DalethI am laid low in the dust;    preserve my life according to your word.I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;    teach me your decrees.Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.My soul is weary with sorrow;    strengthen me according to your word.Keep me from deceitful ways;    be gracious to me and teach me your law.I have chos...  Read More

GimelBe good to your servant while I live,    that I may obey your word.Open my eyes that I may see    wonderful things in your law.I am a stranger on earth;    do not hide your commands from me.My soul is consumed with longing    for your laws at all times.You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,    those who stray from your commands.Remove from me their scorn and contempt,    for I keep your s...  Read More

BethHow can a young person stay on the path of purity?    By living according to your word.I seek you with all my heart;    do not let me stray from your commands.I have hidden your word in my heart    that I might not sin against you.Praise be to you, Lord;    teach me your decrees.With my lips I recount    all the laws that come from your mouth.I rejoice in following your statutes    as one rejo...  Read More

AlephBlessed are those whose ways are blameless,    who walk according to the law of the Lord.Blessed are those who keep his statutes    and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong    but follow his ways.You have laid down precepts    that are to be fully obeyed.Oh, that my ways were steadfast    in obeying your decrees!Then I would not be put to shame    when I consider all your commands....  Read More

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.Romans 6:4Easter is a time to look back. To remember and celebrate what was achieved 2000 years ago. But Monday is a time to look at the now. To do some self-assessment under the light of Jesus’ death & resurrection.Romans 6...  Read More

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,1 Peter 1:3He is risen and we have hope!We are not like those optimists who despite the evidence imagine that this world will get better. Or those other optimists who live in ‘faith’ that death will be an end and they have ...  Read More

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope ...  Read More

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, an...  Read More

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”Then the men s...  Read More

  he will swallow up death forever.The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears    from all faces;he will remove his people’s disgrace    from all the earth.The Lord has spoken.In that day they will say,“Surely this is our God;    we trusted in him, and he saved us.This is the Lord, we trusted in him;    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”Isaiah 28:8-9It’s the lead up to Easter and I want...  Read More

28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”Matthew 16:28Have you ever been to a red carpet event? Or maybe you jumped on the crowd for the arrival of your favorite band or sports team or even when the King visited Australia? People love a glorious entrance. It’s why we do weddings the way we do - all attention on the ...  Read More

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God,    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothing    by taking the very nature of a servant,    being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man,    he humbled himself    by becoming obedient to death— ...  Read More