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

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:21-24If you could sum up Paul’s thinking in as few words as ...  Read More

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.Philippians 1:27There are some responses that are just natural and right. To hear news of a loved ones death - it’s natural to be grieved. To be surprised by a gift - it’s natural to be joyful.The gospel has a natural response. It’s a different way of living. Recognising the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to die fo...  Read More

11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?1 Corinthians 1:11-13I’ve never been in a church environ...  Read More

18 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.Philippians 1:18-20How would yo...  Read More

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.2 Thessalonians 1:3Two weeks ago a bunch of us were able to spend a weekend together at Church Camp. It was a wonderful time of coming together to look at the Bible and what the Bible says about the Bible as well as a ...  Read More