Back in Old Testament days, priests were employed by God to keep the connection between himself and his people as open and healthy as possible. Within the temple's courts, the priests met, and ministered to, people who'd come to worship. Inside the Holy Place of the temple, priests would worship God in front of a special lampstand that filled the room with light (Exodus 27:20-21). Only once a year, the High Priest would go behind the curtain on his own into the place where God's presence literally resided, the 'Holy of Holies' (2 Chronicles 7:1-3). This was where the presence of God was so powerful that priests would fear for their lives.

Amazingly, God tore that very curtain in two when Jesus died on the cross (see Matthew 27:51). This means we can now all stand in God's presence, because of Jesus. Also amazing is that Jesus' sacrifice turns us into 'a Kingdom of priests for our God' (Revelation 5:10 NLT).

So God wants us to be serving people as his representatives, and he wants us to spend dedicated time filling our lives with the light of his word (= read our Bible and ask him to shine light on who he is). And, crucially, he wants us to come to him, ask him for his presence, and bask in the most perfect light for our lives: him.

So what now? Make time this week to spend time in God's presence, just being with him. Then go out into the world and serve people for him.

Sometimes we're on the receiving end of constructive confrontation. Being made aware of a blind spot in our life can be super awkward.

Let's look at it this way: if someone cares about us so much to take a risk and talk straight to us, they're probably a friend worth having. In 2 Samuel 12, after David had done a whole lot of very-bad-idea things (see the story in 2 Samuel 11), the prophet Nathan heads out to confront him. Nathan delivers what God's told him he thinks about David's adulterous and murderous ways. Tough thing to do... But if we go through life making bad decisions with no one to pull us up, we won't get to where God wants us to be

Looking back on his experience of sinning and then being restored, David was able to say: 'Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word' (Psalm 119:67 NIV). Nathan hit the spot with his criticism, and we all know how that can hurt. But David took the pain that he felt, and used it to draw back to the real focus of his life: God. That's the value of having someone looking out for us; so let's listen for the love behind their words and know it's a chance to re-start.

So what now? Take this risk... Go to a Christian whom you really trust, and ask for their opinion on one thing you could work on. Use this as a chance to work on taking positive criticism on board.

There's a place for constructive confrontation, but it takes guts to approach someone who needs some corrective help. If someone we care about is doing or saying something that's hurting them, others or their relationship with God, it may be time to (in a loving way) approach them.

Awkward? Agreed. Here are three main we can keep in mind. (1) Character: When we approach the person, let's know that we have good character because of Jesus, so let's ask him to give us kind and wise words. (2) Courage: Risking friction with someone can be really scary. Jesus sometimes had to look his disciples in the eye and give them a stern word (for example, Luke 9:51-56). But when there's a greater good at stake and we have courage in what we need to say, people will respect us for it. (3) Caution: Getting hot-headed and rushing in, even with good intentions, may cause more harm than good. We may even subconsciously want a fiery confrontation, to exercise some sort of control over someone, or to make them feel bad. That can be tempting. But, let's not risk it.

Let's ask God how and when it's best to deal with an issue. Let him show us the time and place.

So what now? In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus treated a tax collector with great respect - have a read. Jesus is always about less shunning and more love. When confronting, it should always be done with care.

Is there a dream we've been chasing after with all we've got? Perhaps we've 'caught the vision' and we're pursuing exactly what we know we should be pursuing right now. If so, well done to us! Or perhaps not. Maybe we missed that big and special opportunity, or made the wrong choices at some point.

If we're disappointed in where we find ourselves, let's take a look at the story of Joseph in Genesis 50. The fact that his brothers left him for dead didn't set him up with the best start in life. In fact, Joseph had very little choice in where he'd land in life. In the bottom of a well, and then later in a jail... But he gave his difficult situations to God, and let him take the lead. God knew exactly what gifts, talents and dreams Joseph had and brought him through.

So, if we're in a tough place, let's know that it isn't the end of the road. Really. Let's look at today's verse again. We're limiting ourselves if we believe that we've reached a dead end. Let's know that God is on our side; he's never going to abandon us or leave us without hope, no matter how dark the situation becomes. That isn't the Jesus-way. God is working all things 'for the good of those who love him' (Romans 8:28 NIV).

So what now? Those places in your life that feel stagnant or dead? God wants to resurrect them. Thank God that he always intends these challenges for your good and for his glory.

Terrible things happen to people across the world, including Christians. It's impossible to watch the news and not see this. So, how do we respond? Jesus' first followers give us some examples of how not to. Peter responded to a violent assault and tried to protect Jesus with some unwanted sword action, and one of the mob lost an ear. Jesus immediately put the brakes on Peter's revenge rampage, and healed the guy's ear.

Fast-forward a few months and Jesus has died, risen and left his Spirit with his followers. Suddenly they're all behaving differently. No more blade-wielding Peter. No more revenge quests. The disciples saw themselves and all other human beings on a level playing field, all in need of the living God to help them. In the book of Acts we see them reaching out with Jesus' compassion to help and heal others, and boldly telling others that Jesus is Lord. They prayed for their own jailers and torturers. Things had changed because they saw everyone's need for the gospel. Their eyes were opened to the weakness of all humans.

Henri Nouwen puts it like this: 'In the face of the oppressed, I recognise my own face and in the hands of the oppressor I recognise my own hands. Their flesh is my flesh, their blood is my blood, their pain is my pain, their smile is my smile.'

So what now? Today, pray for persecuted people around the world. And pray for their persecutors.

There are two major types of Christian persecution going on in the world right now: the 'smash' type, where Christians are violently tortured and murdered, and the more gradual 'squeeze' type, where society pressures Christians out of self-expression and the general leading of societal roles, events and projects.

What can we as fellow Christians do to counteract this? First up, we cannot respond with violence or hatred in the face of oppression or violence against Christians. That's not what Jesus did. He told us to cling to God, and respond with bottomless love. Next, and importantly - let's do what we can to help. Let's not lose sight of the fact that the Church is still proclaiming Jesus as Lord and bringing people to life in him. Jesus is the King of kings and he defeated the enemy on the cross. Jesus saw persecution coming and told his followers to expect it. But he is not expecting it to stop the growth of the Church: 'His power will never end; peace will last forever' (Isaiah 9:7 CEV).

But, as believers we're part of a family that's being horribly treated. What do we do when we hear that someone in our family has been hurt or attacked? We drop everything and do whatever we can to help them.

So what now? Want to be part of showing the never-ending power and peace of God's Kingdom? There are many churches and charities doing good work to help persecuted Christians. Do your research, and see which you could get alongside, either to support financially or in prayer.