ecclēsia

When faced with ultimately challenging situations where do we look for help? This message reminds us of the grace available through prayers and the supply of the Holy Spirit that bring joyous hope in Christ in the face of adversity.

When considering the future do you do so with fear or confidence? In terms of completing our God given purpose everybody needs assistance, support and encouragement, not just from those around us but from our ultimate heavenly helper.

What’s your story? The historical impact of the Gospel always begins with individuals willing to be on mission, sharing the good news, leading to salvation, resulting in great joy.

What does the resurrection mean to those who believe? Paul believes that the power of the resurrection is revealed through his suffering. For Paul this is a clear sign that when he is at an end the life of Jesus picks him up.

What kind of God, would reduce himself to becoming a man and then end up dying miserably on a cross?

Does God care about a Christian’s journey or are they expected to make their own way and hope for the best?

Can you identify with this poem? “Lord, I don’t always feel like praying I don’t always feel like praising But I’m glad that you don’t stop saving I’ve been contemplating how your grace is amazing”

Would you like help in your prayer life? Historically, one of the most powerful influences in society has been poetry especially when set to music, this is no less true of the Psalms.

Did you know that Jesus can be found in the Old Testament? The new is in the old concealed and the old is in the new revealed.

How many layers does a poem potentially have? This psalm, one of the most famous pieces of poetry in human history, like a diamond, has multiple facets when looked at from different angles.

Wouldn’t it be great to keep talking about the positive elements of this psalm? But that wouldn’t be faithful to the text or real life. We inevitably come to the difficult, negative contrast to the tree.

To be or not to be like a tree? That's is the question

We walk past them every day, hundreds possibly, what am I referring to? Trees. When was the last time you stopped to consider one of the most important metaphors in the bible?

As humans created in the image of God, we are highly capable of processing information. How we do that is very important because the quality of content coming in tremendously affects our behaviour. Garbage in, garbage out.

When was the last time you took a journey of wonderful discovery? Diving into the deepest depths, climbing heady heights, exploring wide uncharted horizons? This describes the adventure awaiting you in the Psalms.

How is God's work in you seen or experienced by others? Jesus made it clear that everyone who follows him will experience an outpouring of his Spirit from within. Does yours feel like a trickle, and what should it look like?

We all lack a clear sense of direction or the ability to get past certain situations at times? God has sent his Spirit and He is at work giving direction to ALL people. Do you recognise His direction?

Why don’t we place hands and people receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit today; and although it once was why isn’t speaking in tongues evidence of being baptised in the Holy Spirit anymore? Listen in to find out.

Can ‘the spirit’ be caught, like a common cold or cartoon powerball? Are you only baptised in the spirit if you speak in tongues? The Holy Spirit is a person not a thing, and His interaction with people is focused and purposeful.

Amid new year resolutions and the irrepressible march of time, how does real lasting change happen? God has worked in Christ, and through the presence of his Spirit, to bring about the fulfilment of our hope and need for change.

Christmas has come and gone, so what’s new on your Wishlist? Apart from God revealing the most priceless possession available, we wouldn’t even know it existed let alone its accessibllity. God himself.

On a personal note, what are you hoping for? As a country we are currently divided on Brexit, but 2000 years ago, as a nation, Israel knew exactly what they wanted.

What are you hoping for? We don’t often think about God being a gift-giver yet we may be surprised at what he has wrapped up for us in Christ.

Is Christ only in the New Testament? We often think he only shows up in there, but all of scripture prophesies and points toward the coming Messiah, who we see in the person of Jesus.

What is the biggest barrier to being blessed? What conditions are most conducive to nurturing blessings? Essential answers shared in the final instalment of our series in The Beatitudes.