Saving Grace

August 20, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

John 3:16-19

One sometimes hears heroic stories about saving someone from fire or drowning, or even earthquake victims who miraculously survived under rubble for days. The time and energy spent to recover those folks is often noted by the media of our day and sometimes ballads, over centuries of time, have been sung to honour those with such daring and fortitude.

There is one person who remains unsung by the multitudes He came to save. Our Lord Jesus Christ came, He told Nicodemus, to save the world. What a daunting task! Disappointingly, mankind has reversed the order of God’s intentions, and fears His condemnation without realizing the depth of love which prompted Him to send His only begotten Son as Saviour.

Fearing His condemnation, in one fell swoop men and women refuse the good and choose the bad because they do not know God. His sympathies demanded He provide for His human creatures something they could never accomplish on their own. Such compassion! Such a cost!

Our scripture today tells us that God gave His Son. How many of us are willing to give our sons or daughters to a worthy cause? Some believing parents have feared the risk their children take by going to the mission field and would deny them the opportunity of doing the will of God, if they could. I was thinking of the selfishness of my own thoughts, when it comes to sharing the time and presence of my own children. But God did not let any such thing hold Him back from giving His only Son!

Loving you and me was worth the risk! Jesus promised eternal life to all those who believe on His name, back then as well as twenty-one centuries later! He has kept that promise. Many folks today are impacted by the thrill of gospel truths being preached in His matchless name.

There is no escape from condemnation…everyone stands condemned before God (John 3:18). We are helpless because we cannot earn our salvation. Living in the darkness of ignorance or disbelief, people perish into a lost eternity because they do not understand the magnitude of God’s amazing grace.

Reflection:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). Does the grace of God excite your passion enough to pass on the good news?

Devotional

Enslaved by Freedom

August 11, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Galatians 3:13

Freedom has been sought throughout the course of human history. It started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Even rebelled against God’s loving authority in order to make decisions on their own. Sometimes the desire for freedom is born out of the fear that we might miss out on something – like knowing about good and evil.

God’s Word tell us believers were called to be free. What does that mean? Does it contradict itself? In writing to Titus Paul tells him to remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities (3:1). Does that sound like freedom? Then Paul draws a comparison between believers and what they were before they had a personal relationship with the Father God – foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures (3:3).Imagine being enslaved by pleasure!

That life-style can’t be as good as it sounds because apparently it brings with it malice and envy, being hated as well as hating one another. But God! The nature of God, kindly and loving, caused Him to intervene. Through Jesus Christ our Lord God saved us and freed us through the power of the Holy Spirit, to devote ourselves to doing what is good (3:5-8). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13), freeing us from eternal punishment and spreading the love of God to every nation, even to the Gentiles (:14).

Now there seems to be a little mystery here, because Paul wrote to the Corinthians church that even those who are slaves, but also who are redeemed, are called the Lord’s “freedman”. And conversely, those who are free, but become followers of Jesus are actually Christ’s slaves (1 Corinthians 7:22). It would seem that the attitude of our mind determines whether we are free or not. To be free in one’s spirit is far different from being free in the body.

As sometimes happens, however, there are those who would pervert that truth. The Apostle Paul might have been writing to people in our world today. He found it necessary to warn the Galatians not to use their freedom to indulge the sinful nature (5:13). The reality of freedom is not to do what I like, but I am free with the glorious opportunity to serve others. Burdened with sin and self, I cannot see beyond my rights and privileges to help those in need. If this becomes a dilemma we might reflect on the fact that “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17), and we as follows of Jesus are being transformed into His likeness!

Reflection:

How do you know you are free? (John 8:32)

Romans 6:7 refers to someone who has died being freed from sin. What kind of death is Paul talking about? Check verse 11.

Have you ever used your freedom as a cover-up for evil? (1 Peter 2:16)

Devotional

So Terribly Human!

August 3, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 22:24-30

Do you ever struggle with failure feelings or feelings of inadequacy? Often those with whom we might compare ourselves have also struggled with those same feelings. Take for example the 12 Apostles….heroes of the faith! How terribly human they were.

Luke shows them at the table with Jesus. It was the Passover feast. Most likely they were clueless about what was coming in spite of the shaded warnings Jesus had inserted into recent conversations. Sitting there to remember the marvellous exodus of the nation when God rescued them from slavery in Egypt, they squabbled like little children. The dispute was about who would be greatest in the kingdom. One has to wonder how Jesus felt facing 12 grown men, friends whom He loved dearly, yet here they were being abysmally petty.

