Word in Five

We are to bear with one another. We are to build one another up. That is how Jesus lived. He has accepted us - what a huge thing! How can we not accept someone that Jesus has accepted? We can't! Jesus unites us, so let us show it - and in doing so, we will show the hope that we have.

A key thing in deciding how to use our 'freedom' is how will me doing this impact other people? Will it be something that could cause younger Christians to sin? We are called to love one another. Remember Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing for us!

Our consciences matter - even if they are wrong - we should listen to them. Paul warns about judging others for either being too weak in their faith ("they have too many hang ups") or strong in their faith ("they can't do that if they're a Christian!"). God is ultimately the judge who we must all appear before. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...

Showing the love of Christ means paying your debts. If you borrow something or owe someone money, be quick to sort it. There is a debt we constantly owe and that is love. Commandments don't stifle love - they give it shape and direction. We are to love our neighbours. Especially as we get hold of the fact that the life to come - the new creation - will be a life of love. It will be a life with...

Paul restates Jesus' teaching about giving to God what is God's and given to Caesar what is Caesar's. We need to make sure we don't have blind spots here and lose sight of the fact that God works all things to the good of those who love him. Part of our serving God is to honour those who rule over us - that includes praying for them, speaking respectfully and paying our taxes.

Sincere love - that is what are called to show to one another. There is nothing insincere about God's love for us - it is a selfless love that gives and gives. By his Spirit, as our minds are renewed, our attitudes to one another are transformed - even to our enemies - as we become more like Jesus!

We have been transformed by God's work in our lives. So we are to be transformed in our thinking, understanding and desires. And that shows itself in church life where we are to use the gifts God has given us to serve others as part of his body. In doing so we are being like Jesus.

We have every reason to be hopeful because of God's great plan to save his worldwide people. The good times aren't all in the past. The best is yet to come. And may these truths lead us to worship God - to thank and praise him for who he is and all that he has done.

Unity is so important - there is one tree. Trusting Jesus is being part of the historic faith made up of Jews and Gentiles. There is no room for pride. We need to keep on humbly believing, filled with hope that God is still in the business of saving many people, both Jews and non-Jews and bringing them into the one church of Jesus Christ.

Let's keep praying for Israel that there will continue to be a remnant. Let's have a true view of the church and look beyond our immediate area to see the vastness of God's work throughout the world. We are not the only ones left, so we are encouraged to keep going and be hopeful.

That work colleague, fellow student, neighbour - if they call on the name of the Lord, they will be saved! But how can they call on someone they haven't heard about? Paul urges us to have beautiful feet as we bring Christ to people. He encourages us to pray for God to raise up workers for his harvest. He reminds us not to be hard hearted, but to believe while there is still opportunity.

Let's not overcomplicate the good news - confess and believe. Keep Jesus at the centre. It's possible to be sincere in religion - we see it all around us - but to be sincerely wrong. The only true religion confesses Jesus as Lord and believes he has been raised. And it is to be offered to everyone!

Who are you a human being to talk back to God? We need to be humble and not think we have a better idea of being God than God has! He knows all things and he is good. Our responsibility is to trust the Rock, Jesus and not think we don't need him so we trip over him. None of us will be able to out-argue God on the Day of Judgment. We will be silenced because we will realise he is right. Come to...

God's promises have not failed! The true children of Abraham have always been people who believe in Jesus. The only reason we have anything good is because of God's mercy! Today there is mercy available in Jesus so let's come to him, trusting in Jesus to rescue us.

Paul shows us that he has a heart like Jesus - so concerned that people would hear and believe the good news. Give us such hearts O Lord. Paul longs for the people of Israel to believe the good news. He challenges us to pray for the people of Israel and to use the privileges we have for God's glory.

This psalm reminds us that being a Christian is a personal relationship with God. We know him as our Father through Jesus his Son. That means when we talk to one another, perhaps especially in times of difficulty, we don't talk about things in theory, but truth that is real and experienced. A God who is close and near and known. Jesus went down into the realm of the dead for us! And he conquer...

Worship does us good because it makes sure we have the right perspective on everything. God's voice will never be drowned out. He will never be silenced. Not even by the worst crisis, like the flood. He rules. So we can be confident in his care - bringing peace through Jesus Christ. Let us hear his voice and pray that his voice would be heard.

Jesus was made to be sin for us. He was numbered with the wicked. He cried out to his heavenly Father and he heard him. He has shown this by raising him from the dead and welcoming him to sit at his right hand. One day he will show everyone Jesus is Lord. There will be a judgment. This psalm urges us to trust Jesus. It motivates us to share the good news. It encourages us to join in with Jesus and...

May we follow the example of Jesus in seeking God's face. May we want to know his face - his attention, care, presence. Suffering, pain, difficulties can all give the impression he has turned away. But he never does and we need to make sure we don't let our circumstances change how we view God. Jesus wanted to know his Father's presence at all times. May we want him!

What a psalm! It shows us Jesus - his perfect life, his willingness to die, his confidence that he would be raised. He was made to be sin for us. One day everyone will confess that Jesus is Lord. He is our great worship leader. In Jesus, we get to worship and we are standing on level ground.

God works our everything for good - O may we believe that and live as though we do just like Joseph. The greatest evil - the crucifixion of Jesus by wicked men - did not stop God's good plan. So we can be confident in our good God. Joseph's words give us a good motto for life - God will surely come to your aid!

We grieve when someone dies but we don't grieve without hope. Jacob gave clear instructions about where he was to be buried. Interestingly it wasn't with his beloved wife Rachel, but instead with his fathers in the promised land. He knew where his future was - with God in his restored creation. Jacob was honoured as a king by the nation of Egypt. From him would come King Jesus who will one...

Joseph is singled out for blessing which isn't a surprise. There's no conflict with Judah being the 'chosen one' because Jesus is so big, he needed lots of lives and stories to picture his massive life and work. He is the suffering servant, rejected by his own people who went down into the pit to lift us up. He is the king of the nations. God is relentless in bringing his blessing...

How kind God is in using Jacob as a great prophet. Thank God that justice will be done. That's why we need a Saviour. How kind he is to Judah, changing his life, making him more like Jesus. And Jesus will come in Judah's family. May we have a big view of Jesus as the King of all nations, just like Jacob did.

Jacob could see that the Angel of the LORD (Jesus) had shepherded him throughout his life. What a testimony - and it's true - even when it seems dark we seem lost. He will bring us safely through this life and into his everlasting kingdom. Jacob saw into the future and trusted the LORD who does as he pleases. That's a good thing because he is good. The future is bright in Jesus - the churc...