Tuesday 29 January 2013
whats the real focus?
Sometimes we are cynical people! I've seen it a lot when it comes to corporate worship! For some reason there seems to be someone who has some complaint about either a musician, or a song, or an instrument or something! But, we forget - worship has nothing to do with us! Did I just say that?? I do believe I did! Worship has nothing to do with us! Worship is all about God! Jesus should be our focus at worship time! Not the songs, how they are played, who is singing, who is off key or out of rhythm! We are not the focus of worship! Therefore, following that logic, we have no reason to complain about worship! What we should be doing is putting all our effort in and giving God our best! Focus off us, focus on God! Give God the glory! And don't grumble and complain! Oh and, if you think you can lead worship in your church better than those already doing so ... Go volunteer! Lend a hand! Help out! Put your money where your mouth is and see just how hard it actually is to get up the front!
Monday 28 January 2013
Job 9 (NLT)
1 Then Job spoke again: 2 "Yes, I know all this is true in
principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God's sight? 3 If
someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even
once in a thousand times? 4 For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has
ever challenged him successfully? 5 "Without warning, he moves the
mountains, overturning them in his anger. 6 He shakes the earth from its
place, and its foundations tremble. 7 If he commands it, the sun won't
rise and the stars won't shine. 8 He alone has spread out the heavens and
marches on the waves of the sea. 9 He made all the stars-- the Bear and
Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky. 10 He
does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.
11 "Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not
see him go. 12 If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who
dares to ask, 'What are you doing?' 13 And God does not restrain his
anger. Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet. 14 "So
who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? 15
Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy.
16 And even if I summoned him and he responded, I'm not sure he would
listen to me. 17 For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me
without cause. 18 He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me
instead with bitter sorrows. 19 If it's a question of strength, he's the
strong one. If it's a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I
am blameless, it would prove me wicked. 21 "I am innocent, but it makes
no difference to me-- I despise my life. 22 Innocent or wicked, it is all
the same to God. That's why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the
wicked.' 23 When a plague sweeps through, he laughs at the death of the
innocent. 24 The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked, and God
blinds the eyes of the judges. If he's not the one who does it, who is?
25 "My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a
glimpse of happiness. 26 It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an
eagle swooping down on its prey. 27 If I decided to forget my complaints,
to put away my sad face and be cheerful, 28 I would still dread all the
pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God. 29 Whatever
happens, I will be found guilty. So what's the use of trying? 30 Even if
I were to wash myself with soap and clean my hands with lye, 31 you would
plunge me into a muddy ditch, and my own filthy clothing would hate me.
32 "God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him
to trial. 33 If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could
bring us together. 34 The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I
would no longer live in terror of his punishment. 35 Then I could speak
to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.
Saturday 26 January 2013
where's the faith?
But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" 23 And Jesus said to him, “" 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9
I've heard many people praying like this... "Dear Lord, if you can do anything please..."
What's this if business?? Jesus created the world and everything that is in it, and we say if you can... Where is the faith? Where is the knowing of God? If... Are we really a people full of doubt!
Granted, we have no right to try and order God around! If it is in Gods will, it may take some time, it will happen! Where is the faith? Has it really been replaced with doubt and unbelief??
Here's an idea:
• learn what authority each of us has
• learn to use it responsibly
• loose the doubt (whether self-doubt or God-doubt)
• loose the unbelief (this is called repentance)
• and learn to stand!
Standing firm in the assurance, strength, grace and mercy of Christ!
Sometimes we show our lack of understanding and knowing of God when we say "if God can..."! I prefer "if its in Gods will, He will..."!
I've heard many people praying like this... "Dear Lord, if you can do anything please..."
What's this if business?? Jesus created the world and everything that is in it, and we say if you can... Where is the faith? Where is the knowing of God? If... Are we really a people full of doubt!
Granted, we have no right to try and order God around! If it is in Gods will, it may take some time, it will happen! Where is the faith? Has it really been replaced with doubt and unbelief??
Here's an idea:
• learn what authority each of us has
• learn to use it responsibly
• loose the doubt (whether self-doubt or God-doubt)
• loose the unbelief (this is called repentance)
• and learn to stand!
Standing firm in the assurance, strength, grace and mercy of Christ!
Sometimes we show our lack of understanding and knowing of God when we say "if God can..."! I prefer "if its in Gods will, He will..."!
Friday 25 January 2013
Your word is your HONOUR
And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no, so that you may not fall into judgment. James 5:12 (NET)
Your word is your honour! God understands this, which is why He says all his promises are true and (yes and amen). Sometimes though, we humans need reminding that our word should be our honour! Let your yes be yes and your no be no! This means that if you tell a person you will visit them, follow through! And if you can't, be decent and let them know!
I could give many examples of some people I know, how keep promising that they will come to visit, but for whatever reason, it never happens, even when plans have been made and approximate dates given! Something happens and they don't turn up! But what really annoys me is that I hear through some other means that they went visiting someone elsewhere! Now while I have no problem with that, I would appreciate that they kept their yes as a yes instead of turning it into a no and not letting me know! Reliability is at an all time low with these particular people! While they say things, on the back of my mind there's the thought, they couldn't hold true to their word before, what means they will now?
I have a question for you! Do you like being let down by someone who says they will do something and then don't do it, and fail to give a legitimate reason for not doing it?
Another question! (Be honest) Have you said you will do something and not done it? And not given a legitimate reason why not? How did you feel!
I know that I have failed, for various reasons to not do something, or turned up late! I try not to be late, but sometimes, road works or other things happen so I can't do what I said I would! I do try to appologize for these things! And I try and write things down, so I definitely don't forget or double book myself! Because I hate it when people say one thing and do another! How about you?
When it comes to people, the only person we have any power to change is ourselves, and even then, if the change is outside of Gods help or doing, will it actually last?
So, I have a challenge for you (and me, cause I am still learning this one too - I fail at it from time to time) - if the problem is saying no, do that you end up taking on too much, find an understanding friend or two, and get the to help you learn to say no to things! Also ask for Gods help, and while you are there, ask for His wisdom to!
If you already have taken on way too much and you either have no time to do it all, or you are forgetting things you said you would do, seek Gods guidance on what you should drop (and politely tell those involved with it, that you can no longer do "xyz"!) and maybe consider obtaining a diary and once the day is full of the priorities, whatever room is left is time you can have for whatever else! That way, your priorities are covered first, and whatever time is left can go to doing whatever! For this, you will need to work out what your priorities are! I'd suggest, that maybe praying, reading Gods word, spending time with your family, church and work would be your highest priorities!
Getting it into your head that your word is your honour can be a hard thing! Especially today!
Marriages seem to no longer be held in high regard! And people get divorces over the most stupidest of things!
A person can do huge damage with their tongue! As christians, we need to remember that we hold the power of life or death in our mouths! The bible says that the tongue cuts deeper than a knife! And words do hurt! We can lessen that pain, if we believed that our word is our honour. We would be polite, and we would hold true to our word. We also wouldn't call each other names! Because there is no honour in calling someone a moron! They either don't know what it means, or they won't hear you! (especially if you are in a car and they've just cut in front of you or tried to side swipe you...)
While my nephew was here I pretty much banned the Nintendo, because I was sick of hearing "die, die, die, I'm going to kill you!" It grated on me! Because we hold the power of life and death in our mouths!
God actually educated me about this! I had a plant that my grandmother had given me. It was dying, whether by partial neglect or because I didn't know how to look after it, either way it was dying, a slow agonising death! I asked God if He could make it live! He replied, you can! Speak life to it! And give it rain water from a storm! I did that and it picked up! But it was hardly existing! I asked God about it again and He said move it outside and speak life to it! So I did! Its making a wonderful recovery on the front veranda, still a lot smaller than it was, but its getting there!
So, do you wish to be viewed as honourable? Keep your word, speak politely, and don't bring others down by childish name calling! Just because someone acts like a moron, doesn't mean you call them one! Just because you don't like something about your husband or wife, doesn't mean you divorce them! Your yes is your yes, and your no is your no. And your word is your honour! A man (or woman) does not defile themselves by what they put into their mouth, but by what comes out of their mouth, for out of the overflow of their heart, their mouth speaks! If they are evil, then they with speak forth evil things. If they are God fearing, then they will be doing their best to speak, wise, kind and compassionate things! And you will know them, by their fruit! A good tree can not best bad fruit and a bad tree can not bear good fruit! Your word is your honour! Your yes is your yes and your no is your no! Go forth and be blessed!
Your word is your honour! God understands this, which is why He says all his promises are true and (yes and amen). Sometimes though, we humans need reminding that our word should be our honour! Let your yes be yes and your no be no! This means that if you tell a person you will visit them, follow through! And if you can't, be decent and let them know!
I could give many examples of some people I know, how keep promising that they will come to visit, but for whatever reason, it never happens, even when plans have been made and approximate dates given! Something happens and they don't turn up! But what really annoys me is that I hear through some other means that they went visiting someone elsewhere! Now while I have no problem with that, I would appreciate that they kept their yes as a yes instead of turning it into a no and not letting me know! Reliability is at an all time low with these particular people! While they say things, on the back of my mind there's the thought, they couldn't hold true to their word before, what means they will now?
I have a question for you! Do you like being let down by someone who says they will do something and then don't do it, and fail to give a legitimate reason for not doing it?
