Psalm 119:105

HOW TO BACKSLIDE

(September 27, 2025) Dr Richard Winter challenges…

How to backslide?

‘What?’ you’re exclaiming, probably shocked by this title! The reality is that no Christian ever plans on backsliding, yet it happens. Stay with me, readers…

The prophet Jeremiah admitted backsliding happened many times. He wrote in Jeremiah 3:21-22 that although Israel had forgotten God, He was graciously saying ‘Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.’

The apostle Paul wrote a lot about backsliding… note his warning in Galatians 6:7GWV, ‘Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest.’ 

Apostasy
Let’s get to the point here—

  • Such activity is committing apostasy!
  • ‘Backsliding’ is actually a theological term for the activity of falling away.
  • It’s a process by which a convert to Christianity reverts to pre-conversion habits.
  • Such lapsing into sin is when a person turns from God to pursue their own desires.
  • And no Christian should do it!
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CELEBRATING THE LIGHT

(November 27, 2022) Dr Jim McClure, noted theologian, reflects on God’s light…

Ministering in England years ago, I was teaching about Jewish faith and practice. To help give my church members a better understanding, I asked a nearby rabbi if he would kindly give us a tour of his synagogue and explain various things done during their worship services.

Very pleased to do so, when we arrived on a suitable date, he was most welcoming, telling us to ask as many questions as we wished. We had a great time!

Later, a week or two before Christmas, he called saying that they were celebrating the Jewish Festival of Hanukkah and invited my church along. I readily accepted. The Jewish congregation sang some Hanukkah songs, and then the rabbi invited us to sing some Christmas carols which we did – with much enthusiasm! 

A wonderful meal followed that contained many delicacies that are traditionally eaten at Hanukkah.  It was a memorable experience.

Hanukkah 
This is celebrated about three months after the Feast of Tabernacles, and lasts for eight days. Another name is the ‘Festival of Lights’ and this year will be between December 18 and 26.

Although not mentioned in the Old Testament, a reference is in John 10:22, where it is called the ‘Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem.’

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‘ALL’ SCRIPTURE – THE SECRET OF GREATNESS

(July 2, 2022) Brian Bell reflects on ‘a few seed thoughts’…

It is said that during Queen Victoria’s reign, a visiting diplomatic delegation asked the Queen how Britain had become powerful in the world.

The Queen’s response did not mention the number of ships in her fleet, she made no reference to the number serving in her armies, she did not give an account of her boundless merchandise or the details of her inexhaustible wealth but answered by handing the delegation a beautifully bound copy of the Bible.

Secret of greatness
This incident (which I understand has been suggested as possibly being an unfounded anecdote) is nonetheless depicted in Thomas James Barker’s 1863 painting, The Secret of England’s Greatness.If it isn’t familiar to you, I respectfully suggest you consider looking up that portrait of Queen Victoria meeting an African envoy and presenting him with a copy of the KJV Bible.

(Houston Baptist University)

Personally, I find it captivating – showing something of the ‘awe’ of the event with the Bible having a prominent position.

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ARE YOU SEEKING THE LORD’S PURPOSE?

(November 13, 2019) Carol Round encourages us to seek God’s purpose for us in life…

‘Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails’ declares Proverbs 19:21.

Never doubting God
In 1975, I graduated from college and was immediately hired to teach in the public school system. While I never doubted my life’s calling as a teacher, God steered me from majoring in elementary education to that of a secondary educator.

And, because I was surprised by this unexpected turn in my path, I’ve never doubted it was God’s plan for me all along.

During my 30-year teaching career, God repeatedly reminded me through the relationships I had with my students, both during and after their high school years, that his purpose had prevailed.

Even after my retirement from education, God has used me to encourage, and to minister to, my former students.

Redirected by the Holy Spirit
But while I had post-retirement plans, God had a greater one. (more…)