The late Queen Elizabeth II was a highly respected leader, known for her graciousness, integrity and her dedication to her people. She also had a personal faith in Jesus Christ. Australian author and broadcaster Sheridan Voysey reflected on this following the Queen’s death, saying that “she looked up to another Crown, bent her knee to…

Christian kids’ entertainer Colin Buchanan inscribed this phrase on a storybook he signed for our daughter, Phoebe. It’s the title of one of his classic songs, which reminds children to remember that the Lord is always in control. The closing lines from the refrain: “He’s watching His children, He cares oh-oh! Remember the Lord, oh-oh,…

This week’s reading from Jonah 1 tells us about one of the most unlikely candidates for a job. God told a man called Jonah to go and preach to the people of Nineveh, a city that was characterised by unrepentant sin and evil. Such a mission seemed doomed to failure. And even if there were…

Many people are familiar with church committee/council meetings that go around in circles, where too much time is spent on trivial details. The British TV show The Vicar of Dibley, although a caricature, is sadly true to life (especially in some smaller churches)! It’s frustrating when we devote a disproportionate amount of time to matters…

Acts 11:26 points out that it was in the ancient city of Syrian Antioch that believers were first called ‘Christians’. Scholars say that this was most likely meant as an insult; a nickname used to mock those who trusted in Jesus Christ. But the label has stuck and is still used today. Unfortunately, the term…

This week’s reading from Acts 9 contains what is probably the greatest conversion story of all time. Saul of Tarsus (later known as the Apostle Paul) was once a fierce opponent of Christianity and persecutor of the church. He had many believers imprisoned, and gave approval for the killing of others. Yet after he had…

This week’s reading from Acts 8 reminds us that God is always at work, preparing His people to proclaim the gospel and preparing hearts to receive it. The Holy Spirit directed the evangelist Philip to go to a lonely desert road – not exactly an obvious choice of location for street preaching or a gospel…

This week’s reading from Acts 5:12-42 might seem a whole world away from the church in our time and place. Healings, a miraculous escape, persecution for following Christ. Yet this passage shows us a church that is on the right track. Note these important characteristics: May God, by His Spirit, help us to ‘get on…

There’s a story told about a soldier in World War 1 who was badly wounded in the trenches. As he lay in a hospital bed, the doctor came in to see him with some bad news. “I’m sorry – you’ve lost your arm.” The soldier replied, “I didn’t lose my arm. I gave it.” ANZAC…

Many people know about Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Lord Jesus. Judas’ name has become synonymous with characteristics such as disloyalty and deception. Yet we often forget about his successor, a man named Matthias. The name Matthias is a shortened form of Mattathias, which means “gift of Yahweh”. Although the Bible tells us…