Posts with the category “memorisation-monday”

“In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.Ephesians 4:26-27Speaking with a lot of people, anger is a common problem. But a bigger problem than anger - is brooding. That’s what Paul is talking about here in Ephesians I think.You know, you’ve had a fight with someone, you walk away and you are still fuming. The anger cools b...  Read More

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of lightEphesians 5:8Cool Runnings is an old favourite. There’s a bit where the Jamaican Bobsled team were trying to be just like the Swiss. And it wasn’t working. Sanka (dreadlocks), fed up with trying to be something they aren't, says, “I didn't come up here to forget who I am and where I come from.” It’s a great sta...  Read More

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.Ephesians 4:1-3If you have missed the past two Mondays, we have been memorising three verses. Now we are at the final step. If you are just jump...  Read More

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.Ephesians 4:1-2Last week we began memorising Ephesians 4:1-3 (starting at verse 1). Now, onto verse 2.The beginnings of living a life worthy of the calling we have received is to work towards unity in humility, gentleness...  Read More

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.Ephesians 4:1At school we used to get picked for teams. We were ‘called’ into the cricket team or the soccer team. Christians have been called to be a part of Jesus’ team. And that means they receive the prize that comes with being on the winning team.So how should we live? We should live a life wor...  Read More

For you created my inmost being;    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,Psalm 139:13-14It’s a Psalm and a verse that has given comfort to many Christians across time. God knows us better than any other. He knows our fears, failures and faults. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows what He made us for.W...  Read More

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.2 Peter 3:9Why doesn’t God destroy humanity at the first sin? Why does He preserve Noah and His family? Why make promises to humanity and persevere with Israel? Why hasn’t Jesus returned yet?Here we see God’s patience and mercy. ...  Read More

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.1 Corinthians 15:58It’s about that time of year. If Wednesday is hump-day then is June hump-month? We get tired, it’s cold, it’s wet and well, we get tired. Sometimes it feels like it would be so easy to just ta...  Read More

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.Psalm 34:18This passage came up in the sermon a week or two ago. What a wonderful reminder for those who are suffering. It would be a rare person who does not resonate with the Psalmist at some point in their life.But we know that God is with us. He brings comfort. He brings hope. He reminds us that suffering is no...  Read More

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.Romans 5:19Do you like symmetry? I do. What a wonderful (though ironic) symmetry there is to the gospel. But this too gives us great hope. For just as many (billions) were made sinners. Many will be made righteous through Jesus Christ.Many man...  Read More

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18People sometimes wonder, ‘what is God’s will for my life’? Should I be a nurse or a teacher? Should I go to this university or that one? Should I take this job or that one? Most of the time, God doesn’t mind! What is God’s will? That you would rejoice in Christ....  Read More

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,    to receive glory and honor and power,for you created all things,    and by your will they were created    and have their being.”Revelation 4:11Here’s an amazing scene. The throneroom of Heaven. Angelic beings and people surrounding the King, crying out in worship to Him. What an amazing sight. Better yet what an amazing sound. I’ve always loved the parade afte...  Read More

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Romans 15:5-6This passage was my/our prayer as we planted Village Church. It’s a wonderful reminder that it is God who can and does give endurance, encouragement and unity to God...  Read More

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.Mark 8:34At the heart of the Christian life is radical change. The casting off of the old self centred on what was right in our own eyes. At the same time we pick up the cross saying, not my will but yours be done.To follow Jesus is no promise of worldly riches, of health, of wild experiences or adventures....  Read More

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.Romans 10:9I hope your Easter has been a time of encouragement, refreshment and hope. It can be those things to us because of what Easter declares. Jesus death & resurrection announce that He is Lord, that salvation from sin & death is possible. But we must believe and un...  Read More

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”Mark 4:8The past decade has seen some incredible challenges for farming in Australia. If it isn’t drought, then it’s floods. Modern farming has many technological advances to help it overcome some of these challenges and yet still there is a struggle. Imagine 2000 ye...  Read More

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.Colossians 1:16The book of Genesis isn’t the only place that talks about creation. Who created all things? Jesus. Who were all things created for? Jesus. Is there anything that Jesus didn’t create? No.How ...  Read More

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.Romans 3:23-24Few verses proclaim the gospel so succinctly. All have sinned. All who are justified are so by grace alone and Christ alone. It’s worth breaking down a little.Sinned → none live up to the standard of goodness that God created us for and de...  Read More

