The word of reconciliation

The faith of Abraham All these died in faith without having received the promises, But from a distance they saw and greeted them. Hebrews 11:13   Read Romans 4:16—25 Faith. Abraham’s faith. Do I have Abraham’s faith? That would be a life that stakes itself on God’s promise. Do I live by that? Abraham never…

The word of reconciliation

The Father who can only ever be Father I led them with cords of human kindness, With bands of love. Hosea 11:4   Read Luke 15:11—24 Tonight I have an insight not only into my heart as I come before God, but into God’s heart as God meets me. From my side, I rush to…

The word of reconciliation

Friend of sinners Therefore there is now no condemnation For those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1   Read Luke 7:41—50 This night I had better be clear before the Lord about the whole matter. How many of my sins have been forgiven? Whether my sins are many, like this woman who invaded Simon’s…

The word of reconciliation

The bleakness of the outsider The Lord is the strength of his people; He is the saving refuge of his anointed. Psalm 28:8   Read Jeremiah 14:7—9 Why should God come to me as a homeless stranger? (I mean that God is the stranger, not me. Why?) Why should God be like a wanderer, like…

The word of reconciliation

In the heart of God Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, For they have been from of old. Psalm 25:6   Read Luke 15:1—7 Tonight Jesus takes me into the heart of God. Into the heart-beat of heaven. Heaven rejoices. Heaven itself rejoices at the saving action of Jesus…

The Gospel invitation

Faithful unto death The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Te Deum   Read Revelation 7:9—17 I have a great privilege in being part of a church, a little figure among a vast multitude, an individual member, an insignificant one, in a living body. As weak as I…

The Gospel invitation

Every knee shall bow Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6   Read Isaiah 45:22—25 It is all or nothing with God. ‘All the ends of the earth.’ Nothing excepted. His claim is on everything and everyone. ‘Every knee shall bow. Every tongue shall swear.’ No one will be…

The Gospel invitation

God is really among them O breath of God come sweeping through us, Revive your church with life and power. Elizabeth Ann Porter Head   Read 1 Corinthians 14:23—25 I may have become used to expecting little of my unbelieving friends. I may expect them not even to recognise the presence of God. Then I…

The Gospel invitation

Let all things be done for upbuilding Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, Because I have hoped in your word. Psalm 119:74   Read 1 Corinthians 14:26—33 Whatever we do or do not do at my local church, whether we make space for tongues or for prophecy or for gifts that were…

The Gospel invitation

The lost Ark My soul longs, indeed it faints For the courts of the Lord. Psalm 84:2   Read Jeremiah 3:14—17 If the Ark contained the stone tablets on which God himself had written with his own hand (or was it Moses?) his ten key commands to his people,[1] I can think of nothing more…