24 December

‘Repentance’ is a very positive word in the Bible. The Greek word ‘metanoia’ means ‘change of mind’. That means, first, turning away from the bad stuff. This is the stuff that spoils your life and breaks your relationship with God. Repentance means to be sorry enough to quit. Getting rid of the bad stuff only enhances your life. But, that is only the first part.

The change of heart and mind means not only turning away from the bad things, but also turning towards God and good. The word ‘repent’ rarely appears on its own in the Bible. Genuine repentance is shown by its fruit. Remorse is not enough. A change of mind, heart and life is required. It is nearly always, ‘repent and…’. Repent and believe. Repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ. It is not just a case of looking back, but also looking forward. 

Trust in God that he will give you the confidence to continue with his plans, even when you encounter opposition. In good times and hard times, Nehemiah looked to God: ‘The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding’ (v.20). Don’t allow opposition to deflect you from your God-given task – trust God and get on with the job. Look forward to God giving you success.

23 December

‘We steward the only message on planet earth that can give people what their hearts need most, which is hope. Hope that sins can be forgiven. Hope that prayers can be answered. Hope that doors of opportunity, that seemed locked, can be opened. Hope that broken relationships can be reconciled. Hope that diseased bodies can be healed. Hope that damaged trust can be restored. Hope that dead churches can be resurrected… Of all people, we must claim that hope and live in it and radiate it to others. And we must proclaim that message of hope to everyone God gives us the opportunity to influence.’
Hope is powerful. It is not just a feeling or an emotion. It is not dependent on circumstances. Real hope is a constant positive attitude that, no matter what the circumstances, things will change for the better.

‘Hope has a thick skin and will endure many a blow,’ wrote John Bunyan (1628–1688). ‘It will endure all things if it be of the right kind, for the joy that is set before it... it is hope that makes the soul exercise patience and long-suffering under the cross, until the time comes to enjoy the crown.’

22 December

John goes on to describe the completed church in heaven – their purity and their power. The two are connected. As Pastor Rick Warren has said, ‘In ministry, private purity is the source of public power.’

Lord, help us to be a pure church, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, that speaks up for the voiceless, proclaims the eternal gospel to the nations, and rebuilds the church in our cities and countries.

21 December

The poet, Robert Browning, wrote, ‘I have lived, seen God’s hand through a lifetime, and all was for best.’ ‘God gives a hand to those who are down on their luck’ (v.14a, MSG). ‘The trademark on all his works is love’ (v.17b, MSG).

‘Father, let me hold your hand, and like a child walk with you down all my days, secure in your love and strength’ (Prayer of Thomas à Kempis, c.1380–1471).

20 December

In all your relationships – especially when you encounter great difficulties – imitate God. Be ‘gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love’ (v.8).

Love is the most powerful force in the world. We overcome through love. This was the message of Martin Luther King who said, ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.’

The blood of Christ is like tears in the eyes, it washes away the specks of dirt.’Corrie ten Boom pointed out, ‘

Mark Twain once said, ‘The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work!’ Vision without work is just hallucination. The church will not be rebuilt without God’s hand (7:6). But equally it will not be rebuilt without hardwork, commitment and application.
Study of God’s words without action is worthless.

Ezra’s example gives a wonderful model to follow. Immerse yourself in God’s word, committing time and effort to studying it. Realise that, on its own, this is not enough. Allow God’s word to shape and change your life as well; put it into action, and teach others to do the same.

19 December

Have you ever been unjustly accused or criticised to your boss or to someone else in authority in a way that is very unfair?

Have you ever felt that the work of God was being hampered or even stopped by opposition, by a local council, by your boss at work or by others in authority?

Human leaders come and go. Some are good. Some are evil. But the Lord is in ultimate control of history.

18 December

The opposite is stirring up good things. Seek to be someone who never stirs up anger but, rather, good. Never seek to exalt yourself, but only Jesus. Always seek to honour the name of the Lord.

We should not expect a trouble-free life. Jesus warned us that in this life we would experience trouble (John 16:33). Faith does not keep you from trouble but it helps you get through trouble. Don’t focus on your troubles but focus on the one who carries you through them, and be willing to sacrifice in order to bring honour to his name.