Another question! (Be honest) Have you said you will do something and not done it? And not given a legitimate reason why not? How did you feel!
I know that I have failed, for various reasons to not do something, or turned up late! I try not to be late, but sometimes, road works or other things happen so I can't do what I said I would! I do try to appologize for these things! And I try and write things down, so I definitely don't forget or double book myself! Because I hate it when people say one thing and do another! How about you?
When it comes to people, the only person we have any power to change is ourselves, and even then, if the change is outside of Gods help or doing, will it actually last?
So, I have a challenge for you (and me, cause I am still learning this one too - I fail at it from time to time) - if the problem is saying no, do that you end up taking on too much, find an understanding friend or two, and get the to help you learn to say no to things! Also ask for Gods help, and while you are there, ask for His wisdom to!
If you already have taken on way too much and you either have no time to do it all, or you are forgetting things you said you would do, seek Gods guidance on what you should drop (and politely tell those involved with it, that you can no longer do "xyz"!) and maybe consider obtaining a diary and once the day is full of the priorities, whatever room is left is time you can have for whatever else! That way, your priorities are covered first, and whatever time is left can go to doing whatever! For this, you will need to work out what your priorities are! I'd suggest, that maybe praying, reading Gods word, spending time with your family, church and work would be your highest priorities!
Getting it into your head that your word is your honour can be a hard thing! Especially today!
Marriages seem to no longer be held in high regard! And people get divorces over the most stupidest of things!
A person can do huge damage with their tongue! As christians, we need to remember that we hold the power of life or death in our mouths! The bible says that the tongue cuts deeper than a knife! And words do hurt! We can lessen that pain, if we believed that our word is our honour. We would be polite, and we would hold true to our word. We also wouldn't call each other names! Because there is no honour in calling someone a moron! They either don't know what it means, or they won't hear you! (especially if you are in a car and they've just cut in front of you or tried to side swipe you...)
While my nephew was here I pretty much banned the Nintendo, because I was sick of hearing "die, die, die, I'm going to kill you!" It grated on me! Because we hold the power of life and death in our mouths!
God actually educated me about this! I had a plant that my grandmother had given me. It was dying, whether by partial neglect or because I didn't know how to look after it, either way it was dying, a slow agonising death! I asked God if He could make it live! He replied, you can! Speak life to it! And give it rain water from a storm! I did that and it picked up! But it was hardly existing! I asked God about it again and He said move it outside and speak life to it! So I did! Its making a wonderful recovery on the front veranda, still a lot smaller than it was, but its getting there!
So, do you wish to be viewed as honourable? Keep your word, speak politely, and don't bring others down by childish name calling! Just because someone acts like a moron, doesn't mean you call them one! Just because you don't like something about your husband or wife, doesn't mean you divorce them! Your yes is your yes, and your no is your no. And your word is your honour! A man (or woman) does not defile themselves by what they put into their mouth, but by what comes out of their mouth, for out of the overflow of their heart, their mouth speaks! If they are evil, then they with speak forth evil things. If they are God fearing, then they will be doing their best to speak, wise, kind and compassionate things! And you will know them, by their fruit! A good tree can not best bad fruit and a bad tree can not bear good fruit! Your word is your honour! Your yes is your yes and your no is your no! Go forth and be blessed!
Proverbs 1:20-33 (NIV)
Proverbs 1:20-33 (NIV)
"Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: "How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.""
"Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: "How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.""
Monday 21 January 2013
its a fight that is worth fighting
Maintaining your relationship with God, daily, can be a very tough struggle, but it is well worth the effort! Reading His word, praying and worshiping Him are all things that need time that has been specifically set aside! Sometimes we are called to fast - but not from food! Sometimes its from things that swallow up our time!
In this world where things take over, we need to make sure we are spending time with God, not only telling Him about our needs, but listening to what He has to say to us! Easier said than done!
Our stand-in temporary pastor, started a meeting at church of a Saturday night and called it "Waiting On God" - this was specifically once a week for the church to come together to spend time in worship, praying and specifically waiting on God, for what He had to say to us! Out of doing this, God challenged me... "How can you know the difference between an over-dressed wolf and my sheep if you do not read My word and pray?" I was doing neither of these... Just trying to get by listening to a little of the word on a Sunday morning and at Wednesday night bible study! So I started! What a joke! I suddenly discovered that I had absolutely no time to do any reading or praying - life suddenly got extremely busy! I told God that I can't do it, I have no time! So He replied, get up earlier, and go to bed earlier! Now, I'm not a morning person by a long shot! I prefer to sleep! I'm more of a night owl! Staying up late, but not having any time! Strange that!
So a huge shock to my system later, I'm now mostly getting up at 5am! And I'm mostly reading Gods word and praying! Its still a struggle some days, and to be honest, I still forget to do it some days! Life still gets in the way!
However, I've noticed a small change in me, my attitude and my understanding of Gods word! Not that I'm any form of scholar!
I certainly recommend going to bed an hour earlier and getting up an hour earlier, to sit quietly and pray!
I do know that some peoples brains don't function well early in the morning! So maybe, it would be better for you to pray about it! Make the effort to schedule in an hour - no excuses, cause if you make any excuses, don't bother starting! Its a commitment - either - yes you will do it - or - no you won't do it!
Jesus never made excuses to get out of dying on the cross - so why should you make excuses about why you can't pray or read His word??
Jesus never said He would try or make an attempt at dying on the cross -He said He would do it if it was Gods will (which it was).
How are you going to know what Gods specific will for you is if you don't pray, seek His face and read His word? The simple answer is -you're not! You're not going to know what He says about you, you're not going to know what He wants you to do, you're not going to be an effective ambassador for Him! Ditch the excuses! Get praying!
Yes its a struggle, press in to God more! The harder it becomes the more you need to do it! Remember, if you are doing something that is going to aid in the growth and strengthening of your relationship with God, then the devil is going to do everything he can to stop you! Ask God for wisdom, discernment and strength to stand! God has a tendency to answer honest and sincere prayers, if they are for things in His will!
You look after your physical body, its about time you started looking after your spiritual body! (man/woman does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God)! Let your yes be yes, and your no be no - you can't sit on the fence when it comes to matters of the heart! (the devil owns the fence.)
This is a war zone, the battle is over every living person, the ones past and the ones to come! Stand up, be counted and get into it! Everyone has a job to do! Pray and ask God what your job is!
In this world where things take over, we need to make sure we are spending time with God, not only telling Him about our needs, but listening to what He has to say to us! Easier said than done!
Our stand-in temporary pastor, started a meeting at church of a Saturday night and called it "Waiting On God" - this was specifically once a week for the church to come together to spend time in worship, praying and specifically waiting on God, for what He had to say to us! Out of doing this, God challenged me... "How can you know the difference between an over-dressed wolf and my sheep if you do not read My word and pray?" I was doing neither of these... Just trying to get by listening to a little of the word on a Sunday morning and at Wednesday night bible study! So I started! What a joke! I suddenly discovered that I had absolutely no time to do any reading or praying - life suddenly got extremely busy! I told God that I can't do it, I have no time! So He replied, get up earlier, and go to bed earlier! Now, I'm not a morning person by a long shot! I prefer to sleep! I'm more of a night owl! Staying up late, but not having any time! Strange that!
So a huge shock to my system later, I'm now mostly getting up at 5am! And I'm mostly reading Gods word and praying! Its still a struggle some days, and to be honest, I still forget to do it some days! Life still gets in the way!
However, I've noticed a small change in me, my attitude and my understanding of Gods word! Not that I'm any form of scholar!
I certainly recommend going to bed an hour earlier and getting up an hour earlier, to sit quietly and pray!
I do know that some peoples brains don't function well early in the morning! So maybe, it would be better for you to pray about it! Make the effort to schedule in an hour - no excuses, cause if you make any excuses, don't bother starting! Its a commitment - either - yes you will do it - or - no you won't do it!
Jesus never made excuses to get out of dying on the cross - so why should you make excuses about why you can't pray or read His word??
Jesus never said He would try or make an attempt at dying on the cross -He said He would do it if it was Gods will (which it was).
How are you going to know what Gods specific will for you is if you don't pray, seek His face and read His word? The simple answer is -you're not! You're not going to know what He says about you, you're not going to know what He wants you to do, you're not going to be an effective ambassador for Him! Ditch the excuses! Get praying!
Yes its a struggle, press in to God more! The harder it becomes the more you need to do it! Remember, if you are doing something that is going to aid in the growth and strengthening of your relationship with God, then the devil is going to do everything he can to stop you! Ask God for wisdom, discernment and strength to stand! God has a tendency to answer honest and sincere prayers, if they are for things in His will!
You look after your physical body, its about time you started looking after your spiritual body! (man/woman does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God)! Let your yes be yes, and your no be no - you can't sit on the fence when it comes to matters of the heart! (the devil owns the fence.)
This is a war zone, the battle is over every living person, the ones past and the ones to come! Stand up, be counted and get into it! Everyone has a job to do! Pray and ask God what your job is!
Bitter-root Judgments ...
15 "Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves. 16 You will recognise them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will recognise them by their fruit. Matthew 7:15-20 (NET)
Honour your father and your mother just as the Lord your God has commanded you to do, so that your days may be extended and that it may go well with you in the land that he is about to give you. Deuteronomy 5:16 (NET)
1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. Matthew 7:1-2 (NET)
7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-8
I never used to understand Matthew 7:1-2, it made no sense to me at all. But then one day, I found myself in Toowoomba. In the home of some lovely people.
