Category: Resources

In His strength

September 10, 2024

I read this devotion just now from The Word for Today. I heard on the radio yesterday morning and I looked it up today. Please enjoy this timely message…

Do it in Christ’s strength, not your own

‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:13 ESV

One of the quickest ways to get discouraged is to try living the Christian life in your own strength. It’s like trying to lift yourself up by your bootstraps; it cannot be done. Indeed, God designed it that way. Jesus said: ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17 NKJV). 

God’s commandments are never too difficult for us to follow—if we do them through Christ’s indwelling strength. And you must learn to draw on that strength daily. He is in you and with you at all times to enable you to do what you cannot do and to do with ease what you would otherwise find hard to do without Him. Paul talked about the constant struggle between his flesh and his spirit. At times it drove him to despair. Then he gives us the key to victorious Christian living: ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13 ESV). Learn from the light bulb; it cannot illuminate itself. But when it’s connected to an electrical power source, all that’s required is to flip a switch. So, do it in Christ’s strength, not your own.

Sit, walk, stand

August 7, 2024

I listened to this audio book on the way to work this week. I quite enjoyed the look at the book of Ephesians and three key words that come from it.

Here is the description from audible.com.au…

An inspiring look at Ephesians, opening our eyes to the process of Christian living and maturity in three words: Sit our position in Christ; Walk our life in the world; Stand our attitude toward the Enemy. New! Study guide included. An invaluable tool for the growing disciple.

Bible for new Christians

July 18, 2024

I was asked recently, “What is the best Bible for a new Christian”. This is a really good question as it is important to start off right.

I believe the best Bible for new Christians is the Life Application Study Bible (LASB). The reason I believe this is because it has a book introduction for each book, maps of key locations, profiles of the authors and most importantly a commentary in the margins.

The commentary in the margins is a great feature. Some Bible verses do not make sense at first reading. They might have a cultural or historical meaning that we find hard to understand in today’s world. Having these notes can help us understand how it applies to us today.

As far as a Bible translation goes I think it is important to find one that you find easy to read and understand. With the LASB it has a number of English translations that range from a simple plain English versions, right through to the older King James style of writing.

For my personal Bible reading and preaching I mostly use the New Living Translation. I find this simple to read as it paraphrases the original text (Hebrew or Greek) in a way I find easy to read and understand. I have a large print paper version and I also have copies on my iPad and iPhone…so it goes with me everywhere!

If you are interested you can find more information on the LASB website here.

Weekly worship of first Christians

July 16, 2024

I am currently reading through the practices of the early church. In my reading I came across a letter by Justin Martyr in 150AD. The section below is taken from his First Apology Chapter 67.

He was writing to explain what Christians did when they met together. In his letter to Roman Emperor Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius, he explains some of the weekly things Christians did.

It is interesting that they did many of the things we still do today. Things like meeting on Sunday, bless the Maker, prayer, reading the writings of the Apostles and Prophets, a teaching exhortation, celebrated Communion, and a collection and distribution to the widows and orphans.

Weekly Worship of the Christians.

And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday,76 all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability,77 and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given,78 and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.