Blowing Up The Book

Every year I make a YouTube video about some aspect of Christmas and its significance (see finished video here: https://youtu.be/ef37iUayHII).This year, I thought it would be good to share the Narration track as a podcast for those who don't have the time to sit done and watch a video.This year, I have been thinking about how so many of our Christmas rituals and traditions have been stripped away and how that could actually help us focus on the true meaning of the season and the incredible hope that lies at the heart of the Christmas Story.

A runaway slave is sent back to his master - not as returned property but as a brother in Christ.His owner is a church leader and he has to decide whether to react to the situation from the world's point of view or from the Kingdom's.The story of Onesimus is short but incredibly rich in the challenge it presents to the newly founded church

This you woman from a noble family demonstrates Grace, Kindness, Modesty, Charm, Wisdom, Courage and and Adventurous streak. On top of that, she is very beautiful. No wonder the Lord chose her to be Isaac's wife

Abraham's un-named servant was sent on a vital mission that would literally change the course of human history.We do not know his name but we do know that he was humble, diligent, faithful and loyal.

Jesus drew attention to the actions of a poor but generous widow because her offering was born out of a heart of devotion and sincerity.In His eyes, it is not the amount that counts - it is the attitude it is given with that matters to Him.Sorry for the technical hitch that meant this episode is a day late

One of the first people to share the great news that the Messiah had arrived was an 84 year old woman named Anna. She had spent decades in the temple worshipping God, praying and fasting.With masterful timing and precision, the Holy Spirit orchestrates events so that she is right next to Mary, Joseph and Jesus when Simeon prophecies to Mary about the significance of Jesus.It is a story of tenacity, grace and fulfilled promises

An elderly, faithful and devout jewish man had an incredible encounter with the infant Jesus when Mary and Joseph took him to be dedicated to the Lord at the temple.God's faithfulness to Simeon and Simeon's Spirit inspired perception of the purpose of Jesus makes for a moving and powerful story.

Despite being ripped from her family and her life, the maid to Naaman's wife showed incredible courage, faith and compassion when she suggested that Naaman should go and visit the prophet, Elisha, to be healed of his leprosy.She could have lost her life if Naaman was not healed but her courage paid off and triggered an incredible series of events.

After a succession of wicked Kings, Young King Josiah reacts to hearing the Book of the Law read out and does all in his power to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord

Often God will call us to tasks that He has given us specific skills for but sometimes, he is just looking for willing people...

David's men were so loyal to him that they were willing to risk their lives to fetch him water from his favourite well in Bethlehem - despite the Philistine garrison being camped there.It was their way of showing him honour and respect but David saw another aspect to their tribute...

Shammah was one of David's 3 mightiest men.He is famous for refusing to give ground to the enemy (the Philistines) and fighting on until God gave him a mighty victory

It seems clear to me that although it is ultimately the Holy Spirit himself who chooses which gift s we are given, He is looking for those who are eager to use them

The gift of interpreting tongues is the supernatural ability to understand and explain messages that are brought in a spirit-inspired language.The end result is always that those who hear the interpreted message are built up and encouraged and that the Lord is glorified

The Holy Spirit can give us the supernatural ability to speak in other earthly languages or in a heavenly language.This can be to draw attention to the gospel, to edify me or to edify the church

Not everything we see or hear, that sounds good or Godly, actually is. The gift of Discerning of Spirits is the ability to discern the origin of what we are seeing and hearing.It could be from God, The Devil, The Spirit of the world or from our own spirit.

Prophecy is the ability to receive and then communicate messages from God.They can be words of correction, prediction, revelation or edification

If the gift of healing is the process of speeding up or enhancing the laws of nature then miracles could be described as the temporary suspension of the laws of nature for God's purposes.

Biblical healing is the process of restoring wholeness in body, mind or spirit.God identifies Himself as our healer in both Old and New Testaments.The Holy Spirit can impart the gift of healing to us through His power and in His name.

Faith builds, like a muscle, as we allow God's Word to infiltrate our thinking but sometimes, we need an immediate surge of faith to help us through a situation or to minister help to someone.That is when the Holy Spirit will often give us the gift of faith...

Words of knowledge are given to unlock situations and to uncover sin, or the cause of problems. They can also build faith and pave the way for other gifts (such as prophecy)

If knowledge is having lots of information in your brain then wisdom is knowing what to do with it.The Holy Spirit can give us the ability to interpret and utilise the knowledge we have, way beyond any human ability.

