True Fasting - Job 29

Job looks back on better days in his life, before the current tragedy and hardship he is now in. He remembers God's intimate friendship and blessing. He recalls how he commanded respect in the town amongst young and old, with people speaking well of him. This was because of the way he treated people - all people regardless of their status. He would rescue the poor crying for help, the orphans left stranded, befriend the dying, and stand by the widow left to her own devices. He remembers putting on righteousness as his clothing, justice as his robe - in other words the way he lived his life exhibited these qualities that are often hard to find in everyday society. This was not just handouts - but acting 'like a father' in showing deep and genuine concern for people. He would even take up the case of strangers, and actively come against the wicked. All this commanded him great respect.

[OUT] Where does our sense of justice align with God's desire for justice?

 Challenge: Take a step back to discern God's priorities

Hints of Resurrection - Job 14 & 19

Job finds himself in a depressed and dark place - he sees the negative, the walls closing in, the outlook is bleak. So basically he wishes that he was dead. We have to be honest about this, because it resonates with feelings that a number of people will have - young people, older people, in fact across the age groups people today find themselves in a similar place.

[IN] Can we keep hold of truths about God even when things have gone wrong?

 Challenge: Rehearse what you know of God's character

Worship - Job 1

Job is introduced to us like in any other story - but it is hard for us to locate Uz geographically and in what time period he lived. Maybe that helps us. Perhaps it is better for us to read Job thinking 'this was just a guy in some place at some time'. What we do know is that he was well blessed - a lovely family with extensive wealth, livestock and servants. We are also told he was blameless and upright - he knew his place before God and he shunned evil. He had deliberate rituals to keep himself and his family right before God.

[UP] How do you feel about God when things get tough?

 Challenge: Choose to worship God no matter what

He is Risen! Mark 16

When looking at the Easter story it is worth giving a shout out to the women. They are the ones who tough it out at the crucifixion scene on Friday, watching Jesus die. They are the ones who are up early on Sunday (Easter) morning, coming to the tomb to finish the job of the proper burial of an important person. For on the Friday it was evening - already sabbath - by the time the body was put in the tomb. There was no time to properly treat the body, so that had to be left until Sunday morning.

Deadly Prediction - Mark 9

Many of us pray for revival - hoping for fresh waves of God that enable many to turn to Jesus. They will be great days ... but we shouldn't forget that revival coming does not mean that there is no cost: it will require people to lay down their lives, be prepared to be disrupted, all to join in with what God is doing.

Extravagant Heart, Costly Action - Mark 14

In Mark 14 Jesus is at a meal, but it is interrupted by a woman coming in and performing an extravagant act. She pours a whole bottle of expensive perfume over Jesus - causing surprise to all present.

[OUT] Where is God calling you to lose life in order to gain it?

 Challenge: Put yourself on the line for His cause