Today's psalm and meditation are good reminders that no matter what befalls us, and no matter whether our troubles and difficulties at times seem to overwhelm us, God is still there and still able and willing to help us. Hope you have a great day.

Today's Scripture passage and meditation remind us that in God's economy all of us, each one of us no matter who we are or what our background might be, matter, matter so much that He is aware and concerned when we're missing. But also concerned for the health of the church, that when one person leaves (for any reason) there is a gap that must be filled.

In our everyday world we are often seen as a number, an anonymous entity, but not in the sight of God. We matter to Him--and, to each other. Let us never forget that.

Today's reading from Acts reminds me of a very painful and frustrating time in my life. I had just committed my life to Christ as an adult, and was trying--albeit entirely on my own steam and power--to follow Christ and be like Him. But, like a child just learning to walk, I kept on stumbling and falling. I had no idea that there was an outside power, namely that of the Holy Spirit, available to strengthen and enable my walk with Christ and in Christ. And once I discovered it, it was like a new Pentecost. I was enabled, energized, not just to walk with Christ, but in a sense, to run with and for Him. It made all the difference in the world.

Here, in today's passage--and accompanying meditation--the apostle Paul raises a serious issue, one that all of us would be well advised to take heed of, and watch out for. Paul is suggesting that some people have their own motives for what they say and do within the church, and so end up serving themselves, rather than Christ--or, by extension, the church either. I mention this because it is all too easy for all of us, clergy and laity alike, to assure that our motives our agendas are naturally those that honour, obey and serve Christ and His church. And yet, sadly, this is not always the case, hence this warning.

Yesterday's meditation, based on the gospel reading of Luke 11 vs. 1-13, focused on prayer and so does my meditation for today. Psalm 7 is one of what are called Psalms of Lament, where the psalmist pours out his heart to the Lord. It is a good reminder that we too can do that, and all the more so, because of our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. So, we can feel free to bring to God whatever concerns or griefs we have.

Today's gospel reading, Luke 11:1-13, is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible, as it contains Jesus' teaching on a most important subject, namely, prayer. Much can be gleaned elsewhere, either by His example or by His teachings or instructions in passing, but this passage is important as it encapsulates a whole bunch of teaching on the subject and does so in a sustained and unified manner. I hope you enjoy this meditation. If you would like to explore this further in more detail I also have a sermon that I wrote on it.

Often we say, and say rather glibly, that God can do anything, but when it comes down to it, when it comes down to practical applications and results, we scarcely believe it. In this, we are a lot like Sarah in today's passage. We all have trouble believing at times, and certainly we do need God's assistance in helping us believe. Anyway, I hope that today's meditation will inspire you.

Today's passage tells us something, something incredible and totally out of this world, about God's love for us. Imagine Jesus, at the Last Supper, knowing fully well the terrible and excruciating ordeal that lay ahead of Him and knowing fully well how we rather fickle humans, humans, claiming after all, to be His loyal friends, followers and disciples, would treat Him, still going ahead with that epic meal of renewal and remembrance, the Last Supper. It really says to me just how much He loves us, and reminds me of how much I should love Him, abide with Him, and obey Him, in return.

One of the most common mistakes that people make in interpreting and applying narrative portions of Scripture is forgetting or neglecting their immediate context and audience and deciding that the passage has a direct meaning and application to themselves. But, then, it leaves us with a very important question, namely, what relevance does it have for us today? Is it to be simply taken as a piece of interesting but irrelevant historical trivia?

Those were the kinds of questions that I found myself wrestling with today as I read and prayed over this passage from Joshua. The best that I could come up with is that in the sovereignty of God He desires to bless us but makes that blessing dependent upon our entering into a covenant relationship with Him (there symbolized by circumcision and the Passover meal). Anyway, that's what I took away from it. For further details of thinking you can of course read the full meditation. Hope you enjoy it.

Years ago, my brother and I used to play day-long games of Monopoly, and often, even after hours of play, there was no clear winner. One of its aspects is, of course, a pick-up card entitled 'Opportunity Knocks' and it was a sad occasion indeed if we were not able to put it to good use.

In a sense, life is like that. We are continually presented with the equivalent of 'Opportunity Knocks' cards, opportunities for good and for bad. Today's meditation speaks of the other kind of opportunity, opportunities to do what is not right, and of course, these ones will always be around to tempt us. So, as the Scriptures constantly remind us, we should make the best use of the time--and the opportunities--that are available to us.

Years ago, my brother and I used to play day-long games of Monopoly, and often, even after hours of play, there was no clear winner. One of its aspects is, of course, a pick-up card entitled 'Opportunity Knocks' and it was a sad occasion indeed if we were not able to put it to good use.

In a sense, life is like that. We are continually presented with the equivalent of 'Opportunity Knocks' cards, opportunities for good and for bad. Today's meditation talks about being ready, being prepared for Christ at His coming. And of course, opportunities abound both to be ready and not to be ready. So, as the Scriptures constantly remind us, we should make the best use of the time--and the opportunities--that are available to us.

what a privilege knowing and belonging to Christ is--something that is not ours by right--and of how that privilege also bears with it certain responsibilities.

We need to take our relationship with Jesus seriously

We need to take Jesus seriously and make sure of our relationship with Him.