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.Romans 3:23-24Few verses proclaim the gospel so succinctly. All have sinned. All who are justified are so by grace alone and Christ alone. It’s worth breaking down a little.Sinned → none live up to the standard of goodness that God created us for and de...  Read More

Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.Psalm 51:10King David has been confronted with the depths of his own sin. Have you ever had a moment like that? I know the feeling all too well. It’s that sinking feeling. Of shame. Guilt. Frustration. Helplessness. It’s terrible.But what do we do in the midst of that feeling? What should we do? David shows us the way. We turn...  Read More

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.Mark 1:17-18The process of memorisation is a critical part of a process of change. Changing us to be our new self in Christ. We have been called to a new identity and a new purpose. Like the disciples, we are all charged with the growing of the kingdom of God. For some, that w...  Read More

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Romans 12:1-2We started this pass...  Read More

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Romans 12:1-2We’ll do this one ov...  Read More

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect1 Peter 3:15We feel very uncomfortable with the idea of evangelism. Culturally and individually. And yet, if we do revere Christ as Lord, how can we not be prepared to love those around us with the good news of...  Read More

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.Romans 3:23-24Few verses proclaim the gospel so succinctly. All have sinned. All who are justified are so by grace alone and Christ alone. It’s worth breaking down a little.Sinned → none live up to the standard of goodness that God created us for and de...  Read More

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.John 14:6Jesus could not have spoken more controversial words in His time or ours. He is the only way to God, the only way to truth and the only way to life. There are not a thousand paths up the mountain. There is only one way.What more important reminder could there be in life?Tips:Write down t...  Read More

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.Jeremiah 17:7In the Hebrew, the word blessed literally means happy (or if you prefer, deeply joyful). It’s funny, sometimes we should be happy and yet we don’t feel happy. That can be for a number of reasons. But, sometimes, we need to remind ourselves that we have every reason to be happy. Memorise this passage and be remi...  Read More

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of ChristEphesians 3:17-18The start of a new year is always a good time to begin new habits (or is it!?). Either way. Why not commit to memorising a passage of Scripture each week? And no need to come up with which passage on ...  Read More

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”Mark 8:29Tomorrow we start our Advent Blog Series - in anticipation of Christmas, the celebration of the arrival of the Messiah.But today, let’s remember who it is we are anticipating. The Messiah. God’s promised King who comes to save His people from their sins.Questions/Thoughts/Tips:Say the passage ou...  Read More

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.Mark 1:17-18The process of memorisation is a critical part of a process of change. Changing us to be our new self in Christ. We have been called to a new identity and a new purpose. Like the disciples, we are all charged with the growing of the kingdom of God. For some, that w...  Read More

Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.Mark 3:35Blood is thicker than water. Across cultures and time, the family bond has remained a feature of human life. But Jesus reminds us that there is something thicker than our blood, it’s His blood. Those who trust in Jesus Christ are adopted into the family of Christ and bonded by the indwelling Spirit. We are brothers and sisters un...  Read More

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.Ephesians 5:15-16To be a wise Christian is to see the reality of the time we live in. That is, the days are short. Death could come at any moment for the people around us. Jesus could return this year. So let’s make the most of every opportunity to engage others with the m...  Read More

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect1 Peter 3:15Why should we talk to people about Jesus? Peter reminds us, even as our faith is internal, our faith is not practised in isolation or privately. To revere Christ as Lord is to be prepared to give a ...  Read More

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving...  Read More

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.Ephesians 2:4I find it pretty easy to love those closest to me. To love those who love me back. The profound kindness of God is that He loved and showed mercy to the unlovable. We were like prisoners in a jail who spit and scream. We...  Read More

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.Ephesians 2:4I find it pretty easy to love those closest to me. To love those who love me back. The profound kindness of God is that He loved and showed mercy to the unlovable. We were like prisoners in a jail who spit and scream. We...  Read More

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wr...  Read More

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.Ephesians 2:1-2One of the most counter-cultural truth claims of the Bible is that we are not fundamentally good or capable of it. Paul says we were dead in our trespasses ...  Read More

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3At Village Church, we want to be people who know the Bible. Not just things about it, but what it actually says. Why? Well, there are lots of useful things to know in life, whether we are introvert/extrovert, geography and science. All these thin...  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