Posts with the category “memorisation-monday”

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.James 5:16I want to keep encouraging us to pray (and confess our sins).One way we can grow in our confidence of prayer is by being reminded of what the Scriptures say about prayer.James, the brother of Jesus, wants to encourage God’s people that...  Read More

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3We saw this yesterday. That a strong faith comes from craving the pure spiritual milk of the Scriptures. How do we turn from eating spiritual junk food that makes us feel full but gives us no nourishment? We memorise a passage like this one.M...  Read More

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.2 Corinthians 9:7Tonight is our Annual General Meeting and forgive me if my mind turns to finances. You know, there is a big part of me (and I’m sure a big part of you) that just wishes God would sort it out you know. That we would win the lottery somehow and tha...  Read More

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”Mark 12:30-31The commands of our world are do whatever makes you happy. There is only one command. The singer Adele famously lived by these commands. She chose her own happiness over ...  Read More

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.1 Timothy 4:8Let’s double down on yesterday’s passage. I really hate exercise. I’d rather not do it. I like being fit and feeling fit. But not the process. But I do some form of exercise four or five times a week. I get through it by reminding myself of the...  Read More

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.Philippians 1:27There are some responses that are just natural and right. To hear news of a loved ones death - it’s natural to be grieved. To be surprised by a gift - it’s natural to be joyful.The gospel has a natural response. It’s a different way of living. Recognising the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to die fo...  Read More

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”Mark 12:30-31The commands of our world are do whatever makes you happy. There is only one command. The singer Adele famously lived by these commands. She chose her own happiness over ...  Read More

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’Mark 12:30Jesus simplifies things. In salvation and obedience. Well sort of. No longer do we follow the 10 commandments as law but we follow the law of Christ. Love God and love people.But as all of us who pursue this way know, this is often far from simple in practice. But this is ...  Read More

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Mark 10:45It’s a critical verse in Mark’s gospel that sums up the kindness of Christ. It reminds us that Jesus came - not by accident but for a purpose. He was God who came from heaven to earth.We were in a great debt, enslaved to our sins. But this God, though He could have by all rights br...  Read More

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3We saw this yesterday. That a strong faith comes from craving the pure spiritual milk of the Scriptures. How do we turn from eating spiritual junk food that makes us feel full but gives us no nourishment? We memorise a passage like this one.M...  Read More

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.Mark 9:43Here is a hard truth. But an important one. There are many pleasures in this life. Many pursuits and satisfactions to be found. Distractions and sinful desires that wage war on our soul. But are any of them so good that we would choos...  Read More

Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”Mark 9:35There is a deep desire in me to be served. How good would it be? We look at the lives of the super-rich. We imagine they worry about nothing. People to cook, to clean, to provide for their every need.But then I remember Jesus. The most powerful being beyond the universe. He didn’...  Read More

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?Mark 8:36It’s time to finish what we started in Mark’s gospel. Jesus (in the verses preceding this one) has just told His followers that to be His disciple you must take up your cross. To deny your sinful and worldly desires and live for Jesus’ desires instead.But why would you do such a thing? Jesus reminds us of the stak...  Read More

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.Ephesians 6:10-11I need to be reminded that we are constantly on a war footing. We do not live in peace time, but in war time. The danger of course is that in peacetime, we get complacent. In peacetime, you don’t need to put your armour on.But we do. If...  Read More

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.Ephesians 5:22This one isn’t just for the wives. Just like last week, it’s for all of us as we encourage each other to live as Christ. We all know a wife, whether it’s our sister in Christ, our Mum or ourselves. Let’s be reminded of what it looks like to be a good one. For greater context, make sure you check out the sermon from S...  Read More

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for herEphesians 5:22This one isn’t just for husbands. Or for wives to remind their husbands. It’s for all of us as we encourage each other to live as Christ. We all know a husband, whether it’s our brother in Christ, our Dad or ourselves. Let’s be reminded of what it looks like to be a good one.Tips:Say the passage out...  Read More

Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”Mark 9:35There is a deep desire in me to be served. How good would it be? We look at the lives of the super-rich. We imagine they worry about nothing. People to cook, to clean, to provide for their every need.But then I remember Jesus. The most powerful being beyond the universe. He didn’...  Read More

“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