Gus Cameron

17 February 2026

James 4:13-17

Gus Cameron

17 February 2026

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” 14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

REFLECTIONS

Written by George Mihas

I work on the wharfs at Port Botany. Being on a rotating roster, we have blocks of rostered days off. So we always ask each other, “What are you doing on your 5 days off?” One will say, “I’m going to my holiday house down south – there is going to be lots of drinking.” By the way, that is a very common boast at my work – “I had 5 beers last night,” or “I drank so much on that particular day.” Their attitude is, “You only live once, so make the most of it.”

Since I started at my job 16 years ago so many of the people I work with have died – some suddenly, some slowly. Yet everyone plods along, not fearing death that is at the door. Some of the guys who retire are quite wealthy. After 40 years of shift work, they are now ready to relax and enjoy themselves – but suddenly they get cancer and die. It happened last year to a guy from my gang. My own father worked hard and retired, then got sick straight away. He lived the worst year of his life and died while we pleaded with him to repent and receive the Lord.

“Who are you” – says the Lord – “who plan to do this or that?” The Lord warns us that our life is a mist – not only in this passage, but the same warning appears in other parts of the Scripture (see Job 7:7; Psalm 39:5; 102:3). If we don’t recognise that our life and our future plans are in the Lord’s hands, it is the height of arrogance against God.

My company has just mentioned that “automation” is coming. A lot of the guys who are ready to go and start living are rubbing their hands together and planning what they will do with the money. They are not saying, “If the Lord wills, I will do this or that.” There is no talk of God on their lips. It’s so sad to work with 600 people and there are only 3 or 4 people who mention God at all. The majority are blinded – and it’s so easy to “go with the flow” and become desensitised to our environment.

But for us who know Christ and who know the right thing to do, let us ask him to help us learn to be humble in the way we talk about what we plan to do. And let us pray for opportunity to witness to our friends, so that they might humble themselves before the Lord.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

16 February 2026

James 4:11-12

Gus Cameron

16 February 2026

11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Today’s passage is a short but sharp one for me. And to think through this passage, I first have to remind myself of what Jesus said about the law, in Matthew 22 verses 37-40:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Knowing that the whole of the Old Testament law hangs off love – loving God, and loving others – helps to explain the contrast that James is talking about in this today’s passage. Slander, speaking against another brother or sister, or judging them – these are acts that are in opposition to loving them. And so, James says, by opposing love for your brother or sister, you are really opposing God’s law. In fact, by opposing God’s law, you are considering yourself above the law, as if you were its judge. And if you are judging God’s law, you are putting yourself in the position of God. As James indicates: Only God has the power and authority to save and to destroy. Do you have that power and authority too? That’s an emphatic: “No, you don’t!”

So today’s passage tells me straight: love my brother and sister in Christ. Don’t slander them, don’t speak against them, and don’t judge them – in fact, don’t do anything that would be considered contrary to loving God and loving them. But here’s the hard truth for me: the people I’m most tempted to slander or speak ill of or even judge are often the people I love the most, the people I’m closest to. I see all of their faults, and in the stress of the day-to-day challenges, sometimes I don’t filter my words and my bad feelings come out.

The word for me today is: “love them, don’t slander them.” When I'm with them – or with anyone – Christ calls me to speak words of encouragement, forgiveness, kindness, not to be harsh. And if I need to give a word of correction or rebuke to anyone, I first need to stop and examine my heart, to see if I’m motivated only by love, so that I speak in a manner that lines up with God’s law. That’s a challenge we all need God’s help with.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

14 February 2026

James 4:1-10

Gus Cameron

14 February 2026

1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? 6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says:
“God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.”
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Omar Dewan

Over 5 years ago, I was reading the Bible with a friend who was helping me as I investigated Christianity. I can’t remember how this topic came up, but one question I asked was whether it was “allowed” that a rich Christian could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a Lamborghini, stick on lots of St Barnabas and Jesus stickers, and use that to prompt conversations with non-believers. What an effective evangelism tool that would be, right?!

I was reminded of this conversation as I read today’s passage from James 4, because it points towards how I would now answer the Lamborghini question. Part of the answer comes down to the “passions at war” within us (verse 1), with the key point in verse 4: “You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.” So really, aside from whether it is actually the most optimal use of money (the economist in me says definitely not), is buying a St Barnabas-branded Lamborghini really an act of submission to God, or is it using God to indulge in the rich person’s worldly passions and desires?

