27th September 2024.
(2 Peter 1:2-11).
One of the great dangers of the Christian life, is that of losing the wonder. The Scriptures that once thrilled us may become more familiar and academic. We may fall into the lethargy of praying with our minds but not our hearts.
Peter urged the early followers of Christ to continue growing in their faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (vv.5-7). He said, “If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”(v.8). Without them we become blind and forget the marvel of being cleansed from our sin (v.9).
May God grant us all grace to keep growing in the wonder of knowing Him. So reflect then on this SLM:-
“Continual growing in Christ comes from a deepening knowledge of Him.”
…Pastor Ross.
25 September 2024.
(Psalm 119:129-136).
In nautical terms, a “rutter” is a set of instructions for navigating a course at sea…a pilots book or seaman’s guide.
In many ways, the Christian life is like a voyage, and the believer needs help in navigating life’s perilous seas. We have that help because God has given us His Word as a “spiritual rutter.” Often when we reflect on a meaningful passage, we can recall God’s great faithfulness through trying circumstances. As the psalmist suggests, perils are found not only in life situations but also in our inner tendency toward sin. Because of these dual concerns, he wrote, “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me” (v.133).
As you reflect on the teaching in the Bible, you’ll be reminded of God’s past care, assured of the Lord’s guidance in trying circumstances, and warned against sinfulness. That’s the advantage of having a “spiritual rutter.” So reflect on this SLM:-
“With God’s Word as your map and His Spirit as your compass, you’re sure to stay on course.”
…Pastor Ross.
Our toes and feet are vital parts of our anatomy, yet we pay little attention to them unless they hurt.
Perhaps that’s why Paul used the foot to remind us that there are no unimportant parts in the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:15 he said, “If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.” Drop something on your foot or stub your toe and you soon become painfully aware that it is a vital part of our anatomy.
Paul wants us to realize that each person in the body of Christ is important. Even if you think of yourself as the most overlooked and ignored member of the body of Christ, you have value. And you can honour God by using your unique skills for God’s glory. Reflect then on this SLM:-
“The Lord uses small tools to perform large tasks.”
…Pastor Ross.
18th September 2024.
(Luke 11:29-45).
Detour signs are usually warnings of roadworks or road closures due to some damage.
Throughout history, God has provided plenty of “signs” to show people the way to live, but they kept going their own way. When God finally sent His Son as a sign (v.30), the religious leaders paid little attention to His warnings. Life for them was good. They were recognised and respected (v 43). They resented being told that they were wrong (v.45).
We can be the same way. When life is going well, we tend to ignore warnings that we need to turn around and change our sinful ways. It’s very important to remember that we may be wrong even though life is good. So reflect on this SLM:-
“God sends warnings to protect us, not to punish us.”
…Pastor Ross.
16th September 2024.
(Rev. 22:1-7).
I’m often asked: “What will heaven be like. Since it is one long worship time won’t it eventually turn out to be boring?”
While I, at times, wish we had more information about what heaven will be like, we know this for sure: boring can’t possibly be the right word to describe it. We will see beauty like we’ve never seen before, including “the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal” (v.1). We will experience “the glory of God,” which will illuminate heaven (Rev 21:23; 22:5). And we will enjoy a life without pain and sorrow (21:4).
Yes, we will worship in heaven. People “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation”(5:9) will rejoice in praising Jesus, the worthy Lamb who died for us and rose again (5:12). We will bask in the glory of the Lord’s presence–forever. But not for one second will we be bored! Reflect then on this SLM:-
“The pleasures of earth cannot be compared to the joys of heaven.”
…Pastor Ross.
13th September 2024.
(Heb 11:17-32).
There’s an often widespread idea held in Christian circles that if you once miss “God’s best” you can never again render gold-medal service to Him. But in Hebrews 11, faith’s “hall of fame,” we read of several who failed yet came back strong for the Lord.
Abraham, often willful and impatient in waiting for the son God had promised, demonstrated amazing faith in offering up Isaac (vv.17-19). Jacob, the schemer who stole his brother’s birthright and blessing, became a man of faith who blessed his children and worshipped God (v.21). Moses spent forty years in Midian before leading God’s people out of Egypt (vv.24-28).
