
Psalm 9: The Lord Your Stronghold
Psalm 9 English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK) To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David. Look back: Recount the faithfulness of God in past rescues 1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most… Continue reading Psalm 9: The Lord Your Stronghold