The CHRIST I NEVER MET AT CHURCH, PART TWO

Christ as Resurrection and Life You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life (John 5:39-40) Across the world millions of Christians believe there is …

THE CHRIST I NEVER MET AT CHURCH

Part One   For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us…2 Cor. 1:19 In 2001, after forty years of regular attendance, and at Holy Spirit’s leading, I ceased participating in the institutional church (IC). I know that many who follow Bread for the Bride have a similar story.  I …

The Unprodigal Son

Many of us are familiar with the parable of the prodigal son who asked for his inheritance, left his home, and squandered his riches on a sinful lifestyle, only to return home to his father’s house repentant and broken. The story can be found in Luke 15:11-32. However, it is the prodigal’s older brother I …

He Must Increase

Our Father is seeking spiritual fruit.  The fruit He looks for are the fruits of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22,23.   These are the attributes, or character, of His Son.  Jesus told us that His Father, as the vinedresser, takes away the branches that bear no fruit, and those which bear fruit He prunes so …

Greater Than The Temple

From the beginning God has fervently pursued an active, thriving relationship with His human family. Of all created beings, He determined that only humans would be made in His own image and likeness.  Thus, immediately after the fall, as the first man and woman hid themselves from Him, God came seeking them.  His cry of …

BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN

Note: You may or may not have noticed it has been many months since I last posted on Bread for the Bride.  My absence has been due to a long period of very poor health. If my health allows I hope to continue sharing articles, but none of us know for certain what the days …

Ears To Hear

The shock, confusion and disbelief experienced by Jesus’ shattered disciples immediately after His death on the Cross must have been immeasurable. Drawing from our own human experience we can only imagine the questions that went through their minds and the sense of utter despair they must have felt. Imagine, if you can, Nathanael¹, poignantly recalling …

The Priests, the Politician and the Patriots

Once there was a very proud nation that had been richly blessed by God.  The nation’s founders had enshrined allegiance to the one true God within its laws.  Furthermore, the nation’s children were educated to study, respect and adhere to their nation’s founding values.  This nation had once fought mighty battles, conquered enemies and become …

The Testimony of Jesus and the Spirit of Prophecy

  Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb’”.  And he said to me, “These are true words of God.”  Then I fell at his feet to worship him.  But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of …

Something Beautiful

  He is just a boy, a lad, a child. Yet he holds in his hands the making of a miracle. Looking shyly into the face of the rabbi, he intuitively understands this is not a Man who will forcefully take anything from him. He’s not so sure about the Man’s friends though. But he …

Q and A: Covid-19, The Church, And God’s Judgment

Recently I was asked to comment on whether COVID-19 restrictions on churches could be a sign of God’s judgment on the western institutional church, given that many churches have had to limit or cease usual Sunday services.  In relation to this, 1 Peter 4:17 was referenced: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and …

“So Where Do You Go To Church?”

“So where do you go to church?” A seemingly innocent question, and one that will be familiar to followers of Jesus Christ. But if, like me, you’re one of the growing number of believers who choose to refrain from participation in traditional local church life, it’s too often a question that sets alarm bells ringing. …

To Whom Shall We Go?

Into every life there comes at least one crucial watershed moment.  Moments where the soul is sifted and the true motivations of our hearts are revealed.  Moments when events align around us that will require hard choices and ultimately determine our destiny.  It is my belief the slowing down currently caused by the world-wide coronavirus …

So You Want To Go Back To Normal

Coronavirus.  I doubt there’s a single person reading this it hasn’t impacted.  Many of us are reeling at the extent and speed with which the world around has changed, dramatically, within what seems like a nano-second.  It’s mind boggling, isn’t it! Everywhere I turn – internet, TV news, social media, family discussion – the question …

River

"'And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of …

THE LAMB Part Three

  If we are Christ-followers, we live our earthly lives contending with a world system that violently opposes the authority of the King and Kingdom we serve (Jn. 15:19). In this world, authority is synonymous with ‘’greatness’’. Nations demonstrate their greatness through displays of military and economic might. Leaders boast openly about their nation’s greatness …

THE LAMB Part Two

  Part Two of a three part series. To read Part One of The Lamb, please go here. It is dawn on a quiet Galilean beach.  Eight men are gathered around a small fire, sharing a meal of fish and bread.  One of them is Jesus Christ, known recently to have died on a Roman …

THE LAMB Part One

Image supplied by Heartlight.org The year is AD96 or thereabouts.  The location is Patmos, a remote island-prison outpost of the mighty Roman Empire.  The ageing Christian apostle John has been exiled and imprisoned on the island because of, in his words, “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” In worship John hears …

Mary, Did You Know?

  Mary, did you know on that night long ago in Bethlehem, the night you gave birth in a lonely, dung strewn cattle shed, that one day you would stand shivering before a Roman execution stake and watch your son die a bloody and cruel death?  Did you imagine the scene unfolding before your eyes …

The Gospel Time Forgot

  I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.  And I will make every effort so that after my departure you …