We are all on the road to learning, growing and maturing in Christ-likeness. What an adventure that is! But even better - we are not told to do this alone. Ephesians 4:1-16 speaks about all Christians playing their part to encourage others to grow in maturity in Christ.

How many of you have picked up the bible, read a few verses, put it down again, looked into the distance and said quietly to yourself, 'I just don't get it'? This is what the disciples of Jesus thought when he spoke to them after the miracle of feeding the five thousand. Some of them got so confused and bewildered by Jesus's teaching on the 'bread of life' that they drifted away and left him. We might be tempted to do the same when we don't get it. But don't do that! It is better to choose Jesus, whom we don't understand rather than the world we do. Why? Because the world we do understand gives us pain, whereas the Jesus we don't understand takes the pain away!

Feeding 5000 people sounds like a mammoth job, and with few resources, it seems an impossible problem! But Jesus pulled it off, and it became one of his most famous miracles. What do we do when we are facing a tricky situation? Do we look to Jesus to help us? If not then perhaps we should because, as this story shows, Jesus can be the solution to any problem!

The book of Nehemiah is a great place to look when searching for a story of hope, joy, grace and renewal. The joy of the Lord was their strength and can be ours today!

Does life sometimes feel like a rollercoaster?! In the ups and downs that we face, where can we turn for help? Psalm 46 has the answer! It tells of an unshakeable God who offers us his power, presence and peace.

Everyone loves a wedding! But would you be willing to go out into the streets and extend an open invitation to anyone who would come? As we come near the end of our series about the Kingdom of God, we see an open invitation to any who will respond to be the people of the Kingdom. No matter our background, culture or nation, we are all invited to come and be a part of the Kingdom of God, but are we willing to make the sacrifices to enter into a life of complete commitment to Christ?

This week the UK has been to the polls to decide which political party will be in power for the next 5 years. In other countries, similar elections have recently taken place or will soon be held. Around the world, governments exercise power with varying degrees of wisdom, integrity and competence. As Christians, we are also citizens of another kingdom, the Kingdom of God. But what is the source of power in the Kingdom of God and who exercises it? Perhaps you have more power than you think!

What is the parable of the Sower all about? The seed? The types of earth? No! The clue is in the name - it's about the Sower, who represents God. A God that spreads his love (the seed) across all types of soil (our hearts), regardless of whether they are hard, stony, chocked with seeds or fertile.

Kingdom Peace comes through having a different vision - the vision of Isaiah, one of the Old Testament's greatest prophets. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, implores us to be ambassadors of this Kingdom Peace. But how can we do that when every day we look upon conflict between people and nations? It seems impossible to us. But maybe our judgement is wrong and God’s vision is correct. If that were true, it would give us something significant. It would provide us with HOPE.

Do religion and politics mix? Some may want to view them like oil and water - things that separate themselves out. But the Bible shows us that God is always concerned for the welfare of humanity and good governance. Leadership and social issues are very much part of the faith and life and how we engage with politics matters.