Adam Ritchard | 2 Corinthians 2:12-14 — The Apostle Paul was no stranger to challenge and persecution. But even when faced with trials of the soul, his highest perspective remained anchored to Christ’s ultimate triumph. With this same perspective, we too can move from trial to triumph; giving praise and spreading the ‘aroma’ of Christ on our way.

Kathryn Hartley | Titus 2:11-3:8; 2 Peter 1:3-8 — Throughout the New Testament, Christ’s followers are called to lives of Godliness. But spiritual transformation into Christ’s likeness is not automatic. As the Apostles Paul and Peter remind us, we are not sanctified by the power of Christ’s grace and Spirit alone - we, His disciples, must devote ourselves to active participation in the process too, that our lives may truly bear witness to Him.

Andrew Baker | 1 Corinthians 12:31b-14:1a; John 13:34-35 — In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul exhorts his readers on the centrality and priority of love. As Christ’s church today, we too must have love as our indispensable foundation: a family so marked by love that the world would know the One whose name we bear.

Andrew Baker | 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 — Paul’s heart for the Corinthian church was as more than just a teacher; he mentored and disciplined them as a loving father. Like the 1st century believers in Corinth, our modern society suffers from profound fatherlessness. Where are those who will follow Paul’s example: to stand with strength and integrity, loving the fatherless with the heart of our perfect Father in heaven?

Adam Ritchard | James 4:1-10; Titus 2:11-12 — In his epistle to the early Church, James brings a sharp warning against three influences that seek to sway us: the world, the flesh, and the devil. But, thanks to God, we are not helpless to their effect: God’s abundant grace not only secures our salvation, but empowers us to defy these ‘enemies of the soul’ and live victoriously over them.

Andrew Baker | 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 10-4:2 — As he concludes his final letter to Timothy and charges him to preach the Gospel, Paul stresses the importance of upright conduct in an ungodly age. Whether we are ministers like Timothy or not, our calling is carried by our character. And it will make or break our effectiveness as Christ’s witnesses against the noise of this world.

Andrew Baker | Matthew 16:13-19; Mark 1:14-15 — In the increasingly secular West, we can become convinced that the Church is shrinking into irrelevance, and that the spread of the Gospel is a hopeless cause. But, with eyes to see, we find a greater reality: the truth of who Christ is prevails over all circumstances. Upon this rock, Christ is building His church, and it shall not be overcome.

Kathryn Hartley | Romans 11:33-12:6a — Writing to the church in Rome, Paul warns against conforming to this world, urging his readers to instead be of ‘transformed’ minds. To discern truth in a world bombarding us with content, reliance upon human understanding simply will not do. We need the powerful and renewing work of Him, whose wisdom is truly unsearchable.

Adam Ritchard | John 10:22-28 — While speaking to the Jews, Jesus describes His believers as sheep, who ‘listen’ to His voice and ‘follow’ Him. In an age of Airpods and ads, it has never been more essential that we live like sheep on our journey of faith: seeking out our Heavenly Father’s leading above all else, and wholeheartedly following Him, our great gift.

Andrew Baker | John 10:10; John 8:31-32, 43-45 — John’s Gospel paints a picture of contrasts: In Jesus we find the truth that leads us to life, and in ‘the thief’ we find lies that lead only to destruction. As followers of Christ, we must be aware of the world’s lies that would seek to surround and deceive us; instead holding fast to Him - our Good Shepherd, whose power keeps us to eternity.