Kings Church Life

Happy 60th Birthday Pastor Chris Jones our Kings Church Blackpool Pastor. We love and appreciate you, your wisdom, love of people and Gods house. We pray that your best years are ahead.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟭: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆! 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: Psalm 121, James 4:8, Hebrews 13:5.

It's the final devotion of our 21 Days of Prayer. It has been great to look at the various ways in which we can draw closer to God and to journey that together.

The Bible talks a lot about journeys. Abraham went on a journey of obedience when God asked him to sacrifice his own son, Isaac. Joseph went on a journey into the unknown when he was sold to the travelling Egyptians. Hannah went on a journey of desperation when she travelled to Shiloh, a journey that ended in her crying out to God for a much longed-for child. A few years later, she went on another journey - a journey of promise - as she took Samuel, her longed-for son back to the temple where she had promised God that she would give her son back to him.

Psalm 121 was a song that was sung by the Jewish people making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and was seen as a significant journey in their relationship with God. As the traveller looked up to the distant hills, not knowing what terrain or wild animals they would encounter on their journey, they would sing this psalm knowing that God was interested in every step of their journey: not just the destination.

The traveller, as they sang Psalm 121, knew that their help came from God; they understood who God was: the very maker of Heaven and Earth. They knew that God would watch over them, would protect them, would guard them, at all times, and He wouldn't doze off either!

It's the same for us today. As we finish our 21 Days, our journey with God doesn't stop. God is interested in every aspect of our journey, and promises to never leave us or forsake us. He longs for us to draw closer to Him. Let's remember that God is with us in the journey and not just the destination.

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Think about the ways in which you can continue to draw closer to God. Why not write them down and plan how you can implement them?

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Heavenly Father, thank you for being interested in every aspect of my journey with you. Thank you for your faithfulness and for your promises. I pray that I will continue to draw closer to you. In the name of Jesus, AMEN.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬: 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗡𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁! 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻

That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.” (Daniel 2:19-23 NLT)

There are some incredible examples of worship in the Bible. Take Paul and Silas (in Acts 16), chained, bound and beaten in a prison in Philippi, and what did they do? They worshipped! In a situation which perhaps seemed impossible, where there was no obvious route of escape, they glorified God, and He came through.

Most of us don’t really know what to do when we’re confronted by an impossible situation. In the Old Testament, Daniel had to deal with an impossible request from King Nebuchadnezzar: Daniel had to not only explain the meaning of a dream the King had had, but to tell him what the dream was, or be put to death.

So Daniel took the situation to God, and God revealed the king’s dream and its meaning to him in a vision. But Daniel didn’t go straight back to Nebuchadnezzar; instead, he took time out to worship.

It is important to remember that worship is much more than just music. There are thousands of ways to worship. Any time you turn your attention to God, that’s worship. When you express your love to God, that’s worship. You don’t have to be in church to worship. When you worship God, you move your focus off your problem and onto God.

Today’s passage shows you how to worship God in the midst of a crisis or a seemingly impossible situation. Specifically, Daniel did three things: he praised God for who He is (v20), honoured God for what he does (v21-22), and thanked God for his help (v23). That’s worship. Do that, and you’ll move the focus off you and your problems and put it on God.

And he’s always where our focus should be.

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Worship can sometimes be tough when you’re facing a particularly difficult situation. Whatever you’re going through today, resolve, like Daniel, to praise God, honour Him for all He does and thank Him for His help in our circumstance.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Thank you, Father, that I was made to worship. You deserve all of my praise! Thank you for all that you’ve done, all that you’re doing and all that you’re going to do in and through me today. Help me to put my focus on you rather than dwelling on any problem I might be facing, and thank you for walking with me in every step. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟵: 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV)

When we rejoice in something or someone, it is usually something or someone close to our heart. That might be our favourite team winning a match, or rejoicing in a new birth. There is nothing remote in the act of rejoicing; when you spend time with someone that brings you joy and happiness, you rejoice or delight in being with him or her. You celebrate it.

Although you can't see God you can come to know that He is there with you, as close as anyone can be. You can feel His presence when you feel calm in the midst of chaos, happiness in the midst of sadness, and confidence in the midst of uncertainty. You can rejoice in knowing that God is there with you, strengthening you when you are weak and encouraging you when you feel like giving up.

Rejoicing sometimes needs to be a choice. We are exhorted to rejoice in the Lord always: whatever our circumstances. In order to do this, we may have to call to mind all the things He has done for us in the past, even when we don't feel like rejoicing, whether we want to or not, whether we are happy with the Lord or not.

