Uniting Church Young

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01/02/2026

February 1 – Courage in the Darkness
But you must be strong and very courageous (Joshua 1:7)
In the depths of the night, the Powerful Owl emerges, a majestic creature embodying strength and adaptability. As Australia’s largest owl species, it fearlessly navigates the darkness, its keen senses guiding it through the forest. The Powerful Owl’s presence reminds us that even in the most challenging and uncertain times, we possess an innate capacity for courage.
Just as the Powerful Owl embraces the night, we too are called to face the shadows within ourselves and the world around us. In the Bible, Joshua is urged to be strong and courageous as he leads the Israelites into an unknown future. Similarly, our spiritual journey often requires us to step into uncharted territories, trusting in the wisdom and guidance that resides within us. By cultivating a deep connection with the Divine, we can tap into a wellspring of courage that enables us to navigate life’s complexities with grace.
Reflection:
1. How can I embrace the unknown aspects in my life as an opportunity for growth and transformation?
2. In what ways can I cultivate a deeper trust in the Divine to guide me through uncertain times?
Prayer:
Divine Presence, grant me the strength and courage to face the unknown. May I trust in your wisdom that resides within me and your guidance that surrounds me, as I navigate the complexities of life with grace.

DO NOT MERELY LOOK OUT FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS BUT ALSO THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS. Philippians 2:4
What is the cure for selfishness? Get yourself out of your eye by getting your eye off yourself. Quit staring at that little self, and focus on your great Saviour. Focus on the encouragement in Christ, the consolation of Christ, the love of Christ, the fellowship of the spirit, the affection and compassion of heaven. Max Lucado.

27/01/2026

Jan 27.
Harmony in the Midst of Change
“We know that God makes everything work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to God’s purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
In the lush depths of the rainforest, a fascinating dance unfolds. The strangler fig, a plant that begins life high in the canopy, sends its roots downward, slowly enveloping its host tree. At first glance, this process might appear destructive, as the fig seems to overwhelm and suffocate its host. Yet, in the grand scheme of the rainforest ecosystem, the strangler fig becomes an integral part of the community. As the host tree eventually dies and decomposes, the fig’s intricate root system provides a sturdy framework, offering shelter and sustenance to countless creatures.
This intricate dance of the strangler fig and its host tree serves as a poignant reminder of the mysterious ways in which the Divine works in our lives. At times, we may feel overwhelmed by challenges or circumstances that seem to engulf us, much like the host tree enveloped by the strangler fig. Yet, if we trust in the loving presence that guides the intricate web of life, we can begin to see how even our struggles can be woven into a greater tapestry of purpose and growth. Just as the strangler fig becomes a vital part of the rainforest ecosystem, our own challenges can be transformed into opportunities for resilience, compassion, and a deeper understanding of our place in the world.
Reflection:
1. When I feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges, can I trust that there is a greater purpose unfolding, even if I cannot yet see it?
2. How can I cultivate a sense of wonder and openness to the mysterious ways in which the Divine works in my life and in the world around me?
Prayer:
Divine Presence, help me to trust in the intricate dance of life, knowing that even in the midst of challenges, there is a loving wisdom at work. Grant me the grace to embrace the mysteries of growth and transformation, as I seek to live with purpose and compassion.

THE GOOD MAN BRINGS GOOD THINGS OUT OF THE GOOD STORED UP IN HIS HEART.
Luke 6:45
When you are offered a morsel of gossip marinated in slander, do you turn it down or pass it on? That depends on the state of your heart. The state of your heart dictates whether you harbour a grudge or give grace? Seek self-pity or see Christ, drink human misery or taste God's mercy………Max Lucado.

