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1)# ’Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.’

Psalm 55:22 (16-22)

The Hebrew word for ‘cast’ emphasises the deliberate transfer from one place to another. It speaks of letting go. David is struggling with the pressures of people and situations that are against him. He is confused and distressed by things around him. Yet he recognises that his only hope is in casting himself, and his situation, on the Lord who ‘saves me’, ‘hears my voice’ (v16,17).

Jesus spoke of each day having enough trouble of its own. ‘Cares’ are the things of everyday life. Each day has its own cares and concerns, there’s no avoiding that. It’s what we do with them that makes the difference. Carrying them, being weighed down by them, allowing them to choke the very life out of us, is one option. The other option is to hand them over to the Lord. When we do, then we experience his sustaining power, enabling us to come through each day in a way that honours him and strengthens our relationship with him. This is not about shirking our responsibilities, but rather accepting the help that the Lord can provide. Let’s choose the right option today.


2)# ’Is well known for her good deeds.’

1 Timothy 5:10 (9-14)

This is one of the qualities of a godly widow. Being ‘well known’ speaks of many people testifying to her good deeds. The Apostle Paul gives a list of some of the actions that are included and they benefit the young and the old, the hungry and those who struggle.

This sort of woman doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty or putting in the effort for the well-being of other people. She’s not given to feeling sorry for herself, but is aware of the needs of other people. She’s not out to be popular, but to be of service to those around her. Her acts of kindness are not on a whim or for show, but have been proved over time and make a real difference. Such women are still around in the church today and are an example for us all to follow. Like Jesus, and this sort of woman, let’s be known for doing good.


3)# ’How many loaves do you have?’

Mark 8:5 (1-9)

With this question, Jesus turns around the whole perspective on the situation. Instead of looking at what they hadn’t got, as the disciples were doing, Jesus asks about what they have got. Jesus shared his concern for the people and invited his disciples to be part of the solution. But instead of asking how they could help, the disciples, like many of us, could only see the difficulties. Jesus saw the opportunity.

Jesus longs to use what you and I do have to encourage our faith, to bring blessing to other people and to be a part of what he wants to do. It’s not about doing our own thing, but about sharing in what Christ is doing, being part of his work. Rather than looking at the problems and difficulties, let’s offer what we have and are, in service to the Lord today, and let’s see what he can achieve through you and me for his glory.


4)# ’But did not enquire of the Lord.’

Joshua 9:14 (9-15)

It can be dangerous to trust in our own wisdom and not seek guidance from the Lord. As a result of what turned out to be a deceptive ruse (v4), Joshua and the Israelites found themselves compromised and were unable to complete what the Lord had asked them to do.

Deception is a trick of the enemy and often distorts the truth to appeal to our feelings and emotions. That’s one of the reasons why the Holy Spirit has been given to the Church to reveal truth and keep us from being deceived. Too often we can be compromised in our walk with the Lord because we pay attention to the reasoning of the world around us. Let’s make sure we check things out with the Bible and listen to the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our lives and not rely on our own intuition. It’ll keep us from a lot of upset if we do.


5)# ’As we have opportunity.’

Galatians 6:10 (6-10)

Opportunities come and go. Some are taken, others are missed; but here, Paul speaks of an ongoing opportunity. There is no doubt in his mind that we will have this opportunity. It’s not ‘if’ but ‘as’. This opportunity might be long or short, it might be passing or regular. It’s not dependent on another’s actions or outside events. This is an opportunity available to us all and is for each one of us to accept. And these opportunities come on a daily basis. So if we miss one, there will be another very soon.

Every dealing we have with other people, at work or at home, is the opportunity Paul speaks about here. An opportunity to ‘do good’, to be of benefit to other people, as a witness for Christ. Irrespective of what they might do or how they might react, we are able to ‘do good’, to put other people first.  And through Christian organisations, the opportunities to help other people can be worldwide.  So let’s not miss the opportunities you and I have today to show God’s goodness and love to other people.


6)# ’His sister stood at a distance.’

