Q. 44. What does the preface to the ten commandments teach us?A. The preface to the ten commandments teaches us, that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.Westminster Shorter CatechismWhy do we listen to God? I mean it’s not a question we always ask. Why should we follow God’s commands? The Catechism uses the language of ‘bound’. B...  Read More

For lack of discipline they will die,    led astray by their own great folly.Proverbs 5:23 Over the past/next few Wednesdays, in keeping with our Wisdom Wednesday theme, I’m going to explore the idea of ‘Making Godly Decisions’. My experience is that many Christians desire to honour God with their lives but sometimes don’t know how.The funny thing is. I reckon a lot of the time. People do know wha...  Read More

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me a...  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

 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

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me a...  Read More

Shouts of joy and victory    resound in the tents of the righteous:“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”I will not die but live,    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.The Lord has chastened me severely,    but he has not given me over to death.Open for me the gates of the righteous;    I will ente...  Read More

Q. 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.Westminster Shorter CatechismWhat right does God have to command? For many today - the thought of God having the ‘right’ to speak to their life is laughable. But we need to see, God’s comman...  Read More

Plans fail for lack of counsel,but with many advisers they succeed.Proverbs 5:23 Over the past/next few Wednesdays, in keeping with our Wisdom Wednesday theme, I’m going to explore the idea of ‘Making Godly Decisions’.One of my greatest weaknesses is that I’m a bit of a lone ranger. I’m not very good at asking for help or advice. Which would be fine if I knew everything (obviously I don’t). To be ...  Read More

And God spoke all these words:2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.Exodus 20:1-2I want you to imagine something. You’re stopped at a red light and someone knocks on your window.  They say, “please get out of the car, I need the car.” Now, what do you do? Well, it depends doesn’t it?It depends on a few things. But almost certainly, who they are. For in...  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

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