I was nearly ready to get married, and somehow it was suggested that I go see these people!!
It certainly was pre-marital counselling - with a difference! Instead of focusing on the normal pre-marital stuff, it mostly focused on me, and my issues!
It was explained to me that part of judging someone includes making a vow or some form of statement - let me give you an example:
A man and his wife are having yet another argument. They've, again, put this one off until after their son is asleep, well, they think he is asleep! They go at each other in a vicious verbal attack... Meanwhile, the son judges his dad and says "I will never allow a woman to yell at me like my dad does"! He also judges his mum saying, "I will never allow a woman to speak and act like mum is!"
What he doesn't realise, is he has firstly dishonoured his parents by judging them, secondly, he has made some bitter-root judgments! And the strange thing about bitter-root judgments, is that they cause pain and anguish. They lead to resentment and bitterness. But all this can be fixed with some prayer and forgiveness!
To break the "power" of these judgments, one needs to start off with repentance! If you ask, the Holy Spirit will help you know what to pray about, when and how!
The way you know your bitter-roots, is by checking out your fruits... You're looking for repeated patterns... An obvious one is a woman who has had 3 broken marriages, her current marriage is on the rocks and she's looking at divorce! You can quite easily say there is a pattern there! So, you have your fruit, now look back through the past, as painful as it may be... If you start off by asking the Holy Spirit to pinpoint all the areas that need to be dealt with, then He will bring them to your attention. There is obviously some form of judgment from the woman about her father.
I'm going to go a bit personal... I had some judgements towards my father... And I had judgments towards both of my step fathers...
I judged my father as never being there for me when I needed him... I judged step father 1 as bring, vicious, nasty, drunk and drug addicted! While these judgements where the truth, as a child, it was not my right, or place to make these judgments! What resulted from this particular set of judgments, was, that as an adult, my first serious relationship, was - you guessed it - with a man who had anger issues, was an alcoholic, addicted to drugs, was very vicious with his words, and occasionally with his fists, he also had gambling issues thrown in to the mix! You reap what you sew! I judged step father number to as having his own set of issues... All of which had cause many, many problems...
All this stuff I'm talking about here, I've done it! (And I've got heaps more to go, cause Im not perfect!) Its not easy, and I'd suggest only going there if you truly want to deal with the crap in your life and have a closer relationship with God! To deal with this stuff is well worth the effort!
It entails forgiving people who hurt you, forgiving yourself and occasionally (as I had to do) forgiving God! It also includes a little bit of repentance... Repentance from making judgments, blaming whoever, blaming God, and holding onto unforgivness, bitterness, resentment...
You can continually deal with the symptoms of your issues, or you can take time and deal with the roots of them!
While the second option is harder, its the best way to go!
For more info on this style of ministry, do a search for Elijah House Ministries!
Honour your father and your mother just as the Lord your God has commanded you to do, so that your days may be extended and that it may go well with you in the land that he is about to give you. Deuteronomy 5:16 (NET)
1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. Matthew 7:1-2 (NET)
7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-8
I never used to understand Matthew 7:1-2, it made no sense to me at all. But then one day, I found myself in Toowoomba. In the home of some lovely people.
I was nearly ready to get married, and somehow it was suggested that I go see these people!!
It certainly was pre-marital counselling - with a difference! Instead of focusing on the normal pre-marital stuff, it mostly focused on me, and my issues!
It was explained to me that part of judging someone includes making a vow or some form of statement - let me give you an example:
A man and his wife are having yet another argument. They've, again, put this one off until after their son is asleep, well, they think he is asleep! They go at each other in a vicious verbal attack... Meanwhile, the son judges his dad and says "I will never allow a woman to yell at me like my dad does"! He also judges his mum saying, "I will never allow a woman to speak and act like mum is!"
What he doesn't realise, is he has firstly dishonoured his parents by judging them, secondly, he has made some bitter-root judgments! And the strange thing about bitter-root judgments, is that they cause pain and anguish. They lead to resentment and bitterness. But all this can be fixed with some prayer and forgiveness!
To break the "power" of these judgments, one needs to start off with repentance! If you ask, the Holy Spirit will help you know what to pray about, when and how!
The way you know your bitter-roots, is by checking out your fruits... You're looking for repeated patterns... An obvious one is a woman who has had 3 broken marriages, her current marriage is on the rocks and she's looking at divorce! You can quite easily say there is a pattern there! So, you have your fruit, now look back through the past, as painful as it may be... If you start off by asking the Holy Spirit to pinpoint all the areas that need to be dealt with, then He will bring them to your attention. There is obviously some form of judgment from the woman about her father.
I'm going to go a bit personal... I had some judgements towards my father... And I had judgments towards both of my step fathers...
I judged my father as never being there for me when I needed him... I judged step father 1 as bring, vicious, nasty, drunk and drug addicted! While these judgements where the truth, as a child, it was not my right, or place to make these judgments! What resulted from this particular set of judgments, was, that as an adult, my first serious relationship, was - you guessed it - with a man who had anger issues, was an alcoholic, addicted to drugs, was very vicious with his words, and occasionally with his fists, he also had gambling issues thrown in to the mix! You reap what you sew! I judged step father number to as having his own set of issues... All of which had cause many, many problems...
All this stuff I'm talking about here, I've done it! (And I've got heaps more to go, cause Im not perfect!) Its not easy, and I'd suggest only going there if you truly want to deal with the crap in your life and have a closer relationship with God! To deal with this stuff is well worth the effort!
It entails forgiving people who hurt you, forgiving yourself and occasionally (as I had to do) forgiving God! It also includes a little bit of repentance... Repentance from making judgments, blaming whoever, blaming God, and holding onto unforgivness, bitterness, resentment...
You can continually deal with the symptoms of your issues, or you can take time and deal with the roots of them!
While the second option is harder, its the best way to go!
For more info on this style of ministry, do a search for Elijah House Ministries!
Sunday 20 January 2013
Matthew 10 (Message Version)
5 Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin
by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be
dramatic by tackling some public enemy. 6 Go to the lost, confused people
right here in the neighborhood. 7 Tell them that the kingdom is here.
8 Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick
out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. 9
"Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start.
10 You don't need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you
need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light!
There you have it... Time to get off your butt and go???
There you have it... Time to get off your butt and go???
Saturday 19 January 2013
Psalm 31 (NLT)
1 O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced.
Save me, for you do what is right. 2 Turn your ear to listen to me;
rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.
3 You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me
out of this danger. 4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I
find protection in you alone. 5 I entrust my spirit into your hand.
Rescue me, LORD, for you are a faithful God. 6 I hate those who worship
worthless idols. I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in
your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the
anguish of my soul. 8 You have not handed me over to my enemies but have
set me in a safe place. 9 Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am in distress.
Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. 10 I am dying
from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am
wasting away from within. 11 I am scorned by all my enemies and despised
by my neighbors-- even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me
on the street, they run the other way. 12 I am ignored as if I were dead,
as if I were a broken pot. 13 I have heard the many rumors about me, and
I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my
life. 14 But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, "You are my God!"
15 My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down
relentlessly. 16 Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing
love, rescue me. 17 Don't let me be disgraced, O LORD, for I call out to
you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave.
18 Silence their lying lips-- those proud and arrogant lips that accuse
the godly. 19 How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who
fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them
before the watching world. 20 You hide them in the shelter of your
presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your
presence, far from accusing tongues. 21 Praise the LORD, for he has shown
me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under
attack. 22 In panic I cried out, "I am cut off from the LORD!" But you
heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. 23 Love the LORD,
all you godly ones! For the LORD protects those who are loyal to him, but he
harshly punishes the arrogant. 24 So be strong and courageous, all you
who put your hope in the LORD! A psalm of David.
Friday 18 January 2013
Another prayer
Lord, I humbly come before You. I don't deserve anything of which I ask, but because of Your love and mercy, I pray for Your people, Your church in Glen Innes. I know that we haven't gotten everything right, we don't have it all together, and we've made some mistakes. We are after all, only human! But Lord, because of Your love and mercy, You stuck with us! Even when we screw up big time, You are still there! Thank You Lord! Without You we are nothing!
I ask Lord, that You would continue working on our hearts. I ask that You would give us teachable spirits, that we would be willing to learn from You! That what we learn, we would put into practice! Soften our sometimes concrete hearts! Give us the same love You have for people! Teach us how to be compassionate and merciful! Educate us, that me may know Your word, and that we may know the difference between a sheep and a goat, and show us the difference between sheep and and over-dressed wolves! Lord we need You.
Give us the desire and longing for a deep and meaningful relationship with You! Give us the longing to seek You with everything that we have. Show us how to take our eyes off stuff, us and others and get our eyes and focus on You and You alone! Teach us to trust You! Cast out our idols, smash them to pieces! Break our hearts if necessary! Lord, bring us to our knees, deal with our hearts, the hidden places in our hearts, where we harbour dark secrets! Breathe on us that we may live! Give us clean hands and pure hearts and a desire to love and worship You alone.