Last year I wrestled with my own worldly desire in the form of career and promotions. I had been consistently performing at the next level at work, however factors outside my control meant that only a very small number of people got promoted. I was very disappointed, but through discussions with fellow brothers in Christ I was encouraged to understand what the drivers of my passions were. I recognised that my pride was a key driver in my desire for a promotion and was challenged, in line with verses 7 and 10, to submit and humble myself before God. He is the ultimate, good author and ruler of the world, who has given us His Spirit to dwell in us (verse 5). Ultimately, I reflected on the incredible source of joy and peace that truth brings – much greater than what any career promotion could ever promise. Surely, thanks be to God for that!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Omar is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

13 February 2026

James 3:13-18

Gus Cameron

13 February 2026

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Val Dewan

During a gathering with work colleagues, the topic of making big life decisions came up. My friends in this group are currently going through a season of making many big decisions and changes, such as buying homes, moving jobs or growing families. One colleague asked us the usual question: “Are you happy where you live right now? Are you happy with the local school?” My colleague’s question clearly comes from a place of “earthly” wisdom – he was curious to know if I shared his values in prioritising an academically-driven school, which he thought would set a successful path for his children’s future. His questions made me think: Did I make all the decisions to where I am today out of what I thought would lead to “success” in my future, or were they rooted in God’s word and wisdom?

In this passage, James highlights the stark differences between the wisdom that comes from above and the so-called “wisdom” that comes from human hearts. This “wisdom” is tainted by “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition,” leading to evil, chaotic lives. The passage challenges me to reflect on whether my decision-making is always drawn from the wisdom that is from “above,” which has the hallmarks of being pure, sincere and humble. I know that too often I fall short, because I do make decisions that are similar to those of my success-driven and ambitious colleagues. For example, it would be easy for me to doubt and be worried that the location of my school catchment may not bring out the academic potential that I desire in my children. Or I might worry that I am not making enough “big moves” at work that would set me up financially. James rebukes me for the times I think this way, because it is a worldly way of thinking, rooted in my own ambition and jealousy. How much better is making decisions that are rooted in God’s wisdom, that leads to lives that are not full of evil practice, but rather “full of mercy and good fruit.” I have been challenged to keep asking God to open my heart and seek HIs wisdom – and I pray that you will do the same and be encouraged that seeking God’s wisdom is seeking what is pure, peace-loving and good.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Val is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

12 February 2026

James 3:1-12

Gus Cameron

12 February 2026

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. 4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

I’ll let you in on a secret of mine. Well, it’s not really a secret, but something I learned a few years ago that I consider a bit of a superpower. Ready to hear it? Here it is: I try not to speak. That’s it, that’s my little superpower: not speaking. It has everything to do with today’s passage, so I’ll try to explain why.

According to James, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it can boast of great things. It’s like a ‘fire’, can set the course of an entire life on fire, and it itself is set on fire by hell. Stop and think about that for a second – my tongue, my words, my utterances have destructive power. That’s an amazingly scary thought!

So how do I deal with that? Well, I try not to speak. And in my life, it has been really helpful. My friendships seem to work better, it’s easier to do my job, my wife seems happier with me, and it gives space for my kids to open up.

But the passage today doesn’t tell me to totally stop talking – actually, James is urging something more significant than that. He says: “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father”; and we who have been made in God’s likeness should be blessing our fellow brothers and sisters. In fact, we who are being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of our Lord should naturally be uttering God-glorifying words.

So for me, I can't really stop at not talking – I need to be thinking about how my words can be useful for glorifying God. To set my tongue to building people up, not tearing them down. It’s very much a work in progress for me, and there are still plenty of times when I fail at it, and when I just think it’s better that I don’t speak. How have you been going with your words? Is there anything you need to repent of? Is there anything that you might need to work on this week – like choosing not to speak, or choosing to speak words that bless when you feel the urge to use different words? Please pray with me towards this – we all need God’s help.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

11 February 2026

James 2:20-26

Gus Cameron

11 February 2026

20 O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless? 21 Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. 24 As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Today’s devotion is a bit longer than normal, because the passage has a major puzzle, and I think it’s important not to leave it as “the elephant in the room.”

In today’s verses, James continues his big point from yesterday: that faith which is not expressed in deeds of love is dead. It’s not just that faith without actions is weak or less mature. It’s stone-cold dead. It’s not real faith in Jesus at all – it’s just empty words, and it’s worthless (v 20).

James gives two examples of Old Testament believers who are examples of how genuine faith transforms a person’s actions. It’s striking how James chooses two people who are SO different, at least in the eyes of the world. Abraham was always respected as a great hero of faith. But James puts the Canaanite prostitute Rahab right up alongside him. In Joshua 2, Rahab came to believe in the Lord and commit her life to him, and because of that, she helped the Israelites conquer her own city to gain the Promised Land. I love how God gives dignity and honour to people like Rahab.

