Though thoughts of the return of Christ have often led Christians into a state of frenzy, here Peter reminds us how we ought to conduct ourselves in light of this glorious reality. Rather than retreat or withdraw, Christians are called to move toward one another in love, service & hospitality – using their gifts for the common good that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

In closing his letter to the churches in the Dispersion, James, the brother of our Lord, gives us incredibly personal and practical instructions regarding how we ought to respond when our brother or sister in Christ is suffering in their health. We see that it is the ministry of the gathered church community, united in prayer & faith, that Jesus has ordained as the means to restore the suffering saint.

It's easy to be critical and to create division between people with words. Biting and devouring one another tears down but Paul shows that by walking with the Spirit and not in the flesh will lead to building up and encouragement.

In light of the finished work of Jesus, we are called to put on the new self. Though this will certainly play out at a personal level, Paul exhorts us for it to become a corporate reality in the context of the local church. Despite the diversity of backgrounds and the inevitable reality of relational tension, we are to be a people so richly immersed in the gospel that we bear with one another in a spirit of thankfulness.

At a time of year when we tend to be either naively optimistic or descending toward pessimism, Proverbs 3 invites us toward intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Here we learn that it is only when we are in communion with our Father & immersed in His Word that we truly flourish & are ready to wisely navigate whatever life throws at us.

Pete's Christmas message shares the biblical truth of the heart of the giver, the heart of the receiver and the biggest gift of all, Jesus.

Christmas Character Study 4: Though Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Luke concludes his 2 chapter birth narrative with a brief snippet of Jesus as a young boy. Here we see amazement in the eyes of Jesus’ parents & teachers as He begins to showcase His unique mission & identity. Though it would take years for people to come to grips with who He really was, His obedient submission to the Father serves as a timeless reminder of the nature of the Christian walk.

Christmas Character Study 3: Christmas is an opportune time to share the good news of the gospel – that with the coming of Christ, the chasm between God & man is bridged that man may be reconciled to God. In Luke 2 we see that the first heralds of this good news were the seemingly insignificant, culturally despised shepherds – Christ entered into human history in the most unspectacular fashion to save those who aren’t that spectacular.

Christmas Character Study 2: What could be a greater privilege for a young woman than to be appointed with the sacred task of carrying God-incarnate in her womb? – Truly, all generations should call Mary blessed. And yet, though she is indeed blessed & models humble submission to God, many people across the globe ask too much of her. In Luke 1 we learn that though Mary will give birth to the saviour, Mary needs saving as much as anyone.