This week, we’re focusing on prayer as we reflect on Jesus’ example and commandments, praying through selected verses from John and Exodus.

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

— John 13:15

Praying Through Scripture

Lord Jesus,

Help us today to follow your example:
To love one another, as you have loved us.
To feed the hungry, and welcome the stranger,
as though we were feeding and welcoming you.
To humble ourselves like servants to one another,
Washing one another’s feet, serving on bended knee.
Forgiving others, as you have forgiven us,
Taking up our cross daily, as you did on the road to Golgotha,
Denying ourselves, and following you.

You have made us holy, as you are holy,
With that in mind, let us also be obedient,
As you were obedient to your father.

Coming down from heaven, not to execute your own will
But in service of the will that send you to us.
Let us give up our lives for you,
Teach us to give up our lives for our friends.
This is love.

As you spent time with the father,
Withdrawing to wildernesses and quiet places,
Let us pray.

As you spoke with the nations,
and sent others to do so after you,
Guide us in how to makes disciples near and far,
Baptising them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

As you came to establish the kingdom of God and His righteousness
Show us how to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

For the hour comes, and now is, when your true worshippers shall worship.
We will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
Make us into vessels of worship for the Father.

Amen

Today’s Readings

John 13, Psalm 32, Exodus 30-32, 1 Chronicles 4:16-20

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This week, we’re focusing on prayer as we reflect on Jesus’ example and commandments, praying through selected verses from John and Exodus. As I mentioned in Monday morning’s podcast/newsletter keep in mind as you read that all Scripture, though not always binding, is inspired by God and vital for teaching and spiritual growth.

You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn.

— Exodus 27:20

Praying Through the Bible

Lord,

Here is my oil, take it.
Burn it upon this lampstand.
This oil is sin and shame,
The most common of all commodities,
Let it burn away.

Here is my oil, take it.
Burn it upon this lampstand.
This oil is my worship to you,
May my heart ever produce it,
and may it rise as a pleasing fragrance before you,
Let that passion burn forever,

Here is my oil, take it.
Burn it upon this lampstand.
These are my earthly desires,
I have no need of them, for they have been replaced,
As they burn, let others cast theirs to join them.
Let it burn away.

Here is our oil, take it.
Burn it upon this lampstand.
This is the eternal faith,
Which belonged to our fathers,
Which at times has lessened,
But has never run dry.
Let it catch alight in the hearts of men.

Here is my oil, take it.
Burn it upon this lampstand.
This is the last of it,
I have nothing else to offer.
This oil is my life,
Take it, and burn away all of its impurities,
Take it, and transform its ugliness,
Take it, and give me yours in its place,
Take it, and take my new life with it, it is yours,
Let my life burn bright, as an example of your goodness.

Amen

Today’s Readings

John 12, Psalm 31, Exodus 27-29, 1 Chronicles 4:11-15

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Last year, I sat down to write an article I’d been planning for behind the scenes for at least a year. It didn’t take that long because of the research, but because of my preconception that it wouldn’t change much. I felt convicted after a few conversations with other writers, and a few days later, I hit send. That article has gone on to become my sixth most popular article of all time, and I have received more feedback than I could possibly have hoped for. What was the article on? The book of Leviticus. In the months since, I’ve seen this book rise to the forefront of conversation and attention for many pastors and lay-persons alike. This article from by Chris Nye is just the latest example of that. I highly recommend you read the article below. We will be in the book of Leviticus later this year, so use this as an opportunity to get excited ahead of time!

Cut for Time

Why does Leviticus matter and how can we read it?

“Leviticus is therefore more than a description of past historical events and more than a collection of dated laws. It tells us about God’s character and will, which found expression in his dealings with Israel and in the laws he gave them…

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2 years ago · 5 likes · 1 comment · Chris Nye

This week, we’re focusing on prayer as we reflect on Jesus’ example and commandments, praying through selected verses from John and Exodus.

His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.

— John 12:16

Prayer

Lord,

How many times, and in how many ways did you make yourself known to your people, casting our doubts and fears before you, but they did not hear it. Disciples, Kings, Judges, Prophets, Priests, and all peoples, they heard but did not understand. Now in these days, you have made yourself known through your son.

And yet they still do not hear.

You have been glorified, and our hearts are now mesmerised by that glory,
As we gaze upon you again this morning
bring to mind those evidences of your splendour.
Those things that were written,
All those things which you have done.

Give us faith for those miracles you have yet to do,
Tales of which are known only to you,
but have yet to be written in the annals of earth.

Amen

Today’s Readings

John 12, Psalm 31, Exodus 27-29, 1 Chronicles 4:11-15

Read Now

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I have three journals in my eye line right now, along with another dozen or so scripture journals, most of which are largely empty. That isn’t to say that journalling is boring, or unhelpful, just that it can be daunting at times—…and buying journals is a hobby all of its own.

