Holy Apostles Devotions: Recent Episodes
Holy Apostles
At the end of our series on Ezra and Nehemiah, Chris wraps up the devotions by asking how we can keep our faith going, just as Nehemiah did.
In this penultimate episode, the Israelites are at a Sabbath but it's not quite what it should have been.
As we head into the final chapter of Nehemiah and this great story, Jitesh looks at how life leads us longing for Jesus and finding him.
During the reading of the Law of Moses, it became clear that some parts were not being adhered to, yet God gave the opportunity to return to him.
As Elaine reads about the storekeepers, she also recognises those who have been the hidden heroes at HTL during the last six months.
Nehemiah was given a burden. He was courageous; he stood up despite big distress to revive and give hope to the people. Martin looks at how Nehemiah led the people in the dedication ceremony. When we return to the church building, will we have the same heart as the Israelites did?
It's another passage that seemingly just recalls names, but Chris takes a closer look to see what it says about those involved and what it also means for us.
"We will not neglect the house of our God." Elaine looks at how the community worked together and how they agreed to obey.
Lat reflects on Nehemiah 9 and looks at this "grande finale" after a long journey, as the people of God have done what looked impossible and completed the rebuilding of the walls.
Living in temporary shelters? Sounds like New Wine! Neil takes a closer look at this festival celebrated by the Israelites in Nehemiah 8: 13-18.
The Israelites were (rightly) grieving their sin, but Nehemiah and the leaders had other ideas. Dan takes a closer look at this.
Jitesh reads from Nehemiah 8 and asks us how we hear God's voice to ensure that we stay in the centre of his will
Jitesh reflects from Nehemiah 7, reminding us that size doesn’t matter to God, and how he delights in using the little and the small.
The wall was completed in just 52 days - an astonishing turnaround. The same enemies who caused fear were now afraid themselves. When God's hand is on a mission, no one can stop it, though opposition may be present. Chris explores this further.
Intimidated? Challenged? Insecure? Threatened? Chinenye takes a look at these fearful situations encountered many times in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
In today's reading from Nehemiah, we recognise what a good man he really was, not just a good leader. He was a man who feared God, and this was reflected in how he led his life and looked after others, including the poorest.
In Chapter 5, Nehemiah hears the outcry from the people. Some of the poorer Jews were being exploited by the wealthier Jews after returning from exile. Nehemiah responded with holy anger and a determination to change this injustice. Elaine looks further.
Immediate threat of attack is over, but work now has to be done in a new way. People are not just builders, but an armed workforce. Chris takes a closer look at this Red Alert situation.
Lois looks at how Nehemiah faced opposition to rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem and how we can use this as an example of how we face opposition today.
Lat reflects on the challenges of lockdown, not getting out and sometimes not remembering who we are. Nehemiah paints a different story even in the face of challenge
How do we keep pursuing God's mission in the face of opposition? The stories of Ezra and Nehemiah help inform us. Chris takes a closer look.
What do we need to bring about God's Kingdom? Jitesh takes a look at the second part of our devotion series on Nehemiah.
As we start looking at the book of Nehemiah, Elaine points out that today was the day we were due to reopen for prayer. Although not in our building, we will still pray, but from our homes and Elaine explores what it was like for Nehemiah, and simialrly ourselves, to have a burden for the city.
This morning Simon finishes off our series on Ezra. In the final passage, it talks about how the Israelites got it wrong yet again through breaking a really clear instruction. In his reflection, Simon asks us what are we married to, that we have been commanded against?
In our penultimate look at the book of Ezra, we read about the mass confession. Paul takes a closer look and helps us understand that despite our various and often many failings, there is always a way back.
Even the joy of celebration cannot mask our various failings. In our series on Ezra and Nehemiah, Jitesh reaches the point where in the moment of celebration, Ezra also leads the people in public admission of sin and subsequent repentence and he explains more about why this is so important.
This morning David is looking at how and when the Israelites began to return the sacred items from exile to the temple that had been freshly rebuilt. In particular, he looks at their purpose of being holy objects and similarly looks at us and our call to lead holy lives.
