And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in th...  Read More

Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?A. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.Westminster Shorter CatechismOurs is a tale of two estates (think household -...  Read More

Let the one who is wise heed these thingsand ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.Psalm 107:43What do you ponder? I’m a natural ponderer. It’s what makes me a bad driver and a particularly bad bike rider. I go into dreamland. What about you? For some of us. The problem is that we never do this. Screens have given us the ability to never think deeply but to remain distracted.But when do you, what do...  Read More

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,    the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,    Galilee of the Gentiles—16 the people living in darkness    have see...  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

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is...  Read More

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John...  Read More

When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Matthew 27:35–38.It’s Good Friday. But why do we call it good? Well, the truth is, no one is really sure. ...  Read More

Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.Westminster Shorter CatechismYep. We skipped a couple of questions. Sometimes the old English Puritans could be a bit too thorough. But that can also be hel...  Read More

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.Galatians 6:9-10Wisdom is having a long view of things. The passage today reminds me of the workload before Christmas. For many jobs, the lead up to Christmas means extra work to get eve...  Read More

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.Matthew 4:18-20In the Sea of Galilee, like a stone dropped in a pond, the ripples of Jesus' ...  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