No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (The words of Jesus, quoted in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13.) Here is a stark warning that the pursuit of … Continue reading God and Mammon
Jesus
What does the Bible mean by “left thy first love”?
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." (Revelation 2:4).I have been part of many discussions over this verse. As far as I recall, we have always taken it to mean "I am disappointed in you because you've lost that loving feeling." Then we discussed how we can tell if … Continue reading What does the Bible mean by “left thy first love”?
Friendship
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! (John 11:33-36).I have at times wondered … Continue reading Friendship
The self-important self
The dictionary pictured above lists 80 hyphenated words beginning with self; the Canadian Oxford Dictionary lists 200. What a bunch of self-centred, self-satisfied, self-important bores we have become!We think that good self-esteem is essential for happiness. We study self-help books to help us attain self-fulfillment, self-actualization and self-realization. There is a little problem though — … Continue reading The self-important self
Missed opportunities
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:5-6 Like many other Christians, I read these verses and feel that … Continue reading Missed opportunities
Restless Christians
Throughout the Bible there is a promise of rest for the people of God, typified by the seventh day when God rested from His labours. The Bible tells us that after Joshua led the people of God into the promised land they had rest from all their enemies round about (Joshua 23:1). However, the book … Continue reading Restless Christians
Straight and narrow?
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Our Lord uses … Continue reading Straight and narrow?
Flatlander Faith 