Exodus 2:4 (1-8)

There are times when we need to stand back and let God do hie work. Human efforts to hide Moses had come to an end. Now it was time to trust God and wait for him to act. But standing back doesn’t mean being out of sight. Miriam was watching ‘to see what would happen to him’. When God acted, she was alert to play her part. Not only was there salvation for Moses, but as a result there was deliverance for the people of Israel.

Standing back can be hard for us to do. How we like to be busy, in control, getting things to happen according to our plans. But discipleship is not about human activity, but about a divine plan. We need to be taking our lead from the Lord, rather than expecting him to fall in line with us. Let’s pay attention to what the Lord is doing today and be ready to play our part as opportunity comes our way.


7)# ’Had spent all she had.’

Mark 5:26 (24-29)

It wasn’t that this lady had simply run out of money. It was harsher than that. Many doctors had made her suffer - as well as making her destitute. Instead of healing, the bleeding got worse. But now in her desperation, she reaches out to Christ. She came to Jesus penniless, but went away rich with healing and forgiveness. She came in distress, but went away with a peace and freedom that money can’t buy. If only she had come to him first!

Life can be harsh. Redundancy, sickness, bereavement can change things so quickly. Hopes dashed, dreams gone, little to show for all our time, effort and expense. We too can feel destitute. But even at our lowest point, when all hope seems to have gone, Christ can lift us up and restore us as we turn to him for help. Let’s reach out to him in faith today and experience his healing work
in our lives.


8)# ’Remember that you were slaves.’

Deuteronomy 5:15 (12-15)

The Israelites were not to remember so as to yearn for Egypt again. Far from it. They were to remember in order that they did not forget just what a freedom God had brought about for them. They and their households were to remember by resting from work one day each week. Sadly, in the toil of the desert, the Israelites quickly forgot the awfulness of slavery and even longed to return to Egypt (Ex 16:2).

Remembering helps us to be grateful. It keeps us aware of the difference between then and now. Remembering stops us from taking things for granted or assuming that comforts and plenty are ours by right. Remembering helps us empathise with other people who struggle or are still trapped. Easy to forget and become dismissive or judgemental. Remembering encourages us to look forward, press on and keep going. So let’s not forget what God has done for us.


9)# ’Remembering you in my prayers.’

Ephesians 1:16 (15-19)

Three things to notice about Paul’s prayer. Firstly, Paul’s prayer is personal. He knows the believers in Ephesus. He knows their situation and their needs. He is encouraged by their faith in Christ and their love for ‘all the saints’. So he prays for each one of them

Then secondly, Paul’s prayer is persistent. ‘I have not stopped…I keep asking.’ His thanks to God for their example and encouragement is ongoing and is reason for his petitioning God on their behalf. His love and concern for his brothers and sisters motivates his prayers for them.

Then thirdly, Paul’s prayer is purposeful. He wants them to keep growing, to know the Lord better and not to become complacent. They may be doing well so far, but Paul makes it clear that there’s more to be done. God’s call on his Church, you and me, is not simply to make a good start, but to keep going and finish well. Let’s pray for one another as and when we can - just like Paul.


10)# ’Man, despite his riches, does not endure.’

Psalm 49:12 (7-13)

This is a valuable reminder for all of us. In most areas of life, riches can be a great help. With wealth comes influence, power, possessions - and how easily we can set our hearts on these things. But all the riches of this life cannot guarantee life itself. Riches, and a love for them, can be a distraction from eternal matters. The more we have, the more we have to bother about, and the more we focus on the things of this life, rather than on the things that will last.

Many people have trusted in riches rather than in the Lord Jesus and have found that they do not endure any more than those who are poor. As CT Studd, Christian missionary and pioneer once said, ‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.’ So let’s hold lightly to the things of this world and hold firm to our commitment to live for Christ and seek his kingdom.


11)# ’Who loved me and gave himself for me.’

Galatians 2:20 (17-21)

This is love in action. What use is love without action? It can sound good. It can promise much, but unless it is put into action, it is useless. But this is no ordinary love, no ordinary action. The Son of God loves you and me. Love speaks of a relationship, an intimacy between friends, but amazingly the Bible tells us that God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, enemies of God, Christ died for us, so that our sins can be forgiven and we can be reconciled back with God (Rom 5:8). What love! What action!

