Bible2020

Since the end of February, I have been on sabbatical - enabled to lay down some responsibilities in church life, to be refreshed in the Lord. I've enjoyed and benefited from a slower pace, opportunity to read, carry out a course, think, pray and attend a conference. In March/April, sabbatical morphed into furlough as lockdown began. I still had some time to read, but had to balance looking after the kids and also managed to apply for the vacant charge of Moodiesburn Paris

What does it mean to trust someone? How do you prove your trust? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust is an action of the heart. It is a choice of the will. And it is proven in the direction of our feat. If we say we trust God, we must obey what he says in his word. Ever when we don't fully get it; even when it cuts across what culture says. We

When you need to lift something heavy, it is great to have someone with you. Keep that image in mind as you listen to Jesus invitation. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus invites the weary to come to him. And then he says, I will place my yoke on you.

What would you say to someone who has the keys to a house, but chooses to live in a tent in the front garden? They have every right to do so, but it would be a bit odd. Especially once the wind picks up and rain if bouncing off the outer sheet! The peace which God gives, is something which we must choose to dwell in. 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.' John 14:27 It was

Often we run after the wrong thing. We seek blessings - running after them, and not going to the source of all blessing. God made sure that Aaron didn't make that mistake. The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. ”’ “So they will put my name on the Israelites,

How many different words can you come up with for a house? We can use many different words; yet whatever you call a house, it is best to be able to call it MY home. Essentially that is what we need - a house we call home. A place to dwell. A key to enter into the protection and shelter it provides us. David knows this, when he describes God as MY dwelling place Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “

Yesterday we seen both the reason we need armour, and the effectiveness of that armour. Today's reading explores the detail of our armour. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of s

What does it mean to be strong? When you picture strength - do you think of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual strength? What does strength enable you to do? Run faster; go further; endure longer; believe bigger; or just to simply stand? Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the aut

Have you thought the politicians are getting off too lightly? I could ask them a more probing question - get them to face up to the real issues. Have you ever wanted to put the big questions to God? When Joshua got the opportunity, he didn't hold back! When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. ” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders th

Did you ever sit in school and wonder - why do I need to know this? It all seemed so far removed from real life to be in any way useful. Sometimes the bible can seem like that. Other times, we treat the bible like an energy drink - read a little here and it will keep you going. Often we just want the bible to work for us - without our having to put any effort in at all. Joshua knew different... “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Mose

When you look at the wrong things, it can get your down. The mountain looks too high to climb, the enemy looks too strong, the work seems too much. When you listen to the wrong voices, they can discourage you. They knock you off balance. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:3-4 When

Where do you pin your hope? Is it all in the one place, or do you like to spread it around? Is it the backup plan, or the first point of call? Do you go all in? or do you go as far as you can on your own? Where do you pin your hope? Is that thing or peorson or belief big enought? Is it strong enough? Will it carry you through or let you down? Where do you pin your hope? The LORD is my strength and defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my

How many Prime Ministers can you name from the last decade? There have been a few, some sticking around longer than others. As leadership changes, particularly if it is a planned change, one thinks about their legacy. It's not just leaders - at different times we can be struck by how brief life is, and wonder what impact we have had or legacy we leave. It is a good question to ask - yet as a Christian we have a greater hope than leaving a legacy. We ourselves endure. Those

Being afraid it natural. At times, it is good - we should be afraid of things which can harm us. At other times, it is fear itself which harms and limits us. We hold back, because we are afraid. Being with others can give confidence. As we watch how they respond to a situation we are able to deal with our fears. There is no better person to be with than God. Being with him, grows are natural confidence. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you

The pace of life, the onset of age, the size of a task - all can make us feel weak. Where do we go to be refreshed? Where can we find strength? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope

Our readings, for the next 3 weeks take the theme of God's power in our weakness. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The

The final image used in the bible for the church is a beautiful bride. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will b

If I told you, you will never have to do that again, how would you feel? Of course, it would depend on what that is! For some things, it will be a delight, for others, we will miss them. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Rev

Today, our readings take us to the end; the vision of the complete church. A vision which drives us forward. Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes —who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and

We all have so much to do - our lists are full, and to be honest the things at the bottom will likely stay there for a long time. Hey, they might never get a look in! Where does God come in your list of priorities? You might not think that is a fair question... can we really place God on a list, somewhere inbetween clean the bathroom and tidy the garden? Of course we can't - but in reality we do! That's the truth which the prophet Haggai raised a mirror to in his time. T