Didn’t Jesus have greater things on His mind just then? He knew what was coming even if they did not. Death! A terrible death! Prior to that death He would face all the rancour of mankind as Jews and Gentiles took away His dignity and then His very life. It’s nearly impossible to put ourselves in His place. He was after all totally human – with the feelings and thoughts each one of us experience. Knowing such a future, many of us would find it impossible to cope, but Jesus dealt with all of that along with difficulties imposed on Him by His greatest supporters.

In the grander scheme of things why would it matter who would be greatest in heaven? Patiently Jesus explained this was a worldly view point. Kings of the Gentiles lord it over their subjects in the guise of being benefactors. “But you are not to be like that” (Luke 22:26). Humility is the greatest virtue apparently since Jesus used Himself as an example of one who came to serve (:27). He knew He is King of Kings, but did they grasp that reality? As He washed their feet, as He healed the sick, as He touched lepers and proclaimed forgiveness to sinners – His mandate was to serve.

Was He disappointed? Was He angry with these men so frail and immature in their faith? Read how gently Jesus answered them. “You are those who have stood by me in my trials” (:28). Perhaps He’s read leadership 101! (No – He invented it.) He goes on to reveal God’s plan. Centuries before, the leadership of Israel was created from Jacob’s 12 sons. Was this why Jesus chose 12 particular people to follow Him? Now He tells them they will have, each of them, a unique place in His kingdom. It will be their job – their privilege to judge the 12 tribes of Israel.

Just note that as events unfolded the full meaning of this promise became more real when they discovered all of His predictions came true. He suffered and died. He rose again. They saw Him ascend into heaven in the clouds. Terribly human they were, doubting, arguing, vying to be greatest,; nevertheless Jesus chose these men to serve.

Reflection:

Has Jesus chosen you to serve Him in spite of your immaturity and inadequacies?

How does Jesus treat you when you disappoint Him? How do you treat others who disappoint you?

Are you looking for pride of place?

Devotional

False Prophets

July 22, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Genesis 12:1-3

Today antisemitism is on the rise; we read of incidents in the newspaper and scenes of horrific persecution challenge our belief in man’s humanity to man – how can people of the same human race treat one another so badly?

Recently I was shocked to hear antisemitic thoughts expressed by a person openly professing to be a Christian. How sad it is that the man had not understood the magnificent promise God made to Abram:

“I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you, I will curse”. ____________________

The reason for such a strict injunction is that God had just promised Abram that He would make his name great. Why? Because God was going to use Abram.

“All peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).

God’s blessing through the Jewish people is the gospel – the good news of Messiah’s coming in the person of Jesus Christ! He died for the sins of all mankind, yours and mine. All we are required to do is to receive

and believe (John 1:12-13).

Directly contradicting what God prophesied to Abram, the man I was listening to declared that all the troubles of our present age can be attributed to the Jews. How had he been taught? Where had the church failed, where is it failing, to let such a theme prevail among those who call themselves Christian? Sadly, he is not alone. Hitler propagated this lie of Satan, and was followed by millions.

Jesus Himself warned: “False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – it that were possible. So be on your guard” (Mark 14:22-23a). Is it possible to deceive the elect? Consider that Jesus promised: “I give them eternal Life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). Eternal life cannot be taken away from God’s children. Therefore those who claim to be His, but do not walk in His Word, are among these false prophets.

The question for us might be “Are you on your guard?” Do you know scripture well enough to recognize a false prophet? We hate to pass judgment on anyone, but there again a mis-understanding of what it means to discern truth from lie, renders the church weak at a time when it needs to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

Reflection:
I’m reminded of how patriotic it feels to sing “O Canada…we stand on guard for thee”. Could we sing a similar refrain regarding our determination that the gospel is not diluted because we stand on guard?

Devotional

Show Us the Father

July 14, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

John 14:6-14

Jesus was disappointed. He had been working and walking, eating and drinking with His disciples for three years. They were His intimate friends. As such He expected them to know Him very well, yet here was Philip asking Him to show them the Father. Why did that matter?

Jesus had talked about God the Father continuously throughout His ministry, primarily to identify Himself with His Father in heaven. He even taught His disciples to pray to God as “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Now, in the present moment Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure to God the Father. The crucial message He was leaving with them was that no one could get to God in heaven unless they followed the Way, the Truth and the Life, new names He gave to Himself.

In the face of Philip’s question Jesus patiently explained again that “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (14:9). John the Baptist had already prepared the way, years before, by preaching that “No one has ever seen God [in His invisible Spirit-being], but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known” (John 1:18). Jesus declared to Philip and the other disciples: “It is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work” (14:10). The mystery of how He is in the Father and the Father is in Him needed explanation once again, since Jesus’ purpose was to bring glory to God the Father.