The Israelites loved a good party - they were usually rejoicing in some victory that the Lord had won for them. There are many references where the children of Israel were reminded to call back to mind what the Lord had done for them - perhaps that's why they had such big parties … so they didn't forget.

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Have you ever put on worship music in the middle of a bad time, in order to focus on God and bring yourself back into His presence? Today, let's call to mind the many things God has done for us.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Thank you, Lord, that because of who You are, we can rejoice at all times, whether we are sad, happy, angry, confused or even tired. It's not always easy to rejoice and remain hopeful in You when problems and circumstances arise, but we have to think back on the times we have been in similar positions and remember how You blessed us more than we thought possible. Forgive us, Lord, when we forget what You have done for us and forget to rejoice. Thank you, Lord, that we get to rejoice in You and that draws us closer to You. Amen.

Join us in "Unpacking Paul the Apostle" with special guest Dr Glenn Balfour (Vice Principal, Missio Dei Bible College and Theologian in Residence for AOG).

The sessions will take place over 2 days:
- Saturday 25th February 11am-7pm
- Sunday 26th February 4pm -9pm

Places are limited, so if you would like to attend please book in today! All teaching sessions, associated resources and refreshments are included in the price.

This is a great investment into your spiritual growth!

For more information, cost and to book your place visit our EVENTS tab at www.kingschurchlife.com

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟴: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 '𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂' 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗦 𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘀

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: Luke 17:11-19

Have you ever thought what gratitude really looks like? It's so easy for us as Christians to pray in a crisis, out of a sense of need, for ourselves or someone else, but surely it doesn't stop there? God is good and listens to our requests. He answers in His own way, always! We may not discover that answer straightaway, but He always answers. Gratitude will learn to return and say 'Thank you' and we will draw nearer to God as a consequence.

In our scripture passage we see that God is kind and merciful to all ten lepers but only one returns to say 'Thank you' and give God the credit for the answer. We need to learn to return. It's a wonderful way of showing God we do not take Him for granted. He is an amazing blessing in our lives. Jesus does not take back the answer from the other nine lepers (and He doesn't remove our answers) but let's be really honest, the nine forgot their gratitude.

Jesus is the kindest man I know. He blesses the grateful and the ungrateful. He never retracts a blessing in a fit of temper. However, He can measure where our heart is at by what we do after we have received our answer. Closeness comes when thankfulness fills our days. What we don't earn or deserve, we so often get from His gracious hand. I'm running back to tell Him 'Thank you!' What about you?

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Make a list of five things you need to return and say 'Thank you' for. Allow gratitude to flood your heart. Probably put your salvation somewhere in that list. It's amazing and so unbelievably undeserved. (Don't stop at five if your heart gets really excite and you get carried away!)

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Jesus, I come running to you today to say, "Thank you". You are so good and kind to me. As I look around our world, I see so many who need your help and I want to remember how blessed I am. Please enable me to make 'Thank you' something you regularly hear from my lips. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳: 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗦 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵

Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13 NIV)

As a keen gardener and a lover of the outdoors, I have always taken a keen interest in what makes things grow and what can hinder that growth. Over time, I have come to realize that flourishing in nature, as in life, is determined by the things we are planted in. This could be good nutritional soil for a plant, but for human flourishing we need good soil as Jesus taught us in the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13).

So when the psalmist describes people as flourishing, he connects it to those who are planted in the House of God. Planted in the House is far more than casual attendance or nominal commitment; I think it describes people who have deliberately and intentionally decided to make God's House (The Church) their family and focus. This does not mean we are at church all the time and attend every meeting, but it does mean that we carry the weight of responsibility as a part of the family.

No church is perfect – they're full of people like you and me who don't always get it right – but the Church is God's family on the earth, and connection to it is vital if we are to flourish personally and part of the community. Planted in the context of church means taking nourishment from the family, taking strength and encouragement, giving and serving and carrying the vision with ownership and passion. This is what I think the church in Acts 2 had grasped and why it grew rapidly in numbers and influence.

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Let's all make a decision: to flourish requires roots and they need to be in good soil. What does your commitment to being planted look like? Take a few moments and reflect, and may 2023 be your year to flourish like you have never flourished before.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Heavenly Father, please help me today, and in the days to come, to ensure that I am rooted in You and in Your House. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟲: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗵? 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗦 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: Jonah (whole book – it's an easy read!)

Over the past months I've been reading the story of Jonah, and personally have been really challenged on different aspects of this short, but great account. If any of you have been in church as a child or maybe been serving in our Giants ministry, this story, like so many others, is a frequent one we read. Jonah and the Whale! You know the Bible doesn't actually say it was a whale, it describes it as a 'huge' fish or a 'great' fish. God is a miracle-working God, and even in this story he provided a miracle – did you know that the throat of a whale is actually too small to swallow a human whole? So the fact that God saved Jonah, and enabled him to live in the belly of the fish was a miracle in itself! How incredible is that?!

Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh, he did all he could not to go; in fact, he pretty much turned the other way and tried going somewhere else. But God had other plans and he created ways in which Jonah would get to Nineveh, for Jonah to face his Nineveh. So often we cry out to God for a revelation or an answer to prayer, and when God provides the answer but it's not what or how we expected it look like - it doesn't fit into our plans, our ways of doing things - then we turn our back on it and try and run the other way.

Ultimately, Jonah landed in Nineveh and if he'd just listened to God things would have been so much easier; we see his emotions of anger at God, but God is still faithful to him. So often we think we can do it our way, as we think it's the best way to do. God's way can look rough or not seem right, but he knows what's best for us. I'm reminded of the verses in Matthew 7:13-14, which say, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

So often the way to life and fullness of life is (or seems) much harder, but the rewards and promises of God are far greater! Let's be a people who listen to God, and follow his voice and direction: let's face our Nineveh!

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: What do you need to stop running from? What do you need to run to? Spend some time thinking about this and ask God to help you.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Father, will You reveal to me today what I need to stop running from, and what is it you're calling me to? Will you give me clarity on this, and I ask that the Holy Spirit will refill me
today to give me the strength and courage to face what it is I am to do. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱: 𝗚𝗼𝗱'𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲

Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (Romans 2:4 NLT)

Sin is what gets between us and God, so His kindness turning us from our sin will undoubtedly lead to our drawing closer to Him. According to the dictionary, kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. But kindness means so much more... kindness is more than being nice. The Message parallel translation includes that 'God is kind, but he's not soft.'

This is how it should be for us as Christians as we relate to the world around us. The fruit of kindness emanating from us should draw others to want to know the source of our kindness. God is kind, and one aspect of the fruit of His spirit living in us is kindness. So for us to be kind is God's supernatural turning of our hearts towards other people, even when they don't deserve it; in the same way that whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God's kindness is evident in His sending Jesus to redeem and save us from eternal death through faith. Jesus came even though we were sinners and dead in our sins. He brought us life. What a wonderful kindness God showed to all of us by this act. God showed us then, and will continue to show us His kindness into eternity. Do our acts of kindness point others to or draw others closer to God?

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Are my words, thoughts and deeds demonstrating God's kindness and His living in me? Today, look for an opportunity to be kind to someone - not someone to whom it is easy to show kindness, but an act of supernatural kindness - maybe towards someone to whom you wouldn't ordinarily choose to be kind.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Almighty God, we thank you that you showed such kindness to us in sending Your son. As we seek to turn from our sin and draw closer to You today, we pray for opportunities to demonstrate Your kindness in ways that we couldn't imagine, so that others see You and wonder what motivates us to act in that way. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟰: 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 (𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮): 𝗧𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗦 𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘀

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: Luke 10:38-42

One of the greatest benefits of praying is the deepening of our relationship with God. Prayer that is not based on intimacy often becomes dry and formal and eventually dutiful. A bit like a tick box exercise: ‘Oh now that’s out of the way, let’s get on with real life.’ True and sincere love enjoys spending time with the one we love. This ought to be the essence of prayer.

In our scripture passage, we see that Mary adored Jesus and dropped everything just to spend some quality time with Him. She understood the value of being with Him and listening to Him. Out of that one encounter, she probably experienced a thousand reasons to pray. She listened to His heartbeat for our world and His church, and discovered the beauty of prayer afresh.

In my own day to day life, I’ve learnt to sit at Jesus’s feet and hear what He wants to say. I have dozens of voices whizzing through my head, all clamouring for my attention, but His is the only one I really need if I am to cope with all the others. He brings peace and purpose, joy and understanding, perspective and priority. For me, praying is a two-way conversation; hearing God’s heart inspires our prayers.

Mary’s decision to sit with Jesus had nothing to do with personality or temperament; it’s based on a genuine sense of need. She needed Jesus and was determined to find time. Busy Christians need to stop using ‘busy’ as a reason to miss out on the greatest need they have: quality time with God. The devil loves the busy Christian who doesn’t make time to pray. So don’t play his game!

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Stop! Listen! Speak! Yes, these are imperatives and only you can do them. Open the gospel of John or Matthew, read a few chapters and turn what you read into prayer (probably avoid the genealogy chapter just for now).

