On reading this passage of scripture we may well quake in our boots, for the first thing that disciples are instructed to do, is to testify about Jesus! In other words our mission as disciples is to witness about Jesus Christ – that can be exciting but also very scary! Thankfully we have Pentecost. In John 16:13, Jesus states that when the Spirit comes, He will guide us into truth. We are not expected to Read more…
This is one of those passages that makes me think, ‘what could I (a humble Circuit Steward and trainee Local Preacher) possibly add to all the commentaries that have been written over the years?’ But then I guess I’m doing God an injustice. I cannot get away from two words in this passage: “Make disciples” (v19). The call of every Christian, every disciple of Jesus Christ is not just to ‘go’ but to “Go and Read more…
I learned a bit of trivia today. This passage from Revelation was the passage preached on at the funeral of Martin Luther in 1546 (one for a particularly scholarly pub quiz!). This year has seen the 500th anniversary of Luther’s Reformation which has been marked in several ways around the world. Martin Luther was reacting to the sale of “indulgences” or “tickets to heaven” available only to the rich. Luther countered this practice with justification Read more…
In 1987 I came to the U.K. to work as a chef. My family also came here to join me in December 1990. I usually worship at Newcastle Chinese Church on Sunday. This church is now thriving but it was not always that way. Back in the year 2002 we met Rev. David Foo. David encouraged our small group of 7 that we might seek to build up a church at Jesmond. At that time Read more…
I guess for most of us there are people we know and love whom we have prayed for over many years, to come to know the love of God for themselves. At times it’s tempting to give up…please don’t. I have prayed for my friend Julie for over 20 years. Julie and I would often have really deep conversations about the world, spirituality and life in general. I love sharing with her – she’s a Read more…
One of the amazing things about the Bible is the amount that we can learn from just a few words. Today’s reading is fairly short but we can find out so much about the people mentioned. Aquila and Priscilla – refugees (v1) but still trusting God enough to follow Paul to Ephesus. Strong enough in their faith to share with a teacher new things. Kind enough to open their home to strangers. Apollos – he Read more…
Paul’s ministry was about letting the outsiders in – he had been called to preach to the Gentiles and today’s passage tells us more of the work of Paul’s team and their obedience to God’s direction. This is a short passage, but full of meaning. Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man begging him to go to Macedonia and help them – he tells his team, and they go to work at once getting Read more…
I must admit when I saw the passage I had been asked to reflect on, the conversion of Paul from Acts, my heart sank! I am sure there is many a Christian who can clearly relate to this passage, I am certain there is many a person who has had the lightning bolt from the sky, clear words of God conversation. I am sure by now you have worked out I am not one of Read more…
As we look now towards the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we read about Jesus praying as He prepares for the end of His earthly ministry and for His return to God’s presence. This is a time of transition. In His prayer Jesus thanks God for giving Him the disciples. He asks that they be kept safe in the truth of His word, as Jesus had kept them safe in teaching and showing Read more…
An Invitation to stillness “I Will Tell You What the Lord has Done for Me” (Psalm 66: 16) God loves you Is present in you Lives in you Dwells in you Calls you Saves you Thomas Merton No mere creature can ever imagine Just how dearly, sweetly and tenderly Our creator loves us So with his grace and aid Let us spiritually rest in contemplation Forever marvelling At the high, surpassing, single-minded Read more…