Author: nickjones2011
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The heart of God (Hosea 1-3; Matthew 16)
How does God feel when His people forsake Him? In the book of Hosea we get a glimpse into the heart of God, we see the hurt we cause Him by forsaking Him and going after other things. Hosea was a prophet after the kingdom had split into the northern kingdom (Israel) and southern kingdom…
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Tradition vs the Word of God (Amos 7-9; Matt 15)
Just like the psalmist in yesterday’s reading, Jesus wanted to get away from it all, he had just heard about the death of his cousin John, tried to get away but a huge crowd had followed him (Matthew 14:13). He had compassion on them, healed the sick and fed 5000. Do you see the loving…
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Do you need rest?
“I’m shattered!” It’s one of the most common phrases we hear. At this time of year, many people enjoy a well earned break. Perhaps you’ve had a break or you’re looking forward to one, or maybe you just wish you could have one. There never seems to be enough hours in the day. Between work,…
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Getting away from it all (Amos 4-6; Psalm 55; Matt 14)
Do you ever wish you could just get away from it all? From all the pressure, all the burdens, all the pain. David felt this, listen to his words in Psalm 55: “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away…” David…
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Are you listening? (Amos 1-3; Matt 13)
The parable of the soils/sower (Matthew 13) is famous. But what does it mean? Jesus wasn’t giving us a lesson in farming, He was holding up a mirror and challenging those who hear His Word how they will respond. He was also training the disciples that when they go and speak about Jesus they should…
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Weekly rest – the Sabbath (2 Kings 13-14; 2 Chr 25; Ps 53; Matt 12)
We saw yesterday Jesus’ wonderful words “come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). We saw that Jesus is offering eternal rest. Today we see that he also offers weekly rest (Matthew 12). What a blessing the Sabbath was designed to be. Think what a…
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Do you need rest? (Jonah 1-4; Matthew 11)
Life often feels frantic, so much on and so much pressure. Perhaps it’s the burden of not having enough work, or having too much work, of caring for a relative with significant needs, your own health, a difficult marriage, or a bereavement. There’s always something to cope with. In today’s reading from Matthew 11, Jesus…
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Standing on your own two feet?
Many of us carry worries every day. We wonder how we’ll pay the bills, whether our children will be okay, what the doctor might say, or what tomorrow might bring. Anxiety has become one of the defining struggles of our generation. Into our anxious world, Jesus speaks some wonderfully comforting words in Matthew 6. If…
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Can I be forgiven for that? (Joel 1-3; Matt 10)
You’ve done it again. Have you gone too far? Can He forgive someone like you? Do you have to do something to make up for it? In the book of Joel, God warns of judgment on His people for their sin. And yet, even though they have been so wicked, God urges them to come…
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Religious hypocrisy (2 Chr 24; 2 Kin 12; Ps 50; Matt 9)
What is your greatest need? Psalm 50 and Matthew 9 both speak of the need for forgiveness. Psalm 50 begins by reminding us how great God is, He is the mighty One, He is in charge of the whole world. The tragedy is that people everywhere don’t treat Him as if this is true. In…
