Cain & Abel

I was considering the story of Cain and Abel recently, and the question I asked myself was: Why did God accept Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s offering? So the story goes that Cain was a farmer, and Abel was a shepherd, and in the process of time, it came to pass that both of them … Continue reading Cain & Abel →

Ezekiel 37 – valley of dry bones

I was reading Ezekiel 37 about the valley of dry bones recently, where God brought Ezekiel in the Spirit to a valley which was full of bones and asked him, “Son of man, can these bones live?”, whereupon Ezekiel wisely replied, “O Lord God, You know”. And indeed, after a few prophecies, the miraculous happened, … Continue reading Ezekiel 37 – valley of dry bones →

Predestination vs Free Will

I had a conversation with someone on the topic of predestination vs free will recently. To be honest, this isn’t a topic that I have given particular thought to previously, because of the apparently irreconcilable dichotomy between these two concepts (which therefore makes this an obvious topic for me to avoid). It seems that one … Continue reading Predestination vs Free Will →

Jesus walking on water – the divinity of Christ (Matthew 14 / Mark 6 / John 6)…

In Mark 6, it says that when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea, “they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened”. Two things caught my attention here: (1) The divinity of Christ What were the disciples supposed to … Continue reading Jesus walking on water – the divinity of Christ (Matthew 14 / Mark 6 / John 6)… →

Working through the Sermon on the Mount – You shall be perfect (Part IV) (Matthew 5)…

Matthew 5:48 says, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”. The rendition in Luke 6:36 says, “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful”. Had Jesus only said, “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful”, I would have taken note and moved on to … Continue reading Working through the Sermon on the Mount – You shall be perfect (Part IV) (Matthew 5)… →

Working through the Sermon on the Mount – Go the second mile / love your enemies (Part III) (Matthew 5)…

Matthew 5:38-47 says, “38 You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him … Continue reading Working through the Sermon on the Mount – Go the second mile / love your enemies (Part III) (Matthew 5)… →

Working through the Sermon on the Mount – If your right eye / hand causes you to sin (Part II) (Matthew 5)…

Matthew 5:27-30 says, “27You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more … Continue reading Working through the Sermon on the Mount – If your right eye / hand causes you to sin (Part II) (Matthew 5)… →