Peacehaven Evangelical Free Church

1 Samuel 25.24-44. Abigail mediates between David, with his sword drawn in anger, and Nabal, her foolish, arrogant husband. Her words of wisdom, grace and humility are so instructive for us all in our own relationships. Several characteristics of wisdom are noted for our own learning and growth. 

1 Samuel 25:1-23. There are so many practical lessons from the life of David. He had just passed one test, in sparing Saul's life, but is just about to fail another, in destroying the house of Nabal in anger and reaction. Thankfully God was going to intervene. 

1 Sam 24.1-22. Though David has the opportunity to kill Saul, he spares him. He does not take things into his own hands, but commits his ways unto the Lord. May we also rest in God's plan, waiting on His timing and ways. Not forcing things to happen our way, but resting in Him. 

1 Samuel 23:1-29. When David “enquired of the Lord”, he was not asking for “something”, but simply seeking guidance and direction. He wanted to know and follow God's will. This portion gives us great lessons for our own journey on what it means to seek God's will and enquire of Him. 

1 Samuel 22.1-23. David finds himself in a cave, with no one who seems to care for his soul. He prays to God and understands that God would “deal bountifully” with him by sending “the righteous to surround him” and then we see God gather people to him. First his family and then 400 men, […]

Leviticus 16:1-30. During the Day of Atonement (or Yom Kippur), the High Priest would enter in to God's presence on behalf of the people through a blood of a sacrifice. This was just a foreshadowing of a future reality, as the book of Hebrews opens up to us, when Jesus would enter in for us […]

Leviticus 23:23-25. 1 Thes 4:13-18. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. Like all the Jewish feasts, “Rosh Hashanah” or the Feast of Trumpets, prophetically looks forward to a key event on the timeline. Before the Day of The Lord, at the end of the age, the trumpet shall sound and (1) the dead in Christ shall be raised […]

1 Samuel 21:1-14. David, now a fugitive, runs to the tabernacle for refuge and provision. There he finds bread and the sword, which speak of spiritual food and weaponry for spiritual warfare. May we also draw near to God's house in times of need. Then he makes a rash decision and finds himself in the […]

Col 1:12-14. Forgiveness is the release from a debt, as if you never owed that debt. Redemption is the price that was paid, so that we could be freed from that debt. So what was the price that was paid for our redemption? ah, the precious blood of the lamb! May our hearts glow in […]

1 Samuel 19:1-24. With Saul’s increasing attempts to take David’s life, David cries out to God (as in Ps 59). David fully trusts that God would deliver him and God always comes through for him. What comfort we find as Christians, knowing that God delivers the righteous!

1 Samuel 18:1-30. As David is brought centre stage, we find a contrast in the responses of Jonathan and Saul, While Jonathan finds a kindred spirit in David and becomes a loving friend, Saul’s insecurities are only fuelled, and he can only see David as his enemy. What was it that caused these responses and […]

1 Sam 17:31-58 – In this classic story of David defeating Goliath, we learn key principles that we can apply to our personal challenges. We all have a tendency to evaluate things naturally and often would limit ourselves because of that, but by faith in God, the giants can fall. The Battle is the Lord’s! […]

1 Samuel 17:1-30. As we see the stage being set for this classic showdown, David was not moved to fear, like Saul and the men of Israel were. He was not intimidated by Goliath, but was trusting in the Lord His God, knowing the battle is the Lord's. May we not evaluate our circumstances by […]

Philippians 2:12-16. We are called to be lights in the world, our salvation being “worked out” and made evident to all. May we grow in our witness and testimony as children of God to all those around us. 

Genesis 3. Why is this passage of Scripture so foundational to our understanding of God and His ways, and also of man and his failings? In what ways does this passage explain the Gospel to us? What can we learn about God’s judgements on Adam and Eve and his mercy towards them? What does this […]

Ezek 43:4-5. The temple was carefully measured, this way and that way, but then came something that cannot be measured. God’s very presence and glory filled the house. Without His presence, no matter how beautiful it may be, it is just a building. Oh but with His presence, it’s the most holy and special place […]

1 Samuel 16:1-23. What does it mean to have a heart after God's own heart? Why was Saul disqualified as King? How can we grow in intimacy with God? The account of David's anointing is filled with instruction for us all. 

