I have recently been renewed in my experience of following Jesus. With it has come a deeper clarity and appreciation for the Kingdom of God. With it has come a renewed longing for the personal presence of God, and what this means in terms of His Kingdom. So let’s look briefly at this Kingdom.
In the [...]

Isaiah 9: 6 - 7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no [...]

I want to just bring a brief word of exhortation at this time to all the readership of VOR. Whether you know the Lord or whether perhaps you are weighing up the cost of following Him. I am sensing at this time that even the best of us can be distracted from the key thing [...]

“Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom…” -Mt. 4.23a
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” -1 Tim. 2.5
The Gospel of God is the most marvelous thing in the universe. It confronts us in our sin and [...]

Acts 7: 37 - 45 (Stephen’s address)

“This is that Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.’ He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.

“But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in [...]

“When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.” -Mk. 15.42-43

While on a sabbatical in December of 2005, I stumbled onto the story of…

Here we are at the end of another year - 2008, and facing a new year - 2009. I like this time, as it provides me with a great opportunity to thank God for what He has done, evaluate it and anticipate the new season of opportunity. In light of this, I am sensing God challenging me on a few issues as a leader in His Church. In 2008, I have sensed an incredible battle in the heavenlies regarding the Church. I am not one for speculative spiritual warfare type talk. (The Western [...]