Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Romans 12:1-2A while ago, my daughter fractured her wrist much to her frustration. We took her to the hand specialist who created a hard plastic mould that would pressure her bones into the desired shape.This is the idea behind Paul’s word ‘pattern’. He is referring to a pattern, a mould of this world. N...  Read More

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.1 Timothy 1:12-14Living f...  Read More

Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.Westminster Shorter CatechismIt was in the 4th century (382. A.D.) that the scholar Jerome of Stridon w...  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. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming a...  Read More

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.Romans 12:1-2One of my favourite movies is Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Robin of Locksley (Kevin Costner) comes back from the crusades to find his family on the wrong side of the King and becomes an outlaw. But in this vers...  Read More

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’Mark 12:30Jesus simplifies things. In salvation and obedience. Well sort of. No longer do we follow the 10 commandments as law but we follow the law of Christ. Love God and love people.But as all of us who pursue this way know, this is often far from simple in practice. But this is ...  Read More

For your ways are in full view of the Lord,    and he examines all your paths.The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;    the cords of their sins hold them fast.For lack of discipline they will die,    led astray by their own great folly.Proverbs 5:21-23I’ll put it straight. There is no more important discipline for the Christian than the regular attendance at the Sunday Gathering. I don’t think...  Read More

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Romans 12:1-2We have been watching Grand Designs lately (be wary, dangerous for the heart). One recurring theme is building for a...  Read More

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.Romans 12:4-6Remember the WWJD (what would Jesus do) movement? It seemed like every kid had a WWJC bracelet. It was an interesting idea ...  Read More

Q. 85. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?A. To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.Westminster Shorter CatechismHave you ever received a fine for speeding? O...  Read More

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.Colossians 4:2-5Einstein said time is an illusion. It sure doesn’t feel lik...  Read More

The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”31 So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”33 The Lord replied ...  Read More