Gus Cameron

13 June 2026

Romans 2:25-29

Gus Cameron

13 June 2026

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 If a man who is not circumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 The one who is physically uncircumcised yet keeps the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Alan Vongsavanh

How often do we judge a person based solely on their appearance? When we see someone wearing a particular uniform, like a police officer or a corporate employee, we naturally assume they uphold the values we associate with that uniform. Yet, experience tells us that clothing can be deceptive. A uniform only affects a person’s outward appearance. It doesn’t necessarily reflect their internal character or beliefs.

We see that distinction in today’s passage from Romans 2:25–29. For Jews in the Apostle Paul’s time, physical circumcision was the ultimate badge of belonging – in this case, belonging to God’s promises and God’s people. Yet Paul here reminds us that an outward symbol is completely worthless if our inner lives contradict it.

The same challenge applies to our church family context. It is dangerously easy to adopt a "spiritual uniform." We can check the box of consistent church attendance, serve diligently in various ministries, and maintain the public image of being a devout Christian. While these are good and important things and we are commanded to meet together and serve, Paul reminds us that God looks past our external performance straight to the heart. He desires an authentic inner life that matches our outer expression in which we have a life truly transformed by the Holy Spirit and sustained by grace.

This text invites us to pause and examine our own walk with God. Are we prioritising our outward spiritual appearance over our internal reality?

The encouraging truth of the gospel is that we do not have to rely on our own strength to sustain a perfect image. In verse 29, Paul points to the liberating truth that the way to be renewed and transformed on the inside is not by our own goodness and deserving, but by the work of God’s Spirit when we give our lives to Christ. Today, let us turn to Jesus and invite Him to renew our hearts. When we allow Him to change us within, a life of genuine faith and love will naturally overflow to the outside.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alan is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

12 June 2026

Romans 2:17-24

Gus Cameron

12 June 2026

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tina Bogg

As I read this passage, the challenge of not being a hypocrite really strikes home, especially as the last verse talks about how God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles when we know God’s will and his laws and do not do them. Paul is talking to Jews who thought they were better than Gentiles because they had God’s laws. But they were making two mistakes. They had forgotten that what matters is not knowing God’s laws, but obeying them. And they thought they deserved God’s favour and love, unlike Gentile “sinners”.

As Christians, we can be in danger of making the same mistakes. We might feel we are better than non-Christians because we have the gospel, and forget that the gospel should lead us to obedience. Are we dishonouring God by not practicing grace, mercy, forgiveness and loving others as Jesus has loved us? But also, the gospel shows us that we are not better or more deserving than non-Christians, it is only through God’s mercy that we are saved and through his grace and love for us that we are chosen to be a part of his kingdom. We bring nothing to the table, therefore we have nothing to boast about. In fact, we should be more sensitive to our own sin than to the sin of others.

One area I find so tricky to not be a hypocrite is in parenting; yelling at my kids to not yell, telling them to listen when I am not listening to them, asking them to be patient when I’m impatiently rushing them, or encouraging them to apologise and forgive when I also feel pride flaring up and not wanting to admit what I have done wrong. Pray with me that we would have God’s wisdom and humility in seeing where we fall short and continue to ask for his forgiveness, and pray that we can set an example for others of knowing where we stand before God and how much we need and are thankful for his grace every day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

11 June 2026

Romans 2:14-16

Gus Cameron

11 June 2026

14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them 16 on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sheina Chen

When I was growing in my faith as a teenager, I had a lot of questions about God, particularly about whether his judgement (and salvation) was fair.

“What happens to the people who’ve never had a chance to hear about Jesus? Will they get judged by God?”

This was a controversial question amongst my high school friends. They thought it was unfair that God didn’t give everyone the opportunity to hear the gospel and repent. How could people in a remote tribe in Africa face the same judgement as someone who’d grown up in church? I didn’t know how to answer them.