This video talks about benefits and uses of journals, through stories of journalling throughout history, as well as his personal journey.

This week, we’re focusing on prayer as we reflect on Jesus’ example and commandments, praying through selected verses from John and Exodus. As I mentioned in this morning’s podcast/newsletter keep in mind as you read that all Scripture is inspired by God and vital for continual spiritual sustenance.

“The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.”

— Exodus 24:16

Praying Through the Word

Yahweh,

The whole universe speaks of your glory,

The Sun and Moon obey you
as they rule the sky by night and day,
The waters and the storms follow your commands,
And yet you have deemed it right, at times,
to fall upon particular places, to make yourself known to us.

Now, your glory dwells in us.
Like a devouring fire, which consumes our sin,
and like a thick cloud full of your power.

Lead us to follow your commands, as does the earth,
As do the sun, and moon, and stars,
as the storm did before the disciples’ eyes.

Move our hearts to contribute our small gifts to your great kingdom.
Not seeking to build our own fragile kingdoms on earth,
But your great kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen

Today’s Readings

John 11, Psalm 30, Exodus 24-26, 1 Chronicles 4:6-10

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Don't Finish That Book!

I had voted for it…

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2 years ago · 11 likes · 4 comments · Adsum Try Ravenhill

This week, we’re focussing on prayer. Many of this week’s readings touch upon Jesus’ example, his commandments to us, and the way he calls us to follow him. This is something we need help with every day, and so rather than spend time expounding on these passages, we’ll pray through a verse or a portion of them, and then I encourage you to go and read them yourself. This week’s readings are primarily from the book of John, or the book of Exodus, but keep in mind while you read that these are both from God. The commandments in the Old Testament may not be binding on us, but they are informative and important. As Paul once wrote to his disciple Timothy:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

— 2 Timothy 3:16–17

“Jesus wept.”

— John 11:35

Let’s Pray

Praying Through Scripture

Lord Jesus,

I have wept,
How many times have I wept,
For my sin, and for those committed against me,
In grief and in anguish, and for lessons learned too late.

Your tears inspire joy in the midst of my sorrows,

That you have cried, pouring out the most pure form of raw emotion,
Is yet another example of the image to which we are being conformed.

Help us today, help me today, to weep more readily,
To rejoice more readily, to give both to you, your providence, your timings,
and trust the saviour who wept for a lost friend, whom he would shortly see again.

Amen

Today’s Readings

John 11, Psalm 30, Exodus 24-26, 1 Chronicles 4:6-10

Read Now

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Just over a couple of years ago now, I wrote an article about new books. And what I didn’t quite make clear in that article at the time was that it was meant to convince myself as much as it was to convince anybody else. It was predicated on an idea from C.S. Lewis that…

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2 years ago · 8 likes · 6 comments · Adsum Try Ravenhill

In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

— Revelation 1:16

The book of revelation is magnificent. Throughout the Bible we get these rare glimpses past the veil of heaven’s door, where those present transcend time and space altogether.

If we are to understand this book, the answer isn’t to demystify it. We shouldn’t seek to try and tie events or images in Revelation to the past, present, or future in an attempt to uncover more grounded explanations of the text. Instead, we need to remystify ourselves.

There is, of course, much for scholars to draw out from this book, but while they do that, let’s just wonder at it for a moment. Before we dig ourselves, we should stop to observe, to take in the full scope of the task ahead of us. Most importantly, we need to pay attention to the one who gave us this message in the first place.

Who is this who holds stars in his hand? Whose speech is so sharp that it has become itself a sword, and with a face that outshines the brightest sun?

How does John respond?

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Revelation 1:17–18

This hand that held stars now holds onto John. This most blessed friend whom Jesus loved on earth, and for whom he died. John saw a glimpse of this before, but now he sees Jesus in his fulness.

Do you see him? Can you push past the desire to wrap your head around this, and instead have your mind warped and changed by the possibility of such splendiferousness! This is our Jesus. He is the first and the last. The Living One. Dead but now fully alive.

How glorious is our God!

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Lord,

Help me to see you today.
You hold me in your right hand,
you hold your church close,
just as you held John.

When John saw you,
He fell at your feet like a dead man.
O how I wish I could have fallen beside him,
How glorious will that day be,
When finally I see you face to face.

You have said: “Don’t be afraid.” — so, purge me of all ungodly fear.
I am the First and the Last — eternal, yet you humbled yourself and came to us.
and the Living One — in whose life we now live, who called us to himself!
You were dead, but look—you are alive forever and ever!

