A while ago, I was talking with somebody at church who was having a difficult time. They were carrying all kinds of burdens and I could see they were struggling. I did my very best to show care and to encourage them, but I discovered soon afterwards that they had decided to stop attending church, despite their strong network of friendships.

I was looking forward to sharing dinner with friends, but although I may have appeared to be a nice enough person, I was later convicted of my unattractive ego and self. My heart was more often motivated by me than by God.

Sometimes people have a military bearing, long after they have left the ranks of the army. There is something about the way they stand and walk and hold themselves.

I’ve recently started watching the series called The Chosen and it has really helped to bring the Bible to life for me. I think the actor cast as Jesus was such a good choice, and I love the way the writers have included humour, banter and affection between Jesus and his followers. I also love how Jesus has middle eastern features and an appropriate skin colour too – I can’t bear the white, pointynosed, blue-eyed Jesus portrayed in many historical paintings and films.

Unlike personality or talent, wisdom is not inherent in us. We learn to be wise through reading, understanding and, even more importantly, applying God’s word. This is far more valuable than any academic achievement.

Jesus continued on his final journey to Jerusalem, and along the way he met ten men who all suffered from leprosy. The ten men called out to Jesus to have pity on them, and he did.

‘I hate this.’ That day, I’d been told I needed more surgery. Now, curled up in bed, all I could hurl at God was, ‘I hate this.’ Even as I said it, part of me recoiled. Was it OK to say that to God? I didn’t know. I began to cry, and God cried with me. I hate it, too.

In John 6:40, Jesus says that it is the will of God for us to believe in him. I like the way Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message, expounds this as an active belief by using the term align in this verse. He helps us understand that believing in Jesus is not just a thought, but true belief involves our whole soul – mind, heart and body – all participating in agreement alongside Jesus himself.

See what I see? Touch my world as I have touched you. Devote yourself to my way and lead others to do the same. I’ve got you. Here, put your hand in mine. Look to me. Watch me. See, I’ve got you.

‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.’ Matthew 23:27

When we were having dinner today, Naomi made an announcement. She’d had news from a friend of hers, back in Bethlehem, and apparently the famine there has ended! Naomi said, ‘God has come to the rescue.’ Naomi also said she wants to go back to Bethlehem. Orpah and I looked at each other. We knew what we needed to do. The three of us finished dinner, and then began to pack.

Some years ago, I had the privilege of driving a good friend to the airport. She was returning to work that she loved in Turkey, knowing full well that, in all likelihood, she would not see her family and friends for at least two years

Would you dare to ask God to introduce you to this other Jesus as you walk today? Would you ask for some insight into the anger which exploded into action on that bright morning when he strode into the temple and upset everything from tables to expectations?

‘What is Love?’ the eighties’ pop-singer Howard Jones asked my teenage self. Love received and felt can mean so much.