Giving is an essential part of your worship and service to God. Your gifts should not be grudging or forced, but generous ‘freewill offerings’. Do not compare your giving to that of others, but give what you can afford. The wonderful thing about this offering was that as each gave according to their ability, they raised all the money that was needed.

If everyone in the church gives sacrificially, generously, each according to their ability, God’s kingdom will advance rapidly and his name will be honoured.

17 December

God has a purpose for your life. You are called to do something special for him. The book of Ezra shows us that even when it is God’s plan, there will be plenty of opposition and resistance. But God is with you (1:3) and God’s plans will ultimately succeed.
You have a unique purpose for your life. We all have different projects, depending on our different jobs, passions and giftings, but your underlying motive should be the same – a concern for God’s glory and God’s people. God will fulfil his purpose for you.

16 December

As Joyce Meyer writes, ‘Believe me, getting rid of selfishness takes some fire (difficult times) – and usually a lot of it – but it is worth it in the end.’

The ‘tithe’ was a kind of ecclesiastical income tax that went to the maintenance of the temple and its staff. In addition, people gave in a variety of other ways – through hospitality, gifts to the poor, and ‘free will’ offerings.

The prophet accuses them of robbing God by their failure to get their giving sorted out. He urges them, ‘“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I do not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it”’ (v.10).

15 December

Psalm 143:8
‘Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.’

The day goes much better if I have read the Bible in the morning and found encouragement in God’s unfailing love. Without this time with God, it feels to me like going out without a coat on – something rather important is missing.

14 December

In the book of Revelation, we see Jesus is standing at the centre of the throne of heaven. He is the Lion and the Lamb. He is both triumphant (‘has triumphed’, 5:5) and slain (‘you were slain’, v.9). In an imaginative and powerful way, C.S. Lewis shows how Jesus can be both ‘the Lion of the tribe of Judah’ (Revelation 5:5) and ‘a Lamb [that] had been slain’ (v.6).

Here is an amazing fact. Your prayers on earth affect the worship of heaven: ‘Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God’s holy people’ (v.8, MSG). Your prayers fill the golden bowls of heaven. Your prayers really do make a difference.

Trust God that, in the end, whatever evil is planned against you will come to nothing. God has promised, in Jesus, to give you the ultimate victory.

In the meantime, have the lion-like courage of Esther and Mordecai, and their lamb-like willingness to sacrifice their lives in obedience to God’s purpose.

13 December

It is important to remember to celebrate answered prayers – to praise God’s name and celebrate his goodness.

Have you ever achieved something for which other people have taken the credit? Haman tried to take the honour that belonged to Mordecai. Mordecai’s response is a model of humility and trust in God. Other people may not see what you have done, but God sees and he will reward you.

12 December

On at least two occasions in my life God has closed the door on something that I very much wanted, and which I believed at the time was God’s will. Praying and struggling, I tried to force the doors open – but they remained shut. I was bitterly disappointed. But, years later, I am very grateful and now understand why he closed those doors. However, I’m not sure I will ever know, this side of heaven, why God has closed other doors in my life.
This does not mean passively waiting for the doors to open. Often we have to take the first steps in faith. It is a bit like approaching automatic doors – you have to take a step forward before you see whether or not the doors open.

‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me’ (v.20). Eating together is a sign of the intimate friendship that Jesus offers to all those who open the door of their lives to him.

Handle of the door is on the inside! We have to open it, Jesus does not force himself on us!

11 December

In an interview in Time Magazine, the great Swiss theologian Karl Barth recounted that he advised young theologians to ‘take your Bible and take your newspaper and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.’

Holiness does not mean being perfect. It means living a life of integrity. It’s the opposite of hypocrisy. It means being real, honest and authentic.

10 December

TyBut there have been times in my life when I’ve been working so hard for the kingdom that I have neglected the King.

But there have been times when I have been so focussed on my own problems and suffering that I have lost my enthusiasm.

But there have been times when I have been so concerned about orthodoxy that I have forgotten to love.