You alone hold the keys of death and Hades.
I trust you Lord, to do justly with your people,
to open doors that seem locked away forever,
for if you can open heaven’s gates to me,
what could possibly be beyond your power?

Amen

Today’s Readings

Revelation 1:9-16

Psalm 28

Exodus 18-20

Genesis 2

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The language of remystification I used in this piece was drawn from the work of Malcom Guite. Although I have since lost the video in which he used this word, I’d love to introduce you to him here all the same. If anyone alive has met an Ent in person, it might well be Guite.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you,
O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

— Psalm 9:9–10

Verses like these leave me awestruck.

Why?

Because I know how true they are.

My strength is finite and my weakness infinite, the Lord remains steadfast forever. In the midst of many sagas of weakness in my life, I have awoken in the halls of our Stronghold, the Lord. Bruised, beaten, and afraid, a great fear of God has overcome me, and promised that there is no force on earth as great and as powerful as he.

For all those who trust in the Lord, who know to call upon the name of Jesus, we will never be lost or forsaken. For he always sees us, always knows our hearts, and surrounds us with his strength when the final remnants of our own disappears.

I don’t know what you’re going through right now, but whatever it may be, fall upon the mercy of God. Whether a mess of your own making or a circumstance out of your control, bring it to the Lord in prayer today.

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in times of trouble.
We who know your name put our trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

I sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!

Be gracious to me, O Lord!
See my affliction, for you do not forget the cry of the afflicted.
You are the one who lifted me up from the gates of death,
How much more may I trust you in this life and the next!

I rejoice in your salvation.

Amen

Today’s Readings

• John 10

• Psalm 27

• Exodus 15-17

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I’ll write poetry again.
Not today, no, not today,
Perhaps tomorrow?

does though, and every poem of hers I read is a reminder of the power of verse. Read her latest piece, Maps of Belonging, and find out why.

Lanterns in the Dark: A Year of Poetry

Maps of Belonging: A Poem

(Pexels, Daniel Gomez…

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2 years ago · 15 likes · 6 comments · Claire

What does it mean to be known?

How do you quantify that?

As with many words, we’ve cheapened its use over the past century, and so we’ll often hear people talk about knowing things or people that they have no connection with whatsoever. On the flip side, we recognise some other kinds of knowledge that go beyond this. When we talk about knowing someone biblically it confers a level of intimacy reserved for marriage. That seems to be our spectrum then, right?

Where does Jesus’ knowledge fit? He says:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

— John 10:14-15

I would suggest that if fake knowledge is a 1, and biblically knowing someone is a 10, we cannot even calculate the value of God’s knowledge. He knows every hair on our head1, he knew us before the universe began2, and he has searched even the depths of our hearts3.

No one on earth could ever know us so well, and yet he has gone a step further! Not only does he know us, but he has made himself known to us too.

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Good Shepherd,

You know your own, and you have counted me as one of them,
I know you, I have seen your works, and have felt your joy in my heart.
I know the depths of love you have for me, help me to dive yet deeper into them.

As the Father knows you, so do you know the Father;
Father, Spirit, Son, Holy Trinity,
Be with me, and I with you.

Let me never cease wondering at the generosity of your perfect love,
That you would lay down your life for your friends,
and that you have counted me among them.

Amen

Today’s Readings

• John 10

• Psalm 27

• Exodus 15-17

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Earlier this week I headed to Oxford for my monthly visit. In this article for my main newsletter, , I muse on the various reasons I go there so often. I hope you will find it helpful.

The Raven's Writing Desk

Seconds

Just over a couple of years ago now, I wrote an article about new books. And what I didn’t quite make clear in that article at the time was that it was meant to convince myself as much as it was to convince anybody else. It was predicated on an idea from C.S. Lewis that…

Listen now

2 years ago · 5 likes · 4 comments · Adsum Try Ravenhill

“Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.”

— Exodus 12:3

This morning we talked about taking our testimonies to the world around us, but what about those we share our lives with? What about our families, our children, our churches?

As we read through the first five books of the Bible this year, we’ll read about various traditions, feasts, and festivals that were given by God for the upbuilding of his people. As we go further into the Bible, we find our forefathers using stones, songs, and writings to do the same.

Psalm 9 puts it like this:

“Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!

Tell among the peoples his deeds!”

— Psalm 9:11

Tradition has an ugly side. If it grows stale, if it becomes empty and if no one knows the depth of history that sits behind it, it can be detrimental to our spiritual health. You can probably name a dozen traditions I’ve never even heard of that fit this bill. That’s not that kind of tradition I’m talking about here. Passover was meant to download the memory of God’s faithfulness into the minds of future generations. It was a part of the people’s worship to God, and that’s something worth retrieving. Building a habit of sharing testimonies in and between households is a powerful tool for fortifying faith among God’s people.