Lord, You are our refuge! You are our hiding place. Keep us safe from harm. Grant us Your peace throughout the storm! We are Your people and You are our God. Write Your ways into our lives! Lead us where You want us. Break us, in order to fix us properly! Wound us, so that we may be deeply healed! Teach us how to forgive, that we may be forgiven. Give us wisdom and understanding, that we may know You and share You. Give us discernment, that we may know Your ways, lead us in Your paths. Grant us the gifts of Your Spirit, that we may do the work You called us to do. May we not sit on our butts doing nothing, after You gave Your everything for us!
Lord, we need You. We need to learn to fight for our relationship with You. We need to learn to spend time with You. We need to get into Your word. Lord, we need to be willing to spend time with You!
Be with us Lord and help us.
Amen.
I ask Lord, that You would continue working on our hearts. I ask that You would give us teachable spirits, that we would be willing to learn from You! That what we learn, we would put into practice! Soften our sometimes concrete hearts! Give us the same love You have for people! Teach us how to be compassionate and merciful! Educate us, that me may know Your word, and that we may know the difference between a sheep and a goat, and show us the difference between sheep and and over-dressed wolves! Lord we need You.
Give us the desire and longing for a deep and meaningful relationship with You! Give us the longing to seek You with everything that we have. Show us how to take our eyes off stuff, us and others and get our eyes and focus on You and You alone! Teach us to trust You! Cast out our idols, smash them to pieces! Break our hearts if necessary! Lord, bring us to our knees, deal with our hearts, the hidden places in our hearts, where we harbour dark secrets! Breathe on us that we may live! Give us clean hands and pure hearts and a desire to love and worship You alone.
Lord, You are our refuge! You are our hiding place. Keep us safe from harm. Grant us Your peace throughout the storm! We are Your people and You are our God. Write Your ways into our lives! Lead us where You want us. Break us, in order to fix us properly! Wound us, so that we may be deeply healed! Teach us how to forgive, that we may be forgiven. Give us wisdom and understanding, that we may know You and share You. Give us discernment, that we may know Your ways, lead us in Your paths. Grant us the gifts of Your Spirit, that we may do the work You called us to do. May we not sit on our butts doing nothing, after You gave Your everything for us!
Lord, we need You. We need to learn to fight for our relationship with You. We need to learn to spend time with You. We need to get into Your word. Lord, we need to be willing to spend time with You!
Be with us Lord and help us.
Amen.
Thursday 17 January 2013
Prayer for family.
Lord, there seems to be a lack of common sense in our youth these days! I ask Lord, that You would help us parents pass on common sense to our children. I ask that You would help us raise our children in the way that You want!
Lord, I ask that You would give all the grand parents wisdom in helping their children raise their grandchildren. I ask that You would help form, and heal relationships.
Lord, especially for my family, I ask that You would give us all wisdom! I ask that we, as Your children, would find the time to spend with You, that we would desire to teach our children and our grandchildren about You. That we would show them how it is done. Not by telling them, but by them seeing us doing! I ask that we all learn to see You. To seek Your face and not Your hands, to seek Your wisdom to lead and teach our children!
I ask, God, that You would step into our marriages and teach us how to love our spouses.
I ask that You would soften our hardened calloused hearts, and give us teachable spirits! That we would come to know You more!
Lord, for those of us who are in unstable, rocky marriages/relationships, I pray a special blessing, a blessing from You! Particular to each individuals needs! For those who need peace, I ask for peace, for those who need to learn how to forgive, I ask that You would teach it and grant the ability to forgive, for those who need patience, I ask for wisdom and discernment, for those who need grace, I ask that grace and mercy be poured out for them!
Lord, You alone know the individual needs of each member of my family, I ask that You minister to us where we need it most! Even of that is not the area where we think there is a problem! Send Your fire upon us, bring us back in to a right relationship with You deal with us as You see fit. And teach us to cast our cares, issues, demands and burdens upon You, not each other!
Amen.
If you wish, you can add tour own prayers to the bottom, in the comments section. Try not to mention specifics or peoples names! Thanks. May Gods blessings multiply in your heart and life.
Lord, I ask that You would give all the grand parents wisdom in helping their children raise their grandchildren. I ask that You would help form, and heal relationships.
Lord, especially for my family, I ask that You would give us all wisdom! I ask that we, as Your children, would find the time to spend with You, that we would desire to teach our children and our grandchildren about You. That we would show them how it is done. Not by telling them, but by them seeing us doing! I ask that we all learn to see You. To seek Your face and not Your hands, to seek Your wisdom to lead and teach our children!
I ask, God, that You would step into our marriages and teach us how to love our spouses.
I ask that You would soften our hardened calloused hearts, and give us teachable spirits! That we would come to know You more!
Lord, for those of us who are in unstable, rocky marriages/relationships, I pray a special blessing, a blessing from You! Particular to each individuals needs! For those who need peace, I ask for peace, for those who need to learn how to forgive, I ask that You would teach it and grant the ability to forgive, for those who need patience, I ask for wisdom and discernment, for those who need grace, I ask that grace and mercy be poured out for them!
Lord, You alone know the individual needs of each member of my family, I ask that You minister to us where we need it most! Even of that is not the area where we think there is a problem! Send Your fire upon us, bring us back in to a right relationship with You deal with us as You see fit. And teach us to cast our cares, issues, demands and burdens upon You, not each other!
Amen.
If you wish, you can add tour own prayers to the bottom, in the comments section. Try not to mention specifics or peoples names! Thanks. May Gods blessings multiply in your heart and life.
Job 8 (NLT)
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job: 2 "How long will you go on like this? You sound like a blustering wind.
I thought Job was doing good! He speaks well of God, even in his limited understanding of God. Granted, I'm not a bible scholar by any means, so I probably don't have the understanding as others do... My opinion is that Job has not been sounding like a blustering wind! Did any of them know what the Devil had said or what God had said!??
3 Does God twist justice? Does the Almighty twist what is right?
4 Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved.
Your children must have sinned - Job did offerings for them...
It all comes down to the information you have access to! The Devil is out to make Job curse God! It had nothing to do with his children! Why would this guy tell a grieving father that his children deserved their deaths? Whether they did or not, you hold your tongue when it comes to grief! To Bildad, as a mother who's oldest daughter has died, I send you a slap!
5 But if you pray to God and seek the favour of the Almighty, 6 and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. 7 And though you started with little, you will end with much.
Am I really reading this? This guy knows a little about God! And while God may give a person all kinds of things if they are righteous and pray... But that's up to God! Personally, I'd rather seek Gods face, not His favour! I'd rather seek a relationship with God then seeking for what His hand can give me! Because I know that my God will supply all my needs, because He knows all I need! What better way to be than to seek Gods face, and let Him decided what to give me! Besides, isn't salvation the greatest gift we have been given?
8 "Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.
For me, If I were to ask my previous generations, they would be able to successfully tell me how to live in sin!! I'm not sure if any of them knew God! I could be wrong, I've never met any of them!
9 For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. -too true!! God alone knows how long each of us will be on this planet! He ordained our days for us before one of them came to be (read psalm 139).
10 But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old. One question here, is this "wisdom of old", mans wisdom or Gods wisdom? If its mans wisdom, then its useless!!
11 "Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh? Can marsh grass flourish without water? 12 While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut, they begin to wither more quickly than grass. 13 The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate. 14 Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider's web. 15 They cling to their home for security, but it won't last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure. 16 The godless seem like a lush plant growing in the sunshine, its branches spreading across the garden. 17 Its roots grow down through a pile of stones; it takes hold on a bed of rocks. 18 But when it is uprooted, it's as though it never existed! 19 That's the end of its life, and others spring up from the earth to replace it.
Is this guy trying to tell Job he is godless?? Lets go back to chapter 1, verse 1, shall we?? "There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless-- a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil." As far as I understand, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom!
20 "But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked. 21 He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. 22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the home of the wicked will be destroyed."
Now this, I like!
While Bildad got some things right, it still sounds to me like he's talking through a hole in his head!
You can't make judgments on people! (1 "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-3 NLT). Only God knows the whole story! For only God knows a mans thoughts and what he hides in the secret places in his heart!
I thought Job was doing good! He speaks well of God, even in his limited understanding of God. Granted, I'm not a bible scholar by any means, so I probably don't have the understanding as others do... My opinion is that Job has not been sounding like a blustering wind! Did any of them know what the Devil had said or what God had said!??
3 Does God twist justice? Does the Almighty twist what is right?
4 Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved.
Your children must have sinned - Job did offerings for them...
It all comes down to the information you have access to! The Devil is out to make Job curse God! It had nothing to do with his children! Why would this guy tell a grieving father that his children deserved their deaths? Whether they did or not, you hold your tongue when it comes to grief! To Bildad, as a mother who's oldest daughter has died, I send you a slap!
5 But if you pray to God and seek the favour of the Almighty, 6 and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. 7 And though you started with little, you will end with much.
Am I really reading this? This guy knows a little about God! And while God may give a person all kinds of things if they are righteous and pray... But that's up to God! Personally, I'd rather seek Gods face, not His favour! I'd rather seek a relationship with God then seeking for what His hand can give me! Because I know that my God will supply all my needs, because He knows all I need! What better way to be than to seek Gods face, and let Him decided what to give me! Besides, isn't salvation the greatest gift we have been given?
8 "Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.
For me, If I were to ask my previous generations, they would be able to successfully tell me how to live in sin!! I'm not sure if any of them knew God! I could be wrong, I've never met any of them!
