Baker, Le Tissier, Patel, Vale. Names often have meaning, telling us about family origins - perhaps their trade or status or where their house could be found. Similarly, the name of the Lord our God tells us very much who He is. His name is Yahweh in the Hebrew. It is often translated to 'I am who I am', but it is a phrase without any tense. So it can also mean 'I've always been who I've always been' or 'I will always be who I will always be.' Therefore, it is a name that embraces any situation and reminds us that in these, God - if called upon - will be sufficient for anything and everything we will need.

Trust In The Name Of The Lord

On our frontlines, it is good to be prepared to share our story of why we have hope in Jesus. 1 Peter 3:14-16 explores what it means to give such an answer. What is important to remember is that those asking matter to God. So we need to make the effort to enter their world, the world of the curious, the questioner, the seeker and the lost. Whether we are asking the questions or attempting the answers, each thumbprint is cherished by God.

Messenger of the Gospel

Psalms are prayers and hymns directed to God. They are words that express the range of human experiences from joy and thanks to pain and anger, and all this is brought before God. Psalms are full of honesty and openness. There is no spiritual performance or polite Christianity. Rather, faith is expressed in raw and real ways. Psalm 1 is about what it means to live wisely in the world today. Jesus may have had Psalm 1 in mind when he taught the beatitudes because both are about finding true happiness. To be blessed or happy is to be rooted in God, and it seems many are starting to discover the wisdom of this.

Wisdom is a Choice

For thousands of years, in response to injustice, pain and suffering in the world, men and women have got on their knees and asked God - WHY? In today’s Psalm, God turns the tables and asks us that same question - WHY? Are you prepared to give Him an answer?

Who is Your King

History has seen many battles and I’m sure many of us have faced battles of our own. David definitely did. We read here a Psalm when his own son was leading a rebellion against him! Yet David declares that he is not afraid of his enemies, and the Lord is victorious. How amazing that we can also make the same declaration and be convinced that no matter what we face in life, the battle belongs to the Lord.

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

As we continue our Summer Psalms, we dive into Psalm 4, reflecting on how God is trustworthy and present with us in all circumstances.

A Springboard to Commune

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Psalm 5 is about seeking God in the morning and laying requests before God. It’s a discipline, but also a brilliant way to start each day. So let’s have a shout-out for the quiet time in the morning! The Psalm is also about learning to live a life well and being rooted in God’s love. We all need that, right? And maybe it begins when we wake up each day, because there is something special about the morning light that wrestles with the darkness of night. 

Show Me How to Live

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

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.