God promises his people: ‘I will pour out... a spirit of grace and supplication’ (12:10). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of grace and supplication. He pours into your heart God’s grace (his undeserved love for you) and helps you to pray (see Romans 8:26–27). The Holy Spirit is at work in your thoughts – prompting you to pray for people and situations.

9 December

Apocalypse
Greek word apokalupsis, translated ‘revelation’ (Revelation 1:1), is made up of two Greek words – apo (out of) and kalupsis (hiding). The word actually means ‘disclosure’. In the book of Revelation, the veil is taken off. The mystery is unlocked.
Joyce Meyer writes, ‘Real hope is a constant positive attitude that no matter what is happening currently, things will change for the better.’

Zechariah foresees that a humble, righteous king will come bringing salvation. He is meek, humble and externally poor. His kingdom would not come by traditional methods of battle. He is not a military king (Zechariah 9:10).

He will bring peace to Jews and Gentiles (v.10, see also Ephesians 2:17). His rule will extend from sea to sea (Zechariah 9:10). You will experience great blessings ‘because of the blood of my covenant with you’ (v.11).

He brings freedom for the prisoners (v.11; see also Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18). He brings you security: ‘Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope’ (Zechariah 9:12). He brings you great blessing: ‘I will restore twice as much to you’ (v.12). He is invincible ‘like a warrior's sword’ (v.13; see Revelation 1:16). He brings you salvation (Zechariah 10:16; see also Luke 12:32; John 10:1–16).

There are many other wonderful promises in these prophecies of Zechariah including Jesus as ‘the cornerstone’ (Zechariah 10:4) and the ‘Good Shepherd’ who will pastor the flock with ‘Favour’ and ‘Union’ (11:7). This is in sharp contrast to the shepherds who ‘will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy’ (v.16).

We also see in this passage a foreshadowing of the betrayal of Judas. The ‘thirty pieces of silver’ (v.12) is the price that was put on Jesus’ head (see Matthew 26:15).

Almost every detail of Jesus’ life, character, mission, death, resurrection and victory was foreshadowed in some way in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament.

8 December

I love the way that Jude begins this letter. He sees himself as ‘a servant of Jesus Christ’ (v.1). There is no higher calling or a more liberating job than to see every day as an opportunity to serve Jesus Christ.

What he wants for his readers is ‘mercy’, ‘peace’ and ‘love in abundance’ (v.2). If these were the only verses we had in the whole Bible, we could meditate on them for the rest of our lives.
He ends by urging them to:

‘Build yourselves up in your most holy faith’ (v.20)
Pray: ‘Pray in the Holy Spirit’ (v.20). The Holy Spirit will guide us into the truth
Stay close to God: ‘Keep yourselves in God’s love’ (v.21)
Be merciful: ‘Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin’ (v.23, MSG)

When you are desperate to be a channel of God’s love, justice and blessing, then others will come to know God’s presence.
Psalm 139:23–24

‘Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’

7 December

As A.W. Tozer wrote, ‘God is love and God is sovereign. His love disposes Him to desire our everlasting welfare, and His sovereignty enables Him to secure it.’

Do not despise ‘the day of small things’ (v.10). Don’t look at seemingly minor accomplishments as unimportant. Don’t despise apparently insignificant, humble, ‘small beginnings’. The kingdom of God starts with a mustard seed, which grows into a big tree. Small numbers make no difference to God. There is nothing small if God is in it. Everything big has to start small. Nothing you do for God goes unnoticed or unrewarded. You may not see the fruits but you are accomplishing God’s purposes. Don’t give up on your dream.

6 December

Be confident in the Lord. 
Do not live in fear of what others may think or do. ‘To fear anyone will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe’
The key to keeping this balance is to avoid self-confidence and to practise humble God-confidence, ensuring that your confidence comes not from your own abilities or successes, but from trusting in the Lord.
Here is another difficult balance to maintain. Love becomes soft if it is not strengthened by truth. Truth becomes hard if it is not softened by love. Sometimes in my life I have been passionate about ‘the truth’, but perhaps have not been very loving. Other times I have tried to be very loving but perhaps have failed to care enough about ‘the truth’.
A top management consultant once told me that ‘no chief executive was ever fired for lack of vision’. But many are unable to put their vision into action.

