The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel Express

Psalm 74:12–17, Acts 10:25–47; 11:1–18, 2 Kings 1:32–34; 2:1–3 The most wonderful privilege any human being can have is to be a follower of Jesus of Nazareth whom ‘God anointed… with the Holy Spirit and power’.

Psalm 74:1–9, Acts 9:34–42; 10:1–16, 2 Samuel 24:10–25 How should you respond when you don’t understand God?

Psalm 73:23–28, Acts 9:1–31, 2 Samuel 22:2–20 Jesus is the one who rescues you and brings you into ‘a spacious place’ (2 Samuel 22:20).

Proverbs 14:25–34, Acts 8:4–35, 2 Samuel 21:1 How can the *spiritual* climate of your nation be changed?

Psalm 73:1–14, Acts 7:44–60, 2 Samuel 18:33; 19:5–8 It is not just about changing our actions or appearance; we need to change on the inside – we need a change of *heart*.

Psalm 72:1–17, Acts 7:20–38, 2 Samuel 17:1–14 In all the circumstances of your life and the events going on around you, you can trust in the providence of God.

Psalm 71:19–23, Acts 6:8–15; 7:1–10, 2 Samuel 15:13–30; 16:5–14 As Matheson’s hymn beautifully articulates, *troubles do not have the last word*.

Proverbs 14:15–22, Acts 5:12–42, 2 Samuel 14:1–22; 15:5–6 Disloyalty destroys families, churches, businesses, political parties and even nations.

Psalm 71:13–18, Acts 4:23–35; 5:1–5, 2 Samuel 13:12 The reality of right and wrong are very clear in today’s passages and there are stark contrasts between the two.

Psalm 71:1–6, Acts 4:1–20, 2 Samuel 11:26–27; 12:1–7 This is the challenge of life.

Psalm 70:1–5, Acts 3:1–19, 2 Samuel 9:3–7 When kindness is expressed, healthy relationships are created, community connections are nourished and people are inspired to pass on kindness.

Proverbs 14:9–14, Acts 2:22–47, 2 Samuel 7:18–29; 8:14 The ultimate victory of God came with the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the outpouring of his Spirit who gives you power to live a life of victory.

Psalm 69:29–35, Acts 2:1–21, 2 Samuel 5:9–24; 6:5–22 In today’s passages we hear other sounds going to and from heaven.

Psalm 69:13–17, Acts 1:3–22, 2 Samuel 3:39 Even your weakness is anointed.

Psalm 69:9, John 21:4–19, 1 Samuel 2:26 Perhaps a good modern translation of the word ‘zeal’ is ‘crazy love’.

Proverbs 13:20; 14:2–3, John 20:11–28, 2 Samuel 1:12–14; 2:1 There are many blessings to living in Western Europe in the twenty-first century. However, we live in a society in which respect, awe and reverence do not seem to be as valued as they once were.

Psalm 68:28–35, John 19:30–37; 20:1–10, 1 Samuel 30:6 God has given you full access to his *endless* *energy* through Jesus’ resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 68:24–26,John 19:1–22,1 Samuel 26:23–25; 27:1–12; 28:5–19 What seemed to the world to be the ultimate defeat was in fact the ultimate triumph.

Psalm 68:19, John 18:25–40, 1 Samuel 24:2–6; 25:2–31 Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and *burdened*, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you… and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my *burden* is light’ (Matthew 11:28–30).

Proverbs 13:10–19, John 18:3–17, 1 Samuel 22:17; 23:14–18 Martin Luther King said that the ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in ‘moments of convenience’, but where they stand in ‘moments of challenge, moments of great crisis and controversy’.

Psalm 68:7–10, John 17:9–26, 1 Samuel 20:42 Unity is so powerful.

Psalm 68:4–6, John 16:7–33; 17:1–5, 1 Samuel 17:41–47 There is great power in a name. Names are significant. This is true today, but it was even more so in the Hebrew culture we read about in the Bible. A Hebrew name is no mere label. *The name of the LORD* reveals who he is.

