Prayer acknowledges through confession that God knows us more completely than we can possibly imagine. This is both threatening but through Christ, the threat is transformed to become a means of healing and hope for us and the whole of Creation.
The big question for the Corinthian Church was whether they were really committed to living distinctive lives, thereby demonstrating their commitment to God.
There’s a delicate balance between liberty (freedom) and licence (the opportunity to do anything you want). Some things really do matter – both the way we live and the attitude we adopt to the culture around us.
It is a question of living a Christlike example even in simplest and seemingly innocuous things. Does my approach or behaviour lead people to Jesus or does it push them away?
Sometimes it can seem that God is asleep, a long way away or even not there at all. Unanswered prayer can seem like unheard prayer especially when we have something really important to say.
Life’s events and our circumstances invariably put us into a place where we need God’s help - none more so than when we have exhausted our reserves and resources and the world seems as if its ranged against us.
Did you hear about? …. well I never!
There’s nothing quite so salacious as a bit of juicy gossip, especially when it involves the public display of someone else’s personal life. Thrust into the limelight, it will run and run – at least until something better comes along.
If we think that “church” is immune, then think again. It isn’t this one sin that causes the problem – it’s all sins. Don’t forget what we are: always remember how we came to be changed and be committed to doing God’s will rather than pursuing your own desires.
It just doesn’t make sense: how can something so terrible on the one hand, be so beneficial on another? How can an event so scandalous become the means of saving so many souls?
That’s the message and impact of the cross. In the eyes of some, it’s a very unlikely means of securing our eternal destiny as it looks more like a tragic defeat than a glorious victory.
Let’s not look at the cross from a human point of view. If, in our “wise” ways this looks like defeat, then we are ignoring God’s plan. It’s not about how we use responsibility or power, it’s God’s demonstration to the world in one of the most unlikeliest ways, that He’s able to save us from ourselves.
An opportunity to hear about the Mission causes GHBC supports. Our message is taken from Acts 1 and Luke 10 and invites us to consider the question "Where do I fit in?"
Praying for the Fun Day
25-Aug PM; 2 Thes 1:11-12
Whether it's that dream job, loving relationship or being at peace with our life and outlook, there's something really fulfilling and life affirming about being part of something special.
This does not happen by chance. We have the raw materials to make it happen but there's one dangerous thing we have to be prepared to do.
Take a risk.
You'll never achieve anything by burying the possibility of real contentment. The real returns come from stepping out, getting involved and being ready to use what you have.
Our purpose as Christ's friends is to celebrate and illuminate Christ's pageantry journey to the consummation of the creation with his love. Crucially, if we are cavalier or careless, the Christian mission falls flat The challenge is for the Church to keep the occasion as time goes by. Christ is preparing all for a glorious eternal climax
I have a friend who wonders if prayer works
Parables are stories Jesus told which refer to everyday events where you'd expect the circumstances (if not the players), to be familiar to the audience.
What makes parables different is that the story has specific spiritual implications. Drawn into the story, we have to recognise our need to act, to believe or to change.
Today's story has two interlinked outcomes - the reality of God's judgement and our responsibility to lead fruitful lives for the Kingdom. God has great expectations so us but will always provide the mans to fur us to get involved.
The invitation is extended — and accepted. The guests arrive on the appointed evening, and as they recline around an impressively laden table, Simon settles in for a few hours of good food and lively conversation.
Enter the woman with the alabaster jar. In Luke's account, the woman is unnamed and unwelcome — "a woman in the city, who was a sinner." How exactly she crashes the party, we don't know, but she manages to get in the door, approach the table, kneel quietly behind Jesus, and let down her hair.
The contrast between her and the home owner is only too clear. But, they both share one thing - they both need to be forgiven although only one of them knows it and will show love in an unforgettable way.
In the last of our series from the book of Isaiah we reach a point where the consider both the end and the beginning.
Isaiah restates the nature and values of the new Kingdom which God will usher in. This will be a return to Eden once harmony has been restored through the work of the Saviour God has sent.
We are invite to move beyond a vision and to participate in a real experience of what life will be like for God’s faithful people.