But the puzzle is what James says in verse 24: “As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.” How does that fit with what Paul says in Romans 3:28 – “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law”? Part of the answer is that Paul is focusing on the legal basis for our forgiveness, whereas James is talking about what God will say on the day of final judgment. On that day, God will uncover the hypocrisy of those whose faith was mere words, but he will also show how the genuine faith of Christ’s people bore the fruit of repentance and obedience in their lives.

Perhaps the most helpful thing to keep in mind is that Paul and James were warning against opposite errors. Paul was concerned about self-righteous people – those who think they are good enough to deserve God’s favour. To them, the gospel says: “You can’t earn God’s forgiveness! You can only receive it as a gift through faith, on the basis of Christ’s work for you.”

But James’s letter is a warning against nominal or insincere faith. He is concerned about “pew-sitters,” people who think as long as they say the right things in church, they can indulge in whatever selfish, sinful behaviour they want. To those people, James says: “God’s verdict on the last day will reveal how dead your faith is, because your own works will condemn you.”

James would have loved Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s famous book The Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer warned against the false gospel of “cheap grace,” which promises forgiveness without any need for us to repent. But the true gospel of grace offers complete forgiveness to the “broken spirit,” while at the same time graciously inviting us and drawing us along the costly path of repentance and discipleship.

Spend a moment reflecting on Abraham’s example: He was credited as righteous the moment he believed God’s promises. But that faith was fulfilled or completed by what he did – by a life learning to express that belief in wholehearted obedience. Examine your own heart: If you long to follow that same path – if you want nothing more than your faith to shape everything you do – then be encouraged! Ask God to “perfect your faith” in your actions. But if not, you should be afraid! Listen to the warning, and get in touch with one of the ministers so we can help you get serious with God.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Gus Cameron

10 February 2026

James 2:14-19

Gus Cameron

10 February 2026

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? 17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Elise Le

When I used to work at Bankstown Hospital, I was surrounded by a melting pot of religions. I had colleagues who identified as Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu and many more. When I asked about what they believed, they mostly responded with “Oh, I’m Buddhist because my parents go to temple” or “I only go to church when it’s Christmas”. You may have come across someone like this – someone who identifies with a religion but their beliefs are not reflected in their everyday lives. For some, it seems easier to keep faith separate to the manner in which they conduct their lives.

In today’s passage, James emphasises that good deeds must flow out of our faith into our lives. Good deeds go hand in hand with our faith; the two cannot be separated. We might think to ourselves, “Well, I'm not like those other people you talked about. I go to church; I read my Bible and I pray”. These are all wonderful things and are given to us as a gift from God to strengthen us in faith and dependence on Him. But the good deeds James focuses on are particularly about actively loving and serving our brothers and sisters. James says that if we do not meet the needs of our brother or sister, if we don’t care about the vulnerable, then our faith is dead.

None of this changes the fact that we are saved by grace alone. We can never deserve or earn God’s love. It is because of the grace and love that has been shown to us through Jesus’ death that we can extend that grace and His love to others around us.

Sometimes at church, we may see the person who is sitting alone and think “Oh someone will come and talk to them,” or someone might tell us about a need and we think, “I couldn’t be bothered.” I too am naturally inclined to do the things that are convenient for me. But we should be convicted by the passage, to deeply care for others even when it might cost us our effort, time and money. Jesus loved and served us by giving his own life for us, and if we really do trust him, we will want to live out his love for the sake of others and the gospel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise is one of our Ministry Apprentices.

Gus Cameron

9 February 2026

James 2:8-13

Gus Cameron

9 February 2026

8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. 13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Alex Chen

This passage initially looks intimidating: “If you really fulfill the royal law in Scripture,” “keeping the whole law and not stumbling at even just one point” – if you do, you’re guilty. It ends with the message that judgement is coming, and a brief saying about mercy. It’s not an easy read to psych yourself up on a Monday morning.

But this passage in James is an always-needed reminder for our lives in light of Jesus. We know that Jesus was the one who fulfilled the law perfectly and obeyed every commandment. He gave his life in mercy by taking God’s judgement for us at the cross. From this we are called to fulfill the royal law – the law that king Jesus said sums up all of the law: “Love your neighbour as yourself” (see Matthew 22:39). This love is counter-cultural. In our world of marketing, social status, and outward looks, we can stand out by loving the lowly, the vulnerable, the outsider. As we saw earlier in the chapter, we can be counter-cultural by not showing favouritism.

