We are living through strange times - this particular coronavirus just the latest in a series of trials that have come upon this planet. We have seen an escalation of wars, the pitting of nations against each other, conflict within communities, opposing ideologies battling for control.

In Matthew 24 Jesus explains to His disciples what they can expect to see happening in the world before He comes back. As we read through this chapter it is both comforting and alarming at the same time, yet Jesus calls us who follow Him to trust His promise, to trust His Word and to know that when He comes back to earth a second time it will be in power and with great glory v 30.

I was invited to speak yesterday at an event in Bibury and on being given the schedule a few days before, saw that my 'turn' would come between two readings of Scripture - Ephesians 3:14-21 and John 17:20-26. Two wonderful prayers in God's Word - actually two wonderful promises to the bride of Christ.

It's the start of another year and I am brought back to basics. I need my God. I need Him every day in every way. I need His grace and His mercy and His love. I need His strength and His joy and His peace.

I read Numbers 6:24-27 just the other day and was caught by the last verse. I'm sure I have read it many times before but somehow God wanted to show me something else, something new in it

Jesus spoke many parables - both to reveal and to conceal who He is. Often He said 'those who have ears let him hear' and we know that He explained to His disciples that for those with hard hearts the parables would only harden their hearts further - but for those who truly wanted to know the truth they would be like windows through which the light would shine.