Our previous mistakes do not necessarily exclude us from serving God. His best for us is that we turn away from our sin, learn from our failures, and begin anew to follow Christ. That’s the way to be a second-chance champion. So reflect on this SLM:-
“Champions of faith are people who have learned from their failures.”
…Pastor Ross.
11th September 2024.
(Judges 7:24-8:3);(Proverbs 15:1).
The Bible says we are supposed to be “slow to speak”(Jam 1:19), and that “a soft answer turns away wrath” (Prov 15:1).
Gideon gave a soft answer during a verbal scuffle with some fellow Israelites (Judges 8). Just after his army defeated the Midianites, a group of his countrymen criticised him sharply (v.1). They were miffed because they missed out on the main part of the battle. Gideon did not fling back a rough response. Instead, he reminded them that they had captured and killed the Midianite princes. He also honoured the men by asking, “What was I able to do compared to you?” Finally, “At this their resentment against him subsided” (v.3).
With the Lord’s help, we can defuse heated situations by reigning in our words. Responding gently and carefully to angry people can promote unity, for God’s glory. Reflect then on this SLM:-
“Bite your tongue before your tongue bites others.”
…Pastor Ross.
9th September 2024.
(Eph 6:13-21).
As followers of Christ, we face a dangerous foe–a spiritual enemy who seeks our downfall and destruction. Fortunately, our Lord has provided us with protection, and He challenges us to suit up for spiritual battle.
In Ephesians 6:13, we read, “Put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Paul then describes our armour: helmet, breastplate, shield, sword, belt, and shoes. These pieces of spiritual equipment are effective only if we put them on and use them, even if we feel uncomfortable at first. Faithfulness in the Word (v.17), in prayer (v18), and in witness (vv.19-20) are critical to making our armour feel like a part of us. So suit up! The battle is on! Then reflect on this SLM:-
“God’s armour is tailor-made for you, but you must put it on.”
…Pastor Ross.
6th September 2024.
(1Kgs 19:1-8);(Psalm 19:7).
When Elijah had been used by God on Mt Carmel to call fire down from heaven, this spiritual high was followed by persecution and melancholy. In response to Elijah’s depression, God sent an angel to provide food, drink, and rest for the weary prophet. The sustaining power of that food from heaven was remarkable: “Strengthened by that food, he travelled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God”(v.8).
Just as we need food to sustain our physical lives, we also need nourishing food for our spiritual lives. God’s Word is “sweeter…than honey and the honeycomb (Psa. 19:10) and feeds our souls. It makes “wise the simple (v.7) and provides both nourishment and energy for life’s long journey. Take time to feed on it. Reflect then on this SLM:-
“God feeds us through His Word.”
…Pastor Ross.
4th September 2024.
(1Thess 4:13-18).
Spring has finally just sprung with the promise of new growth.
As believers, we have something to look forward to that is even more exciting than the anticipation of budding flowers and lots of sunshine after a coolish winter. God has made many promises in His Word, and each one has been or will be fulfilled. But the certainty that Christ will return is one of the greatest promises of all. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God…Then we who are still alive and are left will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air,” and we’ll be with Him forever(vv.16-17).
Although no one can know the exact day, we have God’s promise that Jesus will come back (Acts 1:7-11). As we celebrate the spring, let’s encourage each other in anticipation of that glorious day!
Reflect on this SLM:-
“Christ is coming–perhaps today!”
…Pastor Ross.
2nd September 2024.
(Exodus 6:1-13).
The 1950’s song “Sixteen Tons” was a coal miner’s lament about feeling trapped and unable to change his situation no matter how hard he worked. One line suggests that he couldn’t even go to heaven because he owed his soul to the company store.
That sense of hopeless resignation may help us understand the feeling of the Hebrew people during their four hundred years of bondage in Egypt. When Moses told them of God’s promise to release them from slavery, they didn’t listen to him “because of their discouragement” (v.9). They were so far down they couldn’t look up.
But God did something for them that they could not do themselves. And the Lord’s miraculous deliverance of His people foreshadowed His powerful intervention on our behalf through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was when “we were powerless to help ourselves that Christ died for sinful men”. See Romans 5:6.
When life is at its lowest ebb, we are not without hope because of the wonderful grace of God. So reflect on this SLM:-
“No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.”
…Pastor Ross.
