#stbsnl

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Guardian - Ben Cantelon

When I hear you say ‘trust and obey’,

I will walk by faith and not by sight,

God of my life. 

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The Way - Worship Central

I was blind, but these eyes have been opened. Now I walk in the light. Every step on this road I will follow Jesus, You made a way.

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It Is Well - Bethel Music

Through it all, my faith is in you. Let go, my soul and trust in him.

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Call and Response

Day 6 Matthew Chapters 20-23

Key verse: 21:31: ‘The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder.’

Persistence pays. Jesus turns to two blind beggars and asks ‘what do you want me to do for you’. He has compassion on them for their desperation and desire, as they call out to who Jesus is in person and in character – ‘Son of David, have mercy on us!’ Today firstly find a companion to call out to Jesus with, just like the two blind beggars sat together. Secondly find a space where you can get noisy – whether that’s the PrayerBase at St Barnabas, an open field or a spare room. This dare might be a bit out of your comfort zone. Take prayerful time today shouting all the louder to Jesus. Ask Him for the things that you have been desperate for, and take the time to physically and vocally pray and call out to Him as an outward sign of your inner desire for a touch from Jesus. Finally make sure that you take the time to stop when Jesus ‘stops to speak’, and in the silence and the shouting allow Him to meet you in your need.

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Humility

Day 5 Matthew Chapters 16-19

Key verse: 13:44: ‘Whoever takes a humble place – becoming like this child – is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.’

Jesus calls us to a narrow path, but a light burden. It’s an easy road to follow and he points out the way. He calls us to simplicity and service – if we take a humble place we become great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet humbleness is tricky, and we often trip on both our prideful desires to be lifted up, and our insecure desires to be puffed up. Today pray about an act of service that you could do that would be humble, unseen and childlike. Whether it’s tackling the shared kitchen at work or giving up your trip out to help someone who needs you, take the humble position. As you humbly serve invite Jesus to challenge you to greater humility, simple service and childlike faith.

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You Make Me Brave - Bethel Music

No fear can hinder now the love that made a way.

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Give

Day 4 Matthew Chapters 12-15

Key verse: 13:44: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.’

Jesus tells lots of remarkable parables to explain the Kingdom of Heaven, and to explain people’s response to the message of the Kingdom. Today we’re going to focus on the truth in the images of the Kingdom of Heaven in chapter 13 verses 44-46. Here the Kingdom is likened to treasure or a pearl of great value – it is precious and costly, and we see a man and a merchant sell all they have to obtain it. Today’s dare is to look at the precious and valuable Kingdom of Heaven, and give all that we have to obtain it. Maybe for us that means turning away from family (12:46-50), from the places we have come from (12:53-58) or even stepping out on the water into danger and dependence (14:22-36). Sometimes we leave good things behind for the pearl of great value. What holds your heart? Today’s dare will take some thought. As an act of selling all you have to obtain the treasure of the Kingdom, today take a treasured possession, something of value and worth, and give it away. It could be anything from a favourite jumper to a piece of jewellery. As we give away our good things with generosity and love to bless others, allow the space left behind to be filled with the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Forgive

Day 2, Matthew Chapters 4-7 Key verse: 5:44-45 ‘I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven’. As children of Father God we are in his family business. What is that business? Today’s truth tells us: Forgiveness. As we read through the sermon on the mount we see the astonishing upside down message of the Kingdom, and we have revealed to us ‘not that Christ is godlike, but that God is Christ-like’. (William Sloane Coffin). That is we don’t just see the power of Jesus, but we see the beauty, love and grace of God the Father through Christ the Son. Today’s dare is a response to this startling revelation: to forgive those we war and argue with, and to pray for those who cause us harm. Today take time to pray for someone who has wronged or wounded you. Then consider any outward signs of love you could offer to them; a letter of reconciliation, a cup of coffee, a kind word. After all, the forgiving love of God took on all kinds of sacrifice and scorn to embrace those were once enemies in order to call them friends (Colossians 1:21-22).