Subscription Lists

What a dilemma to be in. Your fiancé with whom you have had no intimate physical relationship is pregnant, and you are regarded as just and righteous in the eyes of God.

The time has come to put her away, as quietly as possible. You want no fuss.

It is all off and over, until God sends an angel to explain exactly what is happening.

In the most descriptive and detailed dream any man could have, Joseph is informed how Mary has become pregnant.

God is at the very heart of this miraculous and radical visitation. Joseph understandably becomes afraid as God draws…  ( Click for more )

Travelling down from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, a farmer saw green grass growing by a sewage overflow from hillside apartments. “Do these sheep eat that?” he asked.

When David was a shepherd boy in the Judean wilderness around Bethlehem, he knew there was not a lot of luscious green grass. To find nourishing pasture David would have to walk, leading his sheep, for hours.

Grazing results in bare pastures, and the flock has to be led elsewhere.

David would lead his sheep to still waters or, more accurately, to waters of quietness, where the flock could safely…  ( Click for more )

Sleep is precious. A good sleep can be amazingly therapeutic.

The only creatures to have more trouble sleeping than we do are sheep. Everything has to be just right.

Wolves, insect pests, and hunger must be dealt with, and that is why a shepherd is needed to enable his flock to lie down in green pastures.

A good shepherd chooses the safest path, searches for nourishing pastures, and protects the sheep, who then only need to follow, eat, rest, and stay close and safe, under his watchful security.

A good shepherd leads his sheep.

Strong, powerful, gracious, concerned…  ( Click for more )

It was a wise man who penned these words, “The Lord is my shepherd”. David, one of the greatest kings of Israel, who had earlier been a shepherd in the Judean wilderness around Bethlehem, wrote this simple but profound truth.

Each of us needs a shepherd whether we realise it or not.

It is Isaiah who teaches us, “we all, like sheep, have gone astray” when he writes about Jesus Christ and what was to be accomplished on the cross.

Some may not like being regarded as a sheep, and many resist the thought of having a shepherd. God gives us that freedom,…  ( Click for more )

Jesus Christ is the finest and highest role model any man or woman could wish to follow and emulate.

Some people are dogged by their past. Something happened a few years ago and they can never get over it. Their background was not the best and they find it hard to escape and emerge.

Jesus’ mother, Mary, was pregnant with Him before she finally married Joseph. The babe in her womb was conceived supernaturally and miraculously by the Holy Spirit.

Comments were made by many, but Jesus overcame that because He knew the truth as did Mary and Joseph.

Right to the very…  ( Click for more )

People, especially those in the church, often say, “O, I wish I could be more like Jesus”, and perhaps there are those outside the church who quietly say that too. Why? Because he is a role model upon whom it is impossible to improve.

Jesus was never in a hurry. He never allowed those around him to pressure him into making sudden unwise decisions which might later be regretted.

Serious mistakes are frequently made when impatience forces a man to act.

Jesus took time to rest. Nobody was ever busier than Jesus Christ and no-one has ever had a more important job…  ( Click for more )

Debt, more and more debt, until we are in a sea of debt!

Individuals, and governments, are incurring debts, which take years to repay.

Debts cause serious arguments, distress and upheaval.

Irresistible offers, special terms, and desperate days, tempt many.

A man can avoid debt by saying clearly and specifically, "I am not buying that. I can't afford it. We can't afford it".

It is possible to resist the temptation to buy articles which you know are beyond your means.

God has simple practical positive advice to say about debt. "Let no debt remain…  ( Click for more )

What is the most important issue of the hour? It is a difficult one.

We are living in a time when we hear secular commentators say that things will never be the same again!

Believers in Jesus Christ in various parts of the world have been sensing that we are living in the final days. There is a mounting crisis.

Are we experiencing the shaking of which the letter to the Hebrew disciples speaks?

Perhaps the most important issue of these times has to do with having a faith that will last, and classically called ‘enduring faith’.

Will my faith endure what…  ( Click for more )

On the day when news broke that some six billion U.S. dollars had been misused in China, a video describing the vibrant, but persecuted, Church in China arrived.

These Chinese Christians cannot stop tears of gratitude as they remember what Jesus Christ has done for them through the Cross, Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost.

As they recall the marks of the nails in the body of Jesus, they cannot staunch deep words of praise from overflowing.

Doors that have been closed for so long are now open as they hear a strong voice of tenderness which has won their hearts.

Many…  ( Click for more )

From very early days man has never been permitted to approach Almighty God any old casual way he wished. That can come as a surprise to people.

At the east side of the Tabernacle of Moses there was a door some thirty feet wide, through which anyone could enter, but that man had to come in by the door. There was no jumping over the wall.

You could not even peep over the wall to see what it was like.

The door was wide enough for all who wanted to come in to come in. There need be no struggle.

Similarly, the Church cannot be seen from the outside. You can only appreciate…  ( Click for more )

"Eat, drink and be merry." It is in the Bible, but how dangerous when taken out of context. Some add, for to-morrow we die, revealing a fundamental flaw.

To-morrow we do not die, but live with the consequences of eating and drinking today. There is a price to pay for undisciplined excess.

God said to that poor rich farmer, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you."

Not very often does God call a person a fool. People can regard a fool as someone not very bright mentally. God thinks of a man who is not very bright morally.

There…  ( Click for more )

The financial and business world could learn much from Jesus Christ.

Jesus is teaching, when one man interrupts, and asks Jesus to intervene in a family dispute regarding money.

The man does not want fairness or justice, just more money, and Jesus uses the intrusion to teach about a rich farmer who had a massive harvest.

We can call the story, "The tragedy of the poor rich man."

