Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.James 1:23-25Do you ever wonde...  Read More

Q. 26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.Westminster Shorter CatechismWhen I hear the word king, Prince Charles comes to mind. It’s a picture of a ceremonial figure. Turning up for photo shoots, smiling and waving. Perfecting the blan...  Read More

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so...  Read More

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.12 He wi...  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 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

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by...  Read More

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.Hebrews 13:7It’s a tricky time to be a leader. High profile failures have (rightly) placed leaders under increased scrutiny. After all, leadership is power. Power to lead people toward evil or power to lead people toward good. Added to this is a lack of trust in authority and ...  Read More

Q. 25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.Westminster Shorter CatechismI get called a priest all the time. People who don’t know me very well but know that I work for a Church sometimes call me that. No...  Read More

 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full.To the place the streams come from, there they return again.All things are wearisome, more than one can say.The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.Ecclesiastes 1:7-8Ancient wisdom with a timeless truth. Just as the sea is never full, our desire for the pleasures of the senses never seems to be satisfied. Look no...  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,2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,    and who meditates on his law day and night.3 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.4 Not so the wic...  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