'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me
To preach good tidings to the poor
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord'
2010. A new year. after Christmas and after the New Years celebrations people are settling down into a New Year.
A year of hopes, expectations and possibilities, of New resolutions, ideas and plans.
We as believers look forward in hope too. But our hope and strength and our plans lie not in vain hopes or unrealistic expectations but in our ever faithful and unchanging God. We look forward towards one more year when God will move and reveal Himself to us, His people and to a lost world that needs Him.
This is one more year with Him, an acceptable year, a jubilee year when those who are in debt, in bondage and slavery to this world system, to their own flesh fallen natures, to satan himself, can be liberated forever and can live in the Kingdom of life, of light and His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The b part of verse 2 refers to 'the day of vengence of our God'. There is a day coming when Jesus will return, a great day of wrath, the Day of the Lord, a return in judgement. But before that day, we have an acceptable year, one more year to reveal Christ, to walk in the light, win souls, live by faith, seek His presence and live this Christian life to the full whilst living in a world that does not know Him, but needs desperately to do so.
Ezra 9:8 speaks of a grace space, a little time when we can experience His grace and live in the eye of a storm.
Let's get God's perspective in 2010. Not just a time to relax and enjoy, not just a time to work hard and achieve goals, or make new friendships and renew old ones, important and valuable as these things are, but a time to find our calling in God, a time to live in our calling, a time to be hidden in the Body of Christ, in a local assembly, submitted under a Pastor teacher and living by faith. A time to win souls and redeem the time and a time to seek God's presence and study His word, being led by the Spirit.
Let's be led through 2010 by the Holy Spirit, let's proclaim the beautiful sound of the Gospel of Good News and let's see the Lord Jesus high and lifted up, drawing all men to Himself.
2010; one more year with our God. Let's go forward in confidence, boldness and hope.
Happy New Year and God bless you.
Friday, 1 January 2010
Monday, 3 November 2008
Identity
Your identity is not in what we do. One failure, or even a series of them, does not define who we are. Neither do our successes!
If you are born from above (John 3), you have received a new heart and a spirit and are a new creation. (1 Corinthians 5:17).
This means that every moment is completely new, with a limitless potential in Christ.
You are not what other people see you as. You are not the guy that makes the coffee at church on a Sunday, you are the person that sits at the back of the church, you are not someone’s wife or husband. You are not what you do! Nor does your relationships with other people define you!
We fall often into the trap of becoming what other people want us to be. The good father, the diligent worker, the guy in the church who encourages people, or the friend of someone else.
People always categorise. They put labels on things and on people’s lives. You are not a Social Security number or Employee number. You are a living human being! God gave you a heart and a spirit. You will live forever, in eternity worshipping God, long after the man made systems that seek to define you have perished and disappeared.
Let the Word of God define you. It tells you what you were. A hellbound sinner with no hope and no way of redeeming yourself.
It tells you what you are now! Heavenbound with eternity awaiting you and a goodly inheritance. It tells you who you are! A child of God.
The more we read the Word of God, the more we become what we are reading, studying and applying, because the Word dwells richly in us.
The more we live in His Word and seek His thoughts, the more we become like Him, whose character is revealed through His Word.
Our relationship with the living God defines us. This relationship is our identity, become our identity is only in Him and His Word. And we grow into this identity, allowing it to define our lives, laying convictions upon us and within us that allow us the freedom of choice, but guide us in our daily living.
When the Lord Jesus Christ becomes our identity, we need no longer to strive. We do not need to do good works, try and be a good Christian or a good person in our community. We do not justify our existence, by trying to help others.
We allow God to fill us so completely, that the Love of God flows out of us and the characteristics of the perfect love defined in 1 Corinthians chapter shape our personalities.
We relax. There is no longer anything to prove. The throne life flows out of us and reaches out to others. It becomes natural to reveal God and we are led by Him. Our faith is revealed in the works we are doing, because we doing them only in His strength. This is the rest that we need to seek, because whilst we are in action, we are at the same time at rest. This is the reason, that we can be busy with many tasks, yet at the same time, apply Psalm 46:11 as an application. We are still in our spirits, and yet our bodies are active!
Let the living God be your identity this day and stay rested in that identity!
If you are born from above (John 3), you have received a new heart and a spirit and are a new creation. (1 Corinthians 5:17).
This means that every moment is completely new, with a limitless potential in Christ.
You are not what other people see you as. You are not the guy that makes the coffee at church on a Sunday, you are the person that sits at the back of the church, you are not someone’s wife or husband. You are not what you do! Nor does your relationships with other people define you!
