Author: John Rowland

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart  [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.  Read Matthew 5:1-12 In the Amplified Bible What does the word ‘Purity’ conjure up in your mind? Perhaps it

Read Micah 6:1-8 v 8.     No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,and this is what he requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. This notion of offering sacrifices

Read Matthew 9:9-13 v 13.  I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.   Jesus draws attention to one of the most basic principles of Christian faith – and it was one enshrined in the Jewish Old Testament too if

Read Matthew 18:21-35 v 33.   Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you? This particular story which Jesus told arose from a practical question by Peter in v 21: ‘ “Lord, how often should

Read John 8:1-11 vv 4-5.  “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” This question was a trap for Jesus; that is clear

Mercy is the first of the active, happy-making characteristics to be mentioned. It encompasses those who give and those who serve and is directed towards those who are suffering in some way. It involves doing something practical rather than just

Read Romans 10:1-13 v 1.  Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. Part of our hunger and thirst for God includes wanting others to experience

Read Galatians 5:16-26 v 17.  The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two

Read Psalm 63 v 1.  O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for youin this parched and weary land where there is no water. The Psalmist is not thinking of an

Read 1 Peter 2:1-12 v 11.   Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Whatever goes on in our daily experience of life, most of