9 For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. -too true!! God alone knows how long each of us will be on this planet! He ordained our days for us before one of them came to be (read psalm 139).
10 But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old. One question here, is this "wisdom of old", mans wisdom or Gods wisdom? If its mans wisdom, then its useless!!
11 "Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh? Can marsh grass flourish without water? 12 While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut, they begin to wither more quickly than grass. 13 The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate. 14 Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider's web. 15 They cling to their home for security, but it won't last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure. 16 The godless seem like a lush plant growing in the sunshine, its branches spreading across the garden. 17 Its roots grow down through a pile of stones; it takes hold on a bed of rocks. 18 But when it is uprooted, it's as though it never existed! 19 That's the end of its life, and others spring up from the earth to replace it.
Is this guy trying to tell Job he is godless?? Lets go back to chapter 1, verse 1, shall we?? "There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless-- a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil." As far as I understand, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom!
20 "But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked. 21 He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. 22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the home of the wicked will be destroyed."
Now this, I like!
While Bildad got some things right, it still sounds to me like he's talking through a hole in his head!
You can't make judgments on people! (1 "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-3 NLT). Only God knows the whole story! For only God knows a mans thoughts and what he hides in the secret places in his heart!
Monday 14 January 2013
Do you know who you are?
People who don't know who they are will often mimic what they see around them, or they will invent something that makes them look good in the eyes of men! Or they blame things, circumstances, or people for their life! None of these are good options!
However, as Christians, we need to attain our self image from what God says about us... God knows how He created us, we need to allow Him to do His work in us!
A good start to becoming the people God made us to be is repentance!
Repentance from not trusting our Creator to do ALL He said He will do... We were created for good works in Christ Jesus. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. (Ephesians 2:10 NET)
God has His own story about each person. He gave us our skills, our desires, our everything... Yet because we haven't asked we don't know what that story is!
My people are ruined because they don't know what's right or true. You do not have because you do not ask.
We dance around pretending we know what we are supposed to be and do! We have not asked God for His instructions for us, we walk blindly leading blind people!
The other problem that we cause, is telling others about the problems we think they have, because we have stopped trusting God to deal with them! The one thing we need to remember is that the only person on this planet that we can change and have the power to change is OURSELVES!! While we can give all the advice in the world, its not going to make a lick of difference if the person we are advising, either, doesn't want to hear what we have to say, or doesn't actually have the perceived problem, or is busy dealing with other issues, or whatever!
We need to get our eyes off our neighbours, husbands, wives, children, step children... And focus on Jesus and what HE has to say about US and let HIM deal with everyone else! This doesn't mean that we can't pray for others, it just means that we need to be aware of what we say to them and how we treat them! Some people are more fragile then they look!
We need to also stop blaming others for our problems! I've recently been partially blamed for some problems a family member is having... The problem with this is that I am 8hours drive away and maybe (if things go according to plan) I see them once a year! How then can I realistically be part of the problem? In fact I am not! The problem lies with the two involved... The problem is not being solved, its a lame attempt to pass it on, and I don't want it!
See, if we blame someone else for our problems, then nothing will get fixed and all we do is cause pain and resentment where there shouldn't be pain and resentment! All this hassle because we have stopped listening to what Jesus says about each of US as individuals! What He has to say about me will be completely different to what He has to say about you!
We need to repent of trying to change everyone else and neglecting ourselves! We all have our issues. We all need to deal with them the way God wants and in the time frame God wants!
We need a little reality check, and thus have nothing to do with the crap "reality tv" that is passed onto us as reality!
We need to take a look in our own backyards, and mow our lawns, and weed our gardens before we start moaning about everyone else!
We also need to remember, that the more we desire, as individuals, to have a closer, deeper, stronger relationship with Jesus, the more others are going to complain, because the Holy Spirit has a habit of acting like a mirror! He reflects us, exactly as we are back in our face! I had a moment of this!
I was a witch, sitting in my lounge room, planning my day! What I was going to do where, when, how and to who! When God showed up! In my lounge room! I instantly felt all the crap I was doing, all the rubbish I was trying to hide in my heart, and in general, my sin! I saw it, reflected back at me! I knew enough about God to wonder what on earth He was doing in my lounge room! I asked Him, why the visit? His response "because I love you"... Even though I was filthy and unrighteous, a sinner, practicing abominations and all kinds of evil, He came. He told me a tiny fraction of my story. "Because I love you."
Do you know what God says about you? If you don't know, may I suggest that you ask?
However, as Christians, we need to attain our self image from what God says about us... God knows how He created us, we need to allow Him to do His work in us!
A good start to becoming the people God made us to be is repentance!
Repentance from not trusting our Creator to do ALL He said He will do... We were created for good works in Christ Jesus. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. (Ephesians 2:10 NET)
God has His own story about each person. He gave us our skills, our desires, our everything... Yet because we haven't asked we don't know what that story is!
My people are ruined because they don't know what's right or true. You do not have because you do not ask.
We dance around pretending we know what we are supposed to be and do! We have not asked God for His instructions for us, we walk blindly leading blind people!
The other problem that we cause, is telling others about the problems we think they have, because we have stopped trusting God to deal with them! The one thing we need to remember is that the only person on this planet that we can change and have the power to change is OURSELVES!! While we can give all the advice in the world, its not going to make a lick of difference if the person we are advising, either, doesn't want to hear what we have to say, or doesn't actually have the perceived problem, or is busy dealing with other issues, or whatever!
We need to get our eyes off our neighbours, husbands, wives, children, step children... And focus on Jesus and what HE has to say about US and let HIM deal with everyone else! This doesn't mean that we can't pray for others, it just means that we need to be aware of what we say to them and how we treat them! Some people are more fragile then they look!
We need to also stop blaming others for our problems! I've recently been partially blamed for some problems a family member is having... The problem with this is that I am 8hours drive away and maybe (if things go according to plan) I see them once a year! How then can I realistically be part of the problem? In fact I am not! The problem lies with the two involved... The problem is not being solved, its a lame attempt to pass it on, and I don't want it!
See, if we blame someone else for our problems, then nothing will get fixed and all we do is cause pain and resentment where there shouldn't be pain and resentment! All this hassle because we have stopped listening to what Jesus says about each of US as individuals! What He has to say about me will be completely different to what He has to say about you!
We need to repent of trying to change everyone else and neglecting ourselves! We all have our issues. We all need to deal with them the way God wants and in the time frame God wants!
We need a little reality check, and thus have nothing to do with the crap "reality tv" that is passed onto us as reality!
We need to take a look in our own backyards, and mow our lawns, and weed our gardens before we start moaning about everyone else!
We also need to remember, that the more we desire, as individuals, to have a closer, deeper, stronger relationship with Jesus, the more others are going to complain, because the Holy Spirit has a habit of acting like a mirror! He reflects us, exactly as we are back in our face! I had a moment of this!
I was a witch, sitting in my lounge room, planning my day! What I was going to do where, when, how and to who! When God showed up! In my lounge room! I instantly felt all the crap I was doing, all the rubbish I was trying to hide in my heart, and in general, my sin! I saw it, reflected back at me! I knew enough about God to wonder what on earth He was doing in my lounge room! I asked Him, why the visit? His response "because I love you"... Even though I was filthy and unrighteous, a sinner, practicing abominations and all kinds of evil, He came. He told me a tiny fraction of my story. "Because I love you."
Do you know what God says about you? If you don't know, may I suggest that you ask?
Friday 11 January 2013
Thursday 10 January 2013
Job 4 revisited
12 "This truth was given to me in secret, as though whispered in my ear. 13 It came to me in a disturbing vision at night, when people are in a deep sleep. 14 Fear gripped me, and my bones trembled. 15 A spirit swept past my face, and my hair stood on end. 16 The spirit stopped, but I couldn't see its shape. There was a form before my eyes. In the silence I heard a voice say, 17 'Can a mortal be innocent before God? Can anyone be pure before the Creator?' 18 "If God does not trust his own angels and has charged his messengers with foolishness, 19 how much less will he trust people made of clay! They are made of dust, crushed as easily as a moth. 20 They are alive in the morning but dead by evening, gone forever without a trace. 21 Their tent-cords are pulled and the tent collapses, and they die in ignorance. Job 4:12-21 (New Living Translation)
About the vision: While God can cause fear and terror, He normally says something like: fear not, do not be afraid, be not afraid, or something similar... There is no mention of anything along those lines in this particular passage! So my theory stands: it the devil having a little fun and whispering to poor Eliphaz! Thus, Eliphaz gets misguided! This happens to the best of us, if we only know of God and not actually know God!
So, Eliphaz speaks from his head!
Contrary to verse 18, God does place trust in His servants - its called free will! And the only angels that I know of who have been charged with error is the devil and his friends!
So my understanding is that Eliphaz was very misguided, and in his misguidedness, he mouths off! Then near the end of the book (Job 42:7) we read that God says to Eliphaz, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." (NIV)
In my opinion, Job just got vindicated!
Practical application!
Don't mouth off until you know the full facts! None of them were in the know about what on earth the devil was up to, or the conversation between the devil and God! Eliphaz seems to have only known of God!