25/01/2026

Jan 25
Seeds of Hope
May the God of hope fill you with such peace and joy in your faith, that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
In the Australian bush, the tiny seeds of the grevillea lay dormant, patiently awaiting the right conditions to spring to life. These seeds, though small, contain within them the potential for great beauty and resilience. Similarly, within each human heart lies the seed of Divine hope, planted by the God of all creation. Just as the grevillea seed requires the right combination of water, sunlight, and nutrients to germinate and grow, our spiritual lives need nurturing through faith, prayer, and openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
The journey of faith, like the life cycle of a plant, is not always predictable or linear. There may be periods of dormancy, where growth seems stagnant, or times of struggle and challenge. Yet, even in these moments, the seed of hope remains, waiting for the right conditions to burst forth into new life. By tending to our spiritual lives with the same care and attention we might give to a garden, we create space for the God of hope to fill us with peace and joy, even amidst the complexities and uncertainties of life.
Reflection:
1. How can I create space in my daily life to nurture the growth of hope, even when the path ahead feels uncertain or unclear?
2. In what ways do I experience the God of hope in my life, even in times of dormancy or struggle?
Prayer:
Divine Gardener, help me nurture the seeds of hope that You planted within my heart. Help me to tend to them with faith and trust, knowing that in due time, they will blossom into fullness of life.

I SHALL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. Acts 2:17
On the surface they appear no different. Peter is still brazen. That Daniel is still reflective. Phillip is still calculating. They look the same. But they aren't. Within them dwells the fire not found on earth. Christ has taught them. The Father has forgiven them. The spirit indwells them. They are not the same. And because they are different, so is the world……….Max Lucado.

23/01/2026

MUSTARD SEEDS
N ow faith is confidence in what we hope for, and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Got a ruler? Look at the one millimetre mark. That's the size of 1 mustard seed. Yet packed inside that ultra tiny package is all the plant DNA needed to form roots and stems, leaves and flowers, and an amazing ability to convert sun and rain into daily sustenance. It certainly doesn't look impressive at first, but the mustard seed is packed with power that it in time brings a colourful plant and seasons the earth with distinctive flavour.
Did you know that when you first believed God, He planted a seed in your soul, not the kind for photosynthesis, but for trusting God to produce great things through you. God has given each one of his kids the gift of faith in who he is and what he can do. Though it might not seem like a big deal God says that tiny bit of trust in him is packed with supernatural power you wouldn't believe. So big in fact that it can literally move mountains. God didn't plant the seed of faith in you to stay small. He wants it to grow, giving colour and flavour to the world where he planted you. What do you need to trust God to do today? Believe that he can move mountains, and watch in wonder as he grows a miracle, and your faith, right before your eyes.
For truly I say to you if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
Stay focused on God's ways and principles, live every day in the knowledge that he loves you and he is present within you, enabling you to do mighty things for his Kingdom. George Barna

ALL OF YOU WHO WERE BAPTISED INTO CHRIST HAVE CLOTHED YOURSELVES WITH CHRIST. Galatians 3:27
We wear Jesus. And those who don't believe in Jesus, note that we do. They make decisions about Christ by watching us. When we are kind, they assume Christ is kind. When we are gracious, they assume Christ is gracious. But if we are brash, what will people think about our King? When we are dishonest, what assumptions will an observer make about our master? Courteous conduct honours Christ………..Max Lucado.

21/01/2026

DIVINE BREATH
His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him, though he is not for far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, “we are his offspring.” Acts 17:27-28
You can't even see it with your eyes, but the magic is happening every moment you breathe. Oxygen, cool and clean, escapes from leaves all over the earth, the byproduct of a photosynthetic process that makes plant life viable all over the globe. Fortunately for us humans, it is exactly the composition of air our lungs require to feed and fuel our bodies. Amazingly the carbon dioxide we exhale is the critical compound feeding the photosynthetic process for plants. It's one incredible cycle that sustains life all over our beautiful planet. It's also a picture of the unseen power feeding the soul of God's children. Every moment we live, every breath we take, we are taking in the very breath of God. He surrounds us, filling us with energy and creativity that comes from his divine source.
As you reach out to others, loving and making the world a better place, you can be breathing out the life you have been given. You can become an integral part of the process of God, the divinely orchestrated cycle of receiving and giving that graces his people and gives hope to the entire world. So take a deep breath and thank the God of creation who fills your lungs and your soul with incredibly good things. Then feel his smile as you exhale knowing you can keep the process going.
the wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it’s sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from, or where it is going, so it is with everything born of the spirit. John 3:8
We have been given the breath of life, designed with a unique one of a kind soul that exists forever, whether we live it as a burden or as a joy, or with indifference, doesn't change the fact that we've been given the gift of being now and forever. Wendy Moore ………….