“Watch out. Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. A man's worth does not lie in what he possesses or owns.”

A man's big bank balance does not necessarily…  ( Click for more )

“Hear me out” were the words of an experienced teacher who had been searching over many years for spiritual reality. On he went, “I have problems with Christians holding onto what I consider to be non-essentials, such as the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection.”

What a conversation resulted as we discussed these central truths.

Truth is important. We read that the church of the living God is the pillar and foundation of truth.

Truth matters because the heart of what we believe is at stake.

If we depart from truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is…  ( Click for more )

Following Yom Kippur comes the Feast of Tabernacles, when Jews remember the forty days they spent in the wilderness, living in tabernacles or booths or tents. This is the season of the year when Jesus was born. John tells us how Jesus Christ tabernacled amongst us.

In Jerusalem, and Jewish communities around the world, decorated booths can be seen in gardens or balconies.

For eight days people will have their meals in these flimsy temporary shelters, some even sleeping under the palm branch roofing, through which the sky can be seen.

It is a time for remembering and giving…  ( Click for more )

Jerusalem will fall silent for twenty five hours this week as Jews there, and all around the world, remember Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

For over three thousand years this solemn predictive and prophetic day has been observed and celebrated.

Aaron, the older brother of Moses, was to take the blood of a goat and sprinkle it on the mercy seat in the Tabernacle. Later, this was done in the Temple.

The blood dealt with the serious matter of having sins forgiven.

There is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood.

Aaron was to be properly dressed. He could…  ( Click for more )

When the Israelis arrived in the Sinai wilderness, under the leadership of Moses, the Ten Commandments were recited, and a marriage took place, between God and His people.

Promises and vows were made. “I will” appears frequently.

God promises to defend His chosen people and take away any sickness. God does not want to see us attacked or sick.

Following the marriage, they begin to set up house. God was going to live among His people.

In Exodus, we read of the detailed construction of the Tabernacle. A very similar pattern was used 300 years later for the…  ( Click for more )

Scottish Schools return at a time when education, exams, behaviour and standards hit the headlines.

In a Uganda jungle clearing, a mother humbly asked for help with fees to allow her son to continue schooling.

Do we provide education too easily here?

One Teacher began well. He had wisdom, fame, wealth and knowledge. Surely he would be a most satisfied and secure man.

He had been highly successful in the commercial world. His writings became inspirational. People came from all over the world to hear him lecture.

He built that magnificent Temple in Jerusalem and…  ( Click for more )

With Olympic Games being held in China we have heard a lot about human rights. In many nations thousands are treated abysmally, but consider this from a different viewpoint.

We hear more about human rights today than human responsibilities. Jesus Christ appeared to concentrate more on the latter than the former.

The Bible does not have much to say about human rights. It was not an area Jesus concentrated on.

From a personal standpoint, you have the right to treat yourself any way you wish, but do remember this. “Everything is permissible for me but not everything…  ( Click for more )

The football season is fast approaching with all its excessive finance, passion and disappointments.

Imagine a football team, with exciting new strips in beautiful colours, playing the most silky soccer ever seen, but never aiming for the goal. How many matches would they win?

To focus upon what is essential is important.

What does God require of man?

Jesus spelled it out so clearly. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it. Love your neighbour…  ( Click for more )

“It is a miracle!” We hear a lot about ‘miracles’ these days. We may even hear more about them over these next weeks and months.

What is a miracle? It is an event or incident that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God.

Moses saw a bush that was burning but not being destroyed, and when he investigated that phenomenon, his life, and the history of the world, was transformed.

A rod becomes a snake and returns to a rod, when Moses acts as God directs him.

His hand becomes leprous…  ( Click for more )

I first heard it in Kilsyth eleven years ago, when speaking to a youth group. I have heard it in the prison, and while sitting on Children’s Panel hearings.

“I have low self-esteem.” “Who told you that?” I asked. “My Social Worker,” was the reply.

We have to be careful what we say to people. It can have a highly negative affect.

Moses sent out twelve spies to check out the Promised Land, and ten came back reporting that the inhabitants were like giants, and that we were like grasshoppers in our own eyes.

Some would suggest…  ( Click for more )

Be specific, persistent and persevere, when it comes to prayer.

One disciple made a very simple request to be taught to pray and Jesus took time to instruct and teach His disciples.

He illustrates with an apt story to make His point.

A friend comes to your home at midnight, and you have no food. You go to your neighbour, and say, “Lend me three loaves”. The neighbour wants you to go away because you are being a bit of a nuisance. You are waking up the whole family, but you are so specific and determined to get three rolls to feed your hungry friend, the neighbour…  ( Click for more )

Reticent rebellious Moses tried to wriggle out of the work to which God called him. God reassures him. I will be with you like a strong daddy with a frightened child.

Here we see the glorious sovereignty of God.

In a world of change and decay, when men are so fickle, we require the reliability, steadfastness and faithfulness of God.

Our God is so personal. He is always there with His people. He is unique.

He is I AM. You can put in there whatever you require.

I am your Peace, Healer, Saviour, Encourager, Provider, Comforter, Challenger, the One Who baptises with…  ( Click for more )

When God called Moses he hid his face. God was near. God was real.

When God calls us and speaks to us, it can shake us.

God says, “I have seen, I have heard, I am concerned, I have come down”. Here is grace, love, mercy and compassion, in abundance.

God can suddenly take you from one situation to another. Moses, you are the man I have chosen to bring My people out of Egypt.

Jesus Christ calls us to co-operate, be participants, and not mere spectators.

Moses, I have done so much, now you are going to do the rest!

We see in Moses a strange unwillingness…  ( Click for more )