We are part of God’s Kingdom and see Him as our leader and King to whom we turn. If we live by His rules, we will not just survive, but thrive. The truths found in John 14:6 contain the answers to many questions that we may ask in life......

The reality is that we shouldn’t be fitting God in to our life; God should ultimately be our life! He is the centre of us, His Holy Spirit is the beating heart of our existence and without Him we are nothing.

Do we know (beyond a shadow of doubt) that we have eternal life? Do we know we are saved and therefore one of God’s loved ones? God wants His people to know for sure they are saved and a part of the family of God.

Discernment is a term used to describe the activity of determining the value and quality of a certain subject. Unfortunately, as Christians, there are times when some in this world mistake discernment for judgement.

Is there anything that we should want more of? I am sure we would all want peace, want more rest, want more people turning to God and rightly so, but shouldn’t our aim be to want more time with our God?

Whilst discouragement is so prevalent in our world today, as Christians it is vital that we learn how to practice the art of encouragement because encouraging others is not always something that comes naturally.

As the spiritual temperature rises and potential small irritations come our way, I would encourage you to be ready with a soft answer and know that it is better to be kind rather than right.

It is important that we set good examples for our young people as a body of people and also encourage them in their growth in life and faith – after all, they are the future church.

Our perspective of God is essential to our prayer life and fundamental to our Christian walk. If your anything like me we tend to get our spiritual gaze drawn downwards BUT we need to look up.

We all have a hope, in the ‘verb’ sense in God, therefore we should also strive for a hope of the ‘noun’ tense! We have a desire and a belief that with God’s help we will see many people in our area be given a new hope!

In just six verses David goes on to expand just how all embracing this relationship is. A life in miniature it reflects, caring, watchfulness, provision, security, the ever present nature and all sufficiency of God.

We don’t often hear the audible voice of God, but like Eli, we perceive God speaking. God can speak through our sight as we see His majesty or are allowed to see an obvious need that we have been blessed or gifted to be able to help with.

As we go into 2012, reflect by all means, on what has passed, but don’t look back with regrets of what you did or did not do. You cannot change the past. Ask forgiveness for your misdemeanours, repent and move forward.

I was reminded this week that our job was never to simply keep the peace, but to be peace makers. To keep the peace is a management role, but to make it requires real action.

Have you ever noticed how much time we spend waiting in life? We wait for people, deliveries, buses, trains, planes and automobiles etc. Some things we find ourselves waiting for are not always good for us and the news we get is not what we

Today I believe that the world is not desperate for a new translation of the bible, it needs a transformation of Christians who will love the word of God and take it into all the world.

Making plans for the future based on bad experiences of the past, can lead to lives full of fear and guilt. If we make decisions rooted in positive memories and to see God glorified, then you will live in joy, peace and fulfilment.

If anyone has been enjoying the success that the home nations are having in the Commonwealth games, you may have also noticed the anthem used as the English medallist stand on the podium.

Our whole faith is based on sending, going and giving and as we see the Father do, so must we do. Keith Green once said: “This generation of Christians is responsible for this generation of souls”.

As we each make our own personal shout unto God, our joyful noise is added to all the others who are doing the same and the whole earth resounds with God’s praise.

We would all love to think that we are strong enough not to be governed by our desires or surroundings, but the truth is we have all been effected by outside influences at one time or another.

In the church, we can all help in some small ways to lessen the burden of those who faithfully serve. In doing so we share in the blessings that God loves to lavish on his people.