Let’s consider briefly the life of Jesus. In His ministry He was often prophetic about His immediate future, things fulfilled in His life-time, as well as events to which we still look forward (i.e. John 6:62). He demonstrated His foreknowledge when He saw Nathanael under the fig tree, prior to speaking with him )John 1:40). Jesus declared God to be a loving Father, challenging His followers to love one another as a sign they were Christ-followers (John 13:34-35).

Jesus Himself was an emotional being, weeping at the grave of Lazarus, angry with the moneychangers in the temple, compassionate towards sinners, loving people who didn’t always respond to Him such as the rich young ruler. If nothing else, Jesus showed us the Father is a relational Being. Created to be like God, people need to be secure in relationship with Him. Within that significance and security, all our relationships benefit.

Then there were the miracles which Jesus often used to illustrate His Divinity. He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed thousands with few resources, made the blind to see, lepers clean, and the lame walked. His disciples witnessed how the winds and waves were subject to His voice, this One who is also Creator God (John 1:1, 2). He escaped out of crowds who sought to kill him and walked on water. God doesn’t call us to walk on water; He just calls us to love! Perhaps the greatest miracle of all was the forgiveness He freely extended towards the very folks who nailed Him to the cross.

If in three years of talking about His Father the disciples still didn’t ‘get it’, its impossible for us to exhaust the riches of scripture, in our search for understanding of an Omniscient, Almighty, Eternal, Omnipresent, and Infinite God. Do we still ask “Show us the Father” when doing our daily devotions? Shouldn’t that be our prayer? It will take eternity for us to fathom the riches of His grace and mercy, to see clearly the mind of God in all its justice, and to interpret His wisdom.

Reflection:

Since man was made in the image of God, its important to understand God’s heart and mind. How often did Jesus talk about doing the will of His Father? Are we challenged to do the will of “Our Father”?

Perhaps the greatest demonstration of the heart of God was when Jesus wept over Jerusalem. If He is in the Father and we are in Him, do we weep over our Jerusalem? Where has God planted us? Why, how and when do our lives, yours and mine, reveal the Father to these dear people?

Devotional

Infinite Wisdom

July 8, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

1 Kings 3:5-14

You are faced with a major decision. It is hugely important and will affect not only you and your family, but the future of others in your church and community. There are several options, one of which will mean you will be answerable to people who are neither Christian, nor guided by Christian principles. At such times we long for someone to tell us what to do.

Wisdom is defined by the dictionary as “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.” Solomon is known as the wisest man who ever lived. Ruling the nation of Israel he was faced with many major decisions. He had the opportunity to influence his family and his nation by the choices he made.

He started his reign with the realization that he was inadequate. “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties” (1 Kings 3:7). Think of leaders today who almost sell themselves to get votes. They become the great “I am….”. Not too many would get far suggesting they were vulnerable and unqualified for the post. Whether he recognized it or not, God had already given Solomon wisdom to know he couldn’t do this job alone; he needed Divine help!

Solomon also knew that sibling rivalry placed him at the low end of the totem pole. Why David chose him to succeed as next king might have been a mystery, if Solomon had not known that God was in charge. “Oh Lord, my God, You have made your servant king” (:7). Now he appeals to God for the ability “to distinguish between right and wrong” (:9).

God is pleased! His answer gives hope to us all. If we ask “Thy will be done” God Himself will give us a wise and discerning heart, just as He did for Solomon (:12). Why is this the key to decision-making? It is because we acknowledge the supremacy of Infinite, found in God alone. Solomon discovered what God meant when He said “….and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33, 1 Kings 3:13, 14).

In Solomon’s mind the kingdom of God came first, not the kingdom of Israel. He could not govern without God’s infinite wisdom. Why do we suppose we can run our own lives without the wisdom of God? He who placed us in a given environment, longs to give us the resources with which to cope, and not only that, but to distinguish what is pleasing in His sight.

God wants to have control of my life, because He can fill it with worthy thoughts and feelings. His provision comes to those who believe, who are then indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We need to pray for one another, “Asking God to fill you [us] with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9) Why? Because God is limitless in His ability to fill us with all wisdom.

Reflection:

When faced with issues of right and wrong, how do we proceed? Does the culture of our day dictate our decisions? Are we led by our feelings? Do we consult Sovereign God, the One infinite in wisdom? Is my number one priority to please God by the choices I make?

Do we believe the words found in James 1:5?

Devotional

Impatience

July 4, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 5:11-12

Have you ever felt like kicking the cat, or someone else, when you got up in the morning? Why does such a mood prevail on a new day, fresh with promise? Perhaps this is why God included patience in the list of fruit the Holy Spirit produces in the children of God.

