Jesus is coming soon. In the final chapter of Revelation, Jesus confirmed this promise three times. “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll” (22:7). “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have…

Many world leaders think they have control or power over others. When things do not go their way, they exert their power over others to get things to go their way. This power is often exerted in an abusive manner. Such leaders think they can control events and people with their power. While Jesus was…

As Hebrew 10:24-25 calls us to encourage one another, it also gives the key to do so. Effective biblical encouragement hinges on two “Cs”. They are our commitment to one another through our habitual gatherings and our faith confession which provides the biblical content for our encouragements. Hebrews 10:25 suggests that central to our faith…

As we follow Jesus in Christian discipleship, it would be helpful to reflect a bit on the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ. The biblical writers assume the historicity of the crucifixion of Jesus and focus their attention on its significance. Paul, for example, portrays Jesus as: “Who, being in very nature God, did…

“I don’t feel that I’m being fed spiritually.”  I’ve heard this several times from friends on why they are changing church. Maybe they don’t understand the preaching or the teaching in church doesn’t address their real needs and struggles. Maybe the music or the preaching, though spiritually nourishing, is not to their taste and style.…

What exactly is prayer? One view is that prayer is just talking to God as you would to anyone. But there is one major difference. When talking to God, we cannot see, hear or touch Him. In my view, prayer is about engaging in a relationship with God. And how we relate to God will…

According to the Christian calendar, Easter is not just an event—the event of the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead—it is also a seven-week season that lasts until Pentecost. And there is biblical basis for Easter to be celebrated that way. After all, after the glorious resurrection of Christ, he appeared to…

In life, we have to take sides sometimes. There are occasions in which this can put us in a dilemma. On the one hand, deep inside us, we know which side is in the right. On the other, there are considerations that sway us to take the side of the wrong; close relationship, peer pressure,…

Many Christians are reluctant to prayer for various reasons. Perhaps we feel a bit self-conscious at times, especially praying in public. Maybe we compare our prayers with the prayers of others, who seem to be more articulate. But prayer, in the Christian life, is as important and natural as breathing. Think about it for a…

Have you ever asked what it means to be a disciple of Christ? Jesus tells us in Luke 6:40, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Discipleship is following Jesus to become like Him. But following Jesus is so hard, our best efforts…