After completing the rebuilding of the temple, it was time for the exiled Israeilites to return home. John looks into this further, comparing their time with ours, when we are preparing to return to our church building.
The temple has now been complete and dedicated to the Lord. Ezra, a man who dedicated himself to the study and observation of the law, now returns to Jerusalem.
They've done it! They finally completed the rebuilding of the temple and Elaine looks at how they were able to celebrate all that had been done, despite encountering 3 significant moments of opposition.
In this morning's devotion, we are reading from Ezra 6: 13-18. As the temple is completed and dedicated, Jenny looks at the topic of hope for today.
God gets the victory! He has always had the victory and in this video, Jitesh unpacks how God always wins over his enemies.
In our next devotion on the book of Ezra, John implores us to remember our identity and stand in faith as representatives of Jesus Christ.
This morning Simon reads from Ezra 5: 1-5 where prophetic words released people into the next stage of building. Simon talks about vertical prophecy that aligns us with God's agenda and releases us into action #revival
Elaine reflects after Ezra 4 and helps us understand the need to lament with those who lament and rejoice with those who rejoice.
John reads from Ezra 4, when the rebuilding project faced its first significant opposition.
What do you do when you come across Scripture packed with lists of names? Perhaps not the most exciting things, but then again these names were written into God's word, so he has honoured them. In the same way, God has a key role for each of us to play.
Ezra and Nehemiah are stories of second chances. Jitesh introduces our new devotion series.
Using Isaiah 55, Simon looks at a difficult subject about how we become disconnected from this we were expecting or hoping from.
Elaine reflects on the story of Peter and John encountering the lame man at the Temple Gate.
What gets you frustrated? But we are called to show love by being patience. Jenny takes a closer look at this.
Hebrews 12: 24: You have come to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant. Jitesh explores this further asking how far do you think the blood goes?
Elaine takes a look at the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church following the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
From outside the Leicester Chinese Christian Church, Chris takes a look at how revival has been developing in mainland China, despite significant state opposition and the threat (and reality) of suffering #revival
Off the west coast of Scotland is a small group of islands called the Hebrides. Between 1949 and 1952 a wide spread revival swept through these islands in answer to the prayers of God’s people. Instrumental in this revival was the evangelist Duncan Campbell. He came to the Isle of Lewis to conduct a two week evangelistic campaign and ended up staying two years. John takes a closer look #revival
Jitesh looks at this revival that started in 1844 in a small town in Germany and lasted for a few years.
This important renewal movement occurred in the late 1920s and 1930s, seeing significant growth in the East African church into the 1940s. Elaine takes a closer look #revival
In January 1907, across two weeks, the Presbyterian seminary in Pyongyang held a bible conference that led to hundreds confessing their sins. Jenny takes a closer look #revival
Sparked by news of the Revival in Wales and another outbreak of Divine power in the Khassia Hills in Assam, this revival happened in 1905.
William J Seymour saw the start of a 3 year revival beginning on 9 April 1906. In this podcast, Simon Braker takes a closer look at what happened #revival
Wales may be a small nation but there have been several revivals there leading to it being called the Land of Revival. In the 100 years from 1762 there were no less than 16 revivals and Jenny takes a closer look at those in 1858 and 1904.
John Wesley travelled over 250,000 miles in the cause of the Gospel. From George Whitefield, Wesley learned the importance of preaching in the open air to reach the masses. At first he could not imagine souls being saved unless they were in Church, but Jesus' "open-air preaching" of the Sermon on the Mount convinced him it was okay.
In this first look at revivals around the world, John looks at this visitation on 13 August, 1727 there was a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Moravian community. One historian wrote: "We saw the hand of God and His wonders, and we were all under the cloud of our father baptized with their Spirit. The Holy Ghost came upon us in those days great signs and wonders took place in our midst. From that time, scarcely a day passed but what we beheld His almighty workings amongst us. A great hunger after the Word of God took possession of us so that we had to have three services every day…”
Are you hungry for revival? In this podcast, Elaine looks at how revival must start with us individually before it happens corporately.
In this podcast John looks at our need for revival in the 21st century. O Lord rend the heavens and come down!
