Posts with the category “save-our-sundays”

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil    or be envious of those who do wrong;2 for like the grass they will soon wither,    like green plants they will soon die away.3 Trust in the Lord and do good;    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.4 Take delight in the Lord,    and he will give you the desires of your heart.Psalm 37:1-4I’m still reflecting on yesterday’s blog. I’m regularly confr...  Read More

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,    who choose what pleases me    and hold fast to my covenant—5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls    a memorial and a name    better than sons and daughters;I will give them an everlasting name    that will endure forever.6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord    to minister to him,to love the name of the Lord,    and to be his serva...  Read More

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Philippians 2:5There is a lot to say about the why of the Christian life. It’s there in Philippians 2. Have the same mindset as Christ. What could be more right than imitating our Lord, the perfect human?But what does it look like? What does it look like on a Sunday to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus? What does i...  Read More

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all tha...  Read More

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair w...  Read More

11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?1 Corinthians 1:11-13I’ve never been in a church environ...  Read More

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.John 17:15-17It’s hard to know the truth these days. Fake news. AI chatbots. Algorithms that reflect our own biases and even those of the coder. Pair that with sinful human psychology that prefers lies to...  Read More

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.1 Corinthians 13:4-7Do you ever feel like you are running in survival mode? I do...  Read More

Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and ...  Read More

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus ChristPhilippians 3:20In many countries of the world, Australia has an embassy. A place within a place. For those who work there, they live a dual existence. They are Australians, working for Australia but living in a foreign nation. Outside the walls, embassy workers must abide by local customs and cultures...  Read More

The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law ...  Read More

Woe to those who call evil good    and good evil,who put darkness for light    and light for darkness,who put bitter for sweet    and sweet for bitter.Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes    and clever in their own sight.Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine    and champions at mixing drinks,who acquit the guilty for a bribe,    but deny justice to the innocent.Isaiah 5:20-23What com...  Read More

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.Acts 4:32How do you see our Church (or your Church)? By Church, I don’t mean a building or the leadership but all the people God has brought together who meet on a Sunday with you.For instance, do you see them as just a bunch of random people who you smile a...  Read More

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 5:16Charles Spurgeon says that, “neglect of private prayer is the locust which devours the strength of the church.”By God’s grace He has given us the most incredible gift which is His ear. If we were to pick up our phone and try to call th...  Read More

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.Proverbs 27:17I consider myself a pretty self-sufficient person. I like to solve my own problems. I spend time reflecting on my life, my weaknesses and my strengths. I think about ways to grow and to follow Jesus more faithfully.Do you see yourself as pretty self-sufficient?One thing the last twenty-five years of being in Church has convinced m...  Read More

What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”1 Corinthians 1:12You know, one of the saddest things that can happen to a Church is division. Conflict or fractures can occur for a number of reasons. Doctrine/theology, moral failures, poor pastoral care just to name a few.But one of the saddest things ...  Read More

The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.”...  Read More

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 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 4:7-8We are a community obsessed with physical training. Going for a run, to the gym, surfing or sport, we think exercise is the key to thriving under ...  Read More

Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”Luke ...  Read More

“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors ma...  Read More

For your ways are in full view of the Lord,    and he examines all your paths.The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;    the cords of their sins hold them fast.For lack of discipline they will die,    led astray by their own great folly.Proverbs 5:21-23I’ll put it straight. There is no more important discipline for the Christian than the regular attendance at the Sunday Gathering. I don’t think...  Read More

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:18-20Ge...  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 2:2-3Life is full of cravings. Family. Friendship. Fulfilment. Food. Fun. I’ve run out of f’s. Perhaps we could add one more. Faith.Deep down we need a mature and strong faith. A solid assurance of who God is and His love. A confidence in how to li...  Read More

Taste and see that the Lord is good;    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people,    for those who fear him lack nothing.The lions may grow weak and hungry,    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.Psalm 34:8-10There is a big difference between how I eat my cereal in the morning and how I eat my favourite meal. One is all about just getting something ...  Read More

The Lord says to my lord:"Sit at my right hand    until I make your enemies    a footstool for your feet."The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,    "Rule in the midst of your enemies!"Your troops will be willing    on your day of battle.Arrayed in holy splendor,    your young men will come to you    like dew from the morning's womb.The Lord has sworn    and will not change h...  Read More

 Therefore, you kings, be wise;          be warned, you rulers of the earth.       Serve the LORD with fears          and celebrate his rule with trembling.      Kiss his son, or he will be angry          and your way will lead to your destruction,          for his wrath can flare up in a moment.          Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2:10–12.Buddy Jesus is the image that comes to ...  Read More

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until nowPhilippians 1:1-4Our pray...  Read More

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.Ephesians 4:3-6To the outside world, the Church is divided. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists etc. etc. In Ep...  Read More

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.I will consider all your works    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”Psalm 77:11-12Do you ever spend time just remembering and reflecting? I’m hopeless at this. I feel caught up in the endless need to be stimulated. Or the need to be busy doing whatever is next.But it really is a weakness of our culture. W...  Read More

As iron sharpens iron,so one person sharpens anotherProverbs 27:17We live in a time where people are more interested in blunting each other than in sharpening. That’s my general assessment. We want affirmation. Echo chambers. People to agree with us. And we only listen to them if they do.Maybe the issue is that we are no longer made of the right stuff, we have become chalk where once we were metal...  Read More

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.1 Peter 4:12-14Have...  Read More

Blessed is the one    who does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners take    or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,    and who meditates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,    which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—    whatever they do prospers.Psalm 1:1-3There are...  Read More

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.Hebrews 3:12-14Post-Covid lockdowns (and being able to li...  Read More

Hear my prayer, Lord;    let my cry for help come to you.Do not hide your face from me    when I am in distress.Turn your ear to me;    when I call, answer me quickly.For my days vanish like smoke;    my bones burn like glowing embers.My heart is blighted and withered like grass;    I forget to eat my food.In my distress I groan aloud    and am reduced to skin and bones.Psalm 102:1-5I rekon that a...  Read More

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believersGalatians 6:10You get out of it, what you put into it. You know that phrase? I’m not sure it’s always true. But one place it often is true. Is Church. Some people come to Church to ‘get fed’. Some to tick a box. Some by force of habit. But my experience is that this approach wi...  Read More

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:14-16Sometimes at night, when I go to close the blinds on my...  Read More

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.1 Timothy 4:13-14What is the primary job of the pastor? What is the thing above all else they should devote themselves to? I wonder what some would say? Would they say, feeding the poor? Or mak...  Read More

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.Acts 2:42I grew up around food. My Dad is Italian, he was raised in a small village in the southeast of Italy. My ‘nona’ (we didn’t call her that, it made her feel old), never failed to feed us whenever we went to visit. It was stereotypical, ‘mange, mange’ (eat, eat), all the time. I don’t ...  Read More

 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge...  Read More

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20Last Sunday (in the sermon) we saw that we...  Read More