What is so important that you are willing to be imprisoned for it? Paul was a prisoner, apparently under house arrest in Rome. He writes, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus. Did you hear what Paul said? . . . I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus.

Paul writes, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus. Paul is not in prison because of Roman law. He is not in prison because of some crime. Paul is not a prisoner of the Romans. He is not a prisoner of the Jews. He is not Nero’s prisoner. Paul is the prisoner of Christ. What a staggering statement. What an amazing declaration.

No wonder Paul pauses before praying … In view of all that God has done for us in Christ . . . Paul is about to pray for the Christians in Ephesus but he pauses mid-sentence, he is arrested by what he writes.

Ephesians 3:1-13

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“Please, sir, I want some more.” 

Let it be crystal clear that when you come to God and ask for more, you are not coming to some hard or tyrannical workhouse master - you are coming to your loving Heavenly Father who lavishes his love and grace upon you.

We could spend eternity praising our Father God for the grace that he has lavished on us. But Paul does not stop there – he keeps pressing on for more. Are you hungry for God? In Psalm 34 the Psalmist says, Taste and see that the Lord  is good. Are you feeding on the living bread, but hungry for more?

Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

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Some people have what is commonly called the gift of the gab. They can sit down on a plane or a train, a bus or a boat and strike up a conversation with a total stranger. Without appearing too inquisitive or in your face -  they seem to know the right questions to ask or the correct comments to make — they are masters of small talk. 

Others of us have to work hard at making conversation. Perhaps we do not identify easily with total strangers. Perhaps we are afraid that we will be rejected. Perhaps we feel we lack the necessary skills:

We don’t know the comments to make. We do not know the questions to ask. We are not good at small talk.

It can be a bit like that with prayer …

Reading: Ephesians 1:1-14

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On Thursday’ evening I attended a talk by one of our neighbours. The talk was about the importance of oil and oil reserves - about exploitation and proper management - about exaggerated claims for reserves - about the future and control - about the danger of war.

I could not help but think of the Book of Daniel and its message. Let me remind you once again of the message. God is in control. God Rules. God is in control.  God is in control so get on with your life, get on with living. This is God’s last word to Daniel, “Get on with it!” Twice over he is instructed, “Go your way.”

Bible Reading Daniel 11:1-12:13

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“More Power! More! Love! More of you Lord in my life.” Severine Bismes preaches on 2 Timothy 1:7

Severine and Ronnie (Mulema) were paying a return visit to Wiveliscombe. Easrlier in the year they ran a hoiiday club for the children and today included a reunion. Sev and Ronnie are part of the Children’s Ministry Team at All Saints Church, Peckham, London.

Reading 2 Timothy 1:3-10

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In Daniel Chapter Ten we are given three great realities before we are presented with the final revelation given to Daniel.

These three great realities are:

1. The Real Battle

2. The Real Enemy

3. The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Sometimes, when you have something difficult to say to someone you ask them to sit down and then you carefully prepare the wayfor the shocking news that you have to give them.

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia,

a revelation was given to Daniel

(who was called Belteshazzar).

Its message was true

and it concerned a great war.

God has something disturbing to reveal to Daniel But before he unfolds the revelation he prepares Daniel. It is as if he sits him down and carefully prepares the man.

Reading: Daniel 10:1-21

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We are privileged to have this further record of Daniel’s prayer life and there is much to be learned from observing Daniel praying. However, the true focus of this passage is the Lord, and not Daniel.

Here in this passage we see:

1.    God’s Word

2.    God’s Character

3.    God’s Mercy

4.    God’s Honour

5.    God’s Answer     

Throughout the Book of Daniel the Lord has revealed his Sovereignty -iIn particular his Sovereignty over human history.In visions, dreams and events God revealed this to kings - and in terrifying visions God reminded Daniel that he is in control. I thought, we have been here before, this is the Book of Revelation.

Just as in Revelation, you see the awesome sovereignty of God, and the question arises in your mind, ‘What is my place in all this?’ So the same question arises in the Book of Daniel.

Reading: Daniel 9:1-27

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Ursula and I were in the Welsh citadel of Llangollen. There we stood beside the Llangollen Canal. This was no vision, this was reality. Only ten minutes or so before, we had stood before the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct. In fact Ursula, and I walked over this great wonder, but for some the thought is just too much, too terrifying.

Daniel says,

In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign,

I, Daniel, had a vision,

after the one that had already appeared to me.

In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa

n the province of Elam;

in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal.

Daniel was exhausted and lay sick for several days. He was confused, he didn’t understand. A great deal was hidden from him but much was much revealed.

What has this vision to say to us? And how have we to respond?

Reading: Daniel 8:1-27

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The

Or Nanny McPhee and the Fafth Lesson

There’s more to Easter than Chocolate. I cannot recall where I first saw this statement. I tried the major internet search engines – unsuccessfully. There’s more to Easter than Chocolate. How true! But then the statement was an advert and it went on to push some other aspect of a secular Easter.

Yes! There’s More To Easter Than Chocolate or Eggs, or Chicks, or Bunnies, or even Bonnets - Easter is the Account of Jesus’ death and Resurrection. Easter recounts the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead. Now what has this to do with Nanny McPhee?

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Reading: Matthew 28:1-15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Can you picture that vivid, triumphal scene? The crowd streaming out of Bethany with Jesus, the crowd pouring out of Jerusalem onto the Mount of Olives, and converging on Jesus – King Jesus?

Jesus consciously chose to ride into Jerusalem; however, not as a warring lord, but as the Prince of Peace; to present himself there in the holy city as the Servant King.

What have the events of that day to say to us today?

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Reading: Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-19