IF ANYONE BELONGS TO CHRIST, THERE IS A NEW CREATION 2 Corinthians 5:17
At our new birth God remakes our souls and gives us what we need, again. New eyes so we can see by faith. A new mind so we can have the mind of Christ. New strength so we won't grow tired. A new vision so we won't lose heart. A knew voice for praise and new hands for service. And most of all, a new heart. A heart that has been cleansed by Christ. …….Max Lucado.

20/01/2026

OCTOPUS MANEUVERS
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:8
First, you notice it out the corner of your eye. Ever since you opened the storybook, your child has been creeping closer to you. By page one, she's facing you, eyes full of anticipation. Page two finds her close by your side. But by page three her foot has slipped over your lap and anchored itself on the other side. Like an octopus, she has managed to slink all other arms and legs under the outstretched book, until her body is full and centre on your lap. Arms around her on either side as you hold the book in front, you can't help but smile as she snuggles in, because you know storys sound better when they’re shared as close as possible.
Child of God, can you hear your heavenly Father reading your story. Every day that your life unfolds is another spectacular adventure filled with colourful characters, and an enchanting divine romance. It was written before the world for you to hear and experienced today, perfectly plotted to delight, intrigue, and satisfy your soul. Will you settle for a distant read, like your child at page one? Or would you rather crawl up close next to God your creator and revel in his love as you look at life together? Don't wait for another page. His arms are open waiting.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16
God talks to those who humbly bring themselves before him, young and old to hear him speak. What do you lose by listening to the God who loves and lives today, who created man and moon and who wants to walk with you? Becky Tirabassi ……………

EVERYONE MUST DIE ONCE AND BE JUDGED. Hebrews 9:27
Eternity is to be taken seriously. A judgement is coming. Our task on earth is singular, to choose our eternal home. You can afford many wrong choices in life. You can choose the wrong career and survive, the wrong city and survive, the wrong house and survive. You can even choose the wrong mate and survive. But there is one choice that must be made correctly and that is your eternal destiny. ………Max Lucado.

19/01/2026

FLASH OF GLORY
Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain, and brings forth his wind from his store houses. Psalm 135:6-7
Did you know that a single Bolt of lightning can raise the air temperature around it by as much as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit? That's more than 100 million electrical volts according to National Geographic, all funnelled into one flashing force of nature, a brilliant display of power by the one who sent it.
The Bible says that God controls every lightning bolt and tells it where it should go. Can you imagine if you had that much power? So much that in a millisecond you could change the face of the world and everything around it. Has it struck you that you, as God's child, possess this powerful potential within you? You may not be ready to shoot lightning bolts at the world, but the God of the universe who creates and directs all the earths massive energy has the ability to equip you with awesome power. Every second more than 100 lightning bolts strike somewhere on our planet. Every one of them, blast after spectacular blast, should blow your mind. Like his bolts, God has charged you with a power more potent than the sun. Let him release his brilliant glory through you today.
He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. Job 36:32
O’God, creator of light, at the rising of your sun this morning let the greatest of all lights, your love, rise like the sun within our hearts……….

GOD HAS PLANTED ETERNITY IN THE HEARTS OF MEN. Ecclesiastes 3:10
You will never be completely happy on earth simply because you were not made for earth. Oh, you will have your moments of joy. You will catch glimpses of light. You will know moments or even days of peace. But they simply do not compare with the happiness that lies ahead. ……….Max Lucado.

