Jesus said that he came to call sinners - not those who think they are righteous! You and I may THINK that we are righteous, but God says NO-ONE is!

We all need to recognise our sinfulness - and come to Jesus for forgiveness and rescue. Having done this, we are then able to help others to receive the same grace and freedom from Jesus.

The battle against sin may have been won, but sin still pursues us. The more we face this honestly with Jesus, the more we will experience the freedom he has won for us!

Matthew 9:9-13, 1 Timothy 1:15, Micah 6:8, Matthew 22:1-14, Romans 3:10&23, Ephesians 2:10

Life on earth can be extremely difficult and extremely painful at times. Our immortal souls can struggle with the mortality of our bodies. We need to look beyond the mortal to the immortal, past the temporary to the eternal. We need to live by faith not by sight.

Living by faith faces our earthly problems in the perspective of our eternal life. These trials are temporary and our heavenly glories far outweigh them!

Living by faith is living to please Jesus - because he promises us eternal rewards in heaven. Earthly treasures and pleasures are temporary; heavenly rewards will last forever!

2 Corinthians 5:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, Revelation 21:3-5, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Matthew 6:19-20, Matthew 16:27

Life is seasonal. We go though different experiences at different times, some easy and some hard. Understanding the season helps us to respond appropriately. For example, in our dark days it is appropriate to lament and to seek God's mercy.

Thankfully, God is not seasonal! He is always the same! His love is steadfast! His mercies are renewed daily!

Let's not put our hope in our changing seasons, but in our unchanging God!

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 1 Chronicles 12:32, Psalms 23:1,4, 1 Samuel 17:34-35, Lamentations 1:1 & 3:22-26, Psalms 147:3, 5, 6

"Jesus is Lord" is the fundamental statement of faith for the Church. It means that we have a new king: Jesus, the Supreme Master, the King of Kings. This radically changes our lives:

It changes our CONFIDENCE: Jesus holds our future!

It changes our LIFESTYLE: Jesus is our master!

And it changes our MESSAGE: Jesus is Lord - and he calls everyone to come under his rule!

Matthew 3:1-3, 4:17 & 28:18, Acts 2:36, Romans 10:9, John 16:33, Luke 6:46, Mark 8:34-35, John 10:10, Philippians 2:9-11, Acts 17:30-31

Obedience is very important to God because it demonstrates our love for him. It does not come naturally, but supernaturally, as God works in us to both motivate us and empower us.

Obedience is also an act of worship, regarded by God as better than the ancient sacrifices.

Let the examples of Jesus and Abraham inspire and motivate you to live in obedience!

John 14:23, Philippians 2:12-13, Genesis 22:1-18, 1 Peter 3:8-9, 1 Samuel 15:22-23

The strongest of us can face situations that leave us feeling overwhelmed, afraid, alone and exhausted. But the Lord is our shepherd - and he restores our souls!

Let's co-operate with him as he does what is necessary to restore, refresh and renew us:

- Let's be wise with our physical health, especially if we are physically run down.

- Let's make time and space to spend significant time in God's presence.

- Let's pour out our hearts to him, knowing that he cares.

- Let's be attentive, listening for what he has to say to us, however he chooses to speak.

- And let's embrace his redirection, instruction and correction.

These things will lead us back to wholeness and effectiveness - as he restores our soul!

Psalm 23:1-3, 1 Kings 19

In dark and dangerous days, we would do well to follow the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5:

- Trust in the Lord - there is no-one more trustworthy than him!

- Trust him with all of your heart - don’t allow your (very real) circumstances to take your focus off Jesus and undermine your trust in him!

- Don’t depend on your own understanding - it is way too incomplete! Rather depend on God whose understanding is perfect!

Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 20:7, Matthew 19:26, John 10:28, Mark 9:24, Matthew 14:30-31, Proverbs 4:23, Isaiah 55:9-10

Prophetic people are not victims, living in reaction to events & trying to survive! We serve a God who knows everything & speaks to his people. (But if we're not looking where he's looking, he may not answer our questions!)

Now is a time to listen for what Jesus is saying to us - with hearts & minds open to the new opportunities he brings. Let's hear, believe & live according to what he is saying!

Jesus wants to REVIVE US, renewing our desire for him & his ways. If we will humble ourselves before him, he will revive and strengthen us.

Jesus is also wanting to MOVE OUR HEARTS, so that we want to pursue his purposes, making disciples as he builds his church.

Ezra 5:1,2,14, Psalm 85:6, Isaiah 57:15, Hosea 6:1-3, Ezra 1:1-3, Isaiah 6:8, Ezra 1:5

As followers of Jesus, we are a people of HOPE.  Our hope is both a PRESENT hope (because God rescues) and an ETERNAL hope (because God resurrects!)  So we can face our present and our future without fear, even if we face the most terrifying situations! The Lord is able to keep us standing - and he will lead us into the most glorious eternity with him!

2 Corinthians 1:8-11, Philippians 1:20-24, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Revelation 21:1-5, Psalms 46:1-3, Jude 1:24-25

Fear and timidity can keep us from embracing our God-given destiny. But the Holy Spirit does not make us fearful or timid; he gives us power, love and soundness (discipline) of mind.

- Power: He empowers us to cope with the challenges we will face.

- Love: He gives us love that shifts our focus to God and others and drives out fear.

- Sound mind: He gives us self-control, discipline and sound judgement.

2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Timothy 2:17-18, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Matthew 6:34, Romans 8:15, 2 Peter 1:3, Matthew 10:19-20, Luke 12:11-12, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 5:5, 1 John 4:18, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Romans 8:6, Isaiah 26:3, Ephesians 3:15-19