But this reminder about obeying the law – all of it – isn’t just a demand for outward obedience. Instead, we’re encouraged to wholeheartedly love God and act out of that love with all our heart, soul, and strength. We’re encouraged to listen to God’s words of mercy to us in the gospel and live them out, rather than let them sit in us as mere words. As receivers of mercy, let us show mercy to others, not judgement. Mercy triumphs over judgement.

For many of us, Monday mornings mean a lot of thinking about all the things we have to do this week: perform tasks, check in with people, help out where we’re needed, try to keep on top of things. But today, as we listen to this passage from God’s Word, it would be wise to pause and make sure we have the right starting point: Christ’s work for us. It’s good to check whether we’ve got blind spots – maybe we’re doing some good things but ignoring wrongs in other areas of life. It’s good to see who is around us that we can show love to. Who – of my family, friends, or the strangers I meet – can I show mercy to, rather than judgement? Pray that we would not let God’s loving work for us sit idle and inactive, but that we would let it overflow to our neighbour. Let us live in light of Jesus’ mercy to us, knowing that he will return.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex is one of our Student Ministers.

Gus Cameron

7 February 2026

James 2:1-7

Gus Cameron

7 February 2026

1 My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tim Mitry

This passage shows me that God does not measure people by worldly standards, like wealth, status, reputation or respectability. So then, why do we measure people by worldly standards?

I’m reminded that God regularly undermines people’s expectations. There are so many examples from the Bible, such as how God chose Israel to be his Holy, special people despite them being the smallest nation (Deuteronomy 7:7), or the humble birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul also talks about how God chooses to bring many people to faith who are of lowly and ordinary circumstances (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

This is a type of ‘upside-down’-ness in God’s kingdom that baffles the world. James reminds us in verse 5 that God chose the “the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him”. Now I’m not sure that we are guilty of doing what James says quite so blatantly in our church services – telling poor people they can’t sit down and giving rich people a special chair. But what goes on in our hearts when we see people who look respectable or unrespectable? If I didn’t share Jesus’ good news with people because of their appearance or social status, or if I only welcomed some types of people to church, I am convicted that I would be a “judge with evil thoughts” (verse 4).

Praise God that he is not like that with us! And pray that he will make our hearts more like his.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim is one of our Ministry Apprentices.

Gus Cameron

6 February 2026

James 1:22-27

Gus Cameron

6 February 2026

22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. 23 For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sarah Cameron

If I asked you to think of an example of someone being a hypocrite, it probably wouldn’t take long for something to pop into your head. A celebrity speaking about saving the environment while they take an excessive number of plane flights, or a politician who campaigns for family values when secretly they’ve been having an affair, or a work colleague who complains about others being lazy while cutting corners themselves. It can be infuriating and discouraging when someone says they believe one thing but then do the opposite.

Sadly, the Christian community is not immune. It’s even worse, I think, when we hear about Christian leaders and church members who claim to follow Jesus speaking and acting in ways that are abhorrent to God.

In today’s passage we see that we’re right to be frustrated about people’s lives and actions not lining up with what they say they believe, because it’s something God doesn’t want either. But, although it’s easy to point it out in the lives of others, what James has to say in these verses are for all of us.

If you claim to follow God, it’s not enough just to listen to what he says, but your life needs to show it. Living God’s way is where you will find true freedom and blessing.

I found it interesting that verse 26 narrows in on our speech. We know that words are powerful. A single word can start wars or change the course of your life. It’s not surprising then that how we use our words matters, because our words show what’s in our hearts.

After reading this passage I’ve tried to think about one concrete way I could change how I use my words this week, and one way I could change my actions so I’m living consistently with what I believe. It’s not going to be easy this side of heaven, but we know God has promised his Holy Spirit will help us live for him. Pray God would use our lives and our speech to bring blessing to those around us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

5 February 2026

James 1:19-21

Gus Cameron

5 February 2026

19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

As soon as I read the first verse, I thought: “Argh – why did I get this passage?” Be slow to speak? It’s my job to speak, and I’ve always got too many words! But of course, it’s also my job to listen – and that’s something God calls all of us to do.

I realised, though, that the big problem James is addressing isn’t talking too much. It’s anger – and what’s going on in our hearts. I can relate uncomfortably well with the three things James links together: not listening, opening your mouth too fast, and being hot-tempered. I wonder if you know that feeling of sudden, hot anger surging up inside you – and then shooting off your mouth with words that you regret later? It’s like Jesus said in Luke 6:45: “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

One common piece of advice for parents, when your kids do something that makes you mad, is to breathe deeply and count to 10 before you respond. But it turns out that we need to practise that in all our relationships – and not just counting, but genuinely listening to the other person to see whether we’ve really understood them.

