As much as we would like it for God to mature us in a moment, or even over a special church camp weekend or something like that, the reality is that God matures us one day at a time for the entire duration of our earthly life. Our church takes this daily exercise very seriously. […]
Romans 12:17 The unfairness of doing good
Christianity has an excessive element to it. Christianity is “unfair” in the best sense of the word. Sinners who deserve punishment are delivered because of a substitute 2 Cor 5:21). God makes the sun rise on unbelievers just as on believers (Matt 5:45). Even when mankind invents all kinds of evil, God still makes some […]
Decide to give
Giving money for the work of the Lord is a unusual way of investing in eternity. It makes sense that things like prayer, encouragement, service at church, and the ‘one anothers’ are some of the practical ways of creating treasure in heaven. Giving money is different. It is a very earthly, almost non-spiritual thing, that […]
Expectations of Biblical Counselling
People come for secular and pastoral counselling with all kinds of expectations. Some expect nothing really, except perhaps a mystical fix to all their problems. Others expect a listening ear—and clearly nothing more. Then there are always those who, like Nebuchadnezzar, expect the counsellor to “just know” what the problem is. On the other side […]
“I’ll figure it out for myself”
In the book of Proverbs there are many stereotypical characters with colourful introductions. There is the sluggard with his comically pathetic excuses, the fool named accordingly, the mocker with his loud mouth, the simpleton thriving on naïvety, the wicked in contrast to the righteous, and, not to be left out, is the man who is […]
When your sin makes you depressed
One of the songs sung on the way to the annual feasts in Jerusalem was Psalm 130. You might wonder what festival singing has to do with the guilt over your own sin, and this is where Psalm 130 provides a very important answer. Before you can joyfully come to worship, you need the guilt […]
Romans 12:16 The secret of getting along with others
Live in harmony with one another Romans 12:16 That is the idealistic dream of this world—getting along with others. We love those who are easy to get along with, and we admire those who seem to get along with everyone they meet. Sadly it seems that the slightest unintentional gesture can undo a year’s worth […]
Enduring everything for the sake of a fellow Christian
Although this is most especially true of pastors and elders, it ought to be something that describes every believer. We are willing to endure hardship for the sake of family; we are willing to endure insult for the sake of a noble cause; we are willing to endure discomfort for the sake of a friend; […]
A sit-down with your child
Parenting is a full-time job. Sometimes parenting is an intensive act of saving your child from a destructive act, other times a casual comment made in passing is what gets to the heart of a child. Proverbs gives instruction to parents on all the moments of parenting. In Proverbs 23:12-19 a wonderful guide for a […]
The disorder of anxiety and fear
Anxiety disorders are claimed by psychiatry and psychology as one of their fields of expertise. In the meantime, Scripture has held the place of EXPERT on the disorder of anxiety ever since sin entered the world. Anxiety might manifest itself in many physical ways, but it since it is called sin in the Bible, we […]