What will you discover today?

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  Back to the Future | The Story We’re In

  They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: ‘Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is ...

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  Back to the Future | What We Pray

  Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: he has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands you gave through your servants the prophets… Ezra 9:9–11 — If the book of Ezra was just about ‘getting back in the building’, it would end with chapter 6. In spite of setbacks and op...

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  Back to the Future | Where We Start

  The builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD… With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: ‘He is good; his love towards Israel endures for ever.’ And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. Ezra 3:10–12 — As moments in history go, this one was s...

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  Wisdom for Life | New Testament

  We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:23–25 – Our whistle-stop tour of biblical wisdom, which has called in at Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, ends in the New Testament. Here we find the claim that Jesus is the embodiment of God’s wisdom. Whilst this is an astonishing claim, it appeals to the wisdom found at our three ...

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  Wisdom for Life | Job

  God assails me and tears me in his anger and gnashes his teeth at me. Job 16:9 – In December last year, Channel Four broadcast the documentary Surviving Covid. It follows the stories of four coronavirus sufferers. One of them is a pastor called Tobi, who is treasured by his family, congregation, and community for his vivacious personality, strong faith, and personal warmth. But the film shows him in hospital writhing with discomfort under a mass of tubes and wires. He has had several strokes and his kidneys have failed. When eventually ...

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  Wisdom for Life | Ecclesiastes

  I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind… So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:14 & 8:15 – A few months ago, I attended a family wedding. Because of coronavirus restrictions, we did so virtually. But that did not stop us dressing in our best clothes. It w...

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  Wisdom for Life | Proverbs

  ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’ Proverbs 9:10 – The good life put on hold. These six words sum up a year in which many things we valued became impossible. Some we found we could easily do without, but others were vital things like friendship, community, and touch. Their gradual restoration provides an opportunity to reflect, re-evaluate, and reset. How can we make sure, in doing so, that we grow in wisdom? The Bible is a good place to turn for help. It contains some b...

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  Quick to Listen | The World

  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 To answer before listening –     that is folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: ‘People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this i...

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  Quick to Listen | The Word

  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19–20 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:3–4 Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came dow...

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  Worshipping in All of Life | Standing Firm

  For the director of music. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge.     How then can you say to me:     ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows;     they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows     at the upright in heart’ … For the LORD is righteous,     he loves justice;     the upright will see his face. Psalm 11:1–2, 7 – David’s in trouble again. Enemies are lurking, waiting to attack. Society is crumbling before his eyes. ‘Quick! Get out of h...

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