Some time ago I set out to re-read the gospels, with a special focus on the interplay of faith and deeds in the lives of those whom Jesus met. One of the first such accounts is the familiar story of Jesus turning water into wine.

I like this story for its beautiful simplicity and the organic nature of turning water into wine. If there are any heroes in this story, for me they are the humble servants. First, they are told by Jesus to fill six stone jars with water. These jars were “used by the Jews for ceremonial washing” – so not the most suitable containers to be filled with delicious wine! Anyway, the servants do as they are told. But then, things get even worse – Jesus’ next command is, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” (John 2:8 TNIV)

I can’t imagine how bizarre this must have sounded to them. If I had been in their shoes, I think I would have had a difficult time obeying Jesus’ command. They might have expected anything from scorn to severe punishment for bringing their master water and calling it wine. But they just took the water and trusted Jesus to work it all out. That’s faith in action! The more difficult the circumstances, the more faith thrives.

We all know the story’s ending, so there’s no need to repeat it here. But as we are about to start next month, let’s pray for a faith that is backed up by deeds of love – those small and simple acts of following Jesus, because faith is not just about declaring Jesus as Lord – faith is living in obedience to the Lord Jesus.

Zbigniew Szalbot
SGM Lifewords Europe

The Bible’s life words are for all generations, from those now entering the autumn of life, to those just starting out in spring. As students return to university after the Christmas break, join us in praying for the many efforts being made to connect them with the Bible’s life words.

• Since September last year, SGM Lifewords has been providing logistical support to UCCF, helping to distribute gospels to 137 Universities, sixth form colleges and other institutions providing further education. Give thanks for this partnership, and pray that God would strengthen the bonds of friendship between our organisations.

• With February marking the beginning of the Easter term for many students, please pray for the various weeks of mission being held up and down the country, including the recent two weeks of mission held at the University of Lancaster. With students hosting lunch bars and other outreach events, pray that these would be well attended, helping to connect a new generation with the Bible’s life words.

• The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) will be partnering with SGM Lifewords in the development of Identity, a student outreach project based in the Ukraine. The project will entail the use of the Identity resource (a special edition of Mark’s gospel), which is currently in production. Please pray for expediency throughout the process of translation, design, and print.

• Last month, Ukrainian students attended a conference to enable them to use the Identity gospels in their outreach work. Please pray that they would use these skills to encourage their peers, helping them to forge life-changing connections with the Bible’s life words.

Some of us here at SGM Lifewords have read Bishop of Reading Stephen Cottrell’s winsome little book Do Nothing to Change Your Life, and found it quite inspiring, so I was interested to see he has taken on the monster of the consumerist Christmas in his latest book.

Do Nothing – Christmas is Coming is ‘an advent calendar with a difference’, a series of reflections for each day of advent. Christmas is a time of joy, but also a time when “all the conflicting demands and expectations that we experience every day in our dispersed and fragmented lives seem at their worst”, says Cottrell. What we need is to take a deep breath, and gain some perspective. 

The reflections here address topics such as debt, in-laws, Christmas card lists, Santa, all in a low-key, humourous way that will be accessible to both Christians and non-Christians. In fact, if it weren’t for the fact that you should really start reading it 25 days before the day, it would make a good Christmas present. Perhaps you could give a copy to friends and family earlier, and read it together through advent. (You can order it here.)

We’re running some advent journeys of our own, of course. After the success of our Advent A-Z last year, the family devotionals by email will run again this year. We’re also hosting an Advent Journey through our Life Changing Words service. For more on both of these, and to take part, visit our Christmas site.