Spring 2024

James does not pull any punches in our passage today. He reminds us that our behaviour towards each other is a window into the state of our hearts. And the language he uses to do this is both blunt and emotive. Why? To make the point that many in the early church had chosen to seek what the world offers rather than God. But if you, like the early church, are concerned that your heart may be pointing in the wrong direction, then James has some amazing news.

Active Submission

What is your life? That is the simple but very difficult question James asks in chapter 4, verse 14. This is more than a philosophical question. It is a question at the heart of what it means to be human and created in God’s image. Our life is precious, but it is a life that can be shaped, formed, filled and led by the love of God. Your life matters to God, so live it in such a way that God matters too!

Active Humility

In chapter 5 of his letter, James encourages us to be patient, but, in reality, what does that mean? Well, in simple terms, being patient in waiting, patient in times of difficulty and patient with each other. But this is not easy - we all struggle with patience if we’re honest! The good news is we don’t have to struggle in our own strength - we have the power of the living Lord Jesus available to help us. Now that really is good news!

Active Patience

James concludes his letter by writing about the ups and downs of community life and how PRAYER and PRAISE need to be woven throughout our relationship with God and one another. James’ final sentence focuses on people who may have wandered away from FAITH. Because James is about doing faith, not just having faith! Why not act now to pray and encourage people in their faith journey! Especially friends you might know. As J.R.R. Tolkien said, “Not all who wander are lost”!

Active Prayer

Easter is about rising from the dead, rising from the ashes of lost hope and rising from a life of loneliness and separation to a life of joining God and living with him forevermore. The cross is the greatest act of love where forgiveness reigns and reconciliation rules. Jesus is Lord. He is Risen. Hallelujah! This Easter, commit to Jesus and celebrate lives transformed and changed. In a world of such bad news, we need the Good News more than ever!

Resurrection Joy

In this psalm, the writer, King David, is not in a good place. In fact, he says he is 'flooding' his bed with tears. It's a lament. When was the last time you lamented? When was the last time you cried? Perhaps, sometimes, crying is good for you. Why? Because crying can open your heart, and maybe that's how God gets in? Maybe those kinds of tears are the ones that God counts?

Tears That God Counts

Forgiveness. When we've been hurt or betrayed, it is sometimes so hard to offer. But it is empowering for the giver. Joseph’s story in Genesis shows us the power of forgiveness. Despite being betrayed, Joseph forgives, reminding us that even in tough times God is at work, making things happen for His glory and our good.

Forgiveness

Have you ever needed to run from a situation or been falsely accused of something you didn’t do or wrongly spoken about behind your back? That’s what David is singing about in Psalm 7. The tune to the psalm isn’t the sweet melody of worship songs on a Sunday morning but the wild, erratic, jarring tones of irregular musical strains! David laments, cries out in despair for God to save, protect and be his refuge (strong tower) when he faces false accusations and attack. He desperately wants to be rescued and saved from an experience in life that has hurt him. If you are hurting or in need of safety and security, then this one might be for you!

God is Our Refuge

God’s mercies are new every morning, and such mercies, along with his love, affection, grace and goodness, are a gift for us all. We are noticed today, and He has made you for loving Him and living for Him today and for all eternity. So, we are pretty amazing and God thinks the world of us. This is the message of Psalm 8!

God is Utterly Amazing

We continue our Summer Psalms series by looking at Psalm 9. Let us use it to reflect on how God can be trusted, whatever the situation.

God is to be Trusted

We are created to relate all our experiences to God. Even the bad ones. To hand over to God all our moments of questions and doubts, anger and pain, silence and suffering, that all may be an act of trust in Him and His presence in our lives. Psalm 10 ends with the reminder that God hears us.

God Hears the Cry of the Afflicted

Around 4000 years ago, a man living in what is now Syria gets a message from God. He is called to uproot and go to live in a foreign land called Canaan. So begins a story of God interacting with generations of his family over thousands of years. That story of God interacting with humanity lives on. The God who called Abraham at age 75 calls us now, whatever our age or background. The journey continues...

God Calls the Mature in Age

Have you ever been too frightened to follow God’s call on your life? That may be a big question, so let's put it another way. What is stopping you from God’s leading and direction in your life? Maybe that’s still too big a question. Another try. Do you realise that God can use you, even if you don’t feel adequate? Ah, that may be easier to answer, and it was exactly what Moses thought when God spoke to him. Now, we may not encounter a burning bush or see a staff turned into a snake or be raised in royalty or indeed have committed murder, but for many other reasons, you might feel the same inadequacy before God. If, for whatever reason, you’re hesitant about God’s leading in your life, that’s no excuse for how God might speak to you!

God Calls the Hesitant

Do you remember Tales of the Unexpected? This was a popular series on UK TV between 1979 and 1988. In each episode, everyday folk got caught up in surprising and bizarre stories. Each story ended with a twist. This story from the bible is similar. Rahab, a lowly prostitute, gets involved with hiding two spies from Joshua's Israelite army. She does a deal, involving hanging a crimson ribbon in her window, and the story ends with her and her family being saved from certain death. Maybe God wants to invite each of us into our very own episode of Tale of the Unexpected? In particular, like Rahab, maybe we are sometimes unexpectedly called to protect others? Family. Friends. Colleagues. Strangers. 

God Calls the Unexpected

Shirley Baptist Church is a thriving, contemporary evangelical church, with an emphasis on Scripture, faith and mission, working out its purpose in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Active Humility

Shirley Baptist Church

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