Justified by FaithRomans 3:20-24: (20) For by works of the law no human being will be justified in hissight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (21) But now the righteousness ofGod has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bearwitness to it (22) the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all whobelieve. For there is no distinction: (23) fo...  Read More

Numbers 6Over the course of the last several weeks, my family and I have been reading through the book of Numbers (with our church – M’Cheyne – reading plan). Despite what you might think, it’s filled with exciting stories, and it continually proclaims the grace of God. Grab your Bible and turn to Numbers chapter 6 for a clear example.In Numbers 6 we are taught about the requirements of the Naziri...  Read More

And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, untilwe all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturemanhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,...speaking the truth inlove, we are to grow up in every way into him who i...  Read More

What is on your table?Psalm 34:8-10, John 6:48-51Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.God delights to communicate with his saints through the faculties with which he has endowed us. It is God’s...  Read More

I was getting a long overdue haircut last week and we began discussing the world’s current affairs. I was reminded of the song “Crazy Train" by the great theologian Ozzy Osbourne with the lyrics “Crazy, but that’s how it goes, millions of people living as foes; maybe it’s not too late to learn how to love and forget how to hate”.  The song goes on to describe ongoing chaos such as wars and mental ...  Read More

“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.” Proverbs 27:18We’ve been studying the Proverbs on Wednesday evenings at Immerse. The season is almost over and our discussions will soon end, but the chewing on these wonderful proverbs will continue for a lifetime. Proverbs 27:18 initially stuck out to me because itmentioned tending a fruit tree, which I ...  Read More

Drink the Living Waters“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2  My soul thirstsfor God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2).In the life of every follower of Christ there are times and seasons our souls feel distantor separated from God. In Psalm 42 the psalmist longs for communion with the livingGod in the same way that a we...  Read More

Refreshments“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” -Philemon 1:4-6When we arrive at church, at the house of friends and loved ones,...  Read More

Almost every time I open the bible I encounter a certain word at least once, and I’ve been increasingly aware of it in the last few months – whether personal bible time, Sunday morning preaching, corporate study with my brothers on Thursday mornings, or in our family’s daily bible time together first thing in the morning – I seem to be unable to get away from this one word.Now, I was recently made...  Read More

“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.” – Psalm 30:4Each week that we meet together as a locally-gathered body of Jesus Christ, we sing songswithin the worship service. This seems normal if you have grown up within the church, but quite odd if unfamiliar with Christian church services. Why singing?! Music is found in every culture, both globally and historic...  Read More

       We were driving as a family, heading south as the sun began it’s glorious ascent from the horizon on the east. Our home is tucked neatly in amongst strong, solid oaks and rich, healthy maples, so we rarely see the sunrise as a family. Perhaps the beauty and glory that God intended the sunrise to display has not yet been lost on our children through that bane of sinful men, familiarity. May ...  Read More

       Rene and I were walking through “The Garden”, this morning as we read of Esauafter Jacob leaves for Paddam-aram. (Genesis 28:6-9) Esau had turned his back onhis “Birth-right”. He no longer could receive the Blessing, just as God had foretoldto Rebekah. The older would serve the younger. The blessing is singular and travelsin one seed. Even in a set of twins. It cannot be split. There is one...  Read More