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

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.Philippians 1:29-30I wonder what you would say to someone who asked, “what has God given you?” There’s a bunch of things we might say. Hope. Love. Confidence. Comfort. Strength. But would you eve...  Read More

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.James 3:13Last Friday we reflected on the many people who have come before us who encourage us in our faith through their perseverance.I’m writing this blog the day after the news of Tim Keller’s death. There have been many social media posts and articles discussing ho...  Read More

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!2 Corinthians 5:17We are doing a series on Biblical Theology. Tracing Biblical themes as they are revealed throughout the Bible and reach their ultimate expression in the person, work and effects of Jesus.In the beginning God created humanity in His own image. We were made to reflect His goodness and gr...  Read More

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.1 Thessalonians 5:11Last Wednesday we began a discussion about friendship. In this digital, global, high-paced and stressful age, true friendship has never felt harder to find or maintain. But what does the Bible say about friendship? And specifically for today, what does it say about who we should be friends wi...  Read More

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be save...  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 5:16I want to keep encouraging us to pray (and confess our sins).One way we can grow in our confidence of prayer is by being reminded of what the Scriptures say about prayer.James, the brother of Jesus, wants to encourage God’s people that...  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

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.Philippians 1:25-26Again I am struck by the other person's centredness of Paul. Go back a few verses and we were invited into his personal wrestle - pulled between the joy a...  Read More

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3...  Read More

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14-15We are doing a series on Biblical Theology. Tracing Biblical themes as they are revealed throughout the Bible and reach their ultimate expression in the person, work and effects of Jesus.By Numbers 21 (in the Bible), Israel had been w...  Read More

  Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,          and the pleasantness of a friend          springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27:9Making and maintaining friendships must be one of the most important and yet hardest parts of life. Particularly as you get older and as responsibilities pile up. And our cultural situation hasn’t helped. As many have noted - we have lots of connections...  Read More