Today’s Teaching

TEXT: ‘All these things are against me’ – Genesis 42:36 THOUGHT: Jacob had never got over the loss of Joseph, the one he had made a coat of many colours for. Over 15 years later famine was sweeping the land and his sons return from buying wheat in Egypt minus one. They had left Simeon in prison with the words ringing in their ears, “He will not be released until you return with your youngest brother.” The thought of losing Rachel’s only other son Benjamin was too great, hence Jacob’s despairing cry, “All these things are against me!” Yet in all this, God’s plan for their survival and eventual reconciliation with Joseph was being woven together like a tapestry. God has made a promise that all things are working together for good The condition for this promise is that we love God and obey His calling for our life otherwise the opposite may happen as Jonah quickly found out. Today as you are reading this teaching, whatever adversity may be affecting your life, say out loud right now, “All things are working together for good because I love God and I am called according to His purpose.” It is much easier in blessing to look back and see God’s...

TEXT: ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says, “Give careful thought to your ways”’– Haggai 1:7 THOUGHT: The Easter Good News is that there is absolutely nothing we have to pay to be saved. It is beyond man’s ability to come up with a price for salvation. This is freely given by a loving God in order that anyone and everyone can be saved. Jesus taught, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” If he gained the whole world it would still not be enough. How sad that people try to offer their wealth and good works to the God who offers us His Son. Easter is all about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how through that sacrificial act we could receive eternal life. Whilst money cannot buy our way into heaven, God is deeply interested in what we do with it on earth once we become a Christian. The work of God is hindered through lack of money This is true all over the world. Many a bride wanting the picturesque setting of a church wedding, has not the slightest intention of attending that church regularly and giving to help ensure its survival. The majority of UK churches are feeling financial...

TEXT: ‘Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love’ – 1 Corinthians 13:13 THOUGHT: The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians is an amazing description of love. What true love is not and what it is really like. This scripture is often quoted at weddings as the goal for both partners to attain throughout their marriage. Why not check yourself against these qualities today. Any one you feel or know you lack, remember the fruit of the Spirit is love. You can ask and expect the Holy Spirit to help you to grow and show the fruit of love, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Jesus taught us to love our enemies – Matthew 5:44. These were no empty words for He did exactly that, ‘Our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies’ – Romans 5:10. That was why Jesus could pray, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ – Luke 23:34. So what can we learn about God’s love? Love missing This is what happens when true love is missing in what we are doing. There is a harshness – ‘If I could speak all the languages...