Its kinda about making judgments on others! Has someone in your life done something that you didn't think was right, or that you don't agree with? How about before telling them off, you pray! Before you judge them as having done something bad, get Gods take on the situation! God knows far more than we could ever dream of knowing! And what's more, we see the actions of a person and make our judgments, but God sees the heart of the person and makes His judgment! He has the full facts and thus, His judgment is righteous. We have a mere glimpse and thus our judgments are unrighteous!
Sometimes what we this is right, is just plain wrong! We need to be asking God to soften our hearts and teach us to listen to Him before we speak!
About the vision: While God can cause fear and terror, He normally says something like: fear not, do not be afraid, be not afraid, or something similar... There is no mention of anything along those lines in this particular passage! So my theory stands: it the devil having a little fun and whispering to poor Eliphaz! Thus, Eliphaz gets misguided! This happens to the best of us, if we only know of God and not actually know God!
So, Eliphaz speaks from his head!
Contrary to verse 18, God does place trust in His servants - its called free will! And the only angels that I know of who have been charged with error is the devil and his friends!
So my understanding is that Eliphaz was very misguided, and in his misguidedness, he mouths off! Then near the end of the book (Job 42:7) we read that God says to Eliphaz, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." (NIV)
In my opinion, Job just got vindicated!
Practical application!
Don't mouth off until you know the full facts! None of them were in the know about what on earth the devil was up to, or the conversation between the devil and God! Eliphaz seems to have only known of God!
Its kinda about making judgments on others! Has someone in your life done something that you didn't think was right, or that you don't agree with? How about before telling them off, you pray! Before you judge them as having done something bad, get Gods take on the situation! God knows far more than we could ever dream of knowing! And what's more, we see the actions of a person and make our judgments, but God sees the heart of the person and makes His judgment! He has the full facts and thus, His judgment is righteous. We have a mere glimpse and thus our judgments are unrighteous!
Sometimes what we this is right, is just plain wrong! We need to be asking God to soften our hearts and teach us to listen to Him before we speak!
Wednesday 9 January 2013
Job 4
12"Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it. 13 "Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, 14 Dread came upon me, and trembling, And made all my bones shake. 15 "Then a spirit passed by my face; The hair of my flesh bristled up. 16 "It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, then I heard a voice: 17 'Can mankind be just before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? 18 'He puts no trust even in His servants; And against His angels He charges error. 19 'How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth! 20 'Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces; Unobserved, they perish forever. 21 'Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, yet without wisdom.' Job 4... NASB
When I read this, it intrigued me! If you have any thoughts on this, please let me know... I will be doing a little extra looking at this! I have my theories, but I'm not really ready to share yet!
When I read this, it intrigued me! If you have any thoughts on this, please let me know... I will be doing a little extra looking at this! I have my theories, but I'm not really ready to share yet!
Tuesday 8 January 2013
Lip Service
How does God feel when He gets given lip service (they praise me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me)?? Have you ever asked yourself this question??
Let me put it to you differently... How do you feel when you get lip service from someone??
For me: I have people who either tell me or my husband that they love me... BUT, by their actions and words I can see clearly that what they are saying is not the facts! And they are in effect, lying to me! And this upsets me! I would rather have them tell me the truth, "I don't actually love you, I just want to see if you will believe me!", "I don't love you, I just don't feel like telling you the truth!", or, "I don't love you, you are too intimidating and I lack the spinal column to actually say what I really do think about you. So its easier for me if I offer you hollow,empty and patronising words that will only cause more harm than good!"
Do ya see my point?
God is not a man that He can be mocked! He knows everyones hearts, motives and thoughts! Do you really think you can sit there in that church seat and sing songs and say stuff you have no intention of following through...
There is a popular song (one I quite enjoy) the lyrics are "I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands..." But do you really? When troubles come, do you find yourself panicking or praying? In the good times, do you take time to offer thanks or do you take it all for granted?
When you sing songs in church, do you actually mean it? Could it be that you are offering lip service to the God who created you?
When you tell someone you will pray for them, do you actually follow through on that? I never used to! It was kind of a way to get them to shut up about their problems! Now, I do my best to pray for people when I say I will! Sometimes God stops me, because what I've prayed for is not what they need! God knows what they need, I don't! I just do my best to listen to him! But, I've gotten off subject!
Lip service! Its nasty! You've more than likely been dished up some lip service in your time!
Think about how it made you feel! Then ask yourself, honestly, if you do the same to God!
Maybe you need to do a little soul searching! Its for the better!
Turn your heart back to God, humble yourself and seek His face! (This is called repentance from sin - we all need to do it every now and then, which can be more often than we think!)
John 15
1 "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 2 He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. 3 You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me - and I in him - bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples. 9 "Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
How are we to stay attached to the vine if we do not spend time everyday getting into Gods word?
How are we to learn about the things God wants us to do if we do not spend the time seeking His face?
When God says He will give us things that we ask for, He gives it to us, only if its in His will... If we are seeking His will then there is no problem, He will give us what we need for the job... But say you are meant to be a check out chick, is praying for a horse really the best option?? If God is leading you down that particular path, then great! But if he wants you at the check out to give your beautiful smile to everyone you serve, then praying for a horse isn't really going to help you.
To know what you are supposed to be doing with your life, you need to do what Jesus said... Remain in the vine... Remain rooted in and anchored to God. Seeking Him daily... He will lead you where He wants you, if you will be willing to trust Him and continue to seek Him! Its amazing how things "just happen" when you spend your time connecting with and getting to know Jesus.
Let God make the arrangements, spend time seeking Him! He will sort it all out for those who love and trust Him!
How are we to stay attached to the vine if we do not spend time everyday getting into Gods word?
How are we to learn about the things God wants us to do if we do not spend the time seeking His face?
When God says He will give us things that we ask for, He gives it to us, only if its in His will... If we are seeking His will then there is no problem, He will give us what we need for the job... But say you are meant to be a check out chick, is praying for a horse really the best option?? If God is leading you down that particular path, then great! But if he wants you at the check out to give your beautiful smile to everyone you serve, then praying for a horse isn't really going to help you.
To know what you are supposed to be doing with your life, you need to do what Jesus said... Remain in the vine... Remain rooted in and anchored to God. Seeking Him daily... He will lead you where He wants you, if you will be willing to trust Him and continue to seek Him! Its amazing how things "just happen" when you spend your time connecting with and getting to know Jesus.
Let God make the arrangements, spend time seeking Him! He will sort it all out for those who love and trust Him!
Monday 7 January 2013
A few thoughts on a few things!
4 Jesus said to them, “"A prophet is not without honor
except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household."” Mark 6:4 (NASB)
I wonder why this is... Is it because, friends, family and those you grew up around seem to have the inability to accept that people can change, grow, become a bit more like Jesus??
45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. 46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. 47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “"Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid."” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. Mark 6:45-52 (NASB)
How many times does God show us something, its right in front of us, yet we still don't see it? What's with that? Do we choose to ignore it? Or are we just plain blind?
Pray, today, that God will soften your heart, so that you can see what He has been showing you all along!
11 The blessing of honest people builds up a city. But the words of sinners destroy it. Proverbs 11:11(NIrV) I like this one! Another good reason to be honest! Honesty seems to not only bless yourself, but those around you! And honesty is another one of those lovely little action words!
I wonder why this is... Is it because, friends, family and those you grew up around seem to have the inability to accept that people can change, grow, become a bit more like Jesus??
45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. 46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. 47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “"Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid."” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. Mark 6:45-52 (NASB)
How many times does God show us something, its right in front of us, yet we still don't see it? What's with that? Do we choose to ignore it? Or are we just plain blind?
Pray, today, that God will soften your heart, so that you can see what He has been showing you all along!
11 The blessing of honest people builds up a city. But the words of sinners destroy it. Proverbs 11:11(NIrV) I like this one! Another good reason to be honest! Honesty seems to not only bless yourself, but those around you! And honesty is another one of those lovely little action words!
Sunday 6 January 2013
divine romance
Gentleness without love is just weakness. But gentleness with love will take hold of power if it needs to. It will use whatever it needs to to show love and protect those that are loved.
Saturday 5 January 2013
Music to love
Tim Hughes - Consuming Fire (You Tube)
This one is in my playlist! It's what some of my prayers for Gods church is based on!
This one is in my playlist! It's what some of my prayers for Gods church is based on!
Friday 4 January 2013
A good read
Sharing this - because I can - and because its good! I know the young lady who writes it! I have seen how much she has grown!
Happy reading!
Daily Journal
Happy reading!
Daily Journal
Psalm 15
1
O LORD, who may
abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy
hill? 2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart. 3 He does not slander
with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his
friend; 4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his
own hurt and does not change; 5 He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.
more Kin Walker ...
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=Q66pavmT44o&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DQ66pavmT44o
Honour and worship leading! Good message to take to heart!
Honour and worship leading! Good message to take to heart!
Another Challenge
Its been said that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit (I think that this is mentioned in the bible, but I obviously haven't read that bit!).
If this is true (I think it is), then shouldn't we look after our bodies? (We should probably look after them anyways).
I'm going to give you another challenge - you can choose to do this or not - no pressure!!
I challenge you to take yourself for a walk every day (at least 6 days a week, rest on the 7th as God did at the creation) and pray, either while on your walk or before/after! You'll be amazed at how healthy and happy you feel!
This week I've done two 1hour walks with a friend! And if she can't come, I still need to challenge myself anyway! The dog, while he walks well, doesn't really hold that much appeal in conversation! The other thing I want to do is get a tread mill so even when its raining, I can still walk!