Visions don’t work unless you do. In this little book of Haggai, we see a wonderful balance between vision and action.

Too occupied with our priorities?
“Because of my house, which remains a ruin,while each of you is busy with your own house.

4 December

Here is the answer to the greatest longing of the world today. People are looking for love. Their hearts are searching. When you really know God’s love for you, your life is transformed. As we will see in the New Testament passage for today, God’s love is at the heart of each of the four keys to overcoming unhealthy fear in your life: ‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear’ (v.18).

Nowhere in the Bible does it say, ‘Love is God’. In other words, it is God who defines what love is rather than the other way around. God is love.

The more you love him and demonstrate that reality by loving one another – the less you are prey to fear. Develop a culture of love – giving and receiving love. This is the opposite of competition and gossip. The more love you give to others – the more fear disappears.

5 December

Purpose in life is far more important than property or possessions. Having more to live with is no substitute for having more to live for. ‘The two greatest days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why’ (Mark Twain).
Christian:
1 A Christian is a person who puts their faith in Jesus. In doing so, you become a child of God.
2 The evidence of true faith is love – love for God, love for Jesus, love for others. Faith expresses itself in love.
3 This is love for God: to obey his commands’ This love is not just a feeling. It involves action – obedience to God’s commands

Your will be done.’

If the answer is ‘yes’ he may be increasing your faith. If the answer is ‘wait’ he may be increasing your patience. If the answer is ‘no’, he may have something better in mind. Trust that his will is ‘good, pleasing and perfect’ (Romans 12:2).

3 December

It is important to tell people that God loves them and that you love them. However, words are not enough: ‘My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love’ (v.18, MSG). Demonstrate your love in the way that Jesus did – by actions, especially towards the poor.
Confidence is the opposite of condemnation. Condemnation never comes from God: ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1). Condemnation comes either from the devil – who is the accuser – or from our own hearts (1 John 3:20).

There is a big difference between condemnation – ‘debilitating self-criticism’ (v.20, MSG) – and conviction of sin, which comes from the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). When the Holy Spirit convinces us about our sins it is very specific. We know what we have done wrong. The purpose is to help us repent, be restored and lifted up again.

On the other hand, condemnation is more of a nebulous feeling of guilt and shame that makes us feel bad about ourselves – even after we’ve repented and asked for forgiveness. It steals our confidence before God.

2 December

Vision is a ‘holy discontent’ – a deep dissatisfaction with what is, combined with a clear grasp of what could be.It is a picture – ‘a mental sight’ – of the future that inspires hope.

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is a nightmare! But vision combined with action can change the world

 I still make mistakes, but not nearly as many as I once did, I am not where I need to be, but thank God, I am not where I used to be. I do not do everything right, but I do know that the attitude of my heart is right.’
 
but our primary vision for life should always be to draw nearer to Jesus.

1 December

Jesus chose a title that did not have the same political overtones as some of the other Messianic titles. It spoke of a representative figure who would identify with human beings and ‘give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45). It carried with it the idea of suffering (Daniel 7).

In his great love for us, Jesus, the Son of Man, suffered as a representative of the entire human race, so that you could be rescued from all the spiritual forces of evil in the world. 

30 November

Koinonia, the Greek word used for fellowship, is almost untranslatable. It expresses a relationship of great intimacy and depth. It even became the favourite expression for the marital relationship – the most intimate between human beings. It is a rich word that describes a life together in which everything is shared. This is the word that John uses of our intimate relationship with God (v.3).

It also describes our relationship with one another. You can have deep genuine friendships and honest communication. There is no need for masks or ‘spin’ or ‘image’. You can be real before God and before others. The result is a level of intimate connection with one another that is best summed up in this beautiful word, ‘fellowship’.

Talking to God is inextricably linked with trusting in him. Fellowship with God was the number one priority in Daniel’s life. He continued to pray just as he always had done. He refused to compromise. He did not even try to hide the fact he was praying. He kept the windows open as he had done before – so that all could see.

