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Anointed humble leaders are a wonderful gift to the church. Where true leadership is missing, churches can drift into mediocrity. Abusive leaders have hit the headlines making the saints nervous & true leaders tentative. But when genuine leaders no longer lead, everyone suffers.

“The Lord takes pleasure in his people” Ps149:4. Come worshipping today, conscious of that truth. Let the wonder of it stir & inspire you to worship him, celebrating that glorious reality.

I love the word “Fear not you worm Jacob…I will help you declares the Lord…I have made you a new sharp…Isa41:14. Not much is expected of a worm. He brings little to the table, but God can make him new & sharp & useful in his purpose. So fear not, you worm!

We’re so preoccupied with the present, its joys or challenges that we don’t give the same emphasis to our HOPE that the Bible does. Hope of glory, of eternal life, a new & incorruptible body, of face to face fellowship with Jesus, of a magnificent new creation in God’s presence!

Put high value on moments when God speaks to you, when particular scriptures “come alive”, when the sermon particularly speaks to you. It’s a huge privilege to hear God speak to you. Treasure it. Take it seriously. Act upon it. Don’t treat it lightly. Ponder, God spoke!

God calls us not only to be patient but to be patient joyfully. Col1:11. Maybe we can grit our teeth & demonstrate some long suffering, but to do it joyfully! Wonderfully he provides “strengthened with all power according to his glorious might” to do it. Holy Spirit power works!

Christ so loved his church that he provided it with LEADERS. “He gave gifts to men” Eph4:8. Different gifts, teaching, evangelising, prophesying, all God-given SUPERNATURAL SKILLS without which the church grows dull & sluggish & even resorts to democracy & man made organisation.

A big win for Christian freedom. UK Christians need to know: a.) that local councils really do pressurise churches in this way b.) that it's possible to fight it c.) that it's possible to win d.) that it's ok to win e.) that it's *good* to win! "Go therefore..." (Matt. 28)

Pastors/elders lead their churches through teaching the Bible. They’re the ones who “labour in the word” & are to be followed. But “teachers will incur stricter judgement” Ja3:1. So it’s no light thing to be a pastor/teacher. Not for everyone/anyone. Serious stuff!

Worship that centres on my wellbeing, peace & joy might well be genuine, but worship that centres on Christ, his love, his suffering, his cross, resurrection & utter triumph is so much more honouring of Him. Around the throne all eyes are on him, his worth, his unique glory.

When we first meet Gideon he’s hiding in a cave & God immediately calls him a “mighty warrior”. He calls Simon, who will deny him, a “rock”. He called Abraham “A father of many nations” when he’d fathered no-one. He doesn’t need impressive raw material when calling servants!

Jesus solved the problem at the Cana wedding not by rushing out to buy more wine but by taking over, giving his own instructions & introducing his supernatural kingdom. Mary’s great word, “Do whatever he tells you.” That’s the kingdom. We should try it. He manifested his glory!

How horrified the disciples must have been to hear Jesus, who had transformed their lives, was leaving! Life without him would be so empty, so drab. But Another would come. Who’d have guessed He’d come as wind & fire from heaven & actually indwell them? Not empty but filled!

Heidi, another great granddaughter!

“Admonish” is a Bible word, frequently in the NT, part of normal church life. Paul says he did it “day & night with tears”. He wrote to believers to “admonish them as my beloved children”. He urged others to “admonish the unruly”. Doesn’t happen much today. We want our space.

Getting to know Jesus is like searching for & stumbling on “hidden treasure”. “In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom & knowledge”. Col2:3. Don’t be content with a superficial knowledge of Christ. “Hidden treasure” implies the excitement of searching & discovering.

If you don’t consistently expose your mind to biblical truth & let it shock you, you’ll settle for a watered down, conventional kind of Christianity which gets increasingly shaped by current culture. Watch out! Jesus frequently said, “You’ve heard it said..but I say to you!”

William Wilberforce died on this day, 29 July 1833. A life that made a difference.

A branch cut from a tree to become an arrow takes on a new identity with new possibilities such as flight & target hitting, things previously impossible. Same wood, new life. Becoming a Christian you have new identity. Don’t resent God removing unhelpful leaves. Learn to fly!

“Duty” is an off centre word for the Christian. Our service & conduct springs from love, faith & worship of Jesus. “Duty” seems formal, cold & impersonal in comparison. Beware your Christian lifestyle & choices drifting into mere duty, stuff I have to do.