Why not do so now. Send a text, turn to the person next to you, or instead of reading a story to your son this evening, tell him about a time that God worked in or through your life.

With that in mind, let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Lord,

Bring to mind the times when my life has been redeemed for your glory,
All those times when you saved me, and saved those around me.

Thank you for sparing my life, for sending your son,
For your blood, your love, your kindness,
Thank you that we don’t need to provide sacrifices,
As you have done that once and for all,
But don’t let me forget the benefits of traditions and habits,
Which lift my eyes up to you,
And call others to look upwards alongside me.

Amen

Today’s Readings

• John 9

• Psalm 26

• Exodus 12-14

“The descendants of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son; and the sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son, Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah; and the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei; and the sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah, and Shelomith was their sister; and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed, five.”

— 1 Chronicles 3:16-20

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Yesterday, Mrs R shared a recommendation all about why women stopped wearing hats all of a sudden! That begs the question though… why did men stop? Are there similar reasons, or very different factors involved? I say all of this whilst wearing a flat cap… does that make me on trend or behind the times? You decide!

Sitting in your usual spot by the road, you hear a group of disciples speaking with their Rabbi. They’re talking about you. They’re fascinated by your blindness, what was it that caused it? Was it your sin, or your parents?

What do you think? Whose fault was it?

The Rabbi, gives a response you could never have hoped for. You were made blind so that the works of God may be displayed in you. But how?

Before You even know what’s happening, the Rabbi has stooped down, covered your eyelids in some kind of paste, and commanded you to wash yourself in a nearby pool. As you wash the dusty mixture away from your eyes you look down at the pool, the water now muddied between your fingers.

You’ve been healed, in a moment. All glory be to God, who could possibly deny his work in your life this day.

Except they do. They start to poke holes in your story. They confront your parents, who do little to dissuade them, they prod their fingers in the direction of the great man who did this. They press and press until they come to the very same decision the disciples did.

They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?”
And they cast him out.

— John 9:34

Once we were blind, but now we see.

I’ve met countless Christians throughout the years with stories just like this, they were healed of their sins, shame, and sometimes even physical and mental ailments, and when they shared this good news with others they met nothing but rebuke. The man would go on to follow Jesus himself, and so did these friends of mine too.

Years later, after many had followed a similar path, Peter said this:

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame.”

— 1 Peter 3:14–16

The truth is that as we share the gospel with those around us, some of the seeds we scatter will fall on hard ground. What do we do when this happens? We brush ourselves down, and we carry on. I know what it is like to be scorned and beaten down for my faith, but I also know the joy of seeing faith blossom in the heart of a new believer. I would take dozens of the former just to get one hint of the latter. What’s more, sometimes the former becomes the latter. That is truly wondrous to behold. Keep that in mind as we pray together today.

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Lord,

We were born in utter sin,
and yet, you have called us.
We have been cast out by the world,
and yet we are to teach?
Give us strength, dedication,
and heal us of any blindness in our lives today.

When we suffer for righteousness’ sake,
Bless us, Lord, and wipe away all of our fears,
let not our hearts grow troubled, but rather,
let them honour Christ the Lord as holy,

Prepare us even today to make a defence,
Remind us of the truth of the gospel,
bring to mind testimonies of your goodness,
plant our feet on the rock of our salvation.

To anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that is in us,
May we do so with gentleness and respect,
In good conscience,
So that when we are slandered,
Which we surely will be,
Their shame would bear witness to your steadfast love in us.
Turn that shame to joy, Lord, by calling them immediately towards yourself.
Let them not linger long in that place, but instead, lead them to the Way.

Amen

Today’s Readings

• John 9

• Psalm 26

• Exodus 12-14

“The descendants of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son; and the sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son, Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah; and the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei; and the sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah, and Shelomith was their sister; and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed, five.”

— 1 Chronicles 3:16-20

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A splendid video about a Swedish inventor and his plethora of self-built houses:

“Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.”

— Exodus 11:10

God is sovereign over all things, and yet he has—in his providence—given us free will.

These two truths are perhaps the most paradoxical we could possibly imagine, and yet they are true. This passage is one of those when these two truths seem to collide. There’s a bigger picture that we may miss though, if we don’t view this verse through the greater canon of Scripture.

In Romans 1, we read:

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

Romans 1:22-23

How true this is, and especially of the Pharaoh. You can look to the scripture for evidence, or the walls of the great Egyptian pyramids themselves. The historic record is teeming with evidence proving this to be true. He worshipped created things, not least himself. What is God’s response?

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity”

Romans 1:24a

This might be hard, goodness it is only half way through January and we’re already hitting some of the more difficult verses in the Bible, but if we don’t face them now it is possible that we never will.