The Gifts are exactly that - Gifts. We cannot earn them and God will not withdraw them

There are two reasons why this phrase is placed at the end of the list of the Fruit of the Spirit:1) How could any law be offended by such godly qualities2) Living according to the fruit of the Spirit puts us in harmony with God's Law

Self-control is the ability to live on purpose instead of being driven by every whim or temptation that comes our way.Jesus gave us a brilliant example of the power of self-control when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.

Gentleness is the ability to apply strength on a way that causes no harm and no fear.Gentleness sis not the expression of weakness. It is the Godly application of the strengths He has given us

Faithfulness is very dear to God's heart and He values it in us.The Holy Spirit will help us remain true to our relationships, our purpose, our friends and our God

Id kindness is behaving in a way that is pleasing to other people then goodness is living in a way that please God and gives glory to him.

Kindness is the basis of the golden rule of civilisation - Do unto others as you would have them do to you.Jesus was a brilliant example of kindness and we are commanded to be like him.Fortunately the Holy Spirit can work through God's Word and out circumstances to build kindness in our hearts.

The patience that is a fruit of the Spirit enables us to use God's watch - not our own.Patience keeps us in our circumstances long enough for God to do whatHe wants to through us and in us.

Peace comes from the revelation that our future is not in our own hands - or anybody else's. It is in God's hands

Joy is an incredibly powerful fruit of the The Holy Spirit's work in our lives.This kind of Joy is not driven by what is happening to us but rather by what is happening in us.

The Holy Spirit can grow in us an ability to love that is far greater than we could ever have imagined.With our news and media feeds full of shocking images of racism and violence, there was never a better time for us to allow the Holy Spirit to deepen and strengthen our ability to love.Then we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in any situation 

In this first episode of Season 2, we are going to look at two passages of scripture that tell us what the Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit are.We are also going to take a minute to think about what fruit and gifts we are showing and which, if any are missing.

God is good. No matter what is happening in the world, He is always good. The best way to test hat statement is to take refuge in Him.

God is not just generous with His love and mercy. He is generous with His wisdom too.

Whatever happens to you today, whatever decisions you face, the Holy Spirit is ready to advise, guide and direct you.This applies to the mundane aspects of life just as much as it does to spiritual things

God's peace will come knocking at our door but we have to let it in and allow it to rule our hearts.

Kindness is a much needed commodity at the moment and Christians who cooperate with the Holy Spirit have access to an unlimited supply of it.

The idea that God would need to tell us not to bow down to idols made of wood or stone seems a bit absurd in this modern age. But, could it be that idol worship is just as prevalent now as it was in the time of Moses? Is it just that our idols look very different to the ones in ancient times?

Without a heavenly perspective, nothing here on earth will ever really make sense.Deliberately fixing our eyes on the things that are above is the only way to successfully navigate what is happening here on earth.

Psychologists tell us that point we drift off to sleep can be when we feel  the most vulnerable.Very often, our fears and anxieties come to the front of our thinking in those moments. Good sleep is a gift from God and He knows how our minds work. Perhaps that is why He specifically promises to watch over us as we sleep.

A great way to move yourself into an attitude of praise is to start by expressing your gratitude to The lord for what He has done for you.Praying in the belly of a big fish, Jonah summarises this process beautifully when he promises to sacrifice to God with "Shouts of grateful praise."

God is infinite and that will never change. However, our view of God and how big He is makes a huge difference to the choices and decisions we make.Worship reminds usaf God's greatness and enables us to be the points of light and hope society needs these uncertain times

Sometimes doing the exact same thing you have done many times in the past - but under Jesus' direction - can yield spectacular results.

God is more than capable of demonstrating His incredible power but, when He is guiding and directing us, He uses a surprisingly gentle voice - the "Voice of gentle silence", as the Hebrew puts it..

God has good plans for us. He knows what they are but do we?This season is a brilliant opportunity to seek Him wholeheartedly, and discover what those plans for us are.

In this weeks "Talk on Tuesday" Mark Buchanan interviews John and Anna Simmons, pastors at V53 Church in Chester, on what it is like to lead a church during the coronavirus pandemic.

The desert can seem like a place of death and destruction but, in God's purposes, it can be a surprisingly productive place

The shortest verse in the bible (John 11:35) paints a beautiful picture of Jesus as both a loyal friend and the all-powerful Saviour of the world.He demonstrates His ability to empathise with His friends' sadness and pain even as He is preparing to perform one of His most spectacular miracles.This is a man we can truly put our faith and trust in.

The story of Hosea buying back his own wife from prostitution is a beautiful parallel to Jesus' incredible act of redemption on the cross.Both stories show just how much the Lord loves us and the extreme lengths He will go to to keep us for Himself.