So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlesslyExodus 1:11-13It’s a fascinating irony of history that has played out time and time again. The more you try to squash...  Read More

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.Romans 16:3Is there someone who gave a lot so that you could be saved? Paul speaks of two people, a married couple, and his thankfulness for them. They risked their lives so that Paul could continue his gospel work and this has led to grate...  Read More

Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy SpiritWestminster Shorter CatechismI remember the day when my whole theological framework changed. I was in my lounge room. I’d been researching for some time what was called ‘Calvinism’ and ‘Arminianism.’ These ...  Read More

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.Proverbs 16:18I think most of my greatest mistakes in life can either be pinned to laziness or pride. Pride can look like many things, an unwillingness to listen, pursuit of self-glory or a refusal to admit wrong. I think this last one is a killer.Is there anything more ugly than everyone knowing someone is wrong and yet they refuse to ...  Read More

Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7 but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.Exodus 1:6-7Have you ever seen something grow? There’s something just so wonderful and encouraging about things growing (things that should grow that is). We have a little aquarium going...  Read More

For you created my inmost being;    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,Psalm 139:13-14It’s a Psalm and a verse that has given comfort to many Christians across time. God knows us better than any other. He knows our fears, failures and faults. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows what He made us for.W...  Read More

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:14-16Sometimes at night, when I go to close the blinds on my...  Read More

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