The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

In Psalm 31, David describes his “affliction,” the “distress” of his soul, and his “grief” over the fact that “my life is spent with sorrow” and he has “become like a broken vessel” (vv. 7–12). But rather than give in to despair, he prays, “I trust in you, O Lᴏʀᴅ; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand” (vv. 14–15). My times are in your hands. I first came across these words from psalm 31 on a wall hanging in Glen Innes while on a pastoral visit. It was an elderly widows strong encouragement. The words were turned into a hymn last century by William Freeman Lloyd Each verse is well worthy of your consideration. 1 My times are in Your hand; my God, I wish them there! My life, my friends, my soul, I leave entirely to Your care. 2 My times are in Your hand whatever they may be, pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as You know best for me. 3 My times are in Your hand; why should I doubt or fear? My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear. 4 My times are i...

Phil 4:19 God’s Actuality My God God’s Ability. Shall supply God’s Abundance All your need God’s Allowance According to His riches in Christ Jesus

Waiting rarely feels like progress. We live at a pace God never asked us to keep — and when He asks us to slow down, the stillness can feel like being left behind. The word "hurry" shows up far more in our vocabulary than it does in God's plan. But the quiet seasons aren't empty ones. Often they're where the deepest work happens — where God "patiently, deliberately, steadily, moulds us in the shadows," preparing us for what He'll do later in the light. What looks like a delay is usually formation. Scripture doesn't promise waiting will be easy — only that it won't be wasted: "Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him." — Psalm 37:7 Notice the rest built into that verse. Not the rest of giving up, but the rest of trusting the One who holds the timing. You don't have to force the door open. Where is God asking you to wait right now? Share below — let's encourage one another to trust His timing.

REACHING MEN, GROWING MEN: VIBRANT CHURCH Many churches say they want to reach men, but their approach often works against that goal. Men are not looking for a watered-down message, religious code language, or a service stripped of urgency. They respond to truth, purpose, challenge, and a clear mission. Reaching men does not require changing the gospel. It requires communicating the gospel with clarity, courage, and conviction. POINTED PREACHING Stop apologizing for what the Bible says. Men need preaching that identifies sin, demands change, calls for faith, and insists upon obedience. Preaching should confront the conscience—not merely soothe the emotions. Speak directly. Make the issue clear. Press for a decision. Men respect a preacher who knows what he believes, says what he means, and refuses to soften the truth to avoid offending people. This does not mean preaching with arrogance or cruelty. It means preaching with biblical authority. A trumpet that gives an uncert...

States, borders, Only one sovereign :God Sov: Over. Reign. Total control Self determination in nations. God is over all. Infinite power rule reign Who is in charge ? PM? Divides denominations Psalm 99:1 PSA 103 PSA 115:3 135:6 This should comfort us. A biblical truth at odds with humanism autonomy and independence. Genesis 11. The tower of humanism. God was in control. Or Joseph Gen 45-50 God meant it for good. 50:20,21 Because God is sovereign 1. I will reverence Him. Prov. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom 1:8 2. I Will respond in obedience to Him It promotes obedience. Eli had 2 rebellious kids Shiloh. Samuel. Speak Lord for your servant hears. 1Sam 3:11-13, 18. Genesis 18:25 3. I will worship Him David wanting to build temple. 1Chron 22:8 Instead he raised the money. Then worshipped 1 Chron 29:10-12 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 ESV Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. A...

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Some of you are facing what could easily be called an unsolvable problem today. I know because I've walked those paths too, both personally and alongside countless others in ministry. It's in these very moments—when human answers fail—that God often does His most beautiful work. The impossible becomes His canvas. Job's life gives us a rare glimpse behind heaven's veil. A man God Himself described as "blameless and upright, fearing God and turning away from evil." His authentic faith was tested through unimaginable loss—home destroyed, family perished, health ruined, finances wiped out, reputation questioned. What if God were describing you to Satan right now? What words would He use? Through his long journey of questions and struggles, Job finally resolved: "I accept what God has sent. I have accepted good, now I accept adversity." Read that once more. Acceptance became his anchor. Like someone shaping clay on a potter's wheel,...

Got Strength? Deuteronomy 33:25b reads, “As your days, so shall your strength be.” These words are part of Moses’ blessing on Asher. Genesis 30:13 reads, “Then Leah said, I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed. So she called his name Asher. The name Asher literally means Happy. Genesis 49:20 reveals “Bread from Asher will be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties.” Moses’ blessing upon Asher reads, “And of Asher he said: ‘Asher is most blessed of sons; Let him be favored by his brothers, And let him dip his foot in oil. Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:24-25). The oil refers to an abundance of olives and oil wells. Iron and bronze under foot speaks of mineral wealth. The capstone of the blessings upon Asher’s life is strength for every day. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). “Day by day the manna fell; Oh, to learn this lesson well, ‘D...

One new church plant was evangelising abusively in the Newcastle Hospital and most disconcertingly the two Americans doing this were both claiming to be me. They claimed they were Steve Grose! I was back at the hospital a few weeks later when I was stopped by the business manager of the hospital in a corridor “we have received complaints that you were going bed to bed evangelising patients in an abusive way over the last three weeks!” I and my wife were both shocked and confused. “But I was a patient in the John Hunter hospital for the last four weeks! The surgeon was going to cut my foot off after an accident. I only came home yesterday“ The manager replied, “oh we know. We saw that on the hospital admissions report.” He smiled, “ You didn’t authorise anyone to claim to be you and do this did you?” I replied I hadn’t and knew nothing of it. He said “if you ever track them down tell them it is reported to the police as identity theft.” I did track them down. I spoke to them ...

I Can Do All Things Through Christ Philippians 4:10-23 I. Let Christ be your strength. 1) Be content in God’s plan. 2) Be confident in God’s power. 4:10-13 4:10-12 4:13 II. Let Christ be your supply. 4:14-20 1) God will prosper you. 4:14-17 2) God will be pleased with you. 4:18 3) God will provide for you. 4:19-20 III. Let Christ be your satisfaction. 4:21-23 1) We are His saints. 2) We have His grace. 4:21-22 4:23