The truth is that for all of us who believe, we were once running full hilt away from God. What is harder, to have allowed us to keep going, to deliver us where wanted to go already? Or, to turn us around, so that we might repent before him?

In God’s providence, he allows and he invites. When we come across Scriptures like these, it should lead us to praise. How far gone were we when we relied on our own desires? How many leagues closer to are we to his eternal throne now?

As we pray today, thank him for saving you, or ask him to do so now.

Let’s pray.

Praying Through Scripture

Lord,

What wonders have you wrought in my soul alone,
Not least that you saw the hardened stone which I called my heart,
and you turned it to flesh in a moment, and now keep it beating with love for you.

May I never harden my heart towards you again,
Like Pharaoh did towards you,
Never give me up to my desires,
but instead turn my desire towards you.

Let me never claim to be wise in my own eyes
Lest I become a fool, exchanging your immortal glory for a lie.
Leave no stone unturned, no idolatry, whether for mortal man,
For created things, or for creations of my own mind.

Don’t give me up to the impure lusts of my heart,
but deliver me from evil, even that which springs from within.

Amen

Today’s Readings

• John 8

• Psalm 25

• Exodus 9-11

Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, Amon his son, Josiah his son. The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.

— 1 Chronicles 3:11-15

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A recommendation from Mrs R today. If you're anything like Mrs R, you've wondered why women's hats went from being required at every possible occasion to optional every now and then. If so, this is for you!

“What were you doing yesterday evening?” asked the detective.

What do you say? “I was alone officer, reading, in my living room.” Well, that’s not gonna convince anyone. You don’t even know what your suspected of yet, you don’t have a good alibi, and they’re not just gonna take you on your word that you were sitting with a glass of wine and a copy of Calvin’s institutes.

You need a witness to prove your innocence.

In this passage we get to see one of those cosmic events in which the temporal world begins to sing in harmony with eternity. Jesus hasn’t yet been tried, but in the court of public opinion the jury was still out. Jesus is called to the stand,

I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

— John 8:18-19

Strong words.

Who else could Jesus swear by though? John’s gospel opens with a retelling of the creation narrative. Jesus is testifying here to being the light of the world, but more than he’s identifying himself with the Father. He isn’t only the light of the world, but the one through whom every light was breathed into existence. Were his prosecutors there when the foundations of the world were laid? When God made a covenant with Abraham, he bore witness to his own faithfulness.

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.”

— Hebrews 6:13–14

Jesus is doing the same here.

By whose name could he swear that is greater than his own?

As we pray, think about Jesus witness and another cosmic trial which is about to take place. You’ll appear before the prosecution. You’ll stand trial for your crimes, who will take the stand to witness on your behalf? Who will stand in your place? Who took the punishment that trial should end with?

Let’s pray.

Praying Through Scripture

Lord,

You have born witness about yourself,
Through your life, you proved your guiltlessness before the world,
In your death, you took on the guilt of that same world,
Into your resurrection, we are now called to the home of all homes.

Most blessed Saviour, thank you for revealing yourself to me,
by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit,
by whom I am being conformed to your image.
Now I know you, I know the Father also.

Amen

Today’s Readings

• John 8

• Psalm 25

• Exodus 9-11

Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, Amon his son, Josiah his son. The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.

— 1 Chronicles 3:11-15

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We’ve just passed the two week mark. The new year precipitated hundreds of fresh goals per capita, but like each morning’s fresh layer of precipitation, much of this has already evaporated. What is the point of goals, is there a deeper yearning they speak to, and in that light how can we form a healthier relationship with them? Check out ’s latest piece for more on this:

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“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus…

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2 years ago · 5 likes · Bob Allen

We bless the Lord our God, who has gathered us together for rejoicing in spirit. Let us always be humble of heart, and let our joy always be in his presence. Let us not be puffed up with any prosperity of this world, this age, but let us realize that our true happiness only comes when these things have passed away.

— St. Augustine

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Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up…

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2 years ago · 8 likes · 4 comments · Adsum Try Ravenhill

The third pig opened the door, greeted the wolf with a smile, and much to his siblings’ dismay, welcomed him right in. This enemy who had blown down their houses was now sitting at the table with them, eating what would likely just be the starter, with them as the main course.

Our house is under attack.

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2 years ago · 5 likes · 2 comments · Adsum Try Ravenhill

How easy it is to forget this as we move from place to place throughout our days. Do we carry peace with us to work? Are we merciful when people do us wrong? When we sin, do we run back to God’s grace immediately, or do we wallow in our sorrows a while?

