Joseph named his second son “Ephraim,” which sounds like the Hebrew word for “fruitful.” He gives his reason for choosing this name in Genesis 41:52: "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." My first reaction to this name was negative. I didn’t want to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. I wanted my affliction to end. ... continue reading
In many ways, reading the Bible is like reading any other book. However, if the Bible is breathed out by God, there are some key differences that we need to take on board right at the start.... continue reading
When we brought our first son home from the hospital, my husband and I couldn’t get over how the doctors and nurses had just sent us on our way with a newborn. We felt like babies ourselves, but they had entrusted a tiny person to our care without any sort of instruction manual.
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“I forgive you.” These are simple words, but hard ones. Perhaps they are words you just can’t bring yourself to say. Has someone harmed you so deeply you cannot imagine releasing them of their debt to you? Or perhaps these are words you long to hear. Have you harmed a loved one? Does restoring the relationship seem impossible?... continue reading
“All Scripture is breathed out by God,” Paul famously wrote to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is not a human product infused with divinity; it’s a divine gift produced through human instrumentality. Its every book, chapter, sentence, and syllable was originally given by God’s inspiration.... continue reading
Over recent years we have witnessed the fall of a significant number of church leaders from many different backgrounds. The reasons have varied from one case to another, but often there have been issues of illicit sexuality, mishandling of finances, abuse of power and authority, and substance abuse, among a few others.
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Few situations are more frustrating than an argument with that family member during Christmas dinner. However, not everyone is in the position to have family tussles over turkey. You may have a strained relationship with certain family members because of ongoing conflict. There may be injustice and abuse, or simply absence. ... continue reading
Did Jesus come to bring peace on earth, as the angels sang at the first Christmas (Luke 2:14)? Or did He come to bring division, as He Himself announces here?
Yes.
How are we to reconcile Jesus’ claims that He would bring both peace and division?... continue reading
Whenever I get to the end of a tube of toothpaste, I carefully roll up the tube to squeeze out the last bit of toothpaste. And that’s how my evangelism so often feels. I wrap myself up in guilt until a tiny bit of Jesus squeezes out.... continue reading
The following is an extract of Day 1 of Sinclair Ferguson’s new Advent devotional, The Dawn of Redeeming Grace. Available as a paperback and audiobook read by Sinclair himself.... continue reading
