TEXT: ‘He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again’ – 2 Corinthians 5:15 THOUGHT: Who has the final say in your life? Is it you or someone else like your spouse, parents or children? Christianity is about coming under new ownership. God is now in charge and should have the final say. Life’s decisions need to be submitted to Him for His approval. Our text speaks about a changed priority. There was a reason why Jesus died – ‘He died for all’ As we celebrate Easter we are reminded of what Jesus did – ‘died for all.’ ‘He tasted death (both physically and spiritually) for everyone’ – Hebrews 2:9. Through Jesus God is now reconciled with this world. He offers a free gift of salvation. It’s now up to the individual to be saved by calling on the name of Jesus. There was a resurrection – ‘Who died for them and rose again’ If Jesus did not rise from the dead, there would be no new life for us either. We are made alive with Christ. Without the resurrection there would be no Good News or miracle at Easter. Jesus said, ‘I lay...
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TEXT: ‘Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love’ – 1 Corinthians 13:13 THOUGHT: The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians is an amazing description of love. What true love is not and what it is really like. This scripture is often quoted at weddings as the goal for both partners to attain throughout their marriage. Why not check yourself against these qualities today. Any one you feel or know you lack, remember the fruit of the Spirit is love. You can ask and expect the Holy Spirit to help you to grow and show the fruit of love, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Jesus taught us to love our enemies – Matthew 5:44. These were no empty words for He did exactly that, ‘Our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies’ – Romans 5:10. That was why Jesus could pray, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ – Luke 23:34. So what can we learn about God’s love? Love missing This is what happens when true love is missing in what we are doing. There is a harshness – ‘If I could speak all the languages...
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TEXT: ‘Then I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach Me; for who is this who pledged his heart to approach Me?’ says the Lord. ‘You shall be My people, and I will be your God.’”’ – Jeremiah 30:21-22 THOUGHT: Today’s Teaching starts with God’s question, “For who is this who pledged (engaged, devoted) his heart to approach Me?” This is one of the things God cannot do – make a person respond to Him. He has given us a free will and we can choose to draw near to God or like the prodigal son, move away as far as we can from having anything to do with Him. The text reveals four important truths. God’s Desire God is not willing that any should perish – 2 Peter 3:9. He gets no joy from anyone being lost. He wants back the relationship He intended that started with Adam and Eve, just like any parent estranged from the child they love. God loves the world and that includes you. God’s Drawing – ‘I will cause him to draw near’ ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you’ – Jeremiah 31:3. Just like the start of any relationship, there is the wooing...
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TEXT: ‘This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?’ – Luke 13:16 NLT THOUGHT: Only Luke’s gospel records the miracle of this woman being healed (13:10-17) but that does not lessen its significance. It gives a sobering insight into how Satan and religion work in opposition to the Christianity that God wants every person to enjoy. We will consider three key facts about this miraculous healing. The Restriction – ‘A woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight’ For those who say there is no such thing as the devil and demons, this incident confirms the reality of demonic powers whose purpose is to steal, kill and destroy humanity, whereas the mission of Jesus is that we might have abundant life. How and why this woman ended up in this condition is not known, but Jesus revealed that the cause of it was a demon, a spirit of infirmity. One day she was able to stand up straight, the next day she was doubled over. She probably thought to herself, “I will rest...
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TEXT: ‘One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek’ – Psalm 27:4 THOUGHT: Jenny’s mother was staying with us recently celebrating her 93rd birthday. She has a goal to outlive her mother who died aged 95 years and 3 months. Having this goal enables her to still keep driving in order to care for her son and maintain her household. There is every expectation that she will reach her goal, especially as she nearly died of a heart attack shortly before her 90th birthday, but has made a remarkable recovery. Goals drive us on and help to maintain the direction we should be going in especially when the way forward becomes difficult. As the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” The Bible records 4 challenging occasions concerning “One thing” One thing you lack – ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross and follow Me’ – Mark 10:21 Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler was surprising since it was apparent that wealth meant he did not lack anything of this world’s goods. It’s not what you have got...
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