As I reflected more, the thing I loved most in these verses was the way James doesn’t just say, “Do better!” Behind these instructions, there’s a deep awareness of how the gospel transforms us so that we want to love what God loves and we want to hate what God hates. After he tells us not to get angry, James gives the reason: “for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires” (v. 20). That’s why I don’t want to lose my temper and be hot-headed – because I want to be righteous in my behaviour! Does God desire patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control? Of course he does (Galatians 5:22-23) – so, because Jesus has rescued me, that’s what I want too.

That’s how God works in us, as we understand and believe the gospel. And in v. 21, it applies to all the “moral filth” that the world and our own sinful natures tell us to indulge in. If you’ve received Christ as Lord, you may still struggle with those desires. But that’s the point: you’ll struggle against them! You know that your precious Saviour loves righteousness, so you’ll never be happy or unconcerned and carefree with a life of wilful sin.

That new longing for what God’s loves doesn’t come from you. It comes from humbly believing the gospel of Jesus – “the word planted in you, which can save your souls.”

Does that longing describe you? Whatever business you need to do with God – with your words and anger, or anything else – do it now, and also share it with a minister or close friend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.

Gus Cameron

4 February 2026

James 1:13-18

Gus Cameron

4 February 2026

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Andy Rowlands

This passage in James brings together two things that might seem a bit unrelated: temptation and God’s good gifts. But putting them together helps me to see how often I’ve despised God’s good gifts, rather than thanking him for them. This passage highlights sin and shines a bright light on how we try to dodge our responsibility for it. We can’t blame others for our own sin, least of all God!

When I’ve given in to the same temptation repeatedly, it is easy to start blaming the people or things that seem to prompt my evil desires to spring to life. From there, it is only a small jump to say “God is tempting me”, especially when we struggle to control those desires. But here, James reminds us that the problem is within us. When I sin, I cannot blame God, for he has given me good gifts – perfect gifts, which I twist to my own evil desires. It is my own evil desires that lead me to sin, and that brings about death in me.

And because the problem comes from within me, the solution must come from outside me. Verse 17 gives me two encouragements. First, that God is good, and that he does give good gifts! Even though I might be tempted to think that some things that God gives may not be good, I can trust that they are good and that he has a good purpose for them, even if I don’t understand it yet. And second, God does not change! And because he does not change, he can change me.

Our good and perfect God, who does not change, has changed me by giving me new life through the word of truth, through Jesus, and he continues to change me. He has promised to work in me, day by day, as I put off the old self and put on the new, being conformed to the image of Christ. And so, when I am tempted, I know that I can turn to him for help. It is not easy to turn to God first, but remember: Our heavenly Father always gives good gifts. He has given us the best gift of all through Jesus, in accepting us and making us new!

So when we face temptation, let us depend on him more and more, even when we do not yet see why his gifts are good. Because God never changes in his goodness to us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andy is one of our Student Ministers.

Gus Cameron

3 February 2026

James 1:9-12

Gus Cameron

3 February 2026

9 The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sheina Chen

When I think about the rest of my life, there are two fears that always creep in. I don't want to be poor, and I don't want to suffer. Or to put it the other way, I'd like to be rich enough to live a comfortable life, and to have a life free from worries and trials. In many ways, I suspect most people, like me, can desire an easy and comfortable life.

But in this section, James addresses these two desires and turns this way of thinking upside-down. Rather than looking at the rich with envy, or boasting about our material wealth, James warns us that the rich pass away like flowers in the scorching sun. I've got a number of indoor plants which have been left outside. In light of the recent heatwave in Sydney, I can see why James uses this plant analogy to describe the life of the rich! My plants looked like they were thriving, but one scorching summer's day completely wiped them out, and they were left sunburnt, brown, and very dead. Similarly, the lives of the rich might look appealing. But God knows that they'll pass away in the midst of their materialistic living. Instead, James says that it's the lowly brother, the one who lives a humble life, who will be lifted up, who will ultimately have the greater life.

James then returns to a theme that he already introduced in verse 1 – suffering and trials. In verse 1, he said that we should consider it pure joy to persevere through suffering – and now, in verse 12, we see why. Because at the very end, after persevering through all the trials, tests, and temptations, the reward is worth it – the crown of eternal life!

It can be hard for me to remember these things, when it seems far easier to be rich and comfortable in this life. Perhaps it's tempting to love this world, rather than loving God. But there's something far greater than this life - the eternal life Jesus has given us! What an awesome motivation to live this life counterculturally and to keep loving God!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheina is a member of our Bossley Park morning and Fairfield evening congregations.

