Htb Church

In our Bitesize passage today, Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-10 ‘for it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not through yourselves, but a gift from God’. It’s quite easy to talk about things we have achieved, maybe it makes us feel significant or powerful - Bob Barstow reminds us today that our achievements are gifts and opportunities from God.

Today Andy Wooldridge reflects on Pslam 109 when David cried out to God for him to help and save him. Andy discusses how powerful love can be and although it is really natural to doubt Gods love when you are going through hard times it is important to always remember that Gods love does not fail or falter.

Tash reflects on the verse in Galatians 6:9 ‘Let us not be weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Let us do good to all people.’

A few years ago Mark and his wife were working as doctors in South East Asia, when they got into a vehicle accident. Despite the real fear and pain that Mark was in, he felt an overwhelming sense of peace and calm that was unmistakably from God - Mark knew God was saying ‘I’ve got you’. This is reflected in today’s bible verse, Isaiah 45:1-3, ‘do not fear for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you.

Today Jemima Haley tells how she struggled to find a job when she graduated from University. For those six months, Isiah 41:10 became her mantra ‘fear not for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I a will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold you with my righteous right hand’. When she felt a rise in anxiety, Jemima would speak this truth over herself. Just because we feel anxious, doesn’t mean we are anxious people - God has a plan and a purpose for us, because of that love He has for us, He will always fight for us and cast out all of our fears.

Today Stephen Foster talks to us about his friends passing - he didn’t know what to say or pray, he had so many questions. Stephen felt to support What sustained him over the months, was the truth which is expressed in the Bible in One Year today. In Isiah 38, the Lord says this ‘I have heard your prayer and seen your tears’. There is not an emotion you feel that God can’t handle.

John 14:6 -‘ I am the way and the truth and the life’. Despite the great opportunities he had working for a fashion brand and as a model, Tash Kusi searched for more and wondered life’s big questions after a night in the bar. Listen as Tash tells us his experience of the Alpha course and how it has helped him navigate his faith.

In university, Ryan never thought of himself as a Christian; he thought Christianity was a religion filled with rules of ‘dos and don’ts’ - he had no understanding of the real meaning of the word gospel. When he encountered Jesus for the first time, Ryan learnt the good news of Christianity was that Jesus had paid the price.

Today Fernando tells us his story about coming out of a drug rehabilitation in Columbia and how he wanted to join the church. He felt like a fraud and failure in the Christian faith, until he heard God say ‘I will love you no matter what you do’ and he first began to understand what love was, he knew that God would love him in-spite of what he did.

In todays HTB Bitesize Juliette Willis talks about how 2020 has bought lots of changes and some struggles. In 2 Corinthians Paul helps us to understand the impact of God's grace in our lives journey. Juliette encourages us that God's grace opens up space in our on-going journey through our lives difficult circumstances to bring glory to him.

Today Nicky Lee reflects on Proverbs 22: 4 - ‘the generous themselves will be blessed’ - which inspires and challenges him. We can reach out in love when we know what our neighbours needs are - this pandemic has revealed those needs to us. In showing generosity in practical ways, we have the opportunity to show the generosity of God. It is an opportunity to show that God is with them.

How can we make a difference? What can we do to bring change? In today’s Bitesize, Esli reflects on Psalm 106: 23 when Moses prayed for God’s people, that he would show mercy on them. Moses stood on a bridge between God and his people. Like Moses we can pray - we take our burdens and worries to God. Who can we stand on a bridge for today?

We are joined by Stephen Foster who encourages us 'don't lose your voice'. Stephen talks about how our voice is a God-given gift that we should use wisely.

What might it look like for you to be generous today? In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes ‘God loves a cheerful giver’. Dave reflects on the passage, saying ‘if you want to lead a small insignificant life, hold onto the gifts you have been given, and sow sparingly. But if you want to live a big, transformational life, begin to sow generously, take your treasures, give them away and watch what God does.’

In today's Bitesize, Bob Barstow reflects on the verse Isaiah 5: 22 and asks, what does it mean to live in relationship with God and live a life of purpose?

In 2 Corinthians 6: 14 Paul writes a second letter to the church encouraging the church to pursue holiness and Jesus's Godly way in their lives. Paul asks 'What fellowship has light with darkness?' Ryan tells us that Jesus is the light of the world and as christians we have that light within us. Ryan invites us to invite Jesus into our lives to transform us inside out and to pursue wholeheartedly a Godly way of living.

In Isaiah 1:16 God is really clear that he wants his followers to be people of justice, that we will learn to do what is right. That we would defend the oppressed and stand with the vulnerable. Ruth May encourages us today to think about who we know that is vulnerable in our society. Who might God be asking us to stand with? Love them, pray for them, take up their cause.

Life is quite complicated at the moment - how do you make the right decision? Take the right calls? Choose the right options? Listen as Stephen Foster discusses 2 Corinthians 5:9, which he feels really helps in this areas.

Today Kira Taylor tells us the story of how she encountered the Holy Spirit for the first time and her life changed forever. In the following weeks, Kira worried she had wasted all those years when she had not known Jesus, but Kira reads 2 Corinthians 4- ‘Therefore do not loose heart. Though outwardly, we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day’. Nothing is wasted, He can redeem that time.

We are joined by Pete Wynter as he talks on A Time to Cross. He talks about how in Genesis 32, Jacob questioned, struggled and had confrontation with God, but he still steps into his future and overcame his struggles. There have been moments over these last few months, like Jacob we have struggled, however in this new season, maybe like Jacob we have a decision to cross over into all that God calls us to.