Psalm 67:1–7, John 15:1–27, 1 Samuel 16:7; 17:4–37 There are two possible attitudes when facing a giant. One is to say, ‘It’s so big, there’s nothing I can do.’ The other is to say, ‘It’s so big, I can’t miss!’

Proverbs 12:28; 13:1–6, John 14:1–27, 1 Samuel 15:12 How can you make sure you finish well?

Psalm 66:13–20, John 13:21–38, 1 Samuel 13:13–14; 14:6 Jesus was the supreme example of love in the history of the world. He demonstrates all this in his own life through loving everyone (even Judas who betrayed him as we see in today’s passage), and laying down his life for us all in love.

Psalm 66:1–12, John 12:44–47; 13:1–15, 1 Samuel 11:12–15; 12:1–24 Celebration is an important part of life.

Psalm 65:1–4, John 12:12–33, 1 Samuel 8:19–22; 10:1–7 Governments reflect the mix that is in us all of what is good and true alongside what is sinful and flawed. However, be assured that one day there will be a new type of government – the kingship of Jesus (John 12:12–36).

Proverbs 12:18–25, John 11:45–54; 12:1–11, 1 Samuel 7:5–14 How do you find peace in adversity?

Psalm 64:1–10, John 11:1–44, 1 Samuel 3:10–11 What is your hope in times of trouble?

Psalm 63:1–8, John 10:22–42, 1 Samuel 1:10–20; 2:26 How then do you *satisfy your soul*? You are a soul created for relationship with God.

Psalm 62:1–10, John 9:35–38; 10:1–18, Ruth 4:13–17 Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd; I *know* my sheep and my sheep *know* me – just as the Father *knows* me and I *know* *the Father*’ (John 10:14).

Proverbs 12:17, John 9:1–25, Ruth 1:3–16; 2:1–13 Whether you were brought up as a Christian or whether you have only been a Christian for a few hours, your story has power.

Psalm 61:1–4, John 8:31–59, Judges 20:17–28; 21:25 All he wants is you.

Psalm 60:5–12, John 8:12–30, Judges 18:1 With God, everything is possible.

Psalm 60:1–4, John 7:45–52; 8:3–11, Judges 16:28 Even in desperate times, you can find the three great virtues of faith, hope and love.

Proverbs 11:30, John 7:14–41, Judges 15:14 It is a spiritual hunger and thirst for God which Jesus told us could only be filled by his wonderful Holy Spirit.

Psalm 59:16–17, John 6:60–69; 7:1–13, Judges 13:2–25 The apostle Paul describes God’s ‘incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his *mighty strength*, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead’ (Ephesians 1:19–20).

Psalm 59:1–4, John 6:27–54, Judges 11:29–31 As you put your *faith* in God he turns your weakness into strength.

Psalm 58:1–11, John 6:1–20, Judges 9:56–57 Today, we see that: - You reap *what* you sow - You reap *later* than you sow - You reap *more* than you sow

Proverbs 11:19–28, John 5:31–47, Judges 7:15; 8:22–28 Jesus offers you high-definition life.

Psalm 57:7–11, John 5:16–30, Judges 6:6–16 You do not need to be perfect for God to use you.

Psalm 57:1–3, John 4:46–53; 5:1–9, Judges 4:2–8; 5:2–31 It was a God-sized answer to a God-sized prayer.

Psalm 56:3–4, John 4:28–42, Judges 2:8–31 The saviour always delivers.

Proverbs 11:11–18, John 4:7–26, Judges 2:1–3 The kingdom of God is not just about the conversion of individuals – important though that is – but about the transformation of society.

Psalm 55:16–23, John 3:22–36, Joshua 24:14–23 Some choices have life-changing consequences.

Psalm 55:1–9, John 3:1–21, Joshua 22:9–31 When confrontation is necessary, how should you go about it?

Psalm 54:1–7, John 2:1–25, Joshua 20:1–3 Jesus constantly surprised his followers and he wants to continue to surprise you.

Proverbs 10:31; 11:4–6, John 1:29–46, Joshua 18:3 Realise what is already yours in Christ Jesus and then take possession of it.

Psalm 53:2–3, John 1:1–27, Joshua 15:13 Jesus is the *universal Saviour*.