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Heavenly Father, please help me to pause and breathe, to listen and respond in prayer. I need You so much, but I’m so easily distracted and find myself walking away before I’ve even heard from You. Today I choose to wait. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟯: 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

‘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 NIV)

We live in a world that can wear busyness as a badge of pride. As Christians we need to be careful that we are not so caught up with ‘doing’ that we miss the rest that comes from coming to God and laying our burdens before Him.

Jesus knew what it was to be very busy and took time away to spend time with His Father. If Jesus needed to do this, then we surely do too! By His love and grace, He calls us in our weariness to bring our burdens before Him. We can know the amazing rest for our souls or the promise of ‘peace that surpasses all understanding’ (Philippians 4:6) as we obey this simple but powerful command.

Jesus also responds by giving us His yoke. A yoke is a wooden bar or frame used to join animals at the heads or necks so that they pull together in ploughing a field or in other work. Taking on the yoke of Jesus is easy and light because He takes the responsibility and weight that is too much for us to bear.

He did the same for us on the cross; taking the power, punishment and penalty of our sins so we could receive forgiveness and to be all that God originally created us to be.

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Take time to come to Jesus in prayer and worship. Thank Him for all that He has done for your salvation and speak out the burdens you are carrying, asking Him to take the weight of them. Thank Jesus that He gives rest for your soul.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Thank you, Jesus, that you have revealed yourself to me and that, because of your work on the cross, I can enter boldly into the presence of God. Thank you that you call me as I am and that you know me and every area of my life. I come to you because I am weary, and I feel the weight of carrying burdens (speak these specifically out). Thank you for your amazing love. I pray that I would share your love with others around me today and experience the rest that you have promised, as I give everything to you. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟮: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝘆 𝗜𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: Proverbs 4:11-18

When I was 19 years old, I went to the Louvre Art Gallery in Paris to go and see one thing: the Mona Lisa. I had seen this picture hundreds of times in books, but when I saw it in real life, it was the size of a postcard, and I nearly missed it. It was very disappointing. Often in life, we can make our own plans and they turn out a bit like that: disappointing, and just not how we pictured them.

There are 3 books in the Bible that are known as the Wisdom books: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. The 3 books together help us understand this incredible gift and attribute of God which is wisdom (in Hebrew, Ḥoḵmā). God’s wisdom is a free gift which is there to help us make plans in God’s way, so we don’t end up disappointed and discouraged, but blessed and fulfilled. Wisdom is God’s way of helping us paint the life he intended for us.

Our reading today is from Proverbs chapter 4, and it stresses the importance of finding and holding onto wisdom to help us think, act, speak, listen, understand and deal well with everyday situations; it helps you and others flourish at Life.

Wisdom is a thread that God has weaved through all creation; it’s more than just common sense but a gift God gives freely if we ask (James 1:5). Proverbs refers to wisdom as a woman that has insight on every aspect of life: family, relationships, work, everyday stuff, however big or small it seems. If we seek wisdom in God, it will help us to navigate life in the most straightforward and insightful way.

It’s like painting a picture where all the aspects of our lives are brought together through the knowledge and insight of God’s wisdom, so the picture of our faith, family, life, work, relationships all comes together to be a blessing to God, us and others: not a big disappointment like my Mona Lisa experience.

Proverbs 4:18 says: ‘She is the tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.’

If you feel overwhelmed with trying to fit everything into life and it’s just not working out, ask for wisdom so you can get God’s help and understanding to paint a picture that reflects who God is, who you are in Him and shows the world around us how great God is. God does not disappoint!

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Today, let’s take one area of our lives that’s causing us frustration; get a notepad, sit quietly and ask God for wisdom in that area. Write down what comes to your heart and mind and do something about it.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are a creative God and you weaved your wisdom into all of life and creation. Today, we ask for wisdom in all areas of our lives so we can build a life that is a blessing to You, us and others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭: 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻

‘Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives.’ (Colossians 3:16 MSG)

My family and friends will tell you that I have a mind and memory for useless information. I can, for example, tell you the teams who’ve played in every FA Cup Final since 1971; in addition, I can tell you the final scores of those games and the goalscorers. I can remember old car registration numbers, telephone numbers, the first twenty elements of the periodic table - the list goes on. I suppose it’s little wonder that I love a good quiz!

Back in my days at Sunday School, we would, most weeks, have a memory verse which we would recite together. A bit old fashioned, you might say, but I know that many verses that come to mind today are in my brain because I learned them at Sunday School.

Memorising scripture is perhaps something that I could have done better in later years. I, like many of us, am guilty of saying, “I just can’t memorise.” The truth is that we remember what’s important to us and the things that we use. So let me ask: do we value God’s Word enough to commit some verses to memory? Do we read God’s Word often enough that we start to remember it?