We fall often into the trap of becoming what other people want us to be. The good father, the diligent worker, the guy in the church who encourages people, or the friend of someone else.
People always categorise. They put labels on things and on people’s lives. You are not a Social Security number or Employee number. You are a living human being! God gave you a heart and a spirit. You will live forever, in eternity worshipping God, long after the man made systems that seek to define you have perished and disappeared.
Let the Word of God define you. It tells you what you were. A hellbound sinner with no hope and no way of redeeming yourself.
It tells you what you are now! Heavenbound with eternity awaiting you and a goodly inheritance. It tells you who you are! A child of God.
The more we read the Word of God, the more we become what we are reading, studying and applying, because the Word dwells richly in us.
The more we live in His Word and seek His thoughts, the more we become like Him, whose character is revealed through His Word.
Our relationship with the living God defines us. This relationship is our identity, become our identity is only in Him and His Word. And we grow into this identity, allowing it to define our lives, laying convictions upon us and within us that allow us the freedom of choice, but guide us in our daily living.
When the Lord Jesus Christ becomes our identity, we need no longer to strive. We do not need to do good works, try and be a good Christian or a good person in our community. We do not justify our existence, by trying to help others.
We allow God to fill us so completely, that the Love of God flows out of us and the characteristics of the perfect love defined in 1 Corinthians chapter shape our personalities.
We relax. There is no longer anything to prove. The throne life flows out of us and reaches out to others. It becomes natural to reveal God and we are led by Him. Our faith is revealed in the works we are doing, because we doing them only in His strength. This is the rest that we need to seek, because whilst we are in action, we are at the same time at rest. This is the reason, that we can be busy with many tasks, yet at the same time, apply Psalm 46:11 as an application. We are still in our spirits, and yet our bodies are active!
Let the living God be your identity this day and stay rested in that identity!
Monday, 25 February 2008
Studying to be quiet
In 1 Thessalonians 4:11, the first part of the verse says ‘And that ye study to be quiet’ in the original King James version.
I got to thinking about the ‘quiet in the land’. Who are they and why are they quiet?
It is better to understand those who are not quiet and why first!
The world under the rule of Satan and the flesh are constantly restless. Inbuilt in man is the desire to work, to strive. This came with creation. We were ordained to work, but after the fall, this was twisted and our fallen nature strives to accomplish things and is never satisfied with the results.
The world is a Kingdom of Noise and restlessness. Because man cannot cease from the work, he cannot find any rest and this ceaseless action is meant to justify man, when God is replaced in men’s lives, man must find a reason for existing. He dares not to stop, because it is that moment of silence that he is confronted with his thoughts and many people dread coming to face with themselves in those quiet moments. They cannot look into the mirror, lest they see something they cannot bear. In the quiet moments, the still soft voice of the Spirit of God speaks and many people do not want to listen to Him.
The Prince of the Power of the Air was once a powerful archangel who had an authority that amongst other things involved music. This is a separate issue, but the fact that his title is power of the air means that he cannot introduce atmospheric disturbance, that makes it difficult for the Christian to be quiet. Distractions can sometimes come from a Satanic source, because satan wishes to keep man separated from God by any means possible and minimize the power of the Christian on this planet by creating disruptions that make it hard for us to tune into what God is communicating to us.
We are a new breed, born from above and therefore living in a Kingdom that cannot be moved. Therefore as Spirit calls unto Spirit and we search out the deep things of God, we discover Him further in the peace and quiet. Jesus spent much time alone, in prayer, to strengthen Him for His mission and if He needed this so do we. Also He did so in obedience to His Father and displayed this as an example for us to follow.
We live in the Kingdom of Noise, but whilst we reside temporary we are not citizens and therefore need time with God. The quiet speaks of ceasing from striving whilst still being involved in activity. God is using us to do the work, and because His burden is light, we are yoked to Him, His work is not wearisome to us and we are able to continue to walk with Him and accomplish His work.
Because we live in the Finish Work, we are the quiet people of the land.
We study to be quiet, studying (greek – philotimeomai – meaning to strive earnestly/ make it ones aim, from a love of honour to strive to bring something to pass) to be quiet (hesychazo – to rest, cease from labour, to be silent, to hold one’s peace, to say nothing).
The paradox is that we strive to cease! But it is activity done and learnt through God’s provision, so we do not learn this in our own flesh nature, it is not a disciplined action of the flesh, but a faith action in the spirit!
Can we slip back into the old nature? Yes! But in everything we do, there is a choice, to live in the old sin nature or to live in our New Christ given nature.
