Posts from March 2023

There are as many religious convictions as there are souls accountable before God. One of the things that holds us back from evangelism is our fear of offending others. Not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings, we either stick to points of agreement or stay silent all together. Of course, our reluctance to let the Gospel move the emotions of the sinner as God sees fit, says a lot about us. It indicates that our convictions are probably not as strong…

I have met Christians who have said that they have on occasions, “taken a break from church because it got too much for them.” I don’t know about you, but going to church has always restored my soul. I love my brethren and ever draw strength from their faith and good works. Realistically, it is in the presence of our brethren and our God that our souls are properly restored. Together in praise and worship we acknowledge the supremacy of…

Check my maths, but I believe that if a man lives 80 years on this earth, he will consume no less than 700,800 hours of time. Having already used up more than three quarters of that, it causes me to seriously contemplate the value of my investment so far. Of course, it is a waste of time wallowing in a sea of regret, though wisdom does demand a fair accounting. The hours ahead need to be used to their fullest…

“But he who listens to me [wisdom] shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil” (Proverbs 1:33). The wisdom of God fills the life of the believer. It offers the simplest of common-sense solutions and the deepest of thoughts about God. To find it is to dwell in the safety of the Lord and to be able to stand against the devil. To ignore it is to set yourself adrift amidst the lost and perishing;…

There is not a false teacher alive who doesn’t know that he is a conman. With the Holy Spirit speaking from within and truth-tellers speaking from without, false teachers are well aware of the lies and deceptions that they propagate. However, through much practice they artfully disguise their anger and disdain for their critics by manipulating anyone who comes near. Until, of course, they are confronted—then the fangs come out! False teachers come in many shapes and sizes. Some are…

There is no doubt that the public discourse on morality, the roles of men and women, and the sanctity of life have changed over the decades. However, as much as the words and the corresponding actions (sins) have intensified and multiplied, I am not convinced that the heart of the average person fifty years ago was any purer than his contemporary counterpart. Tragically, the excesses of today are a playing-out of the lusts of yesterday. Many believers are watching the…

Traveling to and from our church building I am greeted by sign-bearing beggars at one particular set of traffic lights. To a man, they walk back and forth through the traffic lines wielding signs asking for food or spare change. Though I have seen people give them coins, I have not done so myself. It is obvious that such able-bodied men would do society and themselves a service by engaging in honest employment. They are not “The poor” that the…

Back in the days of phone books, one young lady found herself being hounded by her City Council for unpaid parking fines. This was despite the fact that she didn’t even own a car. The Council officials assumed that the registered car owner was the same person as someone with the same name in the local phone book. No end of correspondence and phone calls moved the council. The more the innocent lady protested, the more penalties they imposed upon…

Critique is criticism with a smile. Speaking to each other about each other’s shortcomings is not easy. Even the best of Christian friendships can cool for a couple of days after one confronts the other on a matter. Though we prefer a gentle critique over a direct criticism or a sharp rebuke, it is hardest when we are expected to take it on the chin and feel like we are being done a favour. But scripture knows best: “Better is…

Everyone loves a good story. Especially when it makes them feel smarter than they are, and not as bad about their shortcomings as they should. All that it takes is someone who knows how to push the right buttons, and everyone is all ears. However, it doesn’t take long to realise that something isn’t working. When the flattery finally rings hollow, a person is left realising that they have lost ground in the game of life; Wisdom has a way…