13th November 2026.
The tests we face in life sometimes feel unending. The search for a job, an unbroken season of loneliness, or a lengthy battle with illness is made even more difficult by the fact that you wonder if it will ever end.
Perhaps that is why the psalmist cried out, “O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions”(v.17). Most Bible teaches say that this was speaking of the long period in David’s life when he was pursued by Saul and slandered by the king’s advisors-a time of trial that lasted for years.
Yet, in the end, David sang, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant”(v.27). His testing drove him to deeper trust in God-a trust that we can also experience in our own long seasons of testing, hardship, or loss. So reflect on this SLM:-
“When your burdens overwhelm you, remember that God has His arms underneath you.”
…Pastor Ross.
11th November 2026.
Luke 1:67-79.
The most precious gifts are determined not by what went into them, but by who they are from. The best gifts are valued not in money but in love.
Zechariah understood that. We hear it in his prophetic song as he praised God for giving him and his wife Elizabeth their son John when they were well past their childbearing years (vv.67-79). Zechariah rejoiced because John was to be a prophet who would proclaim God’s greatest gift to all people; the coming Messiah: “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us” (v.78 NLT). Those words point to a gift given with so much love that it will even “shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death” (v.79).
The sweetest gift we can receive is God’s tender mercy-the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus. That gift cost Him dearly at the cross, but He offers it freely out of His deep love for us. So reflect on this SLM:-
“Jesus is both the Gift and the Giver.”
…Pastor Ross.
Luke 1:67-79.
The most precious gifts are determined not by what went into them, but by who they are from. The best gifts are valued not in money but in love.
Zechariah understood that. We hear it in his prophetic song as he praised God for giving him and his wife Elizabeth their son John when they were well past their childbearing years (vv.67-79). Zechariah rejoiced because John was to be a prophet who would proclaim God’s greatest gift to all people; the coming Messiah: “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us” (v.78 NLT). Those words point to a gift given with so much love that it will even “shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death” (v.79).
The sweetest gift we can receive is God’s tender mercy-the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus. That gift cost Him dearly at the cross, but He offers it freely out of His deep love for us. So reflect on this SLM:-
“Jesus is both the Gift and the Giver.”
…Pastor Ross.
9th November 2026.
Matthew 10:35-42
Many times just saying the unexpected can have the most effect. Think of this in regard to a statement by Jesus: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (v.39). In a kingdom where the King is a servant (Mark 10:45), losing your life becomes the only way to find it. This is a startling message to a world focused on self promotion and self protection.
In practical terms, how can we “lose our life”? The answer is summed up in the word sacrifice. When we sacrifice, we put into practice Jesus’ way of living. Instead of grasping for our own wants and needs, we esteem the needs and well being of others.
Jesus not only taught about sacrifice but He also lived it by giving himself for us. His death on the cross became the ultimate expression of the heart of the King who lived up to His own words in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” So reflect on this SLM:-
“Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice.”
…Pastor Ross.
Matthew 10:35-42
Many times just saying the unexpected can have the most effect. Think of this in regard to a statement by Jesus: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (v.39). In a kingdom where the King is a servant (Mark 10:45), losing your life becomes the only way to find it. This is a startling message to a world focused on self promotion and self protection.
In practical terms, how can we “lose our life”? The answer is summed up in the word sacrifice. When we sacrifice, we put into practice Jesus’ way of living. Instead of grasping for our own wants and needs, we esteem the needs and well being of others.
Jesus not only taught about sacrifice but He also lived it by giving himself for us. His death on the cross became the ultimate expression of the heart of the King who lived up to His own words in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” So reflect on this SLM:-
“Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice.”
…Pastor Ross.
6th November 2026
Luke 19:1-9
Life can get pretty busy. In our action oriented world, it’s hard to get to know people. It’s tough to find time to ask someone to “sit a spell” with us. We can get more done if we text each other and get right to the point.
But look at what Jesus did when He wanted to make a difference in the life of a tax collector. He went to Zacchaeus’ house to “sit a spell.” His words, “I must stay at your house” indicate that this was no quick stopover (v.5). Jesus spent time with him, and Zacchaeus’ life was turned around because of this time with Jesus.
