Looking up and looking down at others is something we all do yet, for many of us, it's so habitual we hardly notice we're doing it. Unfortunately the consequences are far more evident.
Sophie de Witt's, Compared To Her takes a good hard look at how we compare ourselves to others and the reasons why we do it. It's a problem we just cannot afford to ignore! Sophie offers hope by presenting the God-given remedy and convincing us that rather than being doomed to dissatisfaction, contentment is a realistic option.
Read more HERE and get the ebook for just $1.50 until midday on Thursday using the code hcth1114 at the checkout.
Christmas is coming and you may be struggling for ideas of things to do or gifts to buy. We’re going to be posting some Christmas ideas in the next few weeks. Starting with scrumptious Christmas cupcakes from Bake Through The Bible:
Or you might like to find some other Christmas gift ideas HERE.
Who is God with? We might expect that God is with the righteous: but if God were only with the righteous, then no one would know him as their refuge. Wonderfully, Isaiah says God is with the contrite and lowly in spirit.
For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
Isaiah 57:13-19
If God continued to accuse us, then we could have no future (v 16). But God promises to heal, to guide, to restore and to comfort those who humble themselves before him (v 17-18).
Jesus probably drew on these words when he said: 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted' (Matthew 5 v 4). Isaiah says God will put praise on the lips of those who mourn (v 19). True praise begins when we recognise God’s great grace towards us in Jesus. And recognising God’s grace begins when we realise how great our sin is. So mourning and praise are inextricably linked in the Christian life.
Take a few moments to reflect on the promise of verse 15. Spend some time mourning over your sins, and then rejoicing in his love. Ask him to revive your spirit today.
Based on an extract taken from Explore Daily Bible Reading Notes.
Are you ever a bit embarrassed about following Jesus? What is it that makes you feel that way? In his second letter to Timothy, Paul has some words of encouragement:
So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
(2 Timothy 1 v 9-10)
· What should Timothy not be ashamed of?
· What do these verses say about being saved?
· How has this salvation come to us?
The most amazing thing about being a Christian is that God has deliberately chosen to save us, even though we deserve his punishment and even though it cost his Son everything! If someone gave you a very precious gift, you would want to show and tell everyone—how much more should we be unashamed of the gospel and all who proclaim it! Pray for an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus THIS WEEKEND!
Based on an extract taken from Explore Daily Bible Reading Notes
Good Book Author David Robertson will be engaging in friendly dialogue at the local launch of his new book in Dundee next week.
Engaging with Atheists aims to give Christians the confidence to talk about the good news of the gospel with their friends and others who deny the existence of God.
David, who has recently been appointed the Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, will discuss atheism and belief in God with Gary McLelland, the Education Policy Office of the Humanist Society in Scotland.
This FREE event, with refreshments included, takes place at the CLC Bookshop, Nethergate in Dundee next Tuesday 18th November at 7.30 pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
How much time do you spend worrying what the future holds? The look of the future often affects how we feel currently. A bright future helps us feel content whereas an uncertain future can bring the opposite feelings.
If you are worried about your future… if you can't quite see how the future is going to make a difference to the here and now … or if you simply want to get more excited about where you will spend eternity ... then have a read of Stephen Witmer's, Eternity Changes Everything.
In this book, Witmer lifts up our eyes to see beyond the “now” that presses in on us to what is eternal. More than that, he lifts up our eyes to see the eternal God in the magnificence of his redeeming purposes. What encouragement this brings to the spiritually weary and what challenge it brings to those tempted to fall sleep amid the buzz and plenty of our modern world! This treatment of deep, biblical themes is fresh, pastoral and stimulating.
Read more and get the book HERE for just 99p/$1.50 until midday on Monday. Use code hece1114 at the checkout.
Coping with different personalities in a small group
When small groups of children contain big personalities, even the best-prepared Sunday school or Bible club sessions can be quickly de-railed! How do we manage the different characters in our group so that everyone goes away feeling valued and having learned something? This extract from a leader’s training session in the Epic Leader's Guide offers some advice. You’ll probably recognise some of these characters from the adults in your home group too!
Chatterbox Charlie
Very talkative and dominates discussions.
• Sit next to "Charlie" to reduce eye contact.
• Ask: “What does someone else think?”
• Ask "Charlie" to summarize the discussions, so that he has to listen to the others’ contributions.
• Talk to him privately about the problem.
• If you have lots of “Chatterbox Charlies”, then have an item that group members must hold, or cards they must hand in, before they can speak.
Debater Dani
Always presents opposition, and challenges every point.
• It can be intimidating for others but at the same time can help produce a “proper” discussion – so aim to direct "Dani" rather than shut her up!
• Ask for other suggestions.
• Break into pairs so that everyone has the chance to express a viewpoint.
• Set a group rule that it’s ok to disagree but you can’t talk over each other and can’t put down those with different ideas.
• Make sure you stick to main point – have a question time towards the end of Epic Explorers.
Voiceless Vic
Quieter and rarely contributes.
• Try to get to know "Vic". His silence could be because he is shy or because he doesn't want to be there or because he doesn't understand. Equally, he may be a heavily “auditory” learner, and will learn without having to contribute.
• Give "Vic" chances by asking: “Does anyone want to add anything?” Direct questions sometimes help.
• Sit opposite "Vic" to maximise eye contact.
• Take time to chat outside the discussion group and learn interests, so you can “pitch” questions and illustrations that interest him.
• Personal encouragement can make all the difference – both outside of group time and in thanking him for contributions.
Read more on Distracter Dom & Churchy Casey in the Epic Leader's Guide
This week on the blog we’re launching Epic Explorers, the brand-new children’s edition of Christianity Explored. Here’s a preview of pages from the Epic Explorers Logbook for 8-11 year olds. As with the adult Christianity Explored course, Epic Explorers aims to get children looking at the text of the Bible for themselves as they discover the wonderful truth about Jesus.
It's Quiz Time, on the theme of Remembering in honour of Remembrance Day yesterday. Enjoy!
Who was it, upon their release from prison, who did not remember Joseph's kindness to him?
"And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob." This sets the scene for which OT book?
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." is which commandment?
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you", what should you do?
Who said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Who was it that Peter, James and John ask Paul to remember on his mission to the Gentiles (the very thing he was eager to do!)?
"As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy." Who is Paul writing to?
Here's a sample from Epic Explorers, the brand new children’s edition of Christianity Explored:
Click on the image to enlarge
