Ps. 95:6-7; Mk. 9:33-37; Jn. 13:34-35; Eph. 4:1-16. Belonging to Jesus means belonging to His people. There’s no getting away from this simple but profound truth – and the challenge it brings on many levels! Christ’s purpose is for us to be shaped in His likeness as we share life together and share the Gospel […]
Nehemiah 5:1-19. Playing our part in God’s service means looking out for the needs of others – especially those who are weaker, more vulnerable etc. If we are to be effective as a church then it’s crucial that this is understood and acted on. Paul’s letters underline this time and again – cf. image of […]
Nehemiah 4: 1-23 and 6: 1-14 How do we deal with opposition? Does it come as a surprise? If so, it shouldn’t! (Cf. Jesus’ warnings, e.g. Mt. 10.17f.) But how do we identify opposition? It isn’t always obvious or ‘out there’. Sometimes we hear the kind of thing Nehemiah’s builders did inside our own heads! Thinking […]
Nehemiah 2: 1-20. Nehemiah didn’t go into this major task lightly and neither should we when God calls us to undertake a particular task. (Cf. Jesus’ challenge to would-be disciples.) What are the risks involved in saying that we’ll serve God? Are we prepared to put ourselves out for a greater purpose? Are we prepared […]
Luke 24: 13-35, 38 The risen Christ walks alongside two disillusioned disciples and takes them on a ‘walk’ through the Scriptures. He helps them to see things in a new light. Familiar passages take on a new meaning. The old becomes new. Yet, although God has certainly done a “new thing” (!), it is a […]
Colossians 4:2-18. St. Paul began ‘Colossians’ by referring to his prayers for them (1.3). He now urges them to devote themselves to prayer and humbly asks them to pray for him! The Apostle is under no illusion that his work’s effectiveness depends on God ‘opening doors’ and prayer is the key. He wants to be […]
1 John 3:11-18, Psalm 139. The Bible is full of encouragement, guidance and instruction on how we should treat one another – including friends and family. However, perhaps we don’t always think about how we might discern what God is saying to us and wanting to do in our lives through those we are closest […]
Colossians 3:12 to 4:1. Ch. 3 further describes what life as God’s chosen people looks like. These are beautiful verses, painting a picture of love, harmony, peace and thanksgiving as believers live and worship together. Again we see how practical the gospel is, resulting in transformed relationships at church, home, work, wherever. It’s easy to […]
John 6:1-14. It’s important to be open to God in small things – the ordinary/ every day. Jesus feeding 5,000+ is a miracle on a grand scale but made possible by a series of small acts. Andrew introduces the boy to Jesus, who offers his small, simple fare to the Lord. The crowd sit down […]
Colossians 1: 15-20. Surely one of the key New Testament passages for understanding who Jesus Christ is and the cosmic scope of his saving work. The image of the invisible God, in whom the fullness of God dwells, it is through Christ that God has established a new creation and is reconciling all things to […]