TEXT: ‘For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you’ (2 Corinthians 9:10 NLT). Our garden is usually full of colour, except in the winter. All we can see now is the odd primrose and our amazing Daphne shrub. Thank God it’s not going to stay that way, as hidden bulbs begin to push up through the cold, wet soil during the last days of Winter. Within a few weeks our garden will be transformed as daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinths and the Camelia bushes burst forth into colour, letting us know that Spring has truly come! This teaching is aimed to create hope for 2026, through God’s Word being planted and bearing fruit in our lives. Our text says, God will provide seed for planting and bread for eating. Bread represents the efforts of yesterday’s harvest, whereas seed speaks of a future one. With God’s Word being likened to seed, Today’s Teaching focusses on the effect it can have in our lives. 1. Is what you are reading, feeding you? You may be a prolific reader, but is it doing you...
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TEXT: ‘I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see’ (Revelation 3:18). Some Bible commentators think that the seven churches in Asia Jesus wrote to in the Book of Revelation, represent different Church ages, while others feel it describes a cross-section of the state of the Church in any generation. While it is true some denominations in the UK are in decline, that is not true for all. Those that are thriving are the ones who promote active evangelism, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the return of Christ. The Laodicean Church is an accurate description of many churches in the West. Those that enjoy an affluence and a form of godliness, but there is no power present in the services, neither preaching about nor praising of Jesus Christ. Jesus, having exposed the Laodicean Church’s failings, encouraged them to do three things to restore authentic Christianity, and these form the basis of Today’s Teaching. 1. That you may be rich – ‘I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may...
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TEXT: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9). God’s blessing and subsequent prosperity caused strife between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot (See Genesis 13:5-12). Hostility threatened their family relationship, but through God’s wisdom, Abraham acted as a peacemaker. In Part 1 we studied three principles that will help us to be peacemakers too: by understanding how much God has forgiven you; by not using your age to get your own way; and by emphasising the bond of family. In Part 2, Today’s Teaching focusses on three more principles of a true peacemaker. 1. When you don’t use wealth to get your own way – ‘Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold’ (Genesis 13:2 NLT). Abraham had far more than Lot, therefore his needs were greater. Surely Lot should have realised that. It’s sad when Christians use wealth to try to get their own way in a church, but such action will only create division rather than unity. The Bible warns against showing partiality towards the rich at the expense of the poor, because the rich can abuse the legal process and exploit the poor (See James 2:1-8). Abraham realised God meant what He said, ‘Fear not Abraham, I am your shield...
Learn MoreTEXT: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9). There was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot (See Genesis13:5-12). This was the result of prosperity, as both saw their flocks and herds increase rapidly, and they ran out of room to share pastures together. Hostility was threatening their family relationship. This account in Genesis shows how wisely Abraham handled a delicate situation and as a result, they separated amicably. This incident reveals some important principles about peace-making. You will know you are a true peacemaker: When you understand how much God has forgiven you. Jesus taught the parable about the Unforgiving Servant (See Matthew 18:21-35). He had an insurmountable debt to repay, that was totally and freely forgiven by his master. The threat of prison was lifted the moment his debt was cancelled, but he didn’t act in a generous way to a fellow-servant who owed him a very small sum. He refused to give him any more time to repay and had him thrown into prison. It wasn’t long before they changed places, after the other servants complained to their master about what had happened. 10,000 was the biggest measurable number at that time. Today we have gone from a million, to...
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