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2 years ago · 4 likes · Adsum Try Ravenhill

This devotional newsletter is all about attending to another kind of health, our spiritual health, and forming habits to help us towards that end. The goal is bigger than that though. We want to be blessed, yes, we even want to do all we can to avoid the way of sinners and scoffers, but we will only succeed in that if our eyes are taken off of ourselves and placed firmly on God.

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2 years ago · 4 likes · Adsum Try Ravenhill

John knew what it was like to have the Word come down and dwell with him. He saw his glory, as we spoke about yesterday morning, and it was his desire to deliver the revelation of that glory further to the millennia of disciples to come. He was a man full of grace and truth, because he the man who was grace and truth incarnate.

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2 years ago · 4 likes · 2 comments · Adsum Try Ravenhill

Today’s Readings:

• John 7

• Psalm 24

• Exodus 6-8

• 1 Chronicles 3:6-10

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God has given us a plenteous bounty of voices from the history of the church to listen to and learn from. Last week, we joined a man named Augustine, the first of our historical guides, but this week we’re not travelling back quite so far. This entire series was inspired by a man named Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, who once wrote a devotional book called “Morning & Evening.”

Today’s devotional is taken from the penultimate entry of his book, originally meant for the last day of the year, but it still has something to say to us today.

Listen to his words today wherever you are, and then spend some time reading the word of God this morning.

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Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up…

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2 years ago · 8 likes · 4 comments · Adsum Try Ravenhill

Today’s Readings:

• John 7

• Psalm 24

• Exodus 6-8

• 1 Chronicles 3:6-10

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This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

— Psalm 18:30

In the early verses of this Psalm, you might be forgiven for thinking David is a little too full of himself. He seems to be claiming a perfect version of himself, one we know for certain did not exist. By this time David has committed more than few significant sins. However, God has kept him. This Psalm isn’t written by David alone though, it was inspired by the Spirit, and like many of the Psalms, is written about another also.

“For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?”

— Psalm 18:31

I encourage you to go and read this Psalm today and imagine putting on Jesus’ righteousness. How does it feel? Probably a little heavy if we’re honest with ourselves. Are we blameless? Have our feet not slipped?

Jesus is the only one who could say these things in his own strength, but like David, we’re called to do the same!

“the God who equipped me with strength
and made my way blameless.”

— Psalm 18:32

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Lord,

Your way alone is perfect;
You are the way, the truth, and the life,
Your word proves true, over and over,
Again and again I find you faithful,

You have been my shield all these years
a refuge, a stronghold, and the rock of my salvation.

You have equipped me with strength,
You have made my way blameless.
In my own strength I would have faltered beyond repair,
but you have treated me, a sinner, without reproach.
My sin and shame would have witnessed against me,
but in the name of your Son, I have put on righteousness.

Thank you for your everlasting love,

Amen

Today’s Readings

John 4, Psalm 17, Psalm 18

¹Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse. Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, David the seventh.

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2 years ago · 15 likes · 5 comments · Patrick Lawrence

This is my kind of short story (credit: ):

I don’t miss the days when I had nothing to eat. There have been too many of them to number. What I gained from them though was worth far more than mere morsels. Through them, I saw God’s provision. A few nights ago we sat for hours with some friends of ours recounting the ways that God has provided for us over the years, and yet we barely even scratched the surface of our own stories. So… I certainly don’t have time to elucidate the finer details of them here. What I can tell you though is that at many times and in many ways, God has fed me when I was on the edge of my limit. Sometimes I had prayed, other times I had simply wept.

God heard.

God provided.

Jesus once said:

“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”

— John 6:56

When you read the Bible, you see this theme of provision touched upon time and time again. During their time in the wilderness, God provided for his people by means of bread from heaven. This manna might have only lasted forty years, but the memory and legacy of it stretched out throughout the word of God.

Pay attention when you read about it. Ask for similar provisions of God’s mercy in your own times of need, and eagerly anticipate his favour.

However… think…

What will that food give you?

It will sustain you for a day, maybe even a few days. Let’s not undervalue that, survival is important, but it is temporary. The manna God sent from heaven came six times a week, it was necessary for God’s people to remember to trust him each and every day. What if there were a loaf that would sustain a person eternally though?

Would you take it?

In this passage, Jesus finds himself deserted. Not by everyone, we don’t know how many left, but we know that this invitation sifted the wheat from the chaff. The life God offers is not one of our own devision, or for our own glory, but one fully reliant on him, and in him.

God has given us that opportunity, and we have a choice to make. Will we partake of his life, his flesh, his blood? Or, will we forsake him and by doing so, forsake ourselves? As we pray today, I want you to think about three things:

1. Communion

2. Community

3. The Life Everlasting

Each of these three are vital parts of our internal and external lives. We aren’t supposed to experience them in a vacuum, and they shouldn’t be afterthoughts. Which of these has taken a backseat for you of late? Meditate on that throughout the day.

