CBC Podcast

The people had become proud. They were proud of their accomplishments. They thought they knew best. They did not listen to God or see the need to obey God. But judgement was coming. Are we proud? Or have we humbled ourselves before God?

Have you ever been in a situation where you have been praying for something and wondered either whether God has even heard your prayer, or wondered why God is taking so long to answer? That was Habakkuk's question. He even questions God answer and God's plan. But in the end he comes to a place of peace. So what does God say to him? And what does God want to say to us?

This week we were learning about and praying with the persecuted church. It was an all age service so we started with a few activities to get us thinking before thinking about how 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 could help us to pray for Christians in countries where they are being persecuted for their faith. To find out more go to www.opendoorsuk.org

When we use the word 'worship' we often think about things we do in church - particularly singing. But it is possible to just go through the motions. We might look the part but our outward actions do not reflect our hearts. What does God have to say about that kind of 'worship'?

We might think that the Old Testament is full of an angry God who is waiting to punish people who step out of line. But if you actually read it you see that the opposite is true. God is patient - desperately wanting the people to turn back to him and choose life. Today we'll see how in the warnings of Amos there is still this invitation - seek me and live.

Jonah is so angry that he wants to die. Why? Because God was gracious and compassionate and forgave those whom Jonah thought should be punished. Are we open to the surprising and compassionate ways God might want to work in the lives of those around us?

As well as thanking God for the harvest we need to be aware of how we can help those who don't have enough. Today we'll see how God made provision for this in his law and what it means for us now.

Have you ever wished for a second chance? For the opportunity to go back and do things differently? That's what happens to Jonah here. Having disobeyed God previously, God gives him another chance. And that is what God is like with us too. Even when we mess it up, when we turn back to God he welcomes us back and gives us another chance.

Even though Jonah had hit rock bottom he still knew that God would hear him when he cried out and that God could save him. Wherever we are, and no matter why or how we got there we can still cry out to God.

Have you ever heard from God - and then wanted to do the absolute opposite? Jonah did. Called to go east - he headed as far west as was possible. What happened to Jonah and what can we learn today in 2025?

Whether it is the first day at a new school or the first day at a new job I'm sure that we can all remember some of the emotions and feeling that new things bring - nerves, excitement, worry, anticipation...Joshua was stepping into a new role and God had both promises and instructions for him - what can we learn at the beginning of this new term?

We all know from personal experience that life can be tough - and that fact is recognised in many Christian songs (including Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake). Not everything that we experience in life is going to be good but today we're going to be exploring what Paul means when he says that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Humility is not something that is particularly celebrated or valued in today's culture - but is something that we see at the heart of Jesus' character. But is it a characteristic that we are given when we start to follow Jesus or do we need to cultivate it?

A reflection on Psalm 139

Before we start looking at the Exodus story and the Passover - just how did the Israelites end up as slaves in Egypt? To answer that question we need to go back into the book of Genesis.

Paul has learnt the secret of being content because he has put his trust in God. Do we struggle to trust God when we don't have enough? Do we get greedy when we have enough? What can we learn from Paul?

5 steps to knowing joy and peace everyday. Although this letter was written two thousand years ago it remains as relevant as ever. How can we know peace and joy - not just when everything is going well, but especially when the going gets tough.

We know that to be an elite sports person requires a life that is dedicated to training. Many sacrifices have to be made along the way. And they do it because of the rewards. Their eye is fixed on the prize. And Paul wants to encourage us as Christians to keep our eye on the prize and to press on with following Jesus.

Paul had all sorts of things going for him - and yet compared with the privilege of knowing Jesus, all those other things counted as nothing. Can we know Jesus like this?

Wherever Paul travels he is with others, and along the way, and in his letters he introduces us to many of his co-workers. But he also knows that life in community is not easy. Why is being a part of a church community important and how do we make it work?