Being reconciled to God means we have a new perspective on life, on relationships and on our future. All because of God’s love for us. Now, he calls us to love him back, without condition and without compromise, not in words, but in action as we show our love for him, by acts of love towards other people.


12)# ’With the help of his daughters.’

Nehemiah 3:12 (8-13)

What may not seem unusual to us in our society, was highly unusual in the times of Nehemiah. To have daughters help with building the wall of Jerusalem, would have raised a few eyebrows, not to mention a few prejudices. This seems to be the only specific reference to women helping to rebuild the wall, though others may well have joined in, but what an encouragement to us all. Shallum used his position as ruler to set an example for others to follow. His whole family were committed to the work of the Lord’s people.

Being God’s people is all inclusive. Social stereotypes are ignored and prejudices are buried. Building the kingdom of God is something we can all be involved in, young and old, men and women, sons and daughters. Let’s not leave anyone out and let’s not be left out. Let’s get involved, work with other people and let’s help build Christ’s kingdom, here on earth, today.


13)# ’Until an opportune time.’

Luke 4:13 (9-15)

Satan’s initial attacks on the Lord Jesus had failed, but he was not giving up. He would wait until an opportune time to try again. If Satan made more than one attempt to disrupt Christ’s work of redemption, then he will do the same with you and me. The Apostle Paul warned the Ephesian Christians against giving the devil a foothold. Satan’s attacks on the Church are not random, but planned, taking advantage of any opportunity given to him. The fears and insecurities of King Herod allowed Satan to disrupt Jesus’ life soon after his incarnation. This recorded confrontation in the desert was not the last. Other opportunities were given to Satan by priests and teachers of the law as they challenged Jesus time and again. Even Peter gave opportunity for Satan by seeking to dissuade Jesus from going to the cross (Matt 16:23).

You and I need to be alert to those ‘opportune times’ when Satan will have a go. They’ll come at unlikely times and through unlikely people. Our human emotions can make us vulnerable, so we must be on our guard. Putting on the armour of God, each day, will provide protection.  Then let’s stand firm and be strong in the Lord.


14)# ’With an ox-goad.’

Judges 3:31 (26-31)

Do not dismiss the unusual. Last month we read about how the Lord used Ehud’s left-handedness, to defeat the Moabites. Now here is another unusual means to achieve God’s purposes. Shamgar uses an ox-goad to defeat six-hundred men. Goads were made from a straight branch of oak with one end sharpened and the other end flattened. They were used to prod the ox and clean the mud off the ploughshare. Not your usual weapon. But in the hands of Shamgar, the Lord used this to great effect to defeat the Philistines and ‘he too saved Israel.’

In the book of Ephesians, Paul makes it clear that we do not fight against flesh and blood, so conventional weapons and forces are of little use. Paul says that the Lord has chosen the foolish, weak, lowly and despised things, the ox-goads and left-handers, people like you and me, to help establish his Kingdom. So let’s be filled with his Spirit, be available for him to use and be encouraged by what the Lord can do through us today.


15)# ’You will die in your sin.’

John 8:21 (19-26)

This is the very worst position to be in when we die. Still in our sin. It’s a position both rich and poor have been in; both religious and atheists; the good and the bad. It’s a position only Christ can change. We have all sinned, but it’s whether we stay in our sin or seek forgiveness from Christ that makes the difference.

The Jewish religious leaders neither wanted to admit their sin nor their need of a Saviour, despite Jesus pointing out their desperate state, three times. Their stubbornness left them facing a bleak eternity. Sadly it’s the same for many people today.

But there is hope, there is help and we must let people know. In Christ we can be forgiven. We do not need to live or die in our sin. Our present position and eternal state can be changed as we come to Christ. Please, whoever you are, don’t die in your sin, but live with the forgiveness that Jesus gives.


16)# ’Could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.’

Judges 20:16 (13-16)

This is some claim! One can imagine the practice sessions for these seven-hundred left-handed slingshots. Human hairs strung out at various distances testing their accuracy and competence. We are told that they did not miss. It reflected their skill, dedication and practice. Very impressive!