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Lord,

Whoever believes in you has eternal life.
Thank you for the bread you give us daily,
for the temporary provisions you have given us in this life,
and for the eternal life you invite us into.

When morning calls, or darkness falls,
Let not our hearts not grow cold,
Instead lead them to beat in unison with the one that was pierced,
For whom death was temporary, and whose life is everlasting,
Through whose death we have been cleansed, and for whom we now live.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and forevermore.

Amen

Today’s Readings

• John 6

• Psalm 23

• Exodus 4-5

“These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelite, the third, Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah; six were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned for seven years and six months. And he reigned for thirty-three years in Jerusalem. These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, four by Bath-shua, the daughter of Ammiel;”

— 1 Chronicles 3:1-5

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“I worry that our technology and practices are bending us toward curiositas, consuming knowledge and not holding it and certainly not facing hardship and difficulty to gain knowledge.”

—

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Under the heading of temperance fall the vice of curiositas and the sub-virtue of studiositas. A few months ago I wrote about the the vice of curiositas in relation to the David Platt documentary and the Steve Lawson scandal. At the time, I wrote that…

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2 years ago · 42 likes · 5 comments · O. Alan Noble

“Pay… attention.”

I love that phrase.

It feels more poignant than ever. These days most of us pay social media giants, streaming services, and host of other companies and conglomerates a portion of our attention in return for entertainment, or targeted services. What’s more, they do such a good job of convincing us that this investment is worthwhile that over the past decade or so they have diverted our “attention investment” away from family, friends, and churches, in order that we might reinvest them there.

The writer of Hebrews suggests a better plan.

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,
lest we drift away from it.”

Hebrews 2:1

What have you heard? How would you articulate the good news? Are there particular Bible verses you hold dear? It is all very well seeking to invest our attention well, but first we need to identify where it should go. That’s where the angels come in.

“For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”

Hebrews 2:2-3a

Every now and then I’ll catch a clip of Shark Tank in the US, or Dragon’s Den over here, and one question comes up again and again. It doesn’t matter how good to pitch was, they want to know how the business is faring so far. The moral: Never invest in anything that hasn’t proven true. The angels came with news of Jesus birth and resurrection, they were dazzling, heavenly beings, with great power. That isn’t the amazing part though. The shepherds found the boy they spoke of, and hundreds saw the resurrected Jesus. This news is something worth investing in. It proved true.

“It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard”

Hebrews 2:3b

What next? Well, we do what the disciples did. This gospel—the good news—didn’t remain in their minds, for them alone to dwell on. If we truly give our attention, our lives, our everything to God, then we will share it with others. Can you attest to God’s goodness in your own life? Who then can you share it with? The writer of Hebrews goes further.

“while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

Hebrews 2:4

In churches the world over today, these gifts are still at work. Pastors are exercising the gift of teaching, others have been blessed with hospitality in abundance, and wise and discerning members of church communities are helping others to wade through spiritual wildernesses. Our God was, and is, and is to come. He spoke before any other word was spoken, and still speaks today.

Pay attention.

Jesus is still moving, his body on earth acting on his behalf.

That should be wondrous to us. Therefore…

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Lord,

Thank you for the many ways by which you have proven your faithfulness.
For your Word from the beginning,
For your messengers from heaven and earth,
For the preaching we will hear today,
For the gifts you have given your church,
by which you build us up in the faith.

Help us to hold firm to these truths today,
and pay close attention to the news we have heard.
Let it ever be on our lips, on our mind,
and the driving force behind our steps.

Amen

Today’s Readings

• Hebrews 2:1-4

• Psalm 22

• Exodus 1-3

Jerahmeel also had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam. The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel: Maaz, Jamin, and Eker. The sons of Onam: Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab and Abishur. The name of Abishur's wife was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid. The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim; and Seled died childless.

— 1 Chronicles 2:26-30

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A welcome reminder from Adderholt to thank the Lord for his multitudinous blessings today:

“Praise be. New sheets: Oh Lord. Fresh dahlias: Oh Lord. Crinkle pancakes: Oh Lord. Oh glory: Hymnodies.”

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2 years ago · 12 likes · 3 comments · Claire

In the meantime, I have linked today’s Bible readings below, as well as a devotional I wrote and recorded last year that I hope will be an encouragement to you today. Have a wonderful Saturday and I’ll speak to you again tomorrow!

Grace and Peace,

&

• Revelation 1:4-8

• Genesis 1:28-31

• Psalm 21

Afterwards Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was sixty years old, and she bore him Segub. And Segub fathered Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead. But Geshur and Aram took from them Havvoth-jair, Kenath, and its villages, sixty towns. All these were descendants of Machir, the father of Gilead. After the death of Hezron, Caleb went in to Ephrathah, the wife of Hezron his father, and she bore him Ashhur, the father of Tekoa.