I wish I’d known this passage back then, because verses 14 and 15 are pretty clear. Although Gentiles (non-Jews) don’t have the Old Testament Law in the same way that Jews do, they have an innate understanding of the law in their hearts and minds. They know the essentials of God’s moral standard – but even though they try to act in accordance with that moral standard, they fail. So everyone stands guilty before God – both Jew and Gentile. Everyone will face judgement on the day Jesus returns to judge, and God’s judgement of them will be good and fair.

It might be an uncomfortable truth, but it’s one that rings true. When I’ve chatted to friends about whether they think they’re a good person, most will say, “I’m not perfect, but I think I’m pretty good”. Or, ”I think my good actions outweigh the bad ones”. Most people will accept that they fail to do the right thing all the time, even if they haven’t heard the gospel. And those that don’t agree they’ve done anything wrong are probably in denial!

As I reflect on our sin and the judgement we all face, it makes the good news of salvation even more wonderful. How incredible is God’s grace to us – that even though it’s our nature to reject him and his good law, he chooses to save us! It’s such a relief to be able to trust in the salvation Jesus has given us, rather than dwelling on my guilty conscience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheina is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

10 June 2026

Romans 2:12-13

Gus Cameron

10 June 2026

12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Today’s passage helps answer a question that I once had about God as a younger Christian: does God have favourites? I once thought that since Israel were chosen from centuries of old to know God and be called his people, they could be saved more easily and God would have a bias toward them over people who were not chosen. But in today’s passage, and right throughout Romans so far, it is clear that God shows no favouritism when it comes to salvation. Even more importantly, all people equally need saving, regardless of which culture or background you are from. The reason is clear from verse 12: all have sinned.

Consider my personal background: I was raised in a secular household, knew very little if nothing of the law or commandments of God, and had no connections at all to any religious groups or cultures. If I knew nothing of the law or of what God required of me, did I sin? The answer is a definitive “Yes!” Would I have been held accountable for my sin, even if I knew nothing of God’s law? Verse 12 is clear: “Yes” again.

Consider those who were raised under the Old Testament law. Did any of them keep the entire law their entire lives? No – because as you and I know, nobody is perfect. Otherwise, why would there have been any need for the sacrificial system, if some people were able to be perfectly obedient to the law? Verse 12 tells us: those raised under the law will be judged by the law, and therefore will face the same consequences as those raised apart from the law – because all have sinned.

So where does that leave us? Who can possibly, as verse 13 says, be the “doer of the law who will be declared righteous”? Well – there was one man who could. One man who kept the law perfectly, who didn’t just know the law, but was perfectly obedient to the law, right up until his death: Jesus Christ. And so, because of his perfect obedience, regardless of whether we were raised under the law or apart from the law, we too can be declared righteous. But we don’t need to work to earn that righteousness, we simply receive it through faith in Jesus Christ. His righteousness is credited to us. As Romans 4:24 puts it, God will credit righteousness to those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. That’s good news for people everywhere, all over the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

9 June 2026

Romans 2:6-11

Gus Cameron

9 June 2026

6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.
9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Greek. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Jess Chow

This week I learnt the origin of the term “goody two-shoes”. It’s from an old English children’s story about an orphan girl who is so poor she only has one shoe. However, she persistently does good and as a result, one day she is gifted a pair of shoes by someone she does good for. She runs around excitedly telling people she now has two shoes – hence, goody two shoes! In the time of that story’s publication, it served as an uplifting moral tale about the theme of doing good; yet in our own time, the expression “goody two shoes” is an insult. We often view “doing good” as for the weak and naive, not the strong. Doing good today can feel unrewarded, especially when selfishness seems to be the way to get ahead, but today’s passage reminds me that doing good should be the shape of my life as a Christian.

A little later in Romans, it’s going to become clear that ALL have sinned and deserve condemnation, so eternal life can’t be earned by doing good. But when I turn my eyes upon God who alone is good, and the good life of Jesus – who obeyed His Father perfectly and sacrificed his life for me when I wasn't good – then doing good is following Him, becoming more like Him.

I like that the passage says doing good happens “by perseverance” – it’s often not the quickest path that a self-seeking person might take; and it doesn’t often seem to achieve success when wickedness seems to prosper. But this passage makes the reality of things in God’s eyes very clear. He promises glory and honour to those who pursue a life of good, which may not be fully realised in this life, but the promise is of immortality and eternal life with Him.

