The Babylonian army attacked Jerusalem and took many back to idol-worshipping, corrupt Babylon as prisoners. It would have been understandable that the Israelites would feel sorry for themselves and expect God to free them.

But that wasn't God's plan. He asked them to care for Babylon and get involved with its society. He even instructed them to pray for the city (see Jeremiah 29:4-7). It must have been hard for them, but God knew what he was doing. He told the captives: 'For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). While they were waiting for him to fix everything, God wanted them to learn to make the best of their situation. Imagine what their pagan neighbours must have thought, 'Wow, these prisoners aren't sitting around moaning about their situation; instead they're getting involved and trying to make our life better, too.' It must have made the Babylonians stop and think about this God these prisoners were serving.

It can be so frustrating if we're waiting for God to help us out of a situation we hate. But let's not avoid it - while we're waiting, let's try to have a positive impact on those around us. It may be the only chance they get to see God at work.

So what now? Is there somewhere you really don't enjoy going to? Next time, arrive there 15 minutes early and pray for the place. 'Take the city' for God.

Each of us has battles, even as Jesus followers. Ever heard or read a Christian talk or article about how not to look to clothes, or drinking, or partners, etc, to find self-worth? There are many views and situations that challenge our identity, with many pressures to fit in as society dictates. But, despite these battles, Jesus isn't into compromise. He says, 'If you love me, keep my commands' (John 14:15 NIV).

What's the way to rise above these pressures? Jesus' way isn't 'try harder'. It's 'try again, now that you have my new life in you'. Let's look at Paul's response to peer pressure: 'I don't worry over what you think about this or what anyone else thinks. I don't even trust my own judgement on this point' (1 Corinthians 4:3 TLB). He was able to react like that because he had his mind set on, and changed by, the God who'd saved him.

What's the key to freedom from pressure? God. Sounds simple, but it's true. We can't beat external pressures on our own; only God changing our heart can. We just need to make the decision to ask him for help each time we feel pressured to do something we know isn't his ideal for our lives.

So what now? Write a list of the things you're most likely to feel pressured to do. Even down to the smallest thing. Pray for release from this pressure, through Jesus.

The famous 'Prodigal Son' story... head to Luke 15 to recap. Even if we're familiar with the story, here's something we may not know: the son who demanded the father's inheritance was breaking serious boundaries. In the culture of the time, going to your dad and asking for your share of the inheritance was really saying, 'Dad, I wish you were dead.' How often do we walk away from God and our home in him? How often do we wish deep down that he didn't want certain things for us, so we could go our own way? If we've been there and want to return like the son did, today's reading is for us.

What's more astounding than the son's disobedience is the father's grace-filled reaction: he 'saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him' (Luke 15:20 NIV). Jesus knew, as he told this parable, that the father's extravagance was outrageous. And that was 100% on purpose. He wants us to link the dad's reaction to God's.

How outrageously have we sinned against God? Jesus sees it, and wants us to know he will meet us with an even more outrageous grace.

So what now? Thank God that he keeps no record of when you've wronged him (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Keeping a record of things you've done wrong? Show yourself outrageous grace and throw your arms around yourself.

Defending the Christian faith is called 'apologetics'. Sometimes its debates and rationales can get pretty heated. But there are many people and organisations that do apologetics really well.

So how can we do it well? Well, there's a huge difference between disagreeing with someone and attacking them for thinking differently. The latter is: (a) what God calls us not to do and (b) never an effective way to get people to re-think their opinion. Yes, when we're comfortable that our stance is godly, we can have confidence. But taking care with how we share our message is so important. When we leave someone with a nasty memory of our interaction, it usually does not help to win them over. In 2 Timothy 2:25 NLT we read how to approach people in apologetic conversation: 'Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth.' Take notice of the words 'gently instruct'.

A discussion will only go God's way when we invite him into it, let him lead our words and do our best to behave as he would. It's not our clever arguments that will change someone's mind. It's God's words on our lips and his work in their hearts and minds.

So what now? In future conversations about your faith, remember to ask Jesus in and to be gentle, as he is. As Romans 12:4 says: 'It is God's kindness that is trying to lead you to him and change the way you think and act'.

The Bible talks about the 'narrow path' and entering through the 'narrow gate' (Matthew 7:13-14). Proverbs 3:6 reassures us that when we submit to God this path will be made straight.

What does this mean? Well, God has already told us: 'I know the plans that I have for you... they are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope' (Jeremiah 29:11 GWT). This puts the ball in our court; it's up to us to accept God's heart for our lives and allow him to reign over our desires, goals, hopes and decisions. Proverbs 3:6 tells us that when we choose his leading for our life path, he'll make it clear, step by step, how we're to travel. Even though the path and gateway to Heaven may be 'narrow', God's guidance makes the way better and safer to navigate.

So, when we hit a tough decision or challenge that creates a bump in that path, God will work in the bump so that we can move forward with him. Psalm 91:11-12 NIV explains: God will 'command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' Wow, what a promise!

So what now? Write a list of what's important to you: the people, projects and plans. Pray over each one, thanking God that each thing will be made clear and straight under his guidance and care.

This is ironic... being on-point, efficient and successful are the name of the game in the world we live in, but so are stress, deadlines and worry. In reality, these two lists directly cancel each other out. Worry is an assassin, taking out our ability to rest, get stuff done and keep hold of healthy relationships. We've known that for at least 3,000 years: in the Bible we find that Solomon wrote, 'Worry is a heavy burden' (Proverbs 12:25 CEV).

Philippians 4:6 NLT shares a way for us to relieve worry. It says, 'Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he's done.' It reminds us that the only way to centre ourselves is to centre on God. Without that, our own efforts to do stuff or meet expectations can destroy us. And sometimes, worry and stress move in and take over, leaving us with no space or energy to focus on anything, let alone God.

We're not built to live our days without peace; our minds, souls and even our bodies start breaking without it. The only source of true peace is God. So let's deliberately make space to sit still, breathe and ask him into our anxious spaces. As one adage says: 'No God, no peace; know God, know peace'.

So what now? Today (or any day), when things are so stressful that you don't have the energy to think about what to pray, just say, 'God, be here with me.' Then have a distraction-free five minutes of accepting God's peace.