A devotion on Amos 7.14-15

Shepherd boy playing to his sheep - PICRYL Public Domain

“I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Amos 7:14-15 In the rush of getting ready for Christmas, our team has not […]

Morning devotion Wednesday 23rd November 2021

“It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good.” Galatians 4:18 It is traditional for Australians to be suspicious of someone who seems too “zealous”.  But I wonder whether we have been a little unfair.  We like people who are “passionate”, “enthusiastic” and “authentic”, so what is wrong with “zeal”?  After all, as […]

Morning devotion Wednesday 10th November 2021

“Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” – Psalm 8:2 ESV Here is yet another of those biblical phrases which has become a saying in our language! Have you heard people say, “From the mouths of babes…”?  In everyday […]

Morning devotion Monday 1st November 2021

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.” Proverbs 16:2 (ESV)   Popular songs and greeting cards sometimes express the thought, “You know me better than I know myself.”  But it’s a bit of a cliché, isn’t it?  Do you really think it’s possible for […]

Devotion for Friday 29th October

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. … I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:21, 23-24 Normally if we speak about one person using another, it is not a […]

Morning devotion Monday 25th October 2021

The creation of Adam by Michelangelo

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 One of the most famous paintings in the world is Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’ on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. In it, God is rushing towards Adam from the clouds. Arms outstretched, they are almost touching, and it […]

Ruth 2:12 devotion and special video

Today I am sharing with you a short film which records the dedication of a sculpture in our graveyard, in honour of the ministry of women in St Jude’s parish over the last 150 years. The following verse appears on the sculpture: “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be […]

Morning devotion Wednesday 20th October 2021

Photo by chaiyapruek youprasert at shutterstock

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9 There are a few reasons I can think of why doing good might begin to make us weary: Sometimes we lose sight of the value of the people we […]

Morning devotion Friday 15th October 2021

“The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” ” – Mark 8:11-12 I remember talking to someone about what […]

Morning devotion Wednesday 13th October 2021

“And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” – 2 Kings 6:17   In another event from the career of the prophet Elisha, the Syrian army, with […]