15/01/2026

TIME FOR PEACE
In peace I will lie down and sleep for you alone Lord make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
Your alarm clock sounds, and another long day unfolds in your mind before your feet hit the floor. Considering the size of today's to-do list you wonder how you're going to squeeze in time for a workout, not to mention time for friends, for family, for God. So you start out with first things first. Pouring yourself a large cup of coffee you curl up on the sofa and soak in the praise of psalms, some wisdom from proverbs, and a story from the gospels. Suddenly the tyranny of the urgent starts losing its hold in light of God's presence. You are known, protected, loved, provided for. And the worlds worries vanish as you enter the rest of your Father's care. Now you are ready for the rest of the day. Not because you are now fuelled up to go do it on your own, but because you are filled with the comfort of his presence as you go, and your spirit rests regardless of the day's activity. You are assured that the God of glory you read about this morning will be just as glorious in your life today.
In God there is no need for stress. He invites you to rest, not only in your eternal future, but in every moment, now knowing he is sufficient for your every need today.
In vain you rise early and stay up late toiling for food to eat for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:2

A quiet morning with a loving God puts the events of the upcoming day into proper perspective. Janette Oke……….

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL GET EVERYTHING YOU ASK FOR IN PRAYER. Matthew 21:22
Don't reduce this grand statement to the category of new cars and paychecks. God wants you to fly. He wants you to fly free of yesterday's guilt. He wants you to fly free of today's fears. He wants you to fly free of tomorrow's grave. Sin, fear, and death. These are the mountains he has moved. These are the prayers he will answer. …..Max Lucado.

08/01/2026

CROWNING GOLD
The Lord takes delight in his people, he crowns the humble with victory. Psalm 149:4
Every four years, we gather around our TV sets (or maybe even get to go in person) to watch the Olympics. We gawk at muscles, marvel at ability, and strain in our seats to help our favourite person or team pull first through the finish line. For former athletes the games rekindle the competitive fire we felt in our youth. The rest just watching wondered what it must feel like to win the gold. To be crowned winner of the world.
But you don't have to dream. God has already declared it by the intense training and work accomplished by his son. No matter who you are, what you've done, how inadequate you feel, God has crowned you the winner of his kingdom. Why? Because that's who he has made you to be. As his child you are the most cherished of all his creation. The honoured recipient of his love and grace.
So why cower in self-contempt or feel inferior to those who seem capable of greater feats. You have been given the place of prominence, the top centre step of life's Olympic ceremony. So wear your God given gold with pride in his grace, and salute his goodness with the sound of your thanks.
I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:14
The value of a person is not measured on an applause metre, it is measured in the heart and mind of God. Rest assured, for on God’s scale the needle always reads high. John Fischer …….

AFTER I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME BACK AND TAKE YOU TO BE THERE WITH ME. John 14:3
Note the promise of Jesus. I will come back and take you to be with me. Jesus pleasures to take us home. He does not delegate this task. He may send missionaries to teach you, angels to protect you, teachers to guide you, singers to inspire you, and physicians to heal you, but he sends no one to take you. He reserves this job for himself. ……….Max Lucado.

05/01/2026

SHEEP STORY
He tends his flock like a Shepherd, He gathers the lambs to His arms and carries them close to His heart. Isaiah 40:11
What was God thinking when he compared his people to sheep? Of all creatures. After all, sheep aren’t the smartest in the animal kingdom. When they fall over they need help to get up. In the absence of a leader they'll simply follow each other, even over a cliff. They frighten easily. And they're easy prey for numerous predators, unless a Good Shepherd is guarding them.
And then you begin to see God’s point. Maybe he can show us a thing or two about ourselves? Left to our own devices we really are a flock of foolish creatures destined to make a mess of things outside of his direction.
Fortunately, you aren’t on your own. God, your Shepherd, is the very best in the business. He comforts you with his gentle touch. He guards your life from dangers in the distance. He leads you to graze on his grace and drink deeply of his calming love. And even when you wander from the fold he doesn't leave you for the wolves. No, the great Shepherd searches for every last lamb until he is found and carries him safely home.
You may feel sometimes like a lost and lonely lamb, but God never loses sight of his loved ones. Listen for his familiar voice and follow his footsteps. He always leads you home.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out, his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10: 3-4
God is the Shepherd in search of his lambs. His legs are scratched his feet are sore and his eyes are burning. He scales the cliffs and traverses the fields. He explores the caves. He cups his hands to his mouth and calls into the Canyon. And the name he calls is yours. Max Lucado…….