What does impatience say about you and me? First of all, it is me-centered. I am exasperated. Perhaps my comfort has been compromised. Possibly my will has been thwarted. Certainly my self-control is being tested! Surely I am in danger of becoming a victim of my own expectations! Someone or something owes me; I am entitled to better treatment. How easy it is to excuse ourselves on the basis of our circumstances.
“Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen!”

What does Jesus warn His disciples to expect in this life? Persecution? How does He view such an experience? The reality is people will insult you, persecute you, say all manner of evil against you, but Jesus knows we can respond with gladness and joy. How is that possible? We are given all the tools we need by God the Holy Spirit.

Impatience tests our belief. Is God able? Is God willing? What is God trying to teach me? To whom can I go for help? To whom will I go for help? How often we take our troubles to another human being for comfort. We look for them to agree with our perspectives, don’t we? How troubling it is when our real friends speak truth into certain situations! Do we receive their words, knowing they come from a heart of love or do we still seek justification for our anger and fear responses?

In reality God Himself is patient. How often has He endured my wayward thoughts and actions? He doesn’t call us to be more than He exemplified in the life of Christ, seen here on earth. His patience shows up in acts of kindness, in an attitude of forgiveness, in peacefulness and joy. These are all possible as we face times of testing, for those in whose hearts the Holy Spirit dwells.

The result? We not only lift our own spirits, but the name of Jesus is lifted high by people made nicer to be with. Our families and friends will not dread personal encounters with someone they once needed to be so careful with, when together.

Reflection

God gets the glory for changes in our thoughts and behaviours! We live out the truth of what we say we believe when we let God handle our tendency towards impatience. Praise God! He doesn’t leave us to flounder alone, but has given us the Holy Spirit to bring peace within, and to provide kindness towards others who may also be hurting themselves, with an impatient attitude.

Devotional

Who is Your Father?

June 22, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

John 8:34-47

In the one of Jesus’ discourses He talks about the father of the Israelites…they, like most, resembled their father and Jesus was displeased. He calls upon them to consider Abraham – the founding father of the nation (John 8:39-40).

Before we go on – a little background is needed. Jesus had spent the night on the Mount of Olives, where He often went to talk with His Father. At dawn He appeared in the temple courts, where he taught early morning worshipers. During this service a woman who was caught in adultery was brought before Jesus and His judgment is known to this day. Deserving death under the law, He calls on anyone who was without sin to cast the first stone. They left the scene, one by one, and Jesus tells the woman to go and sin no more. These folks who stood in judgment over the woman who had been “caught” in her sin, did not resemble Abraham. They were his natural descendants but because of their own disobedience and unbelief many could not claim to be his spiritual descendants (8:39).

When He next spoke to the people Jesus claimed to be the Light of the World (John 8:12); the Pharisees took offence because He had no witnesses to verify His claim. Jesus called God the Father His witness (:16-18) and a lengthy discussion ensued.

Key points in His discourse included the fact that the truth would set these people free (8:32). Later in John 14 Jesus identified Himself as the “Truth”. He goes on to say that “…if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (8:36). Now it becomes apparent how crucial His identification with the Father is, because Jesus said “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God” (8:42). Jesus then accuses His listeners of not understanding what He is saying because “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire” (8:44). Pretty strong language!

What made His message so urgent? Jesus said He was going away and these people would not be able to follow him. He says this twice (8:21 & 22). Why? He warns them four times that they would die in their sins (8:21, 22, 24). This presents us with a conundrum. These folks apparently were identified with the devil by Jesus, so therefore they were not welcome in heaven. It is crucial that our family, friends and workmates recognize that the one who longs to be their heavenly Father sent Jesus to tell them the truth about their eternal destiny. We do not get to choose our earthly father, but we do have that opportunity when it comes to our heavenly Father. It is a choice every person must get serious about, or face the consequences.

Reflection:

This choice frees us from the grasp of the one who is the father of lies (8:45). The devil is the father of all unbelievers. Tragically many do not hear the truth, not because they are intellectually deficient, but rather because they do not wish to follow Jesus’ teachings. They prefer to follow their father, the devil. How then might they claim God as their heavenly Father? Who is your father?

Devotional

Nicodemus

June 16, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

John 3

Who was Nicodemus? John tells us he was a Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council. The Sanhedrin was made up of 70-72 elders and teachers of a nation governed by religious rule. By law the Sanhedrin could not meet at night so when Jesus was brought before them, prior to His crucifixion, they had to wait until daybreak (Luke 22:66). However, under Roman rule the Sanhedrin lost its clout….they had no power to carry out a capitol sentence.