We need more people like Daniel to advise our leaders. It is impressive that he was so loyal to Nebuchadnezzar and Darius. But he did not compromise his faith. He followed God first and was a politician/adviser second.

29 November

The great biblical truth is that you become like that in which you put your trust. If you put your trust in ‘gods’ of silver or gold, then you will be like them – spiritually lifeless, blind and deaf (vv.16–18). If you trust in God, you will be filled with life and joy as you become like him.
Grace is undeserved love. You grow in grace as you turn to the Lord, dependent on him in every situation you face, bringing your needs to him day by day, as you eagerly expect his return.

When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude,’ wrote G.K. Chesterton.
Our spiritual gifts, bodies, families, homes, intellect, looks, money, sporting abilities – are all gifts from God. Your reaction to any success should not be one of pride or self-congratulation, but one of praise and thanks to God – honouring him and exalting him for what he has given you (vv.34–37).

Nebuchadnezzar took things for granted and failed to give thanks and glory to the Lord for what the Lord had done for him. Rather, he saw it all as the work of his own hands.

Humility does not mean pretending that you do not have what you have, but rather it means recognising the source of what you have, and giving the praise where it is due: ‘Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just’ (v.37).

28 November

One of the main points of the book of Daniel is that God uses inspiring examples like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and their absolute trust in God to change a king’s life – and as a result, to change a nation.

27 November

If you want a closer relationship with God, put time aside to develop the relationship. Spend time with him. As you study his word, your faith grows and your life is changed. The strength of all relationships, including your relationship with God, depends on communication.

Faith is not just a set of ideas – it changes the way you live your life. Peter explains that through the Holy Spirit ‘[God’s] divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness’ (v.3).

26 November

Humble yourselves
Peter writes, ‘Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another’ (v.5). Whereas ‘God opposes the proud’, he ‘gives grace to the humble’ (v.5b). Humility is a choice. It is something you are required to do to yourself: ‘Humble yourselves’ (v.6). Humility is an act of the will.

Humility, as C.S. Lewis points out, is ‘not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.’ There is a strong link between humility and grace. Because grace is free, the only appropriate response to grace is humility

You can cast all your cares on him. There is nothing too big or too small to hand over to him. Thomas à Kempis wrote, ‘They travel lightly whom God’s grace carries.’

Staying peaceful is evidence that you have humbled yourself before God, and that you trust him to do what needs to be done.
Daniel
We see the four friends co-operating with their employers, but without compromise. They refuse to conform, but they throw themselves wholeheartedly into their new situation and career. They undergo three years of leadership training and preparation. They allow their names to be changed to reflect that they are now part of the Babylonian administration, and subsequently they all seem to pursue successful careers.

At the same time, they resolved not to compromise their beliefs or defile themselves. You can defile yourself today by the kind of films and TV you watch, the internet sites you visit, or the things you listen to. ‘Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine’ (1:8). (This was perhaps because the royal food had been a sacrificial offering to the Babylonian gods.) They never allowed their commitment to their new careers to trump their higher allegiance to God.

Like Daniel you are called to live a life of purity and be totally at peace. Follow Daniel’s example and be comfortable in your own skin and walk in a close relationship with God.

25 November

Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin (v.15), but suffering for being a Christian is not a cause for shame – it is a cause for rejoicing and praising God (vv.13,16). It should not put you off, rather keep on doing what is good: ‘So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it’ (v.19, MSG). Martin Luther King said, ‘I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.’
‘Love each other deeply,’ writes the apostle Peter (v.8a). The Greek word used for ‘deeply’ is the word used for a horse at full gallop. It means ‘stretched out’ and is sometimes translated ‘fervently’.

24 November

Pope Francis paused for a moment after one of his general audiences to pray, embrace and lay hands on a man with neurofibromatosis, a severely disfiguring disease. The man’s face was covered in tumours. The image of the Pope’s embrace in St Peter’s Square went viral on social media, inspiring millions by his poignant example of the love of Christ.

There is great power in example. It is hard to improve if we have no other model than ourselves to follow. A good example is not only inspirational, it also gives us a pattern to copy and learn from.

