Dear Friends, One specific way in which Christians are encouraged to be ‘equipped’, ’ready’ or ‘prepared’ is in explaining what we believe. Peter urges his readers, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV). I have often
Read moreDear Friends, We have been thinking about how God equips us to serve him in prayerfully speaking his word in different situations. Now, the idea of being equipped is closely related to the idea of being ready or prepared. When we’re equipped, prepared or ready we have everything we need and don’t need anything more.
Read moreDear Friends, In the last couple of these ‘Thoughts for the Week’ we have been thinking about being ‘Equipped to Serve’ in making disciples of Jesus by prayerfully speaking God’s word to ourselves, to one another and to those who don’t yet believe. So far we have seen that it is God himself who does
Read moreDear Friends, Last week we saw that it is God himself who equips us for doing his will (see Hebrews 13:20-21). This week we turn to another ‘equipping’ verse in the New Testament, and we get a clearer picture of how God does the equipping. Writing to his younger ministry colleague Timothy, Paul reminds him
Read moreDear Friends, This term we are thinking about being ‘Equipped to Serve’ in making disciples of Jesus by prayerfully speaking God’s word to ourselves, to one another and to those who don’t yet believe. And to help us in this, our Fellowship Groups are following various courses with ‘Six Steps to… Reading your Bible… Loving
Read moreDo you know what we are here for as a church? As a church family we are all committed to making disciples of Jesus. It’s on all our service sheets in the top right corner as a reminder! We all do this by prayerfully speaking God’s word to ourselves, to one another and to people who don’t yet know Jesus.
Read moreIn 1 Corinthians, Paul describes God’s people, (that’s us if we believe in Jesus!) as the body of Christ. “Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.” (12:27). Now the thing about a body is that every part has something important to do for the body to work properly; and that
Read moreHappy New Year! How many times have you said that so far these last few days? And does it feel like it? Does it feel happy and exciting … or a bit daunting and scary? Are you looking forward to opportunities or dreading the challenges? Are you expecting sadness or joy? Are you expecting to
Read moreDear Friends, The waiting for Christmas is over. The presents are unwrapped. Multiple mince pies have been consumed. The turkey sandwiches are finished and the family games have got boring. What is left to look forward to now!? As I write, my wife Rachel and I are waiting eagerly for the imminent arrival of our
Read moreDear Friends, Most of the time I don’t give much thought to Bethlehem, but in my mind I travel there every Christmas. And I enjoy singing, “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.” But what is it like to be a Christian and to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem today? The latest
Read more