So brothers and sisters, may we stay connected to the One who is truly good and by His grace persevere in doing good as we follow Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jess is a member of our Fairfield morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

8 June 2026

Romans 2:1-5

Gus Cameron

8 June 2026

1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
5 But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Many years ago, I was listening with my kids to some Colin Buchanan songs. One song came on that totally caught me off guard – the song is called “Sinner in the Hands of a Merciful God”. Here's how it starts:

I have strayed from the path of the righteous, O God
I have turned from the way that is hope for my soul
I have lurked in the shadows of darkness and sin,
Save Me, O merciful God!

The words from this song brought me back to the reality of what today’s passage reminds us all about. We all have, at one time or another, strayed from the path of the righteous – and we have no excuse really, because as Paul said in chapter 1 verses 19 and 20, God has made his power and his presence plain to all of us. So since we all previously turned away from him, we have stored up for ourselves wrath that comes from the righteous judgement of God. This wrath is already being revealed (Romans 1:18) – but it will be revealed fully and finally on a day in the future, when his “righteous judgment will be revealed” (v 5).

But there is hope, hope for all of us, and it starts with verse 4: God, in his kindness, tolerance, and patience, gives each us an opportunity to repent. To repent of living a life in opposition to God. Repent from having turned away from him, so that we might turn towards him. Repent from lurking in the shadows of darkness and sin, so that we might come under his light and righteousness. Repent by turning to him, asking for forgiveness, and accepting that the wrath stored up for each of has already been poured out on Jesus Christ in his death on the cross – so that we are fully forgiven if we turn to Jesus as our Lord. Brothers and sisters, this is the gospel message, the good news that Jesus himself brought to us. This is good news worth savouring, worth sharing, and worth singing about. Reflect and savour that good news today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

6 June 2026

Romans 1:26-32

Gus Cameron

6 June 2026

26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. 31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

This is such a sensitive passage that I think it needs a few more words than normal. We need to handle it with clarity, compassion, and confession.

Clarity goes in two directions. The Bible is crystal clear on sex and relationships: God designed sexual intimacy exclusively for the context of a life-long, binding, faithful marriage between a man and a woman. Any other sexual relationships are sin – including the “unnatural” same-sex relations that Paul describes in verses 26-28.

But the Bible is also crystal clear that all sin leaves us equally condemned before God’s judgment throne. God’s wrath is revealed against “all the godlessness and wickedness of men” (v 18). Paul highlights same-sex sinful relationships as an illustration of the way that sin corrupts and distorts God’s good design for his creation – it is an obvious corruption of what is “natural.” But he immediately goes on to describe every kind of wickedness in the same way – as God giving people up “to a depraved mind,” so that they wilfully disobey God and approve of evil (v 28-32). Paul lumps it all together – from same-sex relations, murder and God-hating, to greed, jealousy, gossiping, boasting, and disobeying parents. Homosexual sin is not a special category of sin, because the heart of sin is what Paul described earlier: failing to glorify God or give him thanks, and exchanging the worship of God for worshiping created things (v 21-23). All sin is an outflowing of that, and makes us equally “worthy of death” (v 32).

That leads to: compassion. If you know unbelievers who are actively gay, you should think of them with exactly the same compassion as you think of your unbelieving friends who are argumentative or gossips or hold grudges. We should be horrified at the sin – all of it equally! – and we should eagerly reach out to them in compassion and love with the message that Jesus brings forgiveness and fullness of life.

And with our Christian brothers and sisters who struggle with same-sex attraction, we should view them with exactly the same compassion and grace as we view our brothers and sisters who struggle with anger, jealousy, or pride. In fact, we should view them exactly as we view ourselves – because we are exactly like them! That’s Paul’s whole point: sin is equally corrupting and contemptible, no matter what the particular sin is.