Gus Cameron

2 February 2026

James 1:1-8

Gus Cameron

2 February 2026

This month we are going to read the letters of James and Titus.

~~~

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion:
Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

I love the letter of James – it gives such a rich portrait of the kind of wise perspective on life that flows from faith in Jesus as Lord. It’s like the book of Proverbs, but written in the light of Jesus.

Today’s opening section centres on one of my favourite themes in James: the rich and unchanging generosity of God. The key to life as a servant of the Lord Jesus is to gain true wisdom, and the way to gain it couldn’t be simpler: “ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault” (v5). Wisdom isn’t knowing all the answers, it’s learning what it means to be like Christ and live in a way that reflects him.

The only condition here is: Don’t be a double-minded and unstable doubter. In James, as we’ll see later, the “double-minded man” is the person who can’t decide whether they really want to live for Jesus or not.

God is even generous in the way he allows his children to pass through trials and hardships, because he has an amazing purpose for us through our trials: “that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (v4).

That got me thinking about growing in godliness. I often think about it as changing something flawed in my character. But James describes godliness as being “complete, not lacking anything.” It’s not that I already have the right things, and I just need to improve them. It’s that Jesus has things that I’m still lacking. Jesus has total dependence on God, a mind constantly focused on loving and pleasing his Father. Spiritually, I lack what Jesus has. Maybe that’s why Paul says his goal is to count all his own achievements as rubbish, “that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

Anyway, back to God’s generosity. If God gives godly wisdom SO generously to those who ask him humbly and sincerely, why am I often so unwise? I can think of a few possible reasons. But whatever the answer is, I know the remedy: I need to come to God with sincere faith in Jesus, reflect deeply on the riches of godliness that Christ has and that I lack, and then ask God to give me those things. Why don’t you do the same now?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.

Gus Cameron

31 January 2026

Psalm 78:40-72

Gus Cameron

31 January 2026

Today we will finish the epic story of Psalm 78. The writer has been telling the story of Israel’s beginnings as a nation, and how from the start they kept forgetting the Lord and rebelling against him.

Now the writer goes back even further in the story, to the plagues of Egypt, when the Lord judged the Egyptians and brought his enslaved people out to safety. This was the event, above all, that Israel should never have forgotten, which should have kept them trusting in the Lord. But in the northern tribes of Israel, the pattern of forgetful rebellion persisted all through their later history.

At the end, you will hear the one bright point, the one place where hope was to be found: not in the northern tribes, but in Judah in the south, where God raised up King David as the shepherd of his people and chose Jerusalem as the place of his presence.

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

40 How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness
and grieved Him in the desert!
41 Again and again they tested God
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember His power —
the day He redeemed them from the adversary,
43 when He performed His signs in Egypt
and His wonders in the fields of Zoan.
44 He turned their rivers to blood,
and from their streams they could not drink.
45 He sent swarms of flies that devoured them,
and frogs that devastated them.
46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper,
the fruit of their labor to the locust.
47 He killed their vines with hailstones
and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
48 He abandoned their cattle to the hail
and their livestock to bolts of lightning.
49 He unleashed His fury against them,
wrath, indignation, and calamity—
a band of destroying angels.
50 He cleared a path for His anger;
He did not spare them from death
but delivered their lives to the plague.
51 He struck all the firstborn of Egypt,
the virility in the tents of Ham.
52 He led out His people like sheep
and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
53 He led them safely, so they did not fear,
but the sea engulfed their enemies.
54 He brought them to His holy land,
to the mountain His right hand had acquired.
55 He drove out nations before them
and apportioned their inheritance;
He settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
56 But they tested and disobeyed God Most High,
for they did not keep His decrees.
57 They turned back and were faithless like their fathers,
twisted like a faulty bow.
58 They enraged Him with their high places
and provoked His jealousy with their idols.
59 On hearing it, God was furious
and rejected Israel completely.
60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,
the tent He had pitched among men.
61 He delivered His strength to captivity,
and His splendor to the hand of the adversary.
62 He surrendered His people to the sword
because He was enraged by His heritage.
63 Fire consumed His young men,
and their maidens were left without wedding songs.
64 His priests fell by the sword,
but their widows could not lament.
65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a mighty warrior overcome by wine.
66 He beat back His foes;
He put them to everlasting shame.
67 He rejected the tent of Joseph
and refused the tribe of Ephraim.
68 But He chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which He loved.
69 He built His sanctuary like the heights,
like the earth He has established forever.
70 He chose David His servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from tending the ewes He brought him
to be shepherd of His people Jacob,
