Devotionals

Good afternoon church family, Romans 7:4 says “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead,Continue reading “Friday, 7 May 2021 – You belong to Another”

Good afternoon church family, Take some time out today and meditate on the following verses. What is your greatest need today and what is our Lord saying to you in this moment? “Now when Jesus saw theContinue reading “Thursday, 6 May 2021 – Your Greatest Need”

Good afternoon church family, Everywhere I am reading at the moment in scripture shouts of the need to grow in maturity in the faith. This is what our current sermon series is based on and so IContinue reading “Wednesday, 5 May 2021 – Cycle of Endurance”

Good afternoon church This morning in my quiet time I was reading in Acts the amazing journey Paul was taken on after he was arrested and taken to Rome to present his case to Caesar. It tookContinue reading “Tuesday, 4 May 2021 – Effective and Encouraged”

Good afternoon church family I really am finding the book of Acts fascinating at the moment, in fact I read over my quota today because I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. The life ofContinue reading “Thursday, 29 April 2021 – Following Jesus”

Good morning church family Lately in my quiet time, I have been reading Acts and today I was reminded that the people of God are a mighty force. Paul had been having trouble sharing the gospel withContinue reading “Wednesday, 28 April 2021 – Do not be Silent”

Good afternoon church family We all have some idea of who God is but if someone where to ask you to describe who God is would you be able to do it? Today I was reading inContinue reading “Tuesday, 27 April 2021 – Who is God?”

Good afternoon church family Isaiah 25:1 says “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Sometimes it is goodContinue reading “Friday, 16 April 2021 – Spend Time in Praise”

Good afternoon church family Today in my quiet time I was reading the book of Acts, in particular the part where Cornelius the Centurion was directed by God to seek out Peter and Peter at the sameContinue reading “Thursday, 15 April 2021 – Cornelius the Centurion”

Good afternoon church family Have you ever had to do something out of obedience to God that resulted in personal suffering or others looking down on you and judging you harshly? It can be a hard placeContinue reading “Wednesday, 14 April 2021 – Do not fear their threats”

Good afternoon church Psalm 107:4-9 says “Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to theContinue reading “Tuesday, 13 April 2021 – Desert Wastelands”

Good afternoon church In my quiet time today I was reading Psalm 130: “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. IfContinue reading “Friday, 9 April 2021 – A perfect sunrise”

Good afternoon church family, We have had the most wonderful Easter, and we have been challenged by the wonder of our Saviour’s work and so where to from here… Paul writes “For if we have been unitedContinue reading “Thursday, 8 April 2021 – Under Grace”

Good morning church family, The time has come, we have entered Holy Week! Today we are going to focus on Hebrews 12:1-3: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throwContinue reading “Wednesday, 31 March 2021 – Run the Race”

Good afternoon church family, The time has come, we have entered Holy Week! Today we are going to focus on Psalm 25: “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do notContinue reading “Tuesday, 30 March 2021 – I trust in You”

Good afternoon church family, Today we focus on John 10:31-42, “Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him,” but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For whichContinue reading “Friday, 26 March 2021 – Doing the works of His Father”

Good afternoon church family, Today we focus on Romans 5:12-21 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— ToContinue reading “Thursday, 25 March 2021 – Sin entered the world”

Good afternoon church family, Today we focus on John 8:31-42 “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, andContinue reading “Wednesday, 24 March 2021 – Then you will know the truth”

Good afternoon church family, Today we focus on a portion of Psalm 102 for Lent; it is the final week before we enter Holy Week. “For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. HeContinue reading “Tuesday, 23 March 2021 – The Prayer of the Destitute”

Good morning church family, Today as we focus on Lent let’s reflect on Psalm 25: “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, norContinue reading “Friday, 19 March 2021 – I trust in You”

Good morning church family, Today there are two scriptures to focus on for Lent: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They haveContinue reading “Thursday, 18 March 2021 – The Lord Relented”

Good morning church family, Today the scripture to focus on for Lent is: “This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I willContinue reading “Wednesday, 17 March 2021 – Time of My Favor”

Good afternoon church family, Today the scripture to focus on in this Lenten season is : “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give wayContinue reading “Tuesday, 16 March 2021 – Be Still”

Good afternoon church family, Today the scripture to focus on in the lectionary is: “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he askedContinue reading “Friday, 12 March 2021 – The Greatest Commandment”

Good afternoon church family, Today the scripture to focus on in the lectionary is: “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, andContinue reading “Thursday, 11 March 2021 – Slave of All”

Good afternoon church family, Today the scripture to focus on in the lectionary is: “Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may goContinue reading “Wednesday, 10 March 2021 – Do Not Forget”

Good afternoon church family, Today we continue our Lenten journey, here is the scripture to focus on today in the lectionary: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.Continue reading “Tuesday, 9 March 2021 – Light dwells with Him”

Good afternoon church family, Today we continue our Lenten journey,and this is the scripture to focus on today in the lectionary: ““Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wallContinue reading “Friday, 5 March 2021 – The Vineyard”