That means when we read this passage, it should move us, not to condemnation of others, but to personal confession. If you read this and mentally point your finger at those terrible people out there (is that what you did?), you’ve missed Paul’s point entirely. Each of us should read it with contrite hearts, reflecting on the depravity and evil of our own sinful tendencies and desires. (If you’re not convinced yet, the kicker is the very next sentence, which we’ll read tomorrow: “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another!”, Romans 2:1.)

Today’s passage is pretty heavy – but you should also know that this is part of Paul’s long lead-up to the best news of all: that anyguilty sinner can receive God’s righteousness through the death of Jesus on the cross. So as you finish today, bring your own sinful tendencies and desires to God, and ask him by his Spirit to help you see that they are depraved corruptions of his glory and beauty. But also, through Jesus, ask God to help you live by glorifying him and giving him thanks (v 21).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Gus Cameron

5 June 2026

Romans 1:21-25

Gus Cameron

5 June 2026

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Monica Ly

This passage provides insight into how our thoughts shape our actions and affect the way we live. In yesterday’s passage Paul wrote about the godless Gentiles, and said that they certainly knew of God—essentially through the things He had made. They failed, however, to glorify or give thanks to Him, and their thinking became futile, ultimately leading them into idolatrous worship.

In contrast, we know God through Jesus. Jesus Himself says if we know him, we know God and have seen God (John 14:7). Jesus and God the Father are one and are united in purpose and works. We see this very clearly in Jesus obediently going to the cross and completing God’s work. When we look to the cross, we see the ultimate expression of God’s character—His uncompromising justice against sin and His boundless love for humanity. Being grounded in the cross enables us to have a right understanding of God and paves the way for true worship.

If I am honest, there have been countless times when I have failed to value God above all things and, as a result, I have not honoured and praised Him as He deserves. I am quick to exchange the truth of God for a lie and worship creation rather than the Creator. Too often, I end up serving and idolising myself, placing my own desires, comfort, and ego above everything else—as though I were the most important person in the universe.

Although this passage convicts me of my idolatrous heart, it also moves me to be thankful for Jesus. The knowledge that Christ took upon Himself the cup of God’s wrath, so that we do not have to face God’s judgement ourselves, moves me to gratitude.

Let us give thanks for God’s revelation to us in Jesus and pray that we will keep reading His Word, the Bible, so that we can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Only by looking at Christ can we attain a right understanding of God, enabling us to live a life that may please Him and bring praise to Him forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Monica is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

4 June 2026

Romans 1:18-20

Gus Cameron

4 June 2026

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Nathan Ting

One of the things I’ve struggled to reconcile numerous times as a Christian has been: “If the only way to know God is through Jesus, what about the many unreached people in the world who have never heard the gospel? If there’s a remote tribe or village somewhere in the world without any contact with the rest of the world, how will they ever find salvation if they never have the opportunity to hear about Jesus? Isn’t that unfair?”

Today’s passage makes it clear that, no, it isn’t unfair. Paul writes in verse 20 that God has made his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – abundantly clear through his workmanship, his creation of the world. And indeed, God has displayed his majesty and power in the world He has created, the world that we all live in. From vast, dry, desert plains to lush, green rainforests, with backdrops of impossibly deep, blue oceans and dark, starry skies, the world around us has been elaborately painted and intricately woven together in such a way that makes it inexcusable to not acknowledge the Creator behind creation. So for the remote tribe in question, “…what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them” (v19). And that means the sin of all people – including those who have never heard of Jesus – is not just a matter of ignorance. It’s actively suppressing the truth about God that, deep down, every person knows (v18).

A lot of the time, I take it for granted that I have not only seen God’s handiwork in the world around me, but can actually have a deeper understanding of and relationship with Him through Jesus, “For in him (Christ) all things were created … all things have been created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). What a privilege and joy it is for us who have heard the gospel; spend some time now praying for those who haven’t, or those who have but have chosen to harden their hearts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

3 June 2026

Romans 1:14-17

Gus Cameron

3 June 2026

14 I am obligated both to Greeks and Non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tara Sing

When I was in youth group, we would learn a memory verse every term. Through putting together puzzles, playing hangman, making up actions, and singing them to popular tunes, we etched God's word into our memory. I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I know I was a teenager when I learned Romans 1:16 in this way. Back then, in the early 2000s (or as my children say, the olden days) I never really gave much thought to why our youth group leaders chose the particular verses they did. But twenty years on, I am so glad they picked Romans 1:16.