Think of all the times during the day that we pick up our phones - maybe as we’re on our lunch break, or sitting on our couch in the evening. What if we spent those times memorising Scripture instead? In our lifetimes, we’d probably memorise several books of the Bible that way.

If you’re new to memorising the Bible, start with just one verse a week. Write the verse on a piece of paper or in a note on your phone. Pull it out and look at it several times a day. And when you’re ready to move on to the next verse, keep reviewing the ones you’ve already memorised.

It’s important to get a partner - maybe a friend, co-worker, spouse or child. Say your verses to each other and encourage each other to keep up the habit.

As you memorise the Bible, you’ll find yourself drawing closer to God.

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Choose one verse to memorise. Write it down in a place where you’ll see it often. Make it your goal to memorise it in one week, and then choose another.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Father, thank you for your Word and for all the promises and truth in its pages. Help me to ‘hide Your Word in my heart’ today. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟬: 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼

‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ (Romans 8:28‬ NIV)

Since one of our daughters was a toddler, she loved to join me in the kitchen to watch me bake, and help clean up by licking the bowl and spoon. Now she is a little older, and still has a sweet tooth, our family gets to enjoy her baked treats. This thought prompts me to reflect on what we gain by spending time with Jesus, and how we use our skills and talents to fulfil God’s purpose.

Jesus’ first followers were skilled fishermen. He found them casting their nets into the sea and invited them to follow Him (Matt 4:18-20). He promised to transform them from simple fishermen to fishers of men. Following Jesus into the towns and villages brought them closer to their new purpose because they had a greater understanding of the work He was preparing them for.

Two things intrigue me; Jesus did not send them away to figure things out on their own, and He did not disregard their fishing skills. This should give us assurance that when Jesus asks us to do something, we will not be on our own. He collaborates with us and ensures that our experiences, skills, and talents do not go to waste. He will work all things for our good.

Like Jesus’ followers, we are called to live out our purpose, and the Church family is where we are equipped for the work God has prepared for us. But it must not be a place where we keep our heads in the sand about the challenges in the world. The imperfect and sometimes chaotic world should remind us that we have a purpose to fulfil.

During the turmoil of 2020, the Holy Spirit posed a question to me about justice in the world: is the world more grieved by what grieves God than the Church is? God desires to bring solutions to the challenges in our neighbourhood, schools, workplaces and so on. The question is, can God count on us?

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Ask God to show you His plan for the people in the world around you. In some cases, it will be obvious and in others, He will reveal it to you.

Consider how you can apply your skills, talents and experience to bring the change you want to see, even if the change seems small. It may be as simple as sharing your story about how God has helped you overcome a situation. Or it could be that you can use your football skills to keep kids in your neighbourhood off the street. And don’t forget to share with us how God is helping you make a difference.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Father, help me to know my purpose and I ask that I would be obedient in following the call you have for me. Amen.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟵: 𝗔 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁

‘As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have
received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’ (Ephesians‬ 4:1)

In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the call we have received. Paul takes 3 chapters to illustrate God’s greatness and that it is His work not ours. I like how theologians break down Ephesians; Paul teaches us to sit, walk and then stand. Today’s emphasis is going to be on the worthy walk!

I spend my time urging my children to listen, not to boss them around but to help them learn lessons that I have learned and hopefully more quickly than I did. In the same way, Paul is urging the church in Ephesus to live a life worthy, or in other words to have “a worthy walk”.

We live in a world where the next thing is prioritised. Get the next thing: a bigger house, new car, compete, win! We are always in a state of comparison. We even have comparison websites that are normal – we are taught to compare. We start to compare everything, even comparing ourselves to others.

The Greek word used for humility is ταπεινοφροσύνη tapeinophrosýnē (don’t worry I can’t say it either!) It translates though to humility, an inside-out value produced by comparing ourselves to the Lord. This brings our thinking and then actions into alignment with this inner revelation to keep one from being self-exalting. For us, this helps us to live in complete reliance on the Lord. We have a worthy walk!

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Have a think about where you are comparing yourself to others. Maybe it is
something you want to be recognised for. Maybe you are thinking you are better suited for that promotion you didn’t get or the one you want, that role in church?

Whatever it is, now compare yourself to Jesus and think how he would respond in this
situation. As I have just reflected, I have realigned my thinking to have a worthy walk.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥: Lord, I pray today that through the truth of Your Word, we will only compare ourselves to You. I am sorry when I have compared myself to others, but I choose to live a life worthy of the calling I have received. Amen.