
Time’s short, eternity is long and hard times come to all. God wants us to wake up to reality, trust His supply and be ‘biblically shrewd’.
Yesterday I had the privilege again of speaking to homeless people in Manchester City centre at Barnabus at one of their regular outreach gatherings. While I was getting ready someone hammered on the door because another homeless man had been run over by a taxi driver right outside! I went out to see blood pouring from the guy’s head and a huge lump appearing on his leg as he couldn’t move. I went into First Aider mode and spoke to the emergency services to help as best I could. There were people all round shouting angrily at the driver which may have been understandable but wasn’t helping anyone much.
Put first things FIRST:
F – Finances: Is God first in how I handle money?
I – Interests: Are my hobbies and habits helping or hindering my devotion?
R – Relationships: Are the people I’m closest to seeing Jesus in me more?
S – Schedule: Is my time aligned with my values or just my to-do list?
T – Troubles: Am I turning to God in prayer first when life hits hard?
If you’ve been shrinking back, playing it safe, or just trying to survive— I believe God is saying it’s time to dream again. Not just following your dreams, but stepping into God’s dreams for your life, which are always bigger than you think.If you want to walk in God’s dream, your first move is to put His dream ahead of yours. When you do, you’ll see Him open doors, pour out resources and somehow orchestrate events you couldn’t make happen in a million years. I know it’s true because I have seen it happen so many times I had to pinch myself that I wasn’t dreaming when it happened!
Egypt operates under a false god—the god of toil and endless striving. But Yahweh is the God of Sabbath, of presence, of blessing.
Even today, we face “Pharaohs”—systems and mindsets that push us to strive harder. But in a Year of Expansion, we are not called to make it happen by force. We are called to trust God