There have been moments where I have been teetering on the edge of speaking up for Jesus, of sharing the reasons behind different life choices, when perhaps awkwardness or embarrassment would have overcome and silenced me. And I have, in those moments, remembered that I don't have to be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.

There have been times where I have been nervous to explain the gospel, or hesitant to point out to others that they are in need of saving because although they think of themselves as good people, God sees them as sinners. Especially as I meet new people and form new friendships with parents at school, or people at the gym, I can feel uneasy about sharing my faith, unsure of my words, stumbling in my efforts. But Romans reminds me that the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. It's not about how winsome my explanations are, or how cleverly crafted my argument is, or how prepared my scripture lessons are, it is God's power that saves.

If Romans 1:16 isn't a verse tucked up your sleeve, I highly recommend looking it up in your Bible now and adding it to your memory verse repertoire. It's a verse that reminds you of your blessed position, saved by the gospel of Jesus, made righteous by the righteousness that is revealed in the gospel, and it gives you confidence to speak of the gospel's saving power to everyone you meet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Gus Cameron

2 June 2026

Romans 1:8-13

Gus Cameron

2 June 2026

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Laura Lie

This first chapter of Romans is a strong reminder of how small the early church was, since the great Apostle Paul would write personal letters to individual churches! This was not a well-organised “diocese” with complicated governance structures. These were house churches that directly challenged the Roman Empire. Citizens of Rome were supposed to hail Caesar as Lord, but here was a group of people who preached Jesus Christ as Lord (v 4). They often faced severe pressure or persecution as a result.

With that in mind, the verses that stand out to me in today’s section are 11 and 12: “For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

In all honesty, I initially scoffed slightly when I read that, because I immediately forgot the previous verses and the context. I thought: Surely Paul is … well, Paul? He is encouraged already, isn’t he? Blessed with great spiritual strength, much wisdom, etc.? How could they encourage his faith?

But then I think of our church and the things I see that bring me encouragement. Mothers with babies who come to church even when they’re tired and distracted, to hear what they can of God’s word and to fellowship. Our men who sit with visitors or play soccer with the teens. Women who check in and care for each other. Our teams who serve quietly each week in music, cleaning, teaching and the kitchen. Our leaders who speak and minister consistently. Families who make it to church each week despite the chaos of Sunday mornings. Children who play together and welcome newcomers.

Paul’s wisdom becomes transparently clear. Faith is hard alone. Encouragement together is important, and it’s always mutual. He writes of it earlier in verse 8 as well: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world."

Not only is salvation through Christ being proclaimed (praise God!), but knowledge of ordinary Christians living out their faith is an encouragement to Paul, to those existing churches, and to us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation..

Gus Cameron

1 June 2026

Romans 1:1-7

Gus Cameron

1 June 2026

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
5 Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

This month, we are beginning a devotional journey through Paul’s majestic letter to the early Christian church in Rome. The letter has some very personal sections, about both Paul’s ministry plans and the situation of the Roman church. But it is also Paul’s most complete explanation of his gospel, the great announcement from God that Jesus had sent him to announce to the Gentiles. And as Paul starts the letter, he wants that gospel to be front and centre.

I’m a big believer in being crystal clear on the gospel. And as I read these verses (for about the millionth time!), the first thing that struck me was Paul’s own gospel clarity: the gospel is about Jesus Christ. In fact, the whole Bible is God’s announcement about his Son – the news promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Jesus’ death, resurrection and exaltation as Lord. As I always used to tell my Bible college students in Chile: If you haven’t said something about what God did in sending Jesus, you haven’t told the gospel.