Good morning church family Today we continue our Lenten journey, and this is the scripture to focus on today in the lectionary: “Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the SabbathContinue reading “Thursday, 4 March 2021 – The Carpenter”

Good afternoon church family Today we continue our Lenten journey, in all seasons we should meditate on the scriptures: “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the LawContinue reading “Tuesday, 2 March 2021 – Sacrifice of Atonement”

Good afternoon church family Today as we continue our Lenten journey and meditate on the following scripture: ““But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees andContinue reading “Friday, 26 February 2021 – I take no pleasure in death”

Good morning church family Today we continue our Lenten journey and meditate on the following scripture: “When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went outContinue reading “Thursday, 25 February 2021 – For such a time as this”

Good morning church family Today as we continue our Lenten journey, let’s meditate on the following scripture: “As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign,Continue reading “Wednesday, 24 February 2021 – Greatest Wisdom Ever Known”

Good morning church family Today as we continue our Lenten journey, let’s meditate on the following scripture: “Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake hisContinue reading “Tuesday, 23 February 2021 – Shouts of Joy”

Good afternoon Church family As we proceed with Lent today, let’s focus on the following scripture set by the lectionary today, “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of YourContinue reading “Friday, 19 February 2021 – Condition of the Heart”

Good afternoon Church family We are now officially in the season of Lent, a forty day period in the lead up to Easter. When I was training at Bible College, I was amazed to discover the richContinue reading “Thursday, 18 February 2021 – Lent Season”

Good morning Church family Have you ever wondered why God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden and then told Adam and Eve not to eat of it? “The LORD GodContinue reading “Wednesday, 17 February 2021 – Good and Evil”

Good morning Church family Today as I was reading Luke 18, the first verse jumped out of me: “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and notContinue reading “Tuesday, 16 February 2021 – Pray at all Times”

Good afternoon Church family For me as we journey through the gospel of John, or Hebrews as we are doing at Bible Study, there is one underlying word that seems to keep coming up. It’s perseverance. IfContinue reading “Friday, 12 February 2021 – Strength to the weary”

Good afternoon Church family Many of you would be familiar with this scripture: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equalityContinue reading “Thursday, 11 February 2021 – Human Form”

Good morning Church family This morning I was looking at the parable of the Sower in Luke. In light of what we have been learning in John, the following verses jumped out at me. “The seed whichContinue reading “Tuesday, 9 February 2021 – Good Soil”

Good morning Church family Last week in my sermon, I spoke about obedience being our greatest weapon. To follow the path set before us by Christ will keep us safe and lead us to live a fulfilledContinue reading “Friday, 5 February 2021 – Our greatest weapon”

Good morning Church family In my quiet time at the moment I am working my way through Luke. It is interesting to see how people respond to Jesus’ ministry particularly when He healed people. Luke 5:26 saysContinue reading “Thursday, 4 February 2021 – Remarkable Things”

Good afternoon Church family One of the things I spoke about on Sunday was that God abides with us. The word abide means a state that is ongoing and never ending. How blessed we are to haveContinue reading “Wednesday, 3 February 2021 – Abide”

Good morning Church family Life can change so drastically sometimes and head in a direction you are least expecting. It can be hard to know firstly what to do and even harder to anticipate the outcome. YetContinue reading “Tuesday, 2 February 2021 – Establish your Plans”

Good morning Church family Isn’t it wonderful to be a part of a Church family! Hebrews 10:24-25 says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving upContinue reading “Friday, 29 January 2021 – Together”

Good afternoon Church family I thought I might share a little God moment that happened for me this morning. I was having a delightful conversation with some lovely people over at the rest home. We were speakingContinue reading “Thursday, 28 January 2021 – Getting There”

Good afternoon Church family Have you ever sat down and thought about what life was really like for Jesus. We read so many amazing stories, miracles and great parables, that one can often forget that Jesus hadContinue reading “Wednesday, 27 January 2021 – Opposition”

Good afternoon Church family The verse for today in the Bible App is “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what isContinue reading “Tuesday, 26 January 2021 – Destined for Eternity”

Good morning Church family This morning in my quiet time I have been reading the account of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14. Verses 35-36 stood out for me “And He went a littleContinue reading “Friday, 23 January 2021 – Possible”

Good morning Church family This morning I really enjoyed reading Psalm 103, A Psalm David wrote in praise of God’s mercies, would you join me in meditating on it this morning, it is glorious and deeply encouraging.Continue reading “Thursday, 21 January 2021- Psalm 103”

Good afternoon Church family Today reading Mark 6, I was amused to see the people’s astonishment at Jesus’ teaching, added to the disciples astonishment at the miracle of Jesus walking on water right after they had seenContinue reading “Wednesday, 20 January 2021 – Take Courage”

Good afternoon Church family It’s so good to be back in the office this morning and I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone on Sunday! This morning in my quiet time I was reflecting on Jesus’Continue reading “Tuesday, 19 January 2021 – Accept It”