Remember, whilst physicial exercise is great for the physical body, spiritual exercise is needed for the spiritual part of us... Seeking Gods face is top priority! Reading His word and praying is also needed to keep ourselves in good condition!
What's the point of praying and having a relationship with God, if we can't physically go and share Him with the world? Likewise, why spend hours upon hours at the gym, if we are not sharing God? Balance is good! And I'm not saying go out and wreck ourselves doing a major workout! Go at your own pace! For some that is slow, for some that is fast!
I think that "being ready in season and out of season" includes being physically able to go!
If this is true (I think it is), then shouldn't we look after our bodies? (We should probably look after them anyways).
I'm going to give you another challenge - you can choose to do this or not - no pressure!!
I challenge you to take yourself for a walk every day (at least 6 days a week, rest on the 7th as God did at the creation) and pray, either while on your walk or before/after! You'll be amazed at how healthy and happy you feel!
This week I've done two 1hour walks with a friend! And if she can't come, I still need to challenge myself anyway! The dog, while he walks well, doesn't really hold that much appeal in conversation! The other thing I want to do is get a tread mill so even when its raining, I can still walk!
Remember, whilst physicial exercise is great for the physical body, spiritual exercise is needed for the spiritual part of us... Seeking Gods face is top priority! Reading His word and praying is also needed to keep ourselves in good condition!
What's the point of praying and having a relationship with God, if we can't physically go and share Him with the world? Likewise, why spend hours upon hours at the gym, if we are not sharing God? Balance is good! And I'm not saying go out and wreck ourselves doing a major workout! Go at your own pace! For some that is slow, for some that is fast!
I think that "being ready in season and out of season" includes being physically able to go!
Thursday 3 January 2013
Philippians 4:4-7
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! 5 Make it as
clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them
and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could
show up any minute! 6 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let
petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your
concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything
coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what
happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Message translation)
self-fulfilling nasties
How many times have I heard tired people say "I'm tired"?? Whilst they might just be telling the truth, they also have the potential to be telling their bodies to be tired! Let me put it a different way... How many people have trouble remembering where they put the keys or peoples names... "I always forget where I put them", "I remember faces but have trouble with names", "I can never seem to remember..."!! Sound familliar? What if, instead of constantly telling ourselves the story the devil wants us to believe about ourselves, we actually start telling ourselves the story God wants us to believe about ourselves!
"I always get sick at this time of year"! Do you? Is that really the truth?
I always used to get pneumonia once every two years! Always, no matter what I did! And the story was always the same "I always get pneumonia once every two years!" Its been around 15 years since I've had pneumonia - why? Because I told myself I wasn't having it, God said I was blessed with good health and my body had to believe that story not the other! So for a few years I told myself "I used to get pneumonia every two years, but now, I have the blessing of good health, and consequently, I rarely get sick!" It was a huge mental change! And I was a lot healthier!
Another example! (this one I am still learning) I had huge problems remembering peoples names! When you are your own boss and you seriously need to remember a clients name, if you dont, you get problems! So instead of telling myself that I'm shocking at remembering names, I tell myself that with a little work, I can remember their names! And not only that, I can remember a few other details that sets them apart from the next person with the same name... I know several Johns... First there is Pastor John, who is in heaven, then there is a John who owns the Hereford Steakhouse in Glen Innes... And there is a vague memory of a John who played a guitar in church many years ago!
Another one I can think of, again to do with memory - "my memory is like a seive- doesnt hold anything..." Is that really the truth? How about you ask God what He thinks of your memory!
Or another one that really frustrated me with my daughter "I can't..." No amount of telling her she can, worked! So one day I told her that she needed to ask God if He made her to be useless, or if He made her to be clever, doing a lot of wonderful things, like reading and riding her bike! I haven't had her answer, but she has started reading, riding her bike without demanding to be pushed, and we are not hearing "I can't" as often! Progress is wonderful!
A friend of mine tells it like it is, you ask her how she is, and she says, "I'm blessed, thanks!" I like her response!
So, my question to you is: are you going to continue telling yourself rubbish, or, are you going to seek God and ask Him about your story and what He has to say about you, and then choose to believe it and speak it?
It can be quite freeing, learning that we dont always have to be tired, we dont have to forget things, we dont have to be sick!
Let me know who you go with this idea! :)
"I always get sick at this time of year"! Do you? Is that really the truth?
I always used to get pneumonia once every two years! Always, no matter what I did! And the story was always the same "I always get pneumonia once every two years!" Its been around 15 years since I've had pneumonia - why? Because I told myself I wasn't having it, God said I was blessed with good health and my body had to believe that story not the other! So for a few years I told myself "I used to get pneumonia every two years, but now, I have the blessing of good health, and consequently, I rarely get sick!" It was a huge mental change! And I was a lot healthier!
Another example! (this one I am still learning) I had huge problems remembering peoples names! When you are your own boss and you seriously need to remember a clients name, if you dont, you get problems! So instead of telling myself that I'm shocking at remembering names, I tell myself that with a little work, I can remember their names! And not only that, I can remember a few other details that sets them apart from the next person with the same name... I know several Johns... First there is Pastor John, who is in heaven, then there is a John who owns the Hereford Steakhouse in Glen Innes... And there is a vague memory of a John who played a guitar in church many years ago!
Another one I can think of, again to do with memory - "my memory is like a seive- doesnt hold anything..." Is that really the truth? How about you ask God what He thinks of your memory!
Or another one that really frustrated me with my daughter "I can't..." No amount of telling her she can, worked! So one day I told her that she needed to ask God if He made her to be useless, or if He made her to be clever, doing a lot of wonderful things, like reading and riding her bike! I haven't had her answer, but she has started reading, riding her bike without demanding to be pushed, and we are not hearing "I can't" as often! Progress is wonderful!
A friend of mine tells it like it is, you ask her how she is, and she says, "I'm blessed, thanks!" I like her response!
So, my question to you is: are you going to continue telling yourself rubbish, or, are you going to seek God and ask Him about your story and what He has to say about you, and then choose to believe it and speak it?
It can be quite freeing, learning that we dont always have to be tired, we dont have to forget things, we dont have to be sick!
Let me know who you go with this idea! :)
question... (01)
Please note: your thoughts on this have been requested... Thank you!
This morning I was doing my readings... Got through pretty much all of them without having something jump out at me, that was until I started Romans 4! The last half of 4:17b reads:
Even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. (NASB)
Or
The God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as
though they already do. (NET)
I really want your thoughts on this one.
I remember ages ago, I was told to pray like this, calling into being that which does not exist... After reading this small chunk I'm wondering if that is right - I'm not God, nor am I meant to be God! I am only meant to be like Him! How then, could I have been taught to "call into being that which does not exist"?? Is there any other verses/chapters that will back this line of thinking up? Or have I simply been taught a pile of rubbish?
This is kinda why I'm seeking your thoughts! :)
Edit: I decided to check out what the Message translation says:
We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. (Romans 4:17 Message translation) ...trust God to do what only God could do... I'm getting a sneaking suspicion that I was taught a pile of cow poop!!! :/
This morning I was doing my readings... Got through pretty much all of them without having something jump out at me, that was until I started Romans 4! The last half of 4:17b reads:
Even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. (NASB)
Or
The God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as
though they already do. (NET)
I really want your thoughts on this one.
I remember ages ago, I was told to pray like this, calling into being that which does not exist... After reading this small chunk I'm wondering if that is right - I'm not God, nor am I meant to be God! I am only meant to be like Him! How then, could I have been taught to "call into being that which does not exist"?? Is there any other verses/chapters that will back this line of thinking up? Or have I simply been taught a pile of rubbish?
This is kinda why I'm seeking your thoughts! :)
Edit: I decided to check out what the Message translation says:
We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. (Romans 4:17 Message translation) ...trust God to do what only God could do... I'm getting a sneaking suspicion that I was taught a pile of cow poop!!! :/
Prudent
Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense. Careful about ones conduct. Careful. Discreet. Sensible. Directed by prudence or wise forethought.
Wednesday 2 January 2013
Grace
A disposition to be generous or helpful. Goodwill. A favour rendered by one who need not do so.
Blessing
That which God chooses to give to a human.
Note: blessing is not necessarily of material wealth.
Note: blessing is not necessarily of material wealth.
whats the point?
The point of reading the bible (for me at least) is to have it stored away somewhere in my head so that if I need to I can ask God to help me remember what I've read so I can be helpful to others searching for the right verse!
The other thing is - how will I tell the difference between a sheep and an over-dressed wolf? If I don't read and try to learn, then anyone can come along and spout on about whatever and I risk believing it because I don't know any better?
From the Message Translation - 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, 2 so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. 3 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4 They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. 5 But you--keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.
The other thing is - how will I tell the difference between a sheep and an over-dressed wolf? If I don't read and try to learn, then anyone can come along and spout on about whatever and I risk believing it because I don't know any better?
From the Message Translation - 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, 2 so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. 3 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4 They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. 5 But you--keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.
what's it gonna take for you to go and pray
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
A little sickness? A little stress? A few fires? Some flooding?
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
More murders? More rapes? More road accidents?
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
If you seek God with all your heart, you will find Him. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
Stretched finances? Over worked brain? Toxic people?