But I was also struck by the theological depth in this brief gospel summary. Paul hints at truths about the Incarnation, and the fact that in Jesus, the Son of God is both God and a man. Paul explains that God’s Son was a descendent of David in his earthly life, or “according to the flesh” (v 3). That implies that the Son of God also exists, and has always existed, outside the sphere of creation, in eternal relationship with God the Father. And yet even in his earthly life as the man Jesus, he was crowned as “the Son of God” and “the Lord” when he was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit’s power (v 4).

Crystal clear in its essence; and with divine depths that we will never finish exploring. What a gospel!

But I also love how clearly and simply Paul explains what it means to be a Christian: it means “to belong to Jesus Christ” (v 6). And the way you come to belong to him is through “the obedience that comes from faith” (v 5) – by believing the gospel news about Jesus, which sets you on the path of learning to obey Jesus.

Praise God now for the clarity and the depth of his announcement about the Lord Jesus, and enjoy the assurance of knowing that you belong to Jesus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.

Gus Cameron

30 May 2026

Psalm 104:24-35

Gus Cameron

30 May 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?

24 How many are Your works, O LORD!
In wisdom You have made them all;
the earth is full of Your creatures.
25 Here is the sea, vast and wide,
teeming with creatures beyond number,
living things both great and small.
26 There the ships pass,
and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.
27 All creatures look to You
to give them their food in due season.
28 When You give it to them,
they gather it up;
when You open Your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
29 When You hide Your face,
they are terrified;
when You take away their breath,
they die and return to dust.
30 When You send Your Spirit,
they are created,
and You renew
the face of the earth.
31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in His works.
32 He looks on the earth,
and it trembles;
He touches the mountains,
and they smolder.
33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
35 May sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.
Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Hallelujah!

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 May 2026

Psalm 104:1-23

Gus Cameron

29 May 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?

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, You are very great;
You are clothed with splendor and majesty.
2 He wraps Himself in light as with a garment;
He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
3 laying the beams of His chambers
in the waters above,
making the clouds His chariot,
walking on the wings of the wind.
4 He makes the winds His messengers,
flames of fire His servants.
5 He set the earth on its foundations,
never to be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep like a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At Your rebuke the waters fled;
at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—
8 the mountains rose and the valleys sank
to the place You assigned for them—
9 You set a boundary they cannot cross,
that they may never again cover the earth.
10 He sends forth springs in the valleys;
they flow between the mountains.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the air nest beside the springs;
they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from His chambers;
the earth is satisfied by the fruit of His works.
14 He makes the grass grow for the livestock
and provides crops for man to cultivate,
bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens the heart of man,
oil that makes his face to shine,
and bread that sustains his heart.
16 The trees of the LORD have their fill,
the cedars of Lebanon that He planted,
17 where the birds build their nests;
the stork makes her home in the cypresses.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats,
the cliffs a refuge for the rock badgers.
19 He made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows when to set.
20 You bring darkness, and it becomes night,
when all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The young lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they withdraw;
they lie down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth to his work
and to his labor until evening.

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 May 2026

Psalm 103

Gus Cameron

28 May 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?

Of David.
1Bless the LORD, O my soul;
all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all His kind deeds—
3 He who forgives all your iniquities
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit
and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,
5 who satisfies you with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD executes righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
9 He will not always accuse us,
nor harbor His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins
or repaid us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;
16 when the wind passes over, it vanishes,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the loving devotion of the LORD
extends to those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to their children’s children—
18 to those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength
who carry out His word,
who hearken to the voice of His command.
21 Bless the LORD, all His hosts,
you servants who do His will.
22 Bless the LORD, all His works
in all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!