Not only do you benefit most from following the example of others, but your example is vital if you are to have any influence on other people. Albert Schweitzer, the French theologian, philosopher and physician said, ‘Example is not the main thing in influencing others – it is the only thing.’ More depends on your walk than on your talk, what you practice than what you preach, what you do than what you say.

What people see is far more important than what they hear. People do what people see. As John Maxwell writes, ‘Eighty-nine per cent of what people learn comes through visual stimulation; ten per cent through audible stimulation and one per cent through other senses... What they hear they understand. What they see they believe!’

Knowledge is horizontal. Wisdom is vertical – it comes down from above. To follow the example of Jesus means to walk in wisdom. Jesus walked in wisdom from his earliest days: ‘He was filled with wisdom’ (Luke 2:40). ‘People remarked, ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given him...?’ (Mark 6:2).

Living out the Christian life is the most appropriate way of passing on the good news to those who live in very close proximity to you. This certainly applies to your family, work colleagues and those you live with. Often you can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.

As Rick Warren says, ‘You cannot control the lies that people may speak about you, but you can control the truth... Live so that people have to make up stuff in order to accuse you.’ It is the cross and resurrection that makes a clear conscience possible. Jesus died for sins, once for all… to bring you to God (v.18).

Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 

23 November

As we read in the Old Testament of all the sacrifices they had to make for their sins, we remember that the book of Hebrews tells us that this is an illustration (Hebrews 9). These were ‘copies’ of the heavenly things (v.23). They were a ‘shadow’ of what was to come (10:1). They had to make a sin offering (Ezekiel 43:19) with blood (v.20) to purify and make atonement (v.20). The goat had to be without defect (v.22).
This all foreshadows Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for your sins (1 Peter 2:24).

The holy priesthood of Ezekiel 44 foreshadows the holy priesthood described in 1 Peter 2:5. This now is the task of every Christian. Your first duty as a ‘priest’ is to be holy yourself, to keep yourself pure so that you can be used by the Lord. Your second duty is to help others to do the same by your teaching and by your example (Ezekiel 44:23).

Where is God now? He lives in you by his Spirit. He is there when we gather in his name and fall before him in worship, adoration and praise.

22 November

C.S. Lewis wrote: ‘As we grow older, we become like old cars – more and more repairs and replacements are necessary. We must just look forward to the fine new machines (latest Resurrection model) which are waiting for us, we hope, in the Divine garage.’

Leave behind the empty way of life and, instead, live a life of ‘sincere love’, loving one another deeply from the heart (v.22). This is the ultimate goal of the Christian life: love for Jesus who died to make all this possible (vv.19–20) and a passionate love for one another (v.22).

‘So,’ the apostle Peter writes, ‘clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretence, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God’ (2:1–3, MSG).

21 November

‘Our prayers lay the track down which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails,’ wrote Watchman Nee.

One of the obstacles to the power of God in our life can be trusting in things other than God. In some ways, faith and wealth are like oil and water. They are hard to mix and do not often go together.

Prayer is not just a monologue. It is a dialogue. God speaks to you as you pray.

Look at everything going on around you with the eyes of the Spirit. As D.L. Moody said, ‘The Christian on his knees sees more than the philosopher on tiptoe.’

‘Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity,’ wrote Simone Weil. This applies to all relationships including your relationship with God.

Listen to what the Lord says about it all. In your two-way communication with God, what he says to you is more important than what you say to him.

It is not enough just to see and hear. We must obey. Be willing to say what God tells you to say.

20 November

Albert Einstein said, ‘I do not fear the explosive power of the atom bomb. What I fear is the explosive power of evil in the human heart.’

He goes on to say, ‘You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way’ (v.4, MSG). This upsets the Holy Spirit: ‘Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?’ (v.5). We grieve the Holy Spirit when we go after other gods.

It is also possible to sin by not doing something. Sin is not just doing what we know is wrong, it is also failing to do what we know is right: ‘In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil’ (v.17, 

The expression ‘God-willing’should not be a formality. Rather, it should express the reality of a heart that recognises that God is ultimately in control, and you are not. The prayer of your heart should be, ‘your will be done’.

James 4:7–8

‘Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.’