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
Have you forgotten? Have you forgotten the promise of praying? ... Then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:14b + 15 NIV)
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
A little sickness? A little stress? A few fires? Some flooding?
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
More murders? More rapes? More road accidents?
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
If you seek God with all your heart, you will find Him. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
Stretched finances? Over worked brain? Toxic people?
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
Have you forgotten? Have you forgotten the promise of praying? ... Then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:14b + 15 NIV)
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
Thought provoking
challenge
I was reading an article late last year, where a guy decided to do a challenge where he would get up early, do a little exercise and then get to work! (He works for himself which means, he has no set "you must be at work..."!)
I had been going to a thing our pastor calls "Waiting on God" and one of the things that God had challenged me on was my lack of reading His word! Then I read about this little challenge, and God kinda said, "Do it!" So I started out! Yes, it was hard! But getting up for prayer on a Tuesday mornings made it a little easier!
One of the verses that challenged me was where Jesus took some desciples aside and said pray with me, then He went a little further and prayed, then on returning to them, He found them sleeping... He asked them the question, could you not pray with me an hour?? My honest answer is no! I've tried and I come sadly short of that mark!! But that hasnt stopped me trying!
So I challenge you, get up an hour early and spend some time reading the Word and praying, see how it makes you feel!
I feel refreshed, and healthier for my efforts! I'm sure I could do more... Its my attempt to build a lasting and meaningful relationship with my Creator!
If you take up the challenge, let me know how you are going! :)
I had been going to a thing our pastor calls "Waiting on God" and one of the things that God had challenged me on was my lack of reading His word! Then I read about this little challenge, and God kinda said, "Do it!" So I started out! Yes, it was hard! But getting up for prayer on a Tuesday mornings made it a little easier!
One of the verses that challenged me was where Jesus took some desciples aside and said pray with me, then He went a little further and prayed, then on returning to them, He found them sleeping... He asked them the question, could you not pray with me an hour?? My honest answer is no! I've tried and I come sadly short of that mark!! But that hasnt stopped me trying!
So I challenge you, get up an hour early and spend some time reading the Word and praying, see how it makes you feel!
I feel refreshed, and healthier for my efforts! I'm sure I could do more... Its my attempt to build a lasting and meaningful relationship with my Creator!
If you take up the challenge, let me know how you are going! :)
amazingly beautiful
1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, 2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. 3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. 5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, 6 who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. 8 He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross! 9 As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow - in heaven and on earth and under the earth - 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:1-11 (NET)
This displays the kind of God we have! He did all this for us!
I think that finding a little time each day to spend with our God is something we should all try to do more of!
I know that, for me, waking up early, as I have recently started doing, is a sacrifice! I love my sleep! Yet, for getting up earlier and reading a little bit of His word and doing a little bit of praying has made me feel physically healthier! I'm still learning, and there are sections of scripture, that make no sense to me, but I am willing to try to learn! And isn't that the point? Spend time with God! He created each of us, He knows how we tick, He can therefore educate us on His book! We need that desire. And I know that after reading this particular passage, seeing what Jesus laid down for us (granted, not having been in heaven, I can't exactly get my head entirely around how it was for him), but seeing that He laid it all down for us, to show us how to lay everything we have down for Him! What greater thing in life is there??
What is man that tho art mindful of him? We must be something really special for the Son of God to step down out of heaven, become a human, live on earth, get beaten, tortured and, finally crusified by those He came to save, ask God to forgive us all, and then go back to heaven in order to daily pray for us! Can we not find an hour to pray with Him?? Can we not find some time to worship Him? Can we not spend some time giving Him thanks for all He has done??
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
Philippians 2:1-11 (NET)
This displays the kind of God we have! He did all this for us!
I think that finding a little time each day to spend with our God is something we should all try to do more of!
I know that, for me, waking up early, as I have recently started doing, is a sacrifice! I love my sleep! Yet, for getting up earlier and reading a little bit of His word and doing a little bit of praying has made me feel physically healthier! I'm still learning, and there are sections of scripture, that make no sense to me, but I am willing to try to learn! And isn't that the point? Spend time with God! He created each of us, He knows how we tick, He can therefore educate us on His book! We need that desire. And I know that after reading this particular passage, seeing what Jesus laid down for us (granted, not having been in heaven, I can't exactly get my head entirely around how it was for him), but seeing that He laid it all down for us, to show us how to lay everything we have down for Him! What greater thing in life is there??
What is man that tho art mindful of him? We must be something really special for the Son of God to step down out of heaven, become a human, live on earth, get beaten, tortured and, finally crusified by those He came to save, ask God to forgive us all, and then go back to heaven in order to daily pray for us! Can we not find an hour to pray with Him?? Can we not find some time to worship Him? Can we not spend some time giving Him thanks for all He has done??
What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?
Tuesday 1 January 2013
My thoughts on worship
Life seems to have a habit of getting in the way of prayer and worship. It seems that it is deliberately designed like that!
I do like what Kim Walker has to say. Worship is the relationship between you and God and what we do is an expression of that!
Worship is a lifestyle, an everyday thing, a relationship with our creator, its more than singing songs on sunday morning, its more than wednesday bible study, its deeper than prayer, its more intense than the stresses of life, its a bigger challenge than juggling, work, house, children, christmas, birthdays, pets, holidays and everything else that life throws at us. Its love, but its more than that... Its complete, wholehearted devotion that is so huge, deep, thick and intense that it has the potential to crush us to oblivion, but it is soft and graceful and gentle and merciful. It is all encompassing, and without end. We should respond to it on a cellular level. It is time spent with the one who has the power to make us though we never existed. "What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?" is just the tip of the iceberg! Relationship requires something of both parties, time, energy, effort, willingness... God has all the time in the world. When you are behind closed doors, do you seek God or do you ignore his please for time with you? "... looking down from above, as you watch tv, wondering why you're ignoring me, do you remember, when I came to you and you loved me, and I'm waiting for you..."
May Gods blessings shower down upon you.
I do like what Kim Walker has to say. Worship is the relationship between you and God and what we do is an expression of that!
Worship is a lifestyle, an everyday thing, a relationship with our creator, its more than singing songs on sunday morning, its more than wednesday bible study, its deeper than prayer, its more intense than the stresses of life, its a bigger challenge than juggling, work, house, children, christmas, birthdays, pets, holidays and everything else that life throws at us. Its love, but its more than that... Its complete, wholehearted devotion that is so huge, deep, thick and intense that it has the potential to crush us to oblivion, but it is soft and graceful and gentle and merciful. It is all encompassing, and without end. We should respond to it on a cellular level. It is time spent with the one who has the power to make us though we never existed. "What's it gonna take for you to go and pray?" is just the tip of the iceberg! Relationship requires something of both parties, time, energy, effort, willingness... God has all the time in the world. When you are behind closed doors, do you seek God or do you ignore his please for time with you? "... looking down from above, as you watch tv, wondering why you're ignoring me, do you remember, when I came to you and you loved me, and I'm waiting for you..."
May Gods blessings shower down upon you.
First thing to share...
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=lc_LpYie1Dw&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dlc_LpYie1Dw
After watching this I felt the need to make a few changes to my life! The way I was living just didn't come close to where I should have been! Life got in the way far more than it really should have!
As a consequence to the changes I've made, God has been opening my eyes to what is going on around me. He has given me relationships with people in leadership of our little church! He's allowed me few insights as to what to pray, and He's been teaching me how He wants me to pray! Life has suddenly gotten interesting!
So enjoy the video! (it is 52 minutes long or there abouts!) I will certainly watch it again!
Please feel free to share your thouhts!
After watching this I felt the need to make a few changes to my life! The way I was living just didn't come close to where I should have been! Life got in the way far more than it really should have!
As a consequence to the changes I've made, God has been opening my eyes to what is going on around me. He has given me relationships with people in leadership of our little church! He's allowed me few insights as to what to pray, and He's been teaching me how He wants me to pray! Life has suddenly gotten interesting!
So enjoy the video! (it is 52 minutes long or there abouts!) I will certainly watch it again!
Please feel free to share your thouhts!
Welcome
A little background... but not much...
I am an ex-witch. I am now "born-again"!
I don't claim to know it all, nor am I all that wise!! (At least - I don't think I am! You can think what you like!)
When I'm tired, my spelling gets shocking!
I'm learning how to pray the way God wants me to and about the things that He wants me to!
I've just started actually reading the bible everyday, not just on Sundays!
For some strange reason I feel the need to share my thoughts and my prayers!
My most favourite book is Esther! Its the most read too!
So, welcome, thanks for stopping by, and feel free to share anything you like to share!
P.S. All photos and art that will be featured on here is copyrighted to TigerEye Freelance Photography... Please ask for permission before using any of the photos or art!
I am an ex-witch. I am now "born-again"!
I don't claim to know it all, nor am I all that wise!! (At least - I don't think I am! You can think what you like!)
When I'm tired, my spelling gets shocking!
I'm learning how to pray the way God wants me to and about the things that He wants me to!
I've just started actually reading the bible everyday, not just on Sundays!
For some strange reason I feel the need to share my thoughts and my prayers!
My most favourite book is Esther! Its the most read too!
So, welcome, thanks for stopping by, and feel free to share anything you like to share!
P.S. All photos and art that will be featured on here is copyrighted to TigerEye Freelance Photography... Please ask for permission before using any of the photos or art!
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