Hebrews chapter 4 talks of this Godly provision of rest, referring back to the Sabbath day granted the children of Israel, an example we still follow and one that is instituted for good reason. Yet this rest is not just a physical day, but in our entire lives day by day, because we are of a different kingdom.
Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
This verse is an example again of the quiet in the land, who rest to hear God. Cease from your activity, because God is speaking to you. This does not necessarily mean that we have to always physically stop doing something, but that we may purpose to take time during our day, to listen to God. But also it may mean that our brains which process so much information and for some of us we are always thinking, must make it a discipline of dwelling in God and allowing Him to steer our minds towards His thoughts.
We have been given the mind of Christ, (1 Corinthians 2:16), but do we stop to allow God to make this a practical reality in our lives? Romans 12:2 means that by a practiced disciplined of dwelling on what God has given us, we can be renewed in our minds allowing us to be more receptive to what God is saying to us; We are practicing to listen properly!
Our lives are full of legitimate activity and as His stewards; we have jobs, houses, families, friends and many other things that require our attention. God teaches us that if we are faithful in little things, He can promote us onto bigger things.
But we must be faithful in the little things first! And to be faithful means that He is teaching us to manage the legitimate things of our lives by an ordained order (Matthew 6:33). And all that we have responsibility over can be managed in this priority because we are learning to be the Quiet People of the land!
I got to thinking about the ‘quiet in the land’. Who are they and why are they quiet?
It is better to understand those who are not quiet and why first!
The world under the rule of Satan and the flesh are constantly restless. Inbuilt in man is the desire to work, to strive. This came with creation. We were ordained to work, but after the fall, this was twisted and our fallen nature strives to accomplish things and is never satisfied with the results.
The world is a Kingdom of Noise and restlessness. Because man cannot cease from the work, he cannot find any rest and this ceaseless action is meant to justify man, when God is replaced in men’s lives, man must find a reason for existing. He dares not to stop, because it is that moment of silence that he is confronted with his thoughts and many people dread coming to face with themselves in those quiet moments. They cannot look into the mirror, lest they see something they cannot bear. In the quiet moments, the still soft voice of the Spirit of God speaks and many people do not want to listen to Him.
The Prince of the Power of the Air was once a powerful archangel who had an authority that amongst other things involved music. This is a separate issue, but the fact that his title is power of the air means that he cannot introduce atmospheric disturbance, that makes it difficult for the Christian to be quiet. Distractions can sometimes come from a Satanic source, because satan wishes to keep man separated from God by any means possible and minimize the power of the Christian on this planet by creating disruptions that make it hard for us to tune into what God is communicating to us.
We are a new breed, born from above and therefore living in a Kingdom that cannot be moved. Therefore as Spirit calls unto Spirit and we search out the deep things of God, we discover Him further in the peace and quiet. Jesus spent much time alone, in prayer, to strengthen Him for His mission and if He needed this so do we. Also He did so in obedience to His Father and displayed this as an example for us to follow.
We live in the Kingdom of Noise, but whilst we reside temporary we are not citizens and therefore need time with God. The quiet speaks of ceasing from striving whilst still being involved in activity. God is using us to do the work, and because His burden is light, we are yoked to Him, His work is not wearisome to us and we are able to continue to walk with Him and accomplish His work.
Because we live in the Finish Work, we are the quiet people of the land.
We study to be quiet, studying (greek – philotimeomai – meaning to strive earnestly/ make it ones aim, from a love of honour to strive to bring something to pass) to be quiet (hesychazo – to rest, cease from labour, to be silent, to hold one’s peace, to say nothing).
The paradox is that we strive to cease! But it is activity done and learnt through God’s provision, so we do not learn this in our own flesh nature, it is not a disciplined action of the flesh, but a faith action in the spirit!
Can we slip back into the old nature? Yes! But in everything we do, there is a choice, to live in the old sin nature or to live in our New Christ given nature.
Hebrews chapter 4 talks of this Godly provision of rest, referring back to the Sabbath day granted the children of Israel, an example we still follow and one that is instituted for good reason. Yet this rest is not just a physical day, but in our entire lives day by day, because we are of a different kingdom.
Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
This verse is an example again of the quiet in the land, who rest to hear God. Cease from your activity, because God is speaking to you. This does not necessarily mean that we have to always physically stop doing something, but that we may purpose to take time during our day, to listen to God. But also it may mean that our brains which process so much information and for some of us we are always thinking, must make it a discipline of dwelling in God and allowing Him to steer our minds towards His thoughts.
