This week's theme

The Gospel of Mark (2) - 2 Holy Week with Mark

Today's reading

Mark 15:21-41

Today's prayer

Join with some others and pray the Lords Prayer together.

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Fresh from The Word 2024

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Futher thought 2

For further thought

The others who died with Ko Jimmy were Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw. Imagine they are your friends. How would you react? How can you respond now?

How can we resist numbing, violence and betrayal as a way out of our stresses and anxieties?

Research areas of the world where Christians are persecuted and killed. How can we support them and advocate on their behalf?

Just like Mary, we can bless God and minister to him.

Who are we excluding because of our own self-interests?

Think of an invisible thread that goes through us all, stating that we belong to God. Will this affect your interaction with the next person you meet?

Imagine the many small actions of love and care for our world that would stop if we lost our faith in a new tomorrow.

How can we stay aware of what is happening in the world without becoming numb to cruelty and evil?

Can you remember a brief meeting with a stranger that meant a lot to you? Could you have been that stranger to someone else?

Like flowers we change, even though we remain the same. But might it also feel good that some people remember who we once were?

Have you ever felt left out and then experienced someone making you feel more included? What did they say?

God does not want us to be unequally yoked or to take on the culture of the world and influences around us, lest we are led away from him.

What measures have you put in place in your life to enable you to continue growing spiritually, even if your leaders are not around to motivate you?

The more we dedicate our lives and service to God, the more he can use us to bring joy to many and change lives around us.

Serving the church and the wider community was key to Uzzi. How are you serving both?

The people chose to respond to the word of God through their giving. Everyone took responsibility for the upkeep of the house of the Lord. We, too, can show our maturity and responsibility by deciding to contribute to the house of God consistently.

Looking into the law of the Lord shows us areas where we need repentance. Therefore, we need to give more time to the word of God Nehemiah 8:118, for example.

How important is it for people to see our faith reflected in the interactions we have with others through our words and deeds?

Do you fact-check social media posts before liking or sharing them with your online friends?

How important is it for individual Christians and the wider church to be a voice and an accessible presence for those in need?

How quick are you to build walls when faced with change?

Are there ongoing projects in your local community, set up to help others, that you and your church fellowship could engage with?

Consider your own hidden talents, and how, despite your uncertainty, they might prove useful locally.

What scary lions do you know, what deceptive serpents? How can you sit down with them and reveal the love of Christ?

Think about the best aspects of human marriage. What does that communicate to you about God, and about the relationship he longs to have with you and all people?

How do our interactions with others with those we like, those we dislike, those we fear, our enemies make Jesus visible?

Reflect on the idea of a first and last Adam. What contrasts and comparisons can you find?

The question is unavoidable: are there those who will misunderstand who God is, who will miss recognising him when he comes to them because of our inaction; because of our lack of love?

In what ways can you be distinctive from the world around you without being separate from it?

Justice demands that there be consequences for the choices we make. Grace gives space between the choice and the outcome. Reflect today: are there areas where God has graciously given you time to respond, where you havent yet?

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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

Ash is a leadership developer, shalom activist, communicator and pioneer minister. He has lived on the front line of urban poverty for more than thirty years, beginning in Melbourne before spending twelve years in Bangkok’s largest slum.

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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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