Perhaps Nicodemus, lost in a maze of religious bureaucracy was unable to satisfy his curiosity. We know he came to Jesus at night. Imagine how risky this was for one of the key leaders of the people. He must have been truly desperate to get answers for questions he may never have dared to ask before.

Immediately he told Jesus what he knew. “You are a teacher come from God”. Was that flattery? How could he make such a statement to an unlearned carpenter? He, himself, was of the educated elite. Years of studying the law qualified one to become a Pharisee. At their zenith Josephus tells us there may have been 6,000 Pharisees throughout Israel, known by the way they dressed. They were also known to be chasidim – “loved of God” or “loyal to God”. Study of all that entailed is for another day.

How did Nicodemus recognize that Jesus came from God? By His miracles. Jesus’ response was rather odd. “I tell you the truth”…..confidentially, let Me let you into a secret….”no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again” (John 3:3). Jesus understood Nicodemus’ heart. He knew the man before him was deadly serious about matters of faith. His commitment to God was real, sincere.

Besides telling Nicodemus he must be born again, Jesus also told him He had come from heaven, something no other person could say (:13). He prophesied about his death on the cross, but it is unlikely Nicodemus understood the analogy about being lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness. Did Nicodemus understand that this act, Jesus’ sacrifice would provide those who believed with eternal life? (:14).

Based on God’s love for the whole world, not just the Jewish community, salvation would provide eternal life to all who believed in His Son….Jesus revealed His deity to Nicodemus that night (:16). Taking this man into His confidence, Jesus shared a new way to God that would supersede the sacrifices Jews were required to make in worship. This news was “light” that God had sent into a world darkened by sin.

John doesn’t tell us what Nicodemus did with the information Jesus shared that night. He does report that Nicodemus spoke out against the illegal conviction of a man [Jesus] who was convicted but had not yet been tried and proven guilty (John 7:50-51). His commitment to Jesus was proven by the provision he made of 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes, when he and Joseph of Arimathea buried the body of their Lord in Joseph’s tomb (John 19:39-40).

Reflection:

Deep thoughts! The Holy Spirit has been sent to convict us of sin and to reveal truth to our spirits. The life of Nicodemus challenges us with his willingness to take risks for Jesus’ sake. Perhaps by working quietly in the background he earned for himself the reputation of being a secret believer, but His love for Jesus is tenderly visible in the last rites performed over His dead body. How does God perceive your love and mine for the Saviour who died to give us eternal life?

Devotional

Rachel Weeping for Her Children

June 9, 2026 AdminLeave a comment

Jeremiah 31:15

Today there are many women weeping for their children. Have you seen the suffering of the refugees around the world? It’s pretty hard to imagine what it would be like to be displaced from everything we once held dear, from our intimate families and friends. Some of us have held our little ones in our arms while they struggled, but most of us have no idea what it would be like to face death by hunger. Facing death by every other means is unfortunately common in certain areas of our world today.

Death! This is why Rachel was weeping for her children. Death had come to Ramah, just as the prophet had predicted. Ramah is a city in Benjamin’s tribal territory; Rachel was his mother. The prophet Jeremiah applied great sorrow to Rachel who would have wept if she had known that her children, her progeny would be swept into exile. Ramah was the city to which the captives were taken on their way to Babylon.

A second tragedy befell Ramah when Herod, sought to get rid of the baby “King of the Jews”, announced suddenly by the arrival of the Magi from the east. Babies under two years of age were slaughtered recklessly because of King Herod’s fear. Once again Matthew remembers how Rachel longed for children. She would prefer to die; in other words, life was not worth living if she did not bear children (Genesis 30:1). Now more of her descendants were being killed. We can just envision the pain in her heart had she known. We must be ready to leave the future in God’s hands, and praise Him for the gifts of the present.

However, in the present there are people who are grieving the death of their little ones. Are we feeling compassion in our hearts? Does God have compassion for these people? “This is what the Lord says: Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears….there is hope for your future” (Jeremiah 31:16-17). “I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow” (31:13).

Comfort came through the very one that Herod sought to kill. Jesus Christ came to restore man’s relationship with God the heavenly Father. God has made good on His promise. Today as we weep it is not without hope. Certainly we weep. God even stores our tears in a bottle….but He has provided the means for us to hope. “And now these three remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Reflection:

What lessons can we learn from this portion of scripture about the force of fear?

Predicated on faith, the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), God’s love flows through us to others. This is His plan for us who are His workmanship (:10). Are you conscious of being used of God to bring hope and love to others?