We have been given the mind of Christ, (1 Corinthians 2:16), but do we stop to allow God to make this a practical reality in our lives? Romans 12:2 means that by a practiced disciplined of dwelling on what God has given us, we can be renewed in our minds allowing us to be more receptive to what God is saying to us; We are practicing to listen properly!
Our lives are full of legitimate activity and as His stewards; we have jobs, houses, families, friends and many other things that require our attention. God teaches us that if we are faithful in little things, He can promote us onto bigger things.
But we must be faithful in the little things first! And to be faithful means that He is teaching us to manage the legitimate things of our lives by an ordained order (Matthew 6:33). And all that we have responsibility over can be managed in this priority because we are learning to be the Quiet People of the land!
Monday, 11 February 2008
Build up each other together in a most Holy Faith
We are called to edify each other. Why?
Well firstly, because we manifest Christ’s love, so it is done out of God’s love and secondly, because we help the receiver to grow more in Christ. (Jude 1:20) (Ephesians 5:19)
This means that by being edified, our capacity to receive what God has to give increases. We can receive more each time. (2 Peter 3:18)
This means something else, our discernment of what is of God and what is not of Him, sharpens because God is imparting wisdom and we receive it. (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This means transformation, because we believe by faith and receive in faith, hence inward transformation, not conformity to the world. (Romans 12:2)
People of faith need to hear from God. (Deut 8:3), (Job 23:12).They have an attitude of expectation when they meet and when they listen to preaching and enjoy worship. This means that when the Word of God is preached, they literally 'pull the words out of the mouth' of the preacher. They draw it out of Him. They need it and God desires to give it. Why would He not want to feed His flock?
And because His desire to feed them (Psalm 23:1), (John 21:17) and they desire to receive it by faith, then the preacher who is the vessel of God, speaking with God's authority will open His mouth and the words will fly out, the flow will come and the Word of God will reach the receptive hearts of those who listen.
Christians living totally for Christ have incredible friendships, because they are relationships made in heaven, centred in Christ. Christians are living stones (1 Peter 2:5) and we altogether are a house being built by Jesus, who is both the head of the Body (Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18), the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6) and the builder (Matthew 16:18)!
So go ahead, build up and encourage each other!
Well firstly, because we manifest Christ’s love, so it is done out of God’s love and secondly, because we help the receiver to grow more in Christ. (Jude 1:20) (Ephesians 5:19)
This means that by being edified, our capacity to receive what God has to give increases. We can receive more each time. (2 Peter 3:18)
This means something else, our discernment of what is of God and what is not of Him, sharpens because God is imparting wisdom and we receive it. (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This means transformation, because we believe by faith and receive in faith, hence inward transformation, not conformity to the world. (Romans 12:2)
People of faith need to hear from God. (Deut 8:3), (Job 23:12).They have an attitude of expectation when they meet and when they listen to preaching and enjoy worship. This means that when the Word of God is preached, they literally 'pull the words out of the mouth' of the preacher. They draw it out of Him. They need it and God desires to give it. Why would He not want to feed His flock?
And because His desire to feed them (Psalm 23:1), (John 21:17) and they desire to receive it by faith, then the preacher who is the vessel of God, speaking with God's authority will open His mouth and the words will fly out, the flow will come and the Word of God will reach the receptive hearts of those who listen.
Christians living totally for Christ have incredible friendships, because they are relationships made in heaven, centred in Christ. Christians are living stones (1 Peter 2:5) and we altogether are a house being built by Jesus, who is both the head of the Body (Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18), the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6) and the builder (Matthew 16:18)!
So go ahead, build up and encourage each other!
Friday, 21 December 2007
A Christmas Message
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)
Jesus Christ changes lives and at Christmas we remember that the He came into this world, Mighty God, as a humble baby born in a small stable in an obscure town in the Middle East. With God, things start small and seemingly insignificant and then grow to unimaginable proportions…
Simeon prophesied that Jesus would cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. Jesus still does this now. He polarizes people, He continues to challenge everyone who He confronts and when He moves His church, made up of humble disciples, to spread His Love, His message of Hope and redemption to a messed up world, this reaches the hearts of people and brings healing and joy where there was only brokenness and misery.
This Christmas season, look beyond the pretty lights, the displays in peoples’ homes and shops, the bars and restaurants, the celebrating and mad last minute shopping sprees, the orgy of television, alcohol and food.
See beyond all this. Jesus is still here. He never left and He is using this season to reach those who need Him and are seeking Him.
Christmas is about reconnecting with our God, our Saviour who came to earth, in humble surroundings to save a world that always has been in desperate need of Him and always will.