If we’re going to get to know someone and to make a difference in their life–as Jesus did for Zacchaeus–we need to invite them to “come and sit a spell.” So reflect on this SLM:-
“The best gift you can give to others may be your time.”
…Pastor Ross.
Luke 19:1-9
Life can get pretty busy. In our action oriented world, it’s hard to get to know people. It’s tough to find time to ask someone to “sit a spell” with us. We can get more done if we text each other and get right to the point.
But look at what Jesus did when He wanted to make a difference in the life of a tax collector. He went to Zacchaeus’ house to “sit a spell.” His words, “I must stay at your house” indicate that this was no quick stopover (v.5). Jesus spent time with him, and Zacchaeus’ life was turned around because of this time with Jesus.
If we’re going to get to know someone and to make a difference in their life–as Jesus did for Zacchaeus–we need to invite them to “come and sit a spell.” So reflect on this SLM:-
“The best gift you can give to others may be your time.”
…Pastor Ross.
4th November 2026
Job 11:7-20
So often in life we can give textbook answers to people’s questions and yet completely miss their heart. Folks need someone to understand their fears and desperation, to know they are not alone.
After Job had lost everything, he had friends with answers but little understanding. Zophar told him all he needed to do was live wholeheartedly for God. Then “life will be brighter than noonday,” he said (v.11). That counsel wasn’t well received, and Job responded with scathing sarcasm: “wisdom will die with you!” See (v.12:2). He knew the dissatisfying taste of textbook answers to real world problems.
It’s easy to be critical of Job’s friends for their failure to see the big picture. But how often are we too quick with answers to questions we don’t truly understand? People do want answers. But more than that, they want to know we hear and understand. They want to know we care. So reflect on this SLM:-
“Before people want to hear what you say, they want to know that you care.”
…Pastor Ross.
Job 11:7-20
So often in life we can give textbook answers to people’s questions and yet completely miss their heart. Folks need someone to understand their fears and desperation, to know they are not alone.
After Job had lost everything, he had friends with answers but little understanding. Zophar told him all he needed to do was live wholeheartedly for God. Then “life will be brighter than noonday,” he said (v.11). That counsel wasn’t well received, and Job responded with scathing sarcasm: “wisdom will die with you!” See (v.12:2). He knew the dissatisfying taste of textbook answers to real world problems.
It’s easy to be critical of Job’s friends for their failure to see the big picture. But how often are we too quick with answers to questions we don’t truly understand? People do want answers. But more than that, they want to know we hear and understand. They want to know we care. So reflect on this SLM:-
“Before people want to hear what you say, they want to know that you care.”
…Pastor Ross.
2nd November 2026.
Isaiah 61:1-4
Though we live in a fallen world where we experience pain and great disappointment, the Lord can move us from despair to rejoicing, as we see in Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming of Jesus (vv.1-3). The Lord gives us hope when we feel hopeless; He helps us to forgive when we think we can’t; He teaches us that our identity is in Him and not in what we do. He gives us courage to face an unknown future. When we wear the rags of “ashes” He gently gives us a coat of praise.
When we face loss, we shouldn’t run from the sadness, but neither do we want to become bitter or hardened. When we think about God’s great faithfulness over the years, we know that He’s willing and able to turn our grief to dancing once again–to give us sufficient grace in this life and full joy in heaven. So reflect on this SLM:-
“God can bring times of growth out of our times of heartache.”
…Pastor Ross.
Isaiah 61:1-4
Though we live in a fallen world where we experience pain and great disappointment, the Lord can move us from despair to rejoicing, as we see in Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming of Jesus (vv.1-3). The Lord gives us hope when we feel hopeless; He helps us to forgive when we think we can’t; He teaches us that our identity is in Him and not in what we do. He gives us courage to face an unknown future. When we wear the rags of “ashes” He gently gives us a coat of praise.
When we face loss, we shouldn’t run from the sadness, but neither do we want to become bitter or hardened. When we think about God’s great faithfulness over the years, we know that He’s willing and able to turn our grief to dancing once again–to give us sufficient grace in this life and full joy in heaven. So reflect on this SLM:-
“God can bring times of growth out of our times of heartache.”
…Pastor Ross.
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