Galatians 5:26-6:18 At work are you clear what your boss expects of you? If not, it tends to result in poor performance, high staff turnover, disengagement. How about with the ultimate boss – God himself? In this final section of Galatians God has clearly defined and written down what he wants from us – that we boast in the cross of Christ, and fulfil the law of Christ.
Habakkuk 3:1-19 Samuel Beckett’s play ‘Waiting for Godot’ is about two tramps, in despair, waiting for someone to show up, who never does. Believers can sometimes feel like that – waiting for God to show up in a world of evil and suffering. Habakkuk felt that way. But he ends his book assured that God will come, and finding joy and strength in God as he waits.
Galatians 5:16-25 There are so many conflict hotspots around the world today. But there’s actually one a good deal closer to home than we may think. It is in fact a battle raging within us as Christians. What is the cause of the conflict? And how can we experience victory rather than defeat? This passage tells us.
Habakkuk 1:12-2:20 Why do the wicked prosper? Why does God allow it? Why doesn’t he do something about it? We struggle with the same questions Habakkuk did. The vision God gave him in response is what we need to keep going in obedient faith.
Galatians 5:1-15 In Greek mythology sailors had to navigate between two deadly monsters – Scylla and Charybdis – on opposing shores of a narrow stretch of water. The risk was that in seeking to steer away from one, they ended up in the clutches of the other. As Christians we too need to steer a course between two opposing dangers – legalism and licence. Galatians tells us how.
Habakkuk 1:1-11 Does God care about evil and suffering? And if he does why doesn’t he do something about it? These were questions that puzzled Habakkuk, and still puzzle Christians today. Thankfully God gave the prophet some answers. But are we ready to hear them?
John 12:1-8 As we head into a new year, and a new decade, a number of us will say things like: “I want to be a better Christian this year”…or perhaps after attending a carol service we were prompted to think: “I really must get round to making more time to understand and investigate Jesus.” But what level of time and attention to Jesus is ‘appropriate? What is the right amount of effort to put into serving Jesus? See what John, the Gospel writer, has to say about your new year’s ambitions.
Colossians 2:7 ‘Daddy, I want another pony’, proclaims Veruca Salt,in the film ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. She’s the archetypal spoilt brat – but sometimes we may be closer to her than we may like to think, instead of overflowing with thanksgiving.