The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron: Ram, his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.

— 1 Chronicles 2:21-25

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2 years ago · 5 likes · Adsum Try Ravenhill

How much easier would it be, if we had specific guidelines to follow for worship, which would honour God if carried out correctly. No matter how we feel, or what we think, whether we truly trust God, at least we would know that we are right, right?

This is the notion that Jesus disabused a woman of, at a well two thousand years ago. This woman was a Samaritan, one who had been poorly used, and was now walking in shame for the actions taken against her. Then she meets Jesus. A man who knows everything about her, and yet rather than use that information against her like she’s used to, uses it to draw her to God.

She has another question though. This mountain, or that temple? Were her people right, or Jesus’? With eternal wisdom, and a deep care for the person before him, he leans on truth and offers hope. Her people had been wrong, but those who offered worship in Jerusalem weren’t exactly right either. An hour would come, said he, in which his people would worship on neither mountain nor in the temple. How then should they worship?

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth

— John 4:24

That hour has come, it is here, we are called to be those people. Yet, so often we can get caught up the routine of worship and forget the spirit in which we ought to present it. This isn’t about background, denomination, or methodology; each has its own traditions, and beauty can be found throughout the varying forms our worship takes. What is of prime importance here is the spirit, and the truth we present.

Jesus isn’t delivering something new here, but revealing his ancient wisdom. In Hosea we read:

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

— Hosea 6:6

The sacrifices were given by God for a reason. That reason was buried by time, confusion, and pride. Worship, too often, falls prey to those same pitfalls. Worship the Lord as we pray today. Present your spirit before him, and speak truth as you do. Lay bare before him the innermost parts of yourself, they are already known to him anyway. Like the Samaritan woman, he knows everything about you, but he invites you to present all of that willingly, and truthfully, so that his truth might shine through all of that darkness.

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Lord,

We worship what we know.

This salvation whispered of by prophets, priests, and kings,
Let my spirit now shout out in unison,
in harmony with the Spirit given to those who believe.
The hour has come!
You have called us and brought us here.
Make us evermore true worshipers who glorify the Father in spirit and truth,
for you, O Father, are seeking such people to worship you.

You are spirit,
You are truth,
Let us, therefore, worship in spirit and truth.

Help me today to cast off any semblance of distrust and dishonesty before you.
Lead me to give my whole self to you, for it is your image upon me.

We know the Messiah who came.
When he came he gave us everything.

You are he.

Amen

Today’s Readings

John 4, Psalm 17, Psalm 18

1Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse. Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, David the seventh.

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O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

— Psalm 15:1

In so many ways the entire Bible hinges on this verse and others like it. The question in its most basic form is, “who can get to heaven?” When Jesus dwelled among us, people would constantly come to him and ask about what they needed in order to earn eternal life. There’s a brilliant moment in Luke 10 in which Jesus turns the question back on the person asking. “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:26)

Throughout Jesus’ life, the tension on earth begins to rise. It is as though the air itself grew heavy in anticipation of God’s kingdom, and as Jesus died, everything froze. I think often about those three long days, in which disciples scattered, a mother mourned, and countless people heard the news of the travelling preacher who died flanked by criminals on a cross. I am sure that in those days, eternal life couldn’t have felt more impossible.

This man who breathed life into the universe, had died.

Then.

Jesus appeared once, twice, to a few and to many, until the moment when he was to leave. The thin ice that stood as a barrier between heaven and earth smashed, and we were invited to cross over. Suddenly, we could sojourn in the tent of the Lord, we could dwell on his holy hill. Not by our own works, or our own righteous, but his.

“O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?”

Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?

Surely you know!

Proverbs 30:4

Today, we’re gonna pray through Psalm 15 together. As we do, think on Jesus, his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, and his invitation to come into his kingdom.

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Amen

Today’s Readings

John 3, Psalm 15, Psalm 16

The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara, five in all. The son of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing; and Ethan's son was Azariah. The sons of Hezron that were born to him: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai. Ram fathered Amminadab, and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, prince of the sons of Judah.

1 Chronicles 2:6-101

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You will often see me in suits, no matter the time of year or the function or event I’m attending. That really goes back to my school days wearing uniform—which is standard here in the UK—and so I’ll often be asked where people should go to buy blazers, or sports coats, or suits etc. The genuine answer is that of the dozens of suits I’ve bought over the years, only a handful have been new, and of those only a couple were full price. This won’t be applicable to everyone watching, but perhaps you have a husband, or a father, or friend who is wanting to splash out a bit this year. Why not buy a pre-loved treasure instead, using the tips and tricks in this video?