1 Sam 15:1-35. As Saul boasts of his obedience, he was betrayed by the bleating of sheep in the background. Sometimes the “bleating of sheep” can be heard in our own lives. We may have overcome son areas of overt sin, but what about the areas of goodness, pride or self-r/ness that have not been […]

1 Sam 14:24-52. The Bible uses honey as an analogy of the Word of God. Just as Jonathan was physically quickened by eating the honey in the wood, we are need to be spiritually quickened by the living Word of grace. 

1 Sam 14:1-23. Jonathan went forward by faith, with his armoured bearer right behind him. They believed that God could give them the victory, even though they were vastly outnumbered. Let's not limit ourselves by ourselves, for God is with us! 

Acts 1:1-8. Does the OT Jewish Feast of Weeks (Shavuot / Pentecost) actually hold insights and secrets for us regarding Jesus, the gospel, the Holy Spirit, the Church and the Great Commission? What is the “Counting of the Omer” and does that have any value for the Christian today? God has much for us to […]

1 Sam 13:1-23. Plagued by insecurity, Saul chose to disobey God and follow his own way. In his self-defence, he blames Samuel, the people, and the Philistines. He leaves a valuable lesson for us all, that honouring God's way by faith and humility can save us so much trouble. 

Matt 28:18-20. The Lord commissioned us to go, make disciples, teaching them and baptising them. But why did the Lord instruct us to baptise disciples? What is the meaning and significance of immersing people in water like that? What does it truly symbolize? Does every Christian need to be baptised? And what does it mean […]

1 Sam 12:1-25. The prophet Samuel helps Israel acknowledge their sin, but then brings their focus to God's faithfulness despite all their failures. He never forsook them and their failure was never the end, for God gives new beginnings. There may be bad decisions or failures behind us and we cannot change that, but now […]

1 Sam 10:1-27. To help Saul with his insecurity regarding the Call to be King, God gives him 3 signs to show that God is truly with Him. Each sign includes a special message of encouragement concerning God’s call on our lives also. What is his call for your life? How does this all apply […]

Allowing all 4 gospels to paint a full picture of the resurrection of Christ, we explore the most important event and story of all time. Come and see the place where he lay, He is not here, for He is risen! 

The Passover is an annual memorial feast that looks back to the one time event of being delivered from slavery in Egypt. Jesus took 2 elements of the Passover meal and instituted The Lord's Supper. He said the shocking words “do this in remembrance of ME!” for He was and is the final Passover lamb […]

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, although accompanied with celebrations from his disciples, stood in the shadow of the cross. He came to His own, but they did not receive him. Nevertheless, being hailed as King was the fitting entrance and a fulfilment of prophecy. The Jewish Leaders told him to rebuke His disciples, […]

1 Samuel 9:1-27. As Saul was searching for his father's lost donkeys it may have seemed like a mundane and meaningless task. However, the reality was that God was providentially sending him for a divine appointment with Samuel. As Christians, we take comfort that God works amidst the details of life to bring about His […]

1 Sam 8:1-22. We are always free to make our own decisions and go our own way, but consequences may come with it. God is available to lead us and will give us sober warnings, but we are free to make our own choices. May we respond with humility and faith and trust His plan […]

1 Sam 7:1-17. Do you ever wonder why God doesn't seem to answer or help sometimes? We pray to be delivered, yet still face defeat. What’s going on? Maybe there is a spiritual principle in play? Yes, He will help, but there are conditions! When Samuel’s addresses Israel he gives the promise that God will […]

What could little Mordecai and Esther do when up against evil Haman and the power of the King? Through works of providence, God can deliver, provide and work all things together for the good. He will provide and protect his people in our personal lives and also on the world stage. 

Isaiah 55:7-9. The natural man struggles to truly comprehend the GRACE of God. It is so foreign to how we naturally think. Man puts conditions on God's love, limits on God's mercy and makes grace something that is deserved or earned. Many Christians live as “hired servants” rather than sons living in the power and […]

Matt 24. The ‘Day of the Lord’ is one of the major themes of Scripture. We look at what Scripture means by the Day of the Lord and what it will bring for believers and unbelievers. As well as looking at what Jesus taught, we also examine the teaching of Paul to the Thessalonian church […]

Matt 24. There are signs that must be fulfilled before the second coming of Jesus. Have any being fulfilled already? Which ones are still to come? Using  the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 24 and other Scriptures, we seek to answer these key questions.

