Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them...  Read More

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.James 1:2-4When we think of thanksgiving we typically (and understandably) turn to things that make us the happiest. We thank God for good times, go...  Read More

Q. 28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.Westminster CatechismA lot can happen in the space of a few weeks. From Oscar winner to outcast. From peace to war. From drought to flood. But...  Read More

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.Matthew 7:24-25A house built on the beach (literally that is) sounds like a nice idea if there were no such thing as tide...  Read More

47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where“‘the worms that eat them do not die,    and the fire is not quenched.’Mark 9:47-48One of the realities of loving people is that you fear for them. You worry about them. Some of us more than others. But to truly love people is ...  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

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

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.1 Peter 4:7-10On Tuesday we saw the first...  Read More

The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.Psalm 9:16As many know by now, I’m a sucker for a good reality doco. I’m not talking about MAFS or The Bachelor. Our family loves Lego Masters (and more recently, Survivor). But mainly I’m talking about documentaries that shed light on places and events, particularly injustices that would otherwise never b...  Read More

Q. 27. Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.Westminster Shorter CatechismDo you ever wonder what it would be like to lose everything? N...  Read More

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.Who can understand it?Jeremiah 17:9In the days of ‘follow your heart’, here is a sobering reminder. And Jeremiah knows from experience what God is revealing to Him. Israel has deceived themselves into thinking they could rely on their own martial arts or on the faithfulness of another nation (e.g. Egypt). They have followed their heart all th...  Read More

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.1 Chronicles 29:14King David is not far from death as he looks forward to the work his son, Solomon, will do to build the temple. In preparation, David has taken up an offering of sorts, calling on God’s people to give gifts th...  Read More