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 May 2026

Psalm 102

Gus Cameron

27 May 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?

A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.
1 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
let my cry for help come before You.
2 Do not hide Your face from me
in my day of distress.
Incline Your ear to me;
answer me quickly when I call.
3 For my days vanish like smoke,
and my bones burn like glowing embers.
4 My heart is afflicted, and withered like grass;
I even forget to eat my bread.
5 Through my loud groaning
my flesh clings to my bones.
6 I am like a desert owl,
like an owl among the ruins.
7 I lie awake;
I am like a lone bird on a housetop.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
they ridicule me and curse me.
9 For I have eaten ashes like bread
and mixed my drink with tears
10 because of Your indignation and wrath,
for You have picked me up and cast me aside.
11 My days are like lengthening shadows,
and I wither away like grass.
12 But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;
Your renown endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show her favor—
the appointed time has come.
14 For Your servants delight in her stones
and take pity on her dust.
15 So the nations will fear the name of the LORD,
and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion;
He has appeared in His glory.
17 He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute;
He will not despise their prayer.
18 Let this be written for the generation to come,
so that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.
19 For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary;
the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth
20 to hear a prisoner’s groaning,
to release those condemned to death,
21 that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion
and praise Him in Jerusalem,
22 when peoples and kingdoms assemble
to serve the LORD.
23 He has broken my strength on the way;
He has cut short my days.
24 I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days!
Your years go on through all generations.
25 In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They will perish, but You remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing You will change them,
and they will be passed on.
27 But You remain the same,
and Your years will never end.
28 The children of Your servants will dwell securely,
and their descendants will be established before You.”

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 May 2026

Psalm 100-101

Gus Cameron

26 May 2026

As you read, keep in mind our 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?

Psalm 100

A Psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD,
all the earth.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
come into His presence with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good,
and His loving devotion endures forever;
His faithfulness continues to all generations.

psalm 101

A Psalm of David.
1 I will sing of Your loving devotion and justice;
to You, O LORD, I will sing praises.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless—
when will You come to me?
I will walk in my house
with integrity of heart.
3 I will set no worthless thing
before my eyes.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will know nothing of evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
I will put to silence;
the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart,
I will not endure.
6 My eyes favor the faithful of the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way of integrity
shall minister to me.
7 No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who tells lies
shall stand in my presence.
8 Every morning I will remove all the wicked of the land,
that I may cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.

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

25 May 2026

Psalm 98-99

Gus Cameron

25 May 2026

AA 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.

Psalm 98

A Psalm.
1 Sing to the LORD a new song,
for He has done wonders;
His right hand and holy arm
have gained Him the victory.
2 The LORD has proclaimed His salvation
and revealed His righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered His love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth
have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
in melodious song with the harp.
6 With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn
shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea resound, and all that fills it,
the world, and all who dwell in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy
9 before the LORD,
for He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

psalm 99

1 The LORD reigns;
let the nations tremble!
He is enthroned above the cherubim;
let the earth quake!
2 Great is the LORD in Zion;
He is exalted above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name—
He is holy!
4 The mighty King loves justice.
You have established equity;
You have exercised justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the LORD our God,
and worship at His footstool;
He is holy!
6 Moses and Aaron were among His priests;
Samuel was among those who called on His name.
They called to the LORD and He answered.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they kept His decrees and the statutes He gave them.
8 O LORD our God, You answered them.
You were a forgiving God to them,
yet an avenger of their misdeeds.
9 Exalt the LORD our God
and worship at His holy mountain,
for the LORD our God is holy.

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

23 May 2026

Psalm 97

Gus Cameron

23 May 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?

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the distant shores be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness surround Him;
righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
3 Fire goes before Him
and consumes His foes on every side.
4 His lightning illuminates the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax
at the presence of the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim His righteousness;
all the peoples see His glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame—
those who boast in idols.
Worship Him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices,
and the towns of Judah exult
because of Your judgments, O LORD.
9 For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
10 Hate evil, O you who love the LORD!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous,
gladness on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones,
and praise His holy name.

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

22 May 2026

Psalm 96

Gus Cameron

22 May 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?

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
proclaim His salvation day after day.
3 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before Him;
strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
bring an offering and enter His courts.
9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness;
tremble before Him, all the earth.
10 Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!”
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.
11 Let the heavens be glad
and the earth rejoice;
let the sea resound,
and all that fills it.
12 Let the fields exult,
and all that is in them.
Then all the trees of the forest
will sing for joy
13 before the LORD,
for He is coming—
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in His faithfulness.

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.