1 Sam 5:1-12. The key to overcoming idolatry and the flesh is through the presence of God. If our “temple” is filled with his presence as Spirit-filled believers, then the idols fall and we can grow in experiencing an overcoming life. Do not focus on the idols, but look to ensure that the Ark is […]

1 Sam 4:1-22. It was clearly time for Israel to seek the Lord to be right with Him once more, but the elders of Israel rather decided to put their trust in the Ark, like a religious good luck charm. Because of their misplaced trust and presumption, they suffered great defeat once again. Why might […]

1 Samuel 3:1-21. How does God speak to us today? Can we also mistaken God’s voice for something else? What can we learn from the call of Samuel? The Lord calls and speaks directly to Samuel for the first time giving him his first prophecy. From then on none of Samuel's words fell to the […]

1 Sam 2:12-36. Eli allowed the sinful practices of his sons to continue because of sentimentality. They became proud, arrogant priests who corrupted the priesthood and made Israel transgress against the Lord. Therefore, God is seen to bring down the house of Eli, while also raising up young Samuel who “ministered before the Lord”. God […]

1 Sam 1:20-2:10. Hannah allowed her need and troubles to bring her to prayer and to faith in God. Her sadness was turned to rejoicing when God answered her prayer, in His way and in His time. In her song of praise she makes amazing declarations about the person, plan and the sovereignty of God. […]

1 Sam 1:1-20. During the dark days of The Judges, Hannah prayed for a son. God had shut up her whom, to work in her life, to bring her to a place of prayer, brokenness and faith. The answer to her prayer was to be an answer for the nation. Her son was to be […]

John 10:22-39. During the feast of Hanukkah (meaning dedication), also know as the Festival of Lights, Jesus, who tabernacled with us, revealed that He had been dedicated by the father, like Solomon or Judas Maccabaeus had dedicated the temple. Now we are the temple of God’s spirit and may we live with our lives, body […]

Luke 2:1-7. As Christians, our hearts fill with wonder as we consider the birth of our Saviour. There was no room in the Inn, but he found His place at the manger scene. Likewise, the gospel does not ask if we are prepared, clean or ready, but simply asks “is there room?”. 

Luke 2:7-20. An angelic Messenger sent from heaven to Earth with the greatest news that lost men could ever hear. To you a Saviour is born! This is why He came, to bring salvation to all who would call on him. 

Matt 2:1-12. These Wise Men from the East seem to be shrouded with mystery, but the Old Testament gives us some incredible insights to who they were and why they came. We find that the prophets of old, including Daniel, paved their way to the promised messiah King who had been born according to the […]

The prophets of old laid out incredible, detailed predictions regarding the birth of the Saviour, the messiah, Jesus the King. However, what is also made clear through these scriptures is that the man Jesus was in fact, God Himself in the flesh.

The Old Testament leaves us that there are with many unfulfilled prophecies, unexplained sacrifices, and unfulfilled longings. But when we turn to the New Testament, we find that it is Jesus who fulfills the prophecies, explains the sacrifices and satisfies those longings. The Old says “someone is coming” and the gospels declare “He is here!”. […]

(Gen 3:15 & others scriptures). The Old Testament leaves us with many unfulfilled prophecies, unexplained sacrifices, and unfulfilled longings. But when we turn to the New Testament, we find that it is Jesus who fulfills the prophecies, explains the sacrifices and satisfies those longings. The Old Testament says “someone is coming” and the Gospels open, […]

Philemon 1:1-25. Captured in this special little letter from Paul to Philemon we find a redemptive story that so beautifully unfolds the gospel message. We also see our own story in Onesimus, who found such grace and favour in the face of such demerit and unworthiness. May God stir our hearts everyday to see that […]

Luke 24:44-53. All of the gospels, in some form or measure, record Jesus Commissioning his disciples to preach the gospel, in Jerusalem and out to the world. As Christians, we have this privilege and responsibility to share the good news with others. We may be weak and fearful, but he has promised to empower us […]

Luke 24:1-43. After the crucifixion the disciples were trying to process what had happened. It seemed their hopes were lost and it was all over. That would all change with when they discovered that He had risen from the dead. As Christians we have our assurance, hopes and purpose rooted in the reality of the […]