For you and me, serving the Lord requires a similar dedication and practice. Discipleship of Christ is not about choosing the easy option or having a casual attitude. It’s about discipline and commitment. About putting him first and giving, doing, the best we can. You and I may not be the smartest or the cleverest, but we can still give the best of our abilities to the Lord. The quality of our service will reflect the quality of our love for Jesus. The book of Ephesians encourages us to ‘serve wholeheartedly’. In Romans, the Apostle Paul speaks of giving ourselves ‘fully to the work of the Lord’. Let’s make sure we don’t miss doing what the Lord has called us to do as part of building his kingdom, today.


17)# ’Authority on earth to forgive sins.’

Matthew 9:6 (1-8)

What a wonderful truth this is! Forgiveness of sin can be a reality for us now. When Christ laid aside the glory of heaven, he did not leave behind his authority over sin. When on earth, the Lord Jesus clearly set people free from sin as they came to him in faith. Jesus saw below the surface and could bring healing where no doctor, surgeon or psychiatrist could go. As a result of Christ’s death and resurrection, that same forgiveness of sin is now available to all.

Christ’s forgiveness is desperately needed in society today. In families, in work places, in individual lives - and you and I have been called to let people know. Christ’s authority has not waned, nor has it been superseded. He alone can forgive sin, he alone can make us right with God and each other; he alone can set us free to live life as he intended. Let’s share this good news as and when we can today.


18)# ’Why does the way of the wicked prosper?’  

Jeremiah 12:1 (1-4)

Just like us, Jeremiah struggled to understand how a just God could allow the wicked, not simply to get away with things, but actually profit from their wrong-doing. It seems that Jeremiah wonders if God is taken in by their fine-sounding words, whilst they ravage the land for their own gain. Despite his best efforts to live in obedience to God, Jeremiah is feeling hard done by, and wants justice - now! This can be as true for you and me today, as it was for Jeremiah.

Jesus made it clear that living his way in this world would not be easy. Honesty and integrity may well be more costly in this world than lies and deceit. Whether it’s politicians on all levels, business leaders, social influencers or just ordinary people like you and me, it often seems that personal gain is more important than integrity and truth. But as Christians, we are not looking for reward from this world, but from God. One day, Christ will come again, his rule will be established and then justice will be dealt out on all mankind. His reward is eternal and his justice is equitable. That was his promise to Jeremiah, and it’s his promise for you and me today  .


19)# ’Your daughter is dead.’

Luke 8:49 (49-56)

Surely not. Not after such effort to get help. Not after being so close. Not now when Jesus is on his way. The words are so final. All hope is gone; opportunity has passed, ‘Don’t bother the teacher any more’.

How many of us can empathise with Jairus? All of us experience disappointments, dashed hopes, circumstances beyond our control. If only  … so much hope, so much effort, so much at stake - all in tatters. Yet listen to what Jesus says. ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’

You and I can’t see the bigger picture. We don’t know what it is that the Lord wants us to learn through the difficult times. With belief that Christ is in control, can come healing from hurts, disappointments and heartaches. Humanly speaking is not the same as divine promise. ‘She will be healed.’  Whatever the past or present, things can be different when we trust in the Lord.


20)# ’Men at ease have contempt for misfortune.’

Job 12:5 (4-12)    

Human nature is attracted by a life of ease. Developments in AI technology, remote controls for domestic appliances, apps on our mobile devices for many aspects of life, all make life so much easier. We barely need to lift a finger to make things work for us and save us from unnecessary effort. Yet such reliance on technology increases our vulnerability to its failure or abuse, and a life of ease can blind us to the needs of other people, near and far, in their struggle to merely survive.

In our reading, Job reminds his ‘comforters’ that life’s ‘comforts’ cannot be relied upon or taken for granted and life itself is in God’s hands, not ours (v10). In Matthew 6, Christ warns against accumulating and trusting in worldly wealth and pleasures, which will all come to an end. Instead he encourages us to use what he gives us to feed the hungry, help the poor and relieve the suffering of other people. Obedience can be costly and uncomfortable, but ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Matt 25:40).


