You… your family, your community matter to us.
We want to walk with you so you can run your race! We want to inspire and help you get equipped.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Since 1972 the heart of Manna Christian Stores is to encourage, equip, and empower people, the church and community, by providing resources that change lives for good and to help them fulfil their mission. Through our family of 14 stores scattered across New Zealand, our online shop, by partnering with and supporting ministries, building community and providing Bibles, Christian books, and resources we hope to inspire people of all ages on their daily walk.
Encourage – to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope: hearten.
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” – Psalm 16:8 NIV
It is time to be fully equipped with understanding and truth. Stand unshaken because you know who God is, what Jesus has done, what He is doing and what He can do. Build a strong foundation on which you can stand. Discover resources that encourage you to ‘Understand your Faith.’ so you remain unshaken.
Equip – to supply the necessary items for a particular purpose.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28 19-20 NLT
Do you believe that HE has called you? Maybe today you are questioning WHO ME? Today He is saying WHY NOT YOU? Are the doubts or the fears holding you back from stepping out or stepping into what HE has asked of you? Maybe it seems impossible or too big? Maybe you don’t feel worthy or equipped?
In the Bible, you find so many who questioned their worth or were faced with what seemed impossible such as David, as he faced Goliath, Esther who risked her life to save the Jews from being annihilated, or Moses with his courage to trust God. Throughout history, to this day we have people choosing to LIVE FOR HIM, to say YES and to take those steps of courage and obedience when they hear the call.
Empower – to make strong and provide more confidence.
”My Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!” – Habakkuk 3:19 CSB
Be confident if He is calling your name to move into the unknown that you are not going alone. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV. It is time to stand on the doubts, place them firmly under your feet and trust in the God who knows the beginning and the end. Are you ready to run the race God has placed before you with new confidence? It’s your time… live courageously!
Do you believe that HE has called you? Maybe today you are questioning WHO ME?
It’s your time… live courageously!
LYFE is a comprehensive new small group resource we’re offering free to churches. LYFE will help individuals and small groups discover a deeper life with God. Based on six key spiritual formation themes including prayer, social justice and the Bible, the sessions are easy to lead and highly relational. This resource is suitable for Christians at any point on their faith journey.
LYFE is designed to be flexible – groups can choose a six week taster track, a three month track or the full 36 week track. Each session includes a different video interview and invites reflection on a passage from the Bible, plus the opportunity to experience a spiritual practice.
‘We can open ourselves to the possibility that God may want to use us in a significant way. History is full of ordinary people who, like Amos, were called to positions of influence far beyond their intentions.’
Richard J Foster, Streams Of Living Water
The Church’s willingness to show compassion and justice in the world has been integral to its life throughout history. Christian individuals and organisations have fought for equality and peace, and this work needs to continue through us today.
READ
Read the passage below several times through, slowly and prayerfully. It might help to use your imagination to picture the scene. At the end of the text you will find helpful background information in our ‘Setting the Scene’ section. As you read, look out for shockers and blockers.
Shockers – a phrase, word, image or something from the text that resonates, stands out or connects with you.
Blockers – something from the text that raises questions for you.
LUKE 10:1–12, 17-20
Later the Lord chose seventy-two other followers and sent them out two by two to every town and village where he was about to go. He said to them:
A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in. Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves.
Don’t take along a money bag or a travelling bag or sandals. And don’t waste time greeting people on the road. As soon as you enter a home, say, “God bless this home with peace.” If the people living there are peace-loving, your prayer for peace will bless them. But if they are not peace-loving, your prayer will return to you. Stay with the same family, eating and drinking whatever they give you, because workers are worth what they earn. Don’t move around from house to house. If the people of a town welcome you, eat whatever they offer. Heal their sick and say, “God’s kingdom will soon be here!” But if the people of a town refuse to welcome you, go out into the street and say, “We are shaking the dust from our feet as a warning to you. And you can be sure that God’s kingdom will soon be here!” I tell you that on the day of judgment the people of Sodom will get off easier than the people of that town!
When the seventy-two followers returned, they were excited and said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!” Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.
I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you. But don’t be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
SETTING THE SCENE
REFLECT
After you have all had time to read the text, pause and be still to listen to God through the Scriptures. Begin your reflection time by each naming your shockers and blockers. Listen carefully to each other, share your thoughts and reflect on this passage together. You might also like to explore these questions:
Q1. Who told you about Jesus? How did you come to be a follower of Christ and who was influential in your life to make this happen?
Q2. What is your experience of speaking about your faith in God? In what ways have you tried to bring compassion and healing to others?
RESPOND
Be The Message challenge: As a group, create a challenge to help you to become the message this week and be an actively compassionate person or choose from the following.
CHALLENGE IDEAS
01 Hospitality
Practicing hospitality is a great way to remind ourselves of the grace God extends to us. This week consider who you can spend time with. It would be easy to simply invite the ‘in crowd’ – but use this opportunity to invite people that won’t necessarily raise your status. How about people new to your church, college or place of work? How about someone who needs encouragement and a chance to talk openly and receive support at this time? If it’s appropriate, offer to pray for them as well.
02 Mission Possible
As a group, consider what kind of ‘mission’ you could take on. Is there something that your church is doing that you could be part of? Is there something within your community that you can serve and support? Is there an opportunity where you could demonstrate the love of God by helping the homeless, volunteering time at a soup kitchen, tidying up your local area or joining a befriending scheme?
03 Global Prayer
Part of being a global citizen is being globally informed. Commit some time this week to educating yourself about the needs of a particular area of the world. Read newspapers and scan the web to increase your knowledge of the situations in a certain country. If you know someone who is working or serving in that country, why not contact them to encourage them and commit to praying regularly for them and the work they are involved in?
group prayer
You may like to commit to praying for each person in the group this week, as you explore ways to be the message and work for justice and compassion locally and globally.
How important is it now, in uncertain days, to have certainty in knowing who you believe in, what you believe, and why you believe? Plant yourself firmly so you can grow strong in your faith.
People think that leadership is about position or title. I beg to differ. Leadership is about what you are willing to do and how you can encourage those around you to do what they might not want to.
AUTHOR HIGHLIGHT DAVID JEREMIAH don’t let your past define your future Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on,
With contributors from Bible Society NZ and other Kiwi Christian Leaders, this beautifully designed 31-day devotional will help you discover the Hope contained within His Word.
A heartwarming story that brings a boy’s first Christmas to life and teaches children about faith, hope, and the season’s true meaning.
Get your free Festive Fred booklets and share the story of the very first Christmas with the children in your life this festive season – we’ve got over 75,000 copies to distribute across New Zealand!