of Israel His inheritance.
72 So David shepherded them with integrity of heart
and guided them with skillful hands.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Gus Cameron

30 January 2026

Psalm 78:17-39

Gus Cameron

30 January 2026

Recap: In the first section of Psalm 78, the writer talked about the importance of teaching the next generations of children about the Lord - the wonders he had done for his people, his commandments, and to put their confidence in him.

He then talked about a time when “Ephraim” – that is, the northern tribes of Israel – forgot God’s covenant and his powerful deeds. From there, the writer starts relating the long story of Israel’s birth as a nation, from the time when God brought them out of Egypt and took them through the desert to the Promised Land. That story showed that Israel was rebellious and forgetful from the very start. The writer’s point is that the northern tribes of Israel – all except Judah – had continued in that sinful path of forgetting the Lord and abandoning his covenant.

Today we pick up the story of Israel’s origins from verse 17. As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

17 But they continued to sin against Him,
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.
18 They willfully tested God
by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God, saying,
“Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?
20 When He struck the rock, water gushed out
and torrents raged.
But can He also give bread
or supply His people with meat?”
21 Therefore the LORD heard
and was filled with wrath;
so a fire was kindled against Jacob,
and His anger flared against Israel,
22 because they did not believe God
or rely on His salvation.
23 Yet He commanded the clouds above
and opened the doors of the heavens.
24 He rained down manna for them to eat;
He gave them grain from heaven.
25 Man ate the bread of angels;
He sent them food in abundance.
26 He stirred the east wind from the heavens
and drove the south wind by His might.
27 He rained meat on them like dust,
and winged birds like the sand of the sea.
28 He felled them in the midst of their camp,
all around their dwellings.
29 So they ate and were well filled,
for He gave them what they craved.
30 Yet before they had filled their desire,
with the food still in their mouths,
31 God’s anger flared against them,
and He put to death their strongest
and subdued the young men of Israel.
32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;
despite His wonderful works, they did not believe.
33 So He ended their days in futility,
and their years in sudden terror.
34 When He slew them, they would seek Him;
they repented and searched for God.
35 And they remembered that God was their Rock,
that God Most High was their Redeemer.
36 But they deceived Him with their mouths,
and lied to Him with their tongues.
37 Their hearts were disloyal to Him,
and they were unfaithful to His covenant.
38 And yet He was compassionate;
He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them.
He often restrained His anger
and did not unleash His full wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a passing breeze that does not return.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Gus Cameron

29 January 2026

Psalm 78:1-16

Gus Cameron

29 January 2026

We are going to read Psalm 78 over 3 days, because it is fairly long. As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

A Maskil of Asaph.
1 Give ear, O my people, to my instruction;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables;
I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
3 that we have heard and known
and our fathers have relayed to us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
but will declare to the next generation
the praises of the LORD and His might,
and the wonders He has performed.
5 For He established a testimony in Jacob
and appointed a law in Israel,
which He commanded our fathers
to teach to their children,
6 that the coming generation would know them—
even children yet to be born—
to arise and tell their own children
7 that they should put their confidence in God,
not forgetting His works,
but keeping His commandments.
8 Then they will not be like their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose heart was not loyal,
whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9 The archers of Ephraim
turned back on the day of battle.
10 They failed to keep God’s covenant
and refused to live by His law.
11 They forgot what He had done,
the wonders He had shown them.
12 He worked wonders before their fathers
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
13 He split the sea and brought them through;
He set the waters upright like a wall.
14 He led them with a cloud by day
and with a light of fire all night.
15 He split the rocks in the wilderness
and gave them drink as abundant as the seas.
16 He brought streams from the stone
and made water flow down like rivers.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Gus Cameron

28 January 2026

Psalm 77

Gus Cameron

28 January 2026

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.
1 I cried out to God;
I cried aloud to God to hear me.
2 In the day of trouble I sought the Lord;
through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary;
my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered You, O God, and I groaned;
I mused and my spirit grew faint.
Selah
4 You have kept my eyes from closing;
I am too troubled to speak.
5 I considered the days of old,
the years long in the past.
6 At night I remembered my song;
in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered:
7 “Will the Lord spurn us forever
and never show His favor again?
8 Is His loving devotion gone forever?
Has His promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has His anger shut off His compassion?”
Selah
10 So I said, “I am grieved
that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”
11 I will remember the works of the LORD;
yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will reflect on all You have done
