Stepping out of the boat

Many of us have verses in the bible that have meant a lot to us over the years. One of those for me is Romans 8:31: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? A verse I have been drawn back to over the years. Like many good verses though its the stuff around it, the context, the reasons for them being said that give it strength.  Join me as we look at Romans 8, as we look at Gods great love for us and the reasons we have for the confidence of this statement. To know tha great truth that whatever we are facing right now, fear, anxiety, worry, poor health, there is nothing that can seperate us from that incredible love of God. How cool is that? Have a listen and let me know what you think. Why not share this message with others that could do with hearing it, I believe this is a powerful message of hope and truth for us all.  #Spirit #Love #God #Jesus #Sacrifice #Romans #saved #forgiven #children 

What a great day Easter Sunday is, the day we get really excited as we remember the awesome thing Jesus did for us as he fullied Gods plan for us. As Christians, because of what Jesus did, all that time ago, our story starts with Victory. It is not the ending but the beginning. Whether you have been around the block and know the Easter story off by heart or you come to it for the first time, why not have a listen. Lets open Mark 16 together What does starting with victory mean for you and me, What do our actions say about what we believe, do we still look for him in the wrong place. Let me know what you think #Easter #Jesus #Victory #Deathdefeated #Resurrection #Holyspirit #Salvation #Cross #God #Love

Do we always feel happy, Do we show delight and great joy ALL the time? How much does it annoy us when we are feeling down and someone, that person, comes over and says, Cheer up. Right now we are living in challenging times, the like we have never seen in the UK, challenging times that are spreading the world as we deal with this global pandemic. When I was praying God lead me to Philippians 4 - Rejoice in the Lord always, I say again: Rejoice. I feel this is a message for this time as we deal with increasing fear and anxiety in our communities. God brings the truth, give me your anxiety, I will bring you peace, think on what is good and peace will go with you. I will show you the secret of being content. Take some time to listen to our first ever live streamed message, my first ever to an empty room! I pray God speaks to you as we unpack Philippians 4 together #anxiety #peace #God #Faith #content #Holyspirit #Philippians #Bible

Today we carried on our series on scaling your everest. Lack of oxygen is one of the key challenges to reaching the summit and for most climbers carrying additional oxygen tanks is the only way forward. Today I looked at Acts 1:1-11 and looked at what it means to reach base camp and push on to the summit for us as Christians. Verse 4 is a really key: On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. What does it mean for us to wait at Basecamp, how do we know when we are mountain ready and what are the signs that we are suffering Altitude Sickness. Why not listen and find out why we are destined for the top of the Everest God put before us and how he has equipped us to reach it. #HolySpirit #Fruitofthespirit #Discipleship #Faith #Christian #RestinGod #Acts

Today I return to Samson to look at the rest of his life and ask, is he a man who made poor choices, did brutal things, fell for the wrong women or was he a man on a mission from God? In Part 2 of my look at Samson I get to the super hero stuff, the strength, the super natural feats and the poor hair cut that rendered him weak in front of his enemies. Though to put your mind at ease, I highlight that the strength wasn't in his hair! - Spoiler Alert This has been an interesting journey, he did some tough things that are hard to make sense of but ultimately we see a man of God who was sent to free his people. Why not have a listen and let me know what you think #Judges #Samson #Holyspirit #Godsplan

When you are asked to pick a Judge from the book of Judges, Samson has got to be pretty close to the top of your thoughts. Well I was asked to do just that. As always when you start asking God what he wants you to speak about it may not be where you were planning to go! So when I thought Ill preach on Samson, I thought about Lions, his strength, his problems with woman and poor haircuts but God said start at the beginning. When you look at the miraculous start of his life, being dedicated to God in the strictest of ways and and offering to God that revealed the truth behind the message you see there is so much to Samson before he even grows that hair. There is some fantastic challenge in here for how we live our life and who we are giving our offering to. Have a listen and let me know what you think.

Jesus said you are Salt and Light but what did he mean! Its a simple picture that we all understand but like we often see when Jesus shares it has a much deeper meaning. When you start to look into it, Salt is really interesting, its a great picture for our role on this world, we are far more than just a flavouring! In fact there is far more to salt then what you put on your chips! And then you have to ask why partner it with Light? Why not take 30 mins out of your day, grab a cuppa and ask God what does he want to say to you through his word

Have you ever been asked to do something you really dont want to do? This week we look at Jonah and his famous attempt to run away from what God wanted him to do. We look at how God stayed with him even when he turned his back on God. I want to ask you the question of what that means to you, maybe you havent received a big direct calling from God but are you doing what you have been asked to do, your default calling as a Christian. What do you put in the way to put distance between you and your calling? I enjoyed looking back at the book of Jonah, why not have a listen and see what God is saying to you?

In Skipton we are currently in the middle of a fantastic season as all the churches in the town follow the same series and bring to life the "I AM" pictures from the book of John.  For more information click here Today I look at that great passage in John 10 as Jesus again trys to help us understand who he is - I AM the Good Shepherd. It is great to look at these amazing, generally well known pictures with fresh eyes. To ask the questions of what he really meant, to question what it means to me as HIS Sheep and what it means to our communities as we become more like a sheep in sheep town (I explain in the message!).  Why not take the next half an hour, whether at home, on a train, out walking or however you like to listen and ask God what he has to say to you today.  Jesus used fantastic images to show us who he is and what he means to us and we ask that incredible question #Doyouknowhim OR Do you really know him!  Thanks for listening

Today we started our #Doyouknowhim series across Skipton, an outreach where all the churches across the town follow the same preaching series but delivering in our own style. How amazing is that? We will be looking at the 7 'I AM' sayings in John and today I kicked off at Champions Church with John 14:6 "I AM the way, and the truth and the life". Such a well known saying it would be so easy to switch off but don't, it's great to be reminded of what Jesus was saying and what that means whether it is real for you today or you have never heard it before. #truth #Godsplan #lifebringers

Romans is an awesome book of the bible and chapter 12 is just full of useful guidance from Paul but it starts with a BIG 'Therefore'! Paul is talking to a group of Christians about how they should respond to the fantastic message of the Gospel and what God did for them! That 'Therefore' is for all of us, join us for a great message on what it means to be a living sacrifice for God.

Today we are looking at Isaiah 54 and specifically how we should respond to the promises God has for us. We are going to be looking at how to pitch your tent intentionally well. I love it when you open yourself up to share a message God has given you, but he takes you in a direction you have never thought of before. Why not listen and see what God has to say to you today.