GOD GIVES US A FREE GIFT, LIFE FOREVER IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. Romans 6:23
One of the hardest things to do is to be saved by grace. There's something in us that reacts to God’s free gift. We have some weird compulsion to create laws, systems, and regulations that will make us worthy of our gift. Why do we do that? The only reason I can figure is pride. To accept grace means to accept its necessity, and most people don't like to do that. To accept grace also means that one realises his despair, and most people aren't too keen on doing that either…………Max Lucado.

03/01/2026

APPLE DELIGHT
Show me the wonders of your great love, keep me as the apple of your eye. Psalm 17:7
What do you love more than anything in the world? God? Your family? Friends? Maybe a cold bowl of ice cream on a hot summers day?
It's a hard question to answer sometimes because we use the word “love” so loosely. In the English language the same word can be used to describe a million variations of love for someone or something.
You might have heard the good news that God loves you. And it's true, the Bible says it over and over. But sometimes you can miss the true meaning. Look at your track record. Or maybe even deeper into your heart, you might conclude that while God may love you (because he doesn't lie) he couldn't possibly like you very much. So you resign yourself to “being a good person”
But you've missed God's real message. He doesn't just love you. He likes you. He delights in you. And he wants to keep intimacy with you right now where you are. You are the apple of God's eye, the one who brings a big smile to his face every time he sees you.
he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Deuteronomy 32:10
As the beloved of God, under the shadow of his wings, and as the apple of God's eye, the seeds of great faith live within us. Gary Smalley and John Trent ………..

WE ARE MADE HOLY THROUGH THE SACRIFICES CHRIST MADE IN HIS BODY ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME. Hebrews 10:10
The son of God became the Lamb of God, the cross became the altar, and we were made holy through the sacrifice Christ made in his body once and for all time. What needed to be paid was paid. What had to be done was done. Innocent blood was required. Innocent blood was offered, once and for all time. Bury those five words deep in your heart. Once and for all time. Max Lucado.

02/01/2026

GRACE LIKE RAIN
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14
One look overhead and you know what's going to happen. Those black, low lying clouds are about to let loose. As if someone flipped a switch, suddenly the heavens open up to pour out a flood of warm wonderful rain all over the dry earth beneath. And the ground is ready (even if you aren't) to soak up every drop, sending it to the roots of the plants and trees, pooling it for the birds and animals, and saving it for rivers and seas to spread the glory as far as it can go.
As annoying as it may seem when you've planned that outdoor activity, you have to watch in wonder. What would the world be like without water? You've seen the effects in desert regions. All green would be gone. Life, in all forms, would shrivel and die.
Why would God make his creation so dependent on one, miraculous element? Perhaps so you could see the same principle at work in your spirit. You need God as the land needs rain to grow and thrive. When you receive his life giving love you become a reservoir of grace. Ready to flood the world with God's living water.
Ready to open up the sky. Believe that you are loved. God's grace pours down like rain to renew your hope and revive the lost world around you.
Be glad people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God for he has given you the autumn rains, because he is faithful, he sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains as before. Joel 2:23
Grace means that God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love. Philip Yancey………

I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO YOU EVERYTHING I HEARD FROM MY FATHER. John 15:15
We learn brevity from Jesus. His greatest sermon can be read in eight minutes. He summarised prayer in five phrases. He silenced accusers with one challenge. He rescued a soul with one sentence. He summarised the law in three verses. And he reduced all his teachings to one command. He made his point and went home…………Max Lucado.

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Young, NSW
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