Work is cursed, though not ineffective.

Because work isn't just pain and toiling for the sake of income, but there is also a joy and excitement in contributing to our community; in flourishing a society and environment for the good of one another. Work is like tending the Garden of Eden again, only now there's people in it.

Yet even as work is cursed with pain and grief, there remains a rest that will by far outweigh our toil. So let us look forward to the day when Jesus returns to take us home to glory—where there will no longer be any curse and we will rest from our own work just as God did from his.

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"He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed."

Genesis 5:29

Make the most of your wedding day.

Proclaim Jesus.
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Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:31
(See Jeremiah 9:24)

It was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman.

1 Timothy 2:14 

So why didn't he say anything?

He was listening to the serpent's devilish cunning to deceive his wife. He heard how Eve misquoted the command of God. He even watched her as she began looking at the forbidden tree, as she began taking her first steps towards it, even as she began taking her first bite—he was there the whole time yet he remained silent when he should've spoken.

He could have turned to Eve and said, "Honey, this snake is up to no good! He's trying to make you think that you can gain more satisfaction from disobeying God rather than by remaining faithful to him. Take a look around us, sweetheart! This is Paradise—God made it and gave it all to us. We have no reason to doubt his goodness." Then, perhaps turning to the serpent, "Snake, get lost! This conversation is over!"

But it never happened. He just stood there, possibly afraid, and didn't say a word. Adam failed to exhibit headship. And ever since Adam, every man has inherited this same inclination to remain silent—the cowardice to let faithfulness slip rather than to uphold God's word.

But Jesus bears a different image. He is the man who did not hesitate but called out against sin—even in the face of his own temptation. He is the man of strength, of holiness and of faithfulness. He is the man we were created to be, but never were. Yet he is the man we are becoming.
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Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13 

Adapted from The Silence of Adam by Larry Crabb.

Do you like what I'm saying?

The first priority for anyone in ministry is to please God,

• not leaders
• not friends
• not those we lead
• not those we preach to
• not even ourselves

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If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

Men's weak spot.

Sisters, we are not proud of our weaknesses. On behalf of myself and my brothers, please be mindful of what you wear for the sake of us guys who battle with lust—any revealing flesh above the knees or around the chest, back and shoulders are potential hazards for stumbling thoughts and desires.

Please help us also not to be distracted so as to see your worth in your dress or beauty, but rather in the display of Christ's lordship over your life: your devotion to godliness; your perseverance in prayer and bible reading; your zeal to see disciples of all nations maximised for Christ's glory.
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Women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, but with good works, as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God.

1 Timothy 2:9-10

Favourite quotes:

How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?

Joseph, Genesis 39:9

An angry man.

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

Proverbs 29:22

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Incessant distress and frustration is no excuse; 

For the anger of man does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
May God impel that spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline in us,
And be merciful unto me, a sinner.