Forgiveness Part 1 (—) Forgiveness is complicated. This three-part series begins with the foundation — The Forgiveness of God for us

The story of Ruth teaches us to look for hope, and then to act in hope. We need hope for relationships, for food and finance, and for eternal joy. (Ruth)

-A different kind of take on Christmas: Paul presents Christmas as a challenge to us to follow Christ in radical humility, trusting that he will exalt us for eternity. (Phil 2:6-11)

God wants to use us as he works in others, as they encounter Jesus through us as a people. (Mark 6 & John 6)

So many Christians are trying to improve their relationship with God by working as hard as they can. Instead Paul tells us of how we can have peace with God, access to the Father, live as his children and be filled with his Spirit. (Romans 4 & 5)

We can easily feel a pressure to make a name for ourselves, or accomplish great things and gain glory. These verses release us from the pressure, calling us to trust God to make our lives count for him as we quietly love one another. (1 Thess 4:9-12)

The Christian life is not about religious practices, it’s about knowing Christ. Knowing him partly now is the guarantee of knowing him fully later. (Phil 3:1-11)

Let your pride, your selfish ambition and your empty glory go—all it does is diminish you as a person. The amazing thing about humility is that when we take the yoke of the humble Saviour on us, it doesn’t diminish us at all. We give up what we can’t keep to gain what we can’t lose (Phil 1:27-2:4)

We should mourn death (Winter), guard and cultivate the new life (Spring), and spread this new life (Summer) letting it shine out into this world — Christ in Me, the Hope of Glory! (Rom 6:4)

Are you like Jacob, fighting for Christ’s love? What happens when you stop to listen? Who does Jesus say you are? (Luke Gen 32:22–33:4)