Good morning Church family Christmas is two days away now, we are almost there! So what can we do this advent in final preparation for the day when we reflect on the Hope we have been givenContinue reading “Wednesday, 23 December 2020 – Repent”

Good morning Church family As I was reading scripture during my quiet time this morning I came across this set of verses. ““Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king ofContinue reading “Tuesday, 22 December 2020 – Strong and Courageous”

Good afternoon Church family 1 Corinthians 9:23 says “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” This is how I felt coming to the end of what hasContinue reading “Friday, 18 December 2020 – For the Sake of The Gospel”

Good afternoon Church family A verse we are all familiar with is “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towardContinue reading “Thursday, 17 December2020 – The Blessing”

Good afternoon Church family Don’t you sometimes wish you could have been a fly on the wall on the night Jesus was born! Imagine yourself in the midst of your usual routine, watching the flocks by night,Continue reading “Wednesday, 16 December 2020 – Visit with Jesus”

Good morning Church family Today in 2 Chronicles 15, I was reading about King Asa who ruled over Judah and Benjamin at a time when there was a split in the kingdom of Israel. It seems asContinue reading “Tuesday, 15 December 2020 – Found”

Good afternoon Church family Christmas is a time of wonder, especially for children! They get excited and there is great expectation for what is to come. The children at playgroup are such a joy, everything is newContinue reading “Friday, 11 December 2020 – Bubbles”

Good morning Church family Last night at Bible Study we had some wonderful discussion. We realised how important sharing the gospel is but we also saw that we must do so from within a united church communityContinue reading “Thursday, 10 December 2020 – Growing Together”

Good afternoon Church family Today during my quiet time I was reading Psalm 75 and verse 3 jumped out at me: “When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.”Continue reading “Wednesday, 9 December 2020 – Force Field”

Good afternoon Church family Today one of our sisters helped me to put up the nativity in the church. Seeing those figures made me think what a glorious night it must have been when Jesus was born.Continue reading “Tuesday, 8 December 2020 – The Angel said it best”

Good afternoon Church family In my devotional today I came across this beautiful portion of scripture, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterwardContinue reading “Friday, 4 December 2020 – My Portion Forever”

Good morning Church family Chances are if you have been to the supermarket lately or even to the mall you would have heard Christmas carols playing in the background. Some are contemporary yet others are deeply spiritualContinue reading “Thursday, 3 December 2020 – Carols”

Good afternoon Church family As I was having my quiet time I was struck by the celebration David had when the ark of the covenant, which held the presence of God among the people, was returned fromContinue reading “Tuesday, 1 December 2020 – Shout for Joy”

Psalm 121 – A song of ascents I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – heContinue reading “Wednesday, 25 November 2020 – Song of Ascents”

Good afternoon Church family “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” says Psalms 3:3 NIV. The Lord God is a shield about us, our protector, the oneContinue reading “Friday, 20 November 2020 – Our Shield”

Good afternoon Church family “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 This is such an interesting verse. FirstContinue reading “Thursday, 19 November 2020 – Steadfast Love”

Good morning Church family, The verse for the day in the YouVersion bible app is this: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if heContinue reading “Wednesday, 18 November 2020 – Comfort in Grief”

Good morning Church family, One of the questions we often ask in the hard times is where is God? It can be hard to see Him at work when everything seems dark, yet Psalm 139 v 11-12Continue reading “Tuesday, 17 November 2020 – God is with You”

Good afternoon Church family As a Christian it is really important that we know how God has equipped us. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power andContinue reading “Friday, 13 November 2020 – Power and Courage”

Good afternoon Church family I found this verse particularly comforting this morning. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go,Continue reading “Thursday, 12 November 2020 – Reassurance on Repeat”

Good afternoon Church family Something that I have realised about God and I am sure you know this too, is that His timing is His. We often wonder when He will act and if He has reallyContinue reading “Wednesday, 11 November 2020 – God’s Timing”

Hi Church family Have you ever wondered how exactly God is at work in the world and in our lives. In my quiet time today I was reading the prophet Zechariah and this verse jumped out forContinue reading “Friday, 6 November 2020 – By my Spirit”

Good morning Church family Last night at Bible study we looked at the pattern of God’s kingdom that emerges throughout the Old Testament. What we discovered is that we are to be God’s people living under God’sContinue reading “Thursday, 5 November 2020 – Pride and Humility”

Good morning Church family, How blessed we are to live in New Zealand, sheltered in many respects from many of the burdens of the world today. In watching the news and seeing a return to lockdown forContinue reading “Wednesday, 4 November 2020 – Habakkuk’s Prayer”

Good morning Church family, 1 Chronicles 16:34 says “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” In fact I think we might have sung this song on Sunday. It is a wonderfulContinue reading “Tuesday, 3 November 2020 – God’s Love”

Hi Church family, One important characteristic that we need to develop and hold onto in our faith journeys is perseverance. Often God’s timing is not necessary our timing. One thing to remember is that God never stopsContinue reading “Friday, 30 October 2020 – Persevere”