21)# ’His heart went out to her.’

Luke 7:13 (11-15)

Whether this lady had encountered Jesus before this moment, we do not know. What we do know is that she was in the process of burying her only son - and her husband had already died - ‘she was a widow’. Her future was very bleak. But what Christ saw was more than a funeral procession. He saw the deeper plight of the woman - and his heart of compassion was stirred, deeply. In his love and mercy he brought her son back to life, and so provided for her future needs.

Christ does not just provide comforting words or the proverbial arm round the shoulder. He knows the realities of life. He’s been there, so he can meet us in our time of need. The ways and means of provision may vary, but be sure that we won’t be left alone or in despair, as we look to him for help. However bleak our situation now, let the Holy Spirit work in us to give us life and hope for the future.


22)# ‘In (the) beginning was the Word.’

John 1:1a (1-5)

Over the next five days we are going to consider some important truths about the incarnation of Christ, that the Apostle John declares at the beginning of his gospel.

The first truth is that Christ is eternal. His incarnation was not his beginning. Whilst there is a beginning to all created matter, John tells us clearly there was no beginning for the Word. The Greek word for ‘in’ speaks of a fixed position of existence before time began. The Word is from everlasting to everlasting, with no beginning and no end. This means that all his attributes, his love, grace, mercy, justice, faithfulness, are everlasting.

And what is more, in 1 Peter 1:20 we read, ’He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.’ The plan of salvation was also already in place before time began. The self-existent One, who knew no limits of time or space, took on the restrictions and limitations of human form for our sake. The eternal Word, revealed in time, in flesh and blood, for our salvation.


23)# ‘and the Word was with God.’

John 1:1b (1-5)

The second truth about the Word, is relationship - ‘with God’. The Word does not exist in isolation, but he is part of a divine relationship with Father and Spirit. Perfect unity out of which creation flowed. It was out of this relationship that God said ‘let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’.

We were created out of relationship within God and created for a relationship with God. Through relationship with the living Word we can speak with God as ‘Abba, Father’ and have access into his presence. In the Garden of Eden God’s relationship with mankind was broken as a result of sin, but through the revealed Word of God, that relationship can be restored and in the new heaven and earth, ‘the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them’, in a perfect and eternal relationship.


24)# ‘the Word was God.’

John 1:1c (1-5)

The third truth about the Word, is his divinity - ‘was God’. The Word is fully God. In our human thinking we can easily place Christ Jesus, as the second person of the Godhead, as if he is not quite fully God. But John makes it crystal clear here, and Jesus makes it clearer later, as he takes on the personal name of God - ‘I AM’.

The Word has the full authority of God. ‘Through him all things were made’ declares John. He speaks and the sick are healed, devils flee and the dead are raised. The Word is the full revelation of God (as we shall see tomorrow) and the Word is sovereign over all of history. Emmanuel - God with us. Let’s not wrap Christ up in swaddling clothes as a baby yet again, but worship him for who he is - Almighty and Eternal God.


25)# ‘The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us.’

John 1:14 (6-14)

The fourth truth about the Word is his incarnation. As we have already seen, this is not the beginning, but the revelation. God incarnate. Having considered something of just who the Word is, no less than God himself, we are now overwhelmed by what John declares next. This is more than just the incarnation, this is the plan of salvation revealed in living, bodily form. Christ Jesus, fully God now also becomes fully Man as he steps into our world, our shoes, to live alongside us.

This is no holiday, no temporary home. It is nothing less than God, in Christ, committing himself unreservedly to bring about our salvation. This first step was the first step to Calvary as a sacrifice for our sins. There is nothing more that he can do. He moved in with us, so that we, by his grace, will one day move in with him - permanently.


26)# ‘He gave the right to become children of God.’

John 1:12 (6-14)

Having considered again who the Word is and what he has done, we now look at what he has achieved for us. For those who accept Christ as Saviour and Lord there are three things; a gift, a right and a relationship.

First, ’he gave’. There’s nothing we can do to earn our adoption into God’s family. It is a gift and must be received by faith. But it’s not second best, it’s not a hand-me-down, it’s the greatest gift - ever!

