When did you last feel fully alive?

Finally, my dear family, pray for us, that the word of the Lord will go forward quickly and be glorified, as it has among you; and that we may be rescued from evil and wicked people. Not all, you see, have faith!  But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

We are confident in the Lord about you, that you are doing, and will continue to do, what we instructed you. May the Lord direct your hearts towards the love of God and the patience of the Messiah.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, New Testament for Everyone

Image from Don Moen.

Psalm 61:  

Listen to my resounding noise, God, 
 heed my plea.
From the end of the earth I call to you, 
 while my heart flags.
To a crag that rises high above me may you lead me, 
 because you’ve been a shelter for me, 
 a vigorous tower before the enemy.

I shall reside in your tent permanently, 
 I shall shelter in the hiding place of your wings. (Rise)
Because you, God, have listened to my pledges; 
 you gave their possession to the people who hold your name in awe.
You will add days to the king’s days; 
 his years will be like generation after generation.
He will live permanently before God; 
 appoint commitment and truthfulness so they may preserve him. 
Thus I shall make music to your name permanently, 
 in making good my pledges day by day.

Psalm 61, Bible for Everyone

A naïve person trusts in anything, but someone shrewd understands his step.

Proverbs 14:15, Bible for Everyone

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen!

Ephesians 3:20-21, The Passion Translation

Great is Thy faithfulness

O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not

Thy compassions they fail not

As Thou hast been

Thou forever will be

Image from UCB.co.uk.

You can purchase cards, stationery, homeware, artwork, books and prints featuring Hannah Dunnett’s original artwork intertwined with religious texts from www.benandhannahdunnett.com.

In this article from Premier Christianity magazine, Sam Hailes explains why the popular author and preacher Francis Chan’s book Letters to the Church is so important.

Francis Chan’s first book in six years – Letters to the Church – doesn’t make for comfortable reading. You won’t like all of it, much less agree with it. But when it comes to finding a challenging, thought-provoking, paradigm-shifting Christian paperback, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Don’t be deceived by the easy-to-read style of this title either. It might be most convicting for church leaders or those who are heavily involved in church ministry, but every Christian can get a huge amount out of this. It’s a must-read for anyone who cares about the health of the Church, especially the Church in the Western world.

Here are just six of the many much-needed wake-up calls which can be found inside the pages of Letters to the Church.

Continue reading “Francis Chan: 6 mind-blowing thoughts on church”

‘Ask and it will be given to you! Search and you will find! Knock and the door will be opened for you! Everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened. Don’t you see? Supposing your son asks you for bread – which of you is going to give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish – which of you is going to give him a serpent? Well then: if you know how to give good gifts to your children, evil as you are, how much more will your father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

‘So whatever you want people to do to you, do just that to them. Yes; this is what the law and the prophets are all about.’

Matthew 7:7-12, New Testament for Everyone

Image from UCB.co.uk.

We have a story of grace
We have an anthem of hope
We have a reason to praise
We are redeemed and restored

You are the great liberator
You ransomed us from our shame
Now by the blood of the Savior
Everything broken will change

Oh, this will be my day of victory
My chains are gone, now I am free indeed
Every debt is paid by amazing grace
All that’s left is to celebrate
Your love has won
I’m free indeed, my jubilee has come

‘The Lord is helping me; I’m not going to be afraid; what can anyone do to me?’

Hebrews 13:6, New Testament for Everyone

Image from UCB.co.uk.