by Susan Barnes | 8 Aug 2022 | Short Devotion
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8 Jesus chose to die in obedience to God. Jesus’ sacrifice was “once and for all” (Hebrews 10:10). God doesn’t ask this of his people....
by Susan Barnes | 18 Jul 2022 | Short Devotion
“Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2 Jewish people were familiar with the “fragrant offerings” and sacrifices that were required in the Old Testament. Paul...
by Susan Barnes | 8 Mar 2022 | Communion Talks
I wonder if you sometimes harbour feelings of guilt or condemnation for things you have done or perhaps things you have left undone? Or perhaps it’s not so much wrong actions you struggle with, but wrong thoughts that you can’t stop thinking about? Maybe you feel that...
by Susan Barnes | 22 Feb 2022 | Communion Talks
“This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:10 NLT) John starts with the words, “This is real love …” so John is about to describe love for us. But first, he wants us to...
by Susan Barnes | 2 Nov 2021 | Quoting Other Writers
Rule 7 / Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient) This is one of the more philosophical chapters. Peterson goes into a lengthy discussion on the benefits of delayed gratification as a corrective to expediency. Our natural human tendency is to do what is...
by Susan Barnes | 9 Mar 2021 | Quoting Other Writers
“The kingdom is not meant to be an extra benefit tagged onto a comfortable life, it must be all-consuming or it is no longer the kingdom.” ~ Craig Keener