We sing about it: 'Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...' But we don't often really think about it. 'Grace' means free and undeserved good will from God. With that in mind, let's read some more: 'For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need' (Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV).

Let's get our teeth into this Scripture. The author of Hebrews is saying that Jesus came to earth and died for us: the best sacrifice we could've ever asked for (no sacrificial lamb would've even compared). He died once and for all, for people who didn't deserve it. Through that undeserved grace and his love for us, he came to earth as a human being, died to set us free from shame and forgiveness and rose from the dead so we could come to God for anything. And so now, because we believe in God, we can come to him - to his throne - with confidence that he will hear and help us when we need him. And if we're honest, we could really do with reminding ourselves of the truth of that, every single day.

So what now? Take a few minutes to write out a couple of verses from 'Amazing Grace'. Use it as time to reflect on what that word, grace, really means. Offer your thanks to God.

If we've never been hurt, we've possibly lived our entire life in a plastic bubble playing solitaire. Getting hurt, disappointed or let down is inevitable in life (even for those of us who do try to live in a bubble). Even people who truly care about us will inadvertently do something that causes us pain.

But here's the good news: God doesn't want us to live with that hurt. Think about that. How many times have our past experiences dictated how we dealt with a current situation? Here's a big question: have we kept ourselves closed from God today due to past hurts? Let's not answer that too quickly. Mull it over.

If we're chained by what's happened in our past (even if it feels small but we know deep-down it's stopping us), we must pray for freedom, and if we need to talk it through with someone, let's do that. Let's look at what the psalmist said about God's approach to pain: 'He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds' (Psalm 147:3 NIV). That's pretty amazing. God cares so much about us that he, God the maker of everything, gladly reaches down to heal us and cover our wounds. And that's the way to freedom.

So what now? Read Psalm 147:3 again. Actually, read the entire chapter... it's awesome. Know that when you invite him to, he will work to bring you to a place where you can love others without fear. Allow him to heal your hurts.

Martha welcomed Jesus and his disciples into her house. But then she became distracted by doing the little things. Whereas her sister, Mary, 'sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said' (Luke 10:39 NIV). Jesus was in Martha's house; her focus at that time really needed to be on him.

But let's not be too hard on Martha because, if we're honest, we all get focused on things that aren't the main thing. Martha, quite understandably, got angry that Mary wasn't helping and went to Jesus for backup: '"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her"' (Luke 10:40-42 NIV).

Martha's heart was in the right place, but Mary knew where to put her heart and her focus. When God's speaking to us, or we feel he wants to guide us somewhere, let's not get anxious about the logistics. Let's go to his feet first, and the rest will take care of itself.

So what now? Write down things you do on a regular basis, and note the role they play in your relationship with Jesus. If something is drawing your focus away from him, pray about whether you should drop it or not.

'Apart from me you can do nothing,' said Jesus, letting us know that the only way to live life right is through knowing him. This can seem confusing and maybe a little irritating sometimes! But when we get to know who Jesus is, it starts to make sense. Preacher SM Lockridge's once gave a six-and-a-half minute description of Jesus. Here's a summary of what he said (search on YouTube for the whole thing. It's worth it!):

'He's...King of Kings...Lord of Lords...the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world...he's the centrepiece of civilisation...the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Saviour...he strengthens and sustains...he guards and he guides...he heals the sick...he forgives sinners...he blesses the young...he's the key to knowledge...his life is matchless...his goodness is limitless...his love never changes...his word is enough...his grace is sufficient...he's indescribable...incomprehensible... invincible...irresistible...You can't out live him and you can't live without him...Death couldn't handle him and the grave couldn't hold him...Do you know him?'

The more we get to know Jesus, the more incredible he becomes. The more we know we need him, the more thankful we become in knowing that 'without Jesus [we] can do nothing' (see John 15:5).

So what now? Whether you've known Jesus for two minutes or two decades, make it your mission to know him better. You can never stop discovering more of him. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV says, 'He has... set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.'

The Bible is full of stories with unexpected twists. Case study from the book of Exodus. All the Israelites witnessed a serious case of God defeating Pharaoh in Exodus 14 and yet here they are in Exodus 32 giving thanks and praise to a golden cow! If the Israelites had a brain between them at this point, it would probably fit comfortably into a matchbox. How does a chunk of metal with udders compare to the almighty Creator of the universe? Wow, those old-time Israelites sure had it all wrong... not like us wonderfully wise Christians today. Hmm... wonder what those way-back-when Israelites would make of the little rectangles of precious plastic we feed into holes in the wall or swipe to get what we want.

We're talking about money, of course. It's one of human beings' main rivals to God. We can make such a big deal about earning, spending and saving that we may as well be giving it our full worship. We can see money as the key to comfort, the ticket to happiness and the voucher to security. But happiness isn't found in the 'ker-ching' of a cash till, to use the analogy of an old way of paying for things.

Let's remember: 'Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you"' (Hebrews 13:5 NLT).

So what now? When it comes to you and money, whether it's wanting more or wondering how to spend it, have a talk to Jesus about resetting your priorities and helping you manage your money.

Time for a refresher... read the story of the 'prodigal son' in Luke 15:11-32. The father in the story would do anything to have his son back with him, but he doesn't send a search party to kidnap him back. No, the choice has to be the son's. God doesn't force his agenda on us, as if we're his prisoners of war or helpless subjects of a dictatorship; he empowers us to make our own choice. The son realised living in a pigpen was no life at all. He came to his own realisation.

The son should never have been in the pigpen in the first place. His choices landed him there. Dad seemed too boring, home seemed like a bunch of rules, all work and no play. Surely, he thought, there's a better life on the outside, far away from dad's estate. That's what had driven our prodigal 1,000 kilometres from being able to borrow dad's car or celebrating in style on his birthday.

What about us? We too were born for a palace, not a pigpen. Have we realised our favoured position yet? Have we realised that abundant life is not elsewhere, but with choosing Jesus?

So what now? Does it feel like you're lost, 1,000 kilometres from where you should be right now? The reality is you're just a prayer away from God's outstretched arms, and he is waiting and watching for you. Why don't you turn to page 61 of this booklet and pray the prayer right now? Choose to be found.