and ponder Your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
You display Your strength among the peoples.
15 With power You redeemed Your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah
16 The waters saw You, O God;
the waters saw You and swirled;
even the depths were shaken.
17 The clouds poured down water;
the skies resounded with thunder;
Your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
Your way through the mighty waters,
but Your footprints were not to be found.
20 You led Your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Gus Cameron

27 January 2026

Psalm 75-76

Gus Cameron

27 January 2026

Today we are reading two Psalms. A quick note: In the first Psalm, for most of it we hear the psalmist speaking, but at two points, we hear God speaking directly - verses 2-3 (“I will judge fairly…”) and verse 10 (“All the horns of the wicked I will cut off”).

As you read, keep in mind our two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

PSALM 75

For the choirmaster: To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.”
A Psalm of Asaph. A song.
1 We give thanks to You, O God;
we give thanks, for Your Name is near.
The people declare Your wondrous works.
2 “When I choose a time,
I will judge fairly.
3 When the earth and all its dwellers quake,
it is I who bear up its pillars.
Selah
4 I say to the proud, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.
5 Do not lift up your horn against heaven
or speak with an outstretched neck.’”
6 For exaltation comes neither from east nor west,
nor out of the desert,
7 but it is God who judges;
He brings down one and exalts another.
8 For a cup is in the hand of the LORD,
full of foaming wine mixed with spices.
He pours from His cup,
and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to the dregs.
9 But I will proclaim Him forever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.
10 “All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous will be exalted.”

PSALM 76

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments.
A Psalm of Asaph. A song.
1 God is known in Judah;
His name is great in Israel.
2 His tent is in Salem,
His dwelling place in Zion.
3 There He shattered the flaming arrows,
the shield and sword and weapons of war.
Selah
4 You are resplendent with light,
more majestic than mountains filled with game.
5 The valiant lie plundered; they sleep their last sleep.
No men of might could lift a hand.
6 At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both horse and rider lie stunned.
7 You alone are to be feared.
When You are angry, who can stand before You?
8 From heaven You pronounced judgment,
and the earth feared and was still
9 when God rose up to judge,
to save all the lowly of the earth.
Selah
10 Even the wrath of man shall praise You;
with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
11 Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God;
let all the neighboring lands bring tribute
to Him who is to be feared.12 He breaks the spirits of princes;
He is feared by the kings of the earth.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.

Gus Cameron

26 January 2026

Psalm 74

Gus Cameron

26 January 2026

A reminder: This month, we are using our do-it-yourself method for reading the Psalms. Each day, after the reading, I’ll ask you to reflect on two questions:

1. What things in this Psalm can I relate to?

2. Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus? It could be something about his ministry, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his kingdom, or what God has done for us through Jesus.

But don’t worry if you can’t always think of something – just read, reflect and pray.

A Maskil of Asaph.
1 Why have You rejected us forever, O God?
Why does Your anger smolder
against the sheep of Your pasture?
2 Remember Your congregation,
which You purchased long ago
and redeemed as the tribe of Your inheritance—
Mount Zion where You dwell.
3 Turn Your steps to the everlasting ruins,
to everything in the sanctuary the enemy has destroyed.
4 Your foes have roared within Your meeting place;
they have unfurled their banners as signs,
5 like men wielding axes in a thicket of trees
6 and smashing
all the carvings with hatchets and picks.
7 They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground;
they have defiled the dwelling place of Your Name.
8 They said in their hearts,
“We will crush them completely.”
They burned down every place
where God met us in the land.
9 There are no signs for us to see.
There is no longer any prophet.
And none of us knows how long this will last.
10 How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You?
Will the foe revile Your name forever?
11 Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand?
Stretch it out to destroy them!
12 Yet God is my King from ancient times,
working salvation on the earth.
13 You divided the sea by Your strength;
You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea;
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan;
You fed him to the creatures of the desert.
15 You broke open the fountain and the flood;
You dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
16 The day is Yours, and also the night;
You established the moon and the sun.
17 You set all the boundaries of the earth;
You made the summer and winter.
18 Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD,
how a foolish people has spurned Your name.
19 Do not deliver the soul of Your dove to beasts;
do not forget the lives of Your afflicted forever.
20 Consider Your covenant,
for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in shame;
may the poor and needy praise Your name.
22 Rise up, O God; defend Your cause!
Remember how the fool mocks You all day long.
23 Do not disregard the clamor of Your adversaries,
the uproar of Your enemies that ascends continually.

REFLECTIONS

Now think about the two questions:

What things in this Psalm can I relate to?
Is there anything in the Psalm that makes me think of Jesus?

Then pray, seeking to delight in God or to depend on God.