Elaine looks at the story of Gideon - how God's people cried out and he heard and responded to them.
Chris continues his journey through the story of Jonah, this time looking at the nature of God.
Simon reflects on the phrase "David strengthened himself in the Lord" and helps us recognise another way in which we can do this for ourselves.
Are you feeling trapped? Jonah was in a difficult position and Chris begins a new series focussed on Jonah's story and God's grace
Dealing with doubt is part of our core discipleship. Jitesh looks at how we deal with this in our lives using Matthew 11.
Disclaimer: you may be alarmed at the beginning of this video! John asks us if we are in a type of spiritual slumber and if we need to wake up
Jenny looks at Galatians 5: the fruit of the Spirit. Do you feel under pressure for demonstrating more of this, especially during this time? Why not spend some time reflecting on this.
Jitesh reads from Deuteronomy 8:3 to help bring some sense to what a number of us might be going through.
Simon continues his devotion from last week where he looks at a single verse and reflects on how David encouraged himself despite tough circumstances.
Simon recalls a verse from 1 Samuel 30 when David was in serious trouble and drew strength on the Lord, simply from being connected
How did the disciples respond when they saw Jesus? Joy and amazement! Even whilst they did not believe.
John reads from the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 7) and reflects on the need for strong foundations for when the storm comes. This foundation comes through prayer.
In today's devotion, Simon reads from John 11: the story of how Lazarus came back from the dead. In it, Simon reminds us that Jesus' expressed grief shows us the importance of retaining soft hearts at this difficult time
Elaine recalls the events of the first Good Friday - Jesus' trial and death that ultimately lead us to repentence.
On Maundy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. We also remember the events in the garden of Gethsemane and how Jesus prayed. In this video, John takes a closer look at this and helps us see Jesus as a truly remarkable example of prayer.
Simon reads from Psalms and helps us understand not on the importance of thanksgiving, but what it can potentially unlock.
Chris completes his reflection on the first chapter of Paul's letter to the Christians in Philippi.
In today's devotion, John reflects on the way people changed from singing hosanna on Palm Sunday to crucify him on Good Friday all because of external pressures. He also reminds us that we need to keep praising God because he is worthy of it.
Jenny reads from Luke 22 and thinks about how Jesus didn't just give his disciples a theory - he gave them a job to do.
Hello everybody, in these changing and challenging times it is easy to begin to wonder whether God sees us and knows what is happening so in today’s devotions I am going to be reflecting on the first 12 verses of Psalm 139 as the psalmist ponders on just this question.
And so he begins (v1-6).
The psalmist is reminding himself of how intimately and completely he is known by the Lord. God knows his entire life, he knows his sitting down, rising up, thinking, lying down, walking and speaking which suggests knowledge far beyond any human knowledge. And the Lord knows each one of us this intimately. This means we can be sure that the Lord knows if we are alone, or if there are simply too many people in the house with us, if we are feeling anxious or perplexed, whether we are working at home, trying to home school the children or out working to bring healing to the sick or food to the table. The Lord knows but he is also present and active in these and every other area of our lives. The Psalmist continues (V6-12)
He recognises that the Holy Spirit is always with him, in good times and in bad. Wherever he is and whatever is happening. That is true for us too, so take a moment and recognise the presence of the Holy Spirit with you ask him to fill you afresh for today.
Then there is a beautiful image of God’s hands guiding and holding him. The Lord doesn’t just know us inside and out he holds us and guides us. Rest for a moment in his hands listen for his voice for he will guide you in everything you do or say today.
Our reading ends with these words Even the darkness will not be dark to you the night will shine like the day for darkness is as light to you. How can it be dark and light at the same time? I was pondering this the other morning when I realised how bright and sunny a day it was but how dark the situation seemed and I realised that really is how it is with God.
Someone once said it is always sunny above the clouds.
So to end some words from a song we sometimes sing that is taken from this psalm:
You know when I rise and when I fall When I come or go, You see it all You hung the stars and You move the sea And still You know me
You know me
And nothing is hidden from Your sight Wherever I go, You find me And You know every detail of my life And You are God and You don't miss a thing
You know me
You memorize me