Devotions in the Deep End

Matthew 7:1 gets quoted often, and is probably one of the better known verses in the world around us.  In this episode, Cam takes a look at this verse with the aim of ensuring we understand what judgement is and how to avoid going down that path, but also offering a way forward where others still have the ability to speak into our lives in healthy ways.

In this episode Cam looks at how an 'eternal perspective' is lived out, with the substance of our lives (ie: our wallets and what they represent) being one major way this is expressed.  This is a message that looks heavily at money because Jesus is pretty explicit about that part; but at the same time it addresses other areas such as worry and faith and God's overall concern for us.

In this episode, Cam takes some time looking at what Jesus has to say about prayer beyond the initial 'framework' of the Lord's Prayer.  We'll soon see that there are some big challenges about how we relate to God, how we relate to each other and how these are somewhat intertwined in our prayer.  After these challenges, Cam takes a brief look at the subject of fasting as a devotional practise.  

Welcome to the first episode for 2021!  In this episode, Cam explores some ideas that come out of Jesus' teaching on the practice and attitude of prayer.  This includes some thoughts on the well-known and often recited "Lord's Prayer."  As the year begins, perhaps this could be a great episode to help you recharge your prayer habits!

We are still exploring the Sermon on the Mount and starting to look at a bit of a theme that will be in play for the next few episodes.  'Acts of Righteousness' were some of the standard devotional practises of the Jews in the days of Christ.  Obviously he felt they were good things and he offers a way for those following him to observe them, but we also see that there is a very wrong way to go ab...

A challenging message from Jesus here about the way we respond to the treatment and persecution of others.  Love, prayer and generosity are to be the radical response!  I hope this is a useful episode for you!

This is a more complex topic to discuss as we consider the words of Jesus in the world today.  Marriage is clearly valued in scripture, and clearly Jesus is among those promoting them sticking together, but there are also times where this is just not possible.  It's my prayer that all those listening to this episode get a sense of clarity - that we must not see marriage as a cheap commodity in any...

This is a pretty simple idea and only a short episode, but there is a back story to what Jesus says in these verses which is worth noting.  Also, this is presented around another incredibly important topic that will be covered next time!! 

In this episode, we continue to explore this theme in the Sermon on the Mount where righteousness should 'exceed that of the Pharisees.'  Again, Jesus is vocal about the heart and what is contained there, and lust and adultery is in his sights in this passage!  Please note that although there is nothing explicit in this episode, there are be things you might want to filter from younger ears!

In this episode we look at how Jesus begins to speak into the Law of Moses that he came to 'fulfil.'  He takes something we all would take for granted as something NOT to do; then he lays down the challenge for us all to consider the things that might already be going on within us that puts us at great risk of being something we never intended to be!

This is a pretty important idea to get our minds around!  The Old Testament has been treated a number of ways over the years as Christians have interacted with it; so it seems vital that if Jesus would speak about his own relationship with/to it, we really should take the time to listen and engage with that.  This is a slightly longer episode, but given the content, I'm hoping you'll be willing to...

In this episode, we are seeking to simply bring one theme of the Sermon on the Mount to a close before focusing on the next bits, with Jesus' teaching on Salt and Light being a way of doing that.  A life enriched by the Beatitudes should leave a lasting and penetrating effect on the world around them; and the idea of Salt and Light offer the perfect metaphors to describe that effect!

In this episode, Cam completes the segment known as the Beatitudes with a look at Jesus and persecution.  This certainly won't be the last time we look at this subject, but for now, we are simply looking at it as part of the 'blessed life' that Jesus teaches us to pursue.

In this episode we look at various ideas of peace and what that looks like in the ministry of Jesus; as well as what a peacemaking ministry looks like in us as believers...as opposed to the lesser expression of 'keeping' the peace!

This is a look at what a 'pure heart' means in scripture, with this Beatitude being our starting point.  The 'heart' is used extensively as a special metaphor in a wide range of biblical work, with significant meaning to a believer.  Because of this significance, we should not be surprised that Jesus calls for a special kind of purity in this of our lives.  I hope this helps you understand this id...

Mercy is a key way of understanding the heart of God, and a key expression of the Christian faith, so we hope this somewhat shorter episode helps you understand this trait just a little more!

In this episode, we look at what it means to 'hunger for righteousness' as Jesus calls us to do.  We'll explore some ways righteousness is expressed, and what 'hunger,' 'thirst' and 'filling' can look like in our lives.

This has often been a misunderstood trait in the teachings of Jesus.  Cam hopes this will shed some light on what it means to be meek, and the courage it takes to live this trait out like Jesus did.

I am taking my time going through the statements of blessing that are found at the start of the Sermon on the Mount (better known as the Beatitudes).  In this shorter episode, I take a bit of a look at the idea of a Christian in 'mourning' as well as the comfort that comes as a result.  Feel free to chime in with thoughts or feedback as we go along with any of my episodes - I have a Facebook page...

This is a massive part of the New Testament, which will be covered in great detail.  Cam recommends a very regular habit of reading this section of scripture because it shows the big picture of how to live out the value system of the Kingdom of God.  In this episode, Cam gives a bit of insight about how the Sermon fits in Matthew's gospel account, how it speaks to the immediate audience, and final...

Speaking from Matthew 12:1-8, Cam looks at a major criticism aimed at Jesus and his disciples - the way they interacted with the sacred weekly event called the Sabbath.  Jesus addresses this in a really powerful way which is worth taking the time to explore.  At the end of this session, Cam also asks us about the way we engage with the idea as well.  It is only an entry-level reflection for now, b...

In this episode, Cam looks at the continuing conversation that is taking place at or around Matthew's table.  Although a group of Tax Collectors are the actual guests of the event, it's the gate-crashing Pharisees who are being shown some important lessons here!  The passage being used in this episode is Luke 5:33-39 Music credit: On the Verge by Joseph McDade (josephmcdade.com)

This is a powerful passage to consider on a number of fronts.  We have the story of Matthew, and Cam will speak into he dynamics of his profession and why this is affected his place in the world around him.  And we have the added wrinkle of the Pharisees and their response to all that they saw Jesus doing.  There is a chance that we might see ourselves in at least one of the people mentioned in th...

This is a bit of a survey of Mark Chapters 1 and 2, with a brief look at the many ways Jesus showed the authority he had.  It's important to look at all these things because they show Jesus' deity as well as his power over all things.  At the end of this message, there will be a bit if a challenge - how are we to respond to all this authority that Jesus has?

In this episode, Cam will speak from Luke 5:1-11, with some insights about the way Jesus began to draw disciples to himself.  It's amazing to ponder that Jesus took the teaching method of a Rabbi; and went to the region and demographic to call followers that other Rabbis simply would not go!  In this setting, Peter, Andrew, James and John are found and called.