There are so many characters in Scripture, many who stand out in our minds as ‘superheroes’ for one reason or the other. Yet despite their amazing achievements, often it is their weaknesses, their struggles, which resonate with us and set an example for us to learn from. These exceptional characters provide ‘superhero’ moments, as well as more ‘human’ moments, which, … Read More
Grateful
The goal of this plan is to take you through 7 days of thankfulness. It will help you explore different aspects of thankfulness and our need for thankfulness every day. To sign up for the 7-day devotional click on this link to read: with our church individually
The Debt of Love…
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:7-8 (NIV) Last week’s sermon skipped over Romans chapter 13 but … Read More
Renewing our minds…
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2a (NIV) This is one of the verses from Romans 12 which we explored last Sunday, as we discovered how to offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. I wonder how you’ve been going this week with renewing … Read More
HOW TO SHARE YOUR FAITH IN JESUS
Do you want to learn how to share your faith in Jesus with others? Recently after church, someone asked me about this. The conversation must have been positive as the suggestion was, I write a book or run a workshop to help more people. A book or resource may come, but I think the workshop is achievable, sooner. Sharing the … Read More
ARE YOU STILL GROWING?
In John 15 Jesus asks us if we bear the fruit of God’s life? In the chapter Jesus indicates the fruit God is looking for is our obedience (v14), loving others like Jesus loves (v12), and contributing to God’s work in rescuing the world (v15). Do we bear this fruit? If not, the implications are: “He [God] cuts off every … Read More
INVITE SOMEONE INTO THE HEART OF OUR STORY
What Church service in a year will tell the core message of the Christian faith? Easter! The Easter story is the heart of our faith. Our sin, our saviour, the cross, the resurrection, forgiveness, rescue, love, hope. It is all there. In our church we try to tell the story twice over the Easter weekend. Once from the perspective of … Read More
WHEN THINGS DON’T MAKE SENSE
Lent Reading: John 12:12-16 How many times in life have you wondered what God is doing? When have you not understood where God is, how the challenge you are in could be good? When have you asked God, why this is happening? Humans are wired for patterns and to form meaning. We can look at clouds and our minds turn … Read More
Washed Clean
Years ago, when Owen wore white business shirts to work, a blue pen was inadvertently left in the pocket and made its way through the laundry with all the whites. I remember the efforts I went to, to clean the blue stains out of the clothes that were contaminated by the blue ink. It took heavy duty stain remover and … Read More
WHAT WILL WE THANK GOD FOR INTO ETERNITY?
Lent Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10 What can you thank God for today? Take a pause, have a think, what comes to mind? Now, focus your thanks on what Paul describes in Ephesians 2:1-10. Once you were dead in your sins, serving first your desires, disobedient and out of relationship with God, under judgement. Now, through faith in Jesus you are forgiven, … Read More
DOES THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE MAKE SENSE?
Lent Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor 1:22-24) Does the Christian message make sense? Yes and no. Paul says to ‘No’ for those who rely … Read More
WE NEED FAITH FOR GRACE
Lent Reading: Romans 4:13-25 We need faith for grace. In Romans 4 the Apostle Paul says Abraham, while he and his wife Sarah were unable to conceive, was given the promise by God to be “the father of many nations”. This is grace. God in his generosity appointed Abraham for this promise. Abraham did not have to win a competition, … Read More