Then we have ‘the right’, the authority, the power, the title of being a child of God. This is through the enabling work of the Holy Spirit, living within us making us more like Christ.

But on top of all this is the relationship we now have with God. Children of God. We bear Christ’s name, we share the same inheritance and we are invited to call the LORD God ‘Our Father’! Hold our heads high, declare it in word and deed - I am a child of God.


27)# ’The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.’

Nehemiah 12:43 (40-43)

The joy of the Israelites knew no bounds. Not even the newly built wall could contain their joy. But this delight was not simply because the wall had been completed. Earlier we read that ‘God had given them great joy.’ The building of the wall was more than a physical boundary. Once again the Israelites were gathered together, identified as the People of God.

Belonging to God is what this joy is all about. Jesus told his disciples to rejoice, not in great demonstrations of power, but that their names are recorded in heaven. It’s a joy that you and I can know today. There will be opposition; there will be hard work; there will be things still to do, but when we belong to the Lord, then that’s reason to rejoice. Let that fact put a smile on our faces today and a spring in our step.


28)# ’A woman who had lived a sinful life.’

Luke 7:37 (36-43)

This woman is not alone. The description of her life fits us all and we all stand guilty of having lived a ‘sinful life’. But there’s more to this lady than this one fact. Learning that Jesus was near by, she doesn’t let her sinfulness stop her from coming to him. She’s a good example for you and me.

Jesus is still the ‘friend of tax collectors and sinners’ and the fact that we fall short of God’s glory must not keep us from coming to Christ. This woman did not let her reputation hide her desire for forgiveness. As her tears flowed, her heart cried out to the Lord. A life of sin forgiven becomes a life of love expressed. It can be true for us all as we show our love for Christ today - because our sins are forgiven.


29)# ’For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’

2 Chronicles 20:15 (14-17)

This is a real comfort for those of us who are in a battle of one sort or another. It indicates that the Lord himself is engaged in our struggles. Like Jehoshaphat and his army, we may be vastly outnumbered, even overwhelmed, but we need not fear, nor be discouraged - the battle belongs to the Lord.

When faced with struggles of all kinds, we can often resort to using our own strength to try to sort things out. But the Lord’s way of dealing with things is very different from human ways, as we saw with Ehud and Shamgar in the past. Our part is to exalt the Lord, just like the people of Judah did, and declare that the Lord reigns whatever we may face. So let’s not b e put off by appearances, but stand firm on God’s promises and ‘see the deliverance the Lord will give you’ - today.


30)# An alabaster jar of very expensive perfume

Mark 14:3 (3-9)

I wonder how we express our love for the Lord? We read about this lady two days ago. She had a reputation that caused embarrassment to some, but not to Jesus. Thia action that some considered an outrage was valued by Jesus because he knew the depth of love that was behind this deed. Jesus uses the situation to teach about love and forgiveness and makes a clear connection between the two.

Saying the right words or acting to impress other people, like Simon had done, is not what Jesus is looking for. Simon’s disregard for common courtesies revealed the attitude of his heart. In sharp contrast, the lady knew how much she had been forgiven, so she brought the very best she had as an expression of her gratitude and love for Christ. Let’s follow her example and not forget how much we have been forgiven, so that we give the very best we have to the One who has both loved us and forgiven us.


31)# ’That I may walk before God in the light of life.’

Psalm 56:13 (1-4, 10-13)

Living for Jesus in an increasingly secular society can be hard. The psalmist knows this only too well as he puts into words the struggles of living with ungodly people all around him. Yet despite his fears and anxieties, he declares his trust in the Lord three times (v3,4,11) and his commitment to live for the One who rescues and delivers him (v13). The same can be true for us.

Like the psalmist, at times we may feel targeted, oppressed, weak and helpless, but the Lord will strengthen and help us as we trust in him. Our salvation in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit within, enables us to live as witnesses for Jesus, the Light of the world. So as we move from one year into another, let’s determine to walk in his light, so that other people may see and want to experience Christ’s salvation for themselves.