This week's theme

Hope at Advent - 1 Watching and waiting

Today's reading

Psalm 130:1-8

Today's prayer

Father, thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you that I can stand before you because of what Jesus has done. Help me to yearn for you in my waiting, and to find you there with me.

Fresh From the Word

FfTW 2025

Futher thought 2

For further thought

What does your waiting room look like? Ask God to meet you there and to lead you into a new place of peace within your waiting.

Can you recognise the pattern of death and resurrection with which God has surprised you in your own life?

How can you display the love of God in the darkness of the world and live in confidence of the final victory?

Spend time today simply being surprised amazed, even by the depth and constancy of Gods love for you.

Can you remember a time when you were surprised by the way God answered your prayers? How did you react to his response?

Where can you see the Spirit at work in your local church and in your own life?

What examples can you think of when God has called unexpected people to lead his church?

Which ways of connecting with God bring you life? In which collaborations have you noticed yourself flourishing?

At which moments in your story have you been aware of Gods presence? What could it look like to celebrate those, as David did in this psalm?

What might it look like to invite God and others into your places of opposition? Ask God if there are others who need protective walls and community today.

Are there people outside your community who God may be inviting you to honour or to collaborate with?

Are there collaborations God has invited you into that now require endurance to finish? What might it look like to invite Elohim, mighty and strong, to renew your strength today, releasing freshness and wisdom?

Do you feel there are collaborations God is inviting you into today, with him and with others?

How important is participation in the fellowship of the Lords Supper to you?

Which individuals stories in the Bible can you best relate to?

Are we sometimes too judgemental in our opinions of others?

Looking back on your life, can you see Gods guiding hand at work in the paths you have taken?

Pray for all those whose mission focus is with children, that they might sow the seeds of faith in young and enquiring minds.

Remember and pray for all those who have had a positive influence on your life and faith.

Do you pay attention to the many ways people are working for a better world? Spot them today and support them in prayer and solidarity.

Is it possible to build a culture of solidarity and renew life values in our society? How? Open this discussion in your church group.

Lets read the gospel deeply and nourish our spirituality, so that we may share with others Gods saving help.

We often avoid sterile debates on religion and beliefs, but we cannot keep silent. How can we help to lead fruitful exchanges?

Some people believe that God is an angry, vengeful god, and that they are worthless sinners. Is it possible to challenge that mindset?

Are we willing to talk in our church groups about the ground rules we so often break in our relationships with God? Lets do it now!

By continuing to apply the word of God to every situation, we can test each step and know that we are in step with his Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

Where is your strength? Is it time to surrender?

Religion literally means to re-ligament. Reflect on how your faith can join things together that have been torn apart, whether it be relationships between friends or between nations.

Children are still often marginalised and pushed aside. Even if you cannot be physically there, how could you ensure that they receive the touch they need?

When do you need to hold tight to Gods hand, and when is it OK to run free? How can you know the difference?

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International Community

The states in which our FfTW notes are used in IBRA Nigeria, include the following states; Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Kano, Oyum Kaduna, Edo, Ondu Osun and Taraba. The National President Rt Rev Dr Segun Okubadejo

It makes Bible become more relevant to their everyday situation and aiding the development of their spiritual stamina

Nigeria

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This week's writer

An author and poet living with long-term illness, Liz writes about finding God’s treasure in the midst of brokenness. She lives in Shropshire, UK, with her husband Tim, a church leader, and their two children. Liz’s fir

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IBRA celebrated 140 years in 2022!

The knowledge and appreciation of the Bible carries on the 140-year-old IBRA tradition of encouraging people around the world. 

Read about our rich history and the origins of our founder Charles Waters, bank manager and Sunday School teacher – not a scholar, preacher, or public speaker – who had a gift for organisation and a vision for making the Bible accessible to all.

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