This Christmas… connect with Jesus. Meet your God.
God bless you and Happy Christmas.
26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)
Jesus Christ changes lives and at Christmas we remember that the He came into this world, Mighty God, as a humble baby born in a small stable in an obscure town in the Middle East. With God, things start small and seemingly insignificant and then grow to unimaginable proportions…
Simeon prophesied that Jesus would cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. Jesus still does this now. He polarizes people, He continues to challenge everyone who He confronts and when He moves His church, made up of humble disciples, to spread His Love, His message of Hope and redemption to a messed up world, this reaches the hearts of people and brings healing and joy where there was only brokenness and misery.
This Christmas season, look beyond the pretty lights, the displays in peoples’ homes and shops, the bars and restaurants, the celebrating and mad last minute shopping sprees, the orgy of television, alcohol and food.
See beyond all this. Jesus is still here. He never left and He is using this season to reach those who need Him and are seeking Him.
Christmas is about reconnecting with our God, our Saviour who came to earth, in humble surroundings to save a world that always has been in desperate need of Him and always will.
This Christmas… connect with Jesus. Meet your God.
God bless you and Happy Christmas.
Saturday, 11 August 2007
The Banner of Love
“He brought me to His banqueting house and His banner over me was love.”
Song of Solomon 2:4 (New KJV).
I am today a complete person. Complete and whole in Christ, because I live in Christ and Christ lives in me. I am in the position today as new creation, totally and utterly loved by God, without condition and without end. Because I am the recipient of God’s love, I discover my true value through seeing myself through God’s eyes. I cannot earn this, I am cannot work to continue to seek God’s approval. I am loved by a God who never changes and I have accepted this, by accepting Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for me personally at the Cross.
Because the work is finished, I can rest in faith and continue to enjoy God’s presence, so totally at rest because there is nothing else to do. In this position, I am bathed in God’s love today, because His thoughts are towards me, He lives forever to make intercession for me and He has made a new and living way, meaning that I can access the throne of Grace, day and night.
Even the charge of the accuser of the brethren, who accuses us before God, day and night, is disarmed because Jesus Christ is my advocate, who pleads my case.
He saves me to the uttermost. There is nothing that God has not done for me and receiving His love, living in His presence and being led by His Spirit means that I am being continually transformed by Him, whilst His love is outworked as a witness into the world through my life. I am a witness of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, because my life manifests His glory when I am in obedience and am directed by Him throughout my daily living.
I am overwhelmed that His banner over my life is love, a deep and continual love without ever ceasing and that His grace, unmerited favour that can never be earned.
Because of this love, I am empowered and motivated to love others, both fellow believers and those who have not yet met and accepted Christ. I love them without condition and do not expect to anything in return. I am motivated into action, not to be a nice person, but to totally live out the Christ who dwells in me. Once I do this, all else will follow naturally as I reveal the 9 fruits of the Spirit talked about in Galatians 5:22-23.
What an incredible privilege it is to be alive and with God today!
All of this, because God first loved me.
Today I am loved. Today, you are loved by God!
Song of Solomon 2:4 (New KJV).
I am today a complete person. Complete and whole in Christ, because I live in Christ and Christ lives in me. I am in the position today as new creation, totally and utterly loved by God, without condition and without end. Because I am the recipient of God’s love, I discover my true value through seeing myself through God’s eyes. I cannot earn this, I am cannot work to continue to seek God’s approval. I am loved by a God who never changes and I have accepted this, by accepting Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for me personally at the Cross.
Because the work is finished, I can rest in faith and continue to enjoy God’s presence, so totally at rest because there is nothing else to do. In this position, I am bathed in God’s love today, because His thoughts are towards me, He lives forever to make intercession for me and He has made a new and living way, meaning that I can access the throne of Grace, day and night.
Even the charge of the accuser of the brethren, who accuses us before God, day and night, is disarmed because Jesus Christ is my advocate, who pleads my case.
He saves me to the uttermost. There is nothing that God has not done for me and receiving His love, living in His presence and being led by His Spirit means that I am being continually transformed by Him, whilst His love is outworked as a witness into the world through my life. I am a witness of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, because my life manifests His glory when I am in obedience and am directed by Him throughout my daily living.
I am overwhelmed that His banner over my life is love, a deep and continual love without ever ceasing and that His grace, unmerited favour that can never be earned.
Because of this love, I am empowered and motivated to love others, both fellow believers and those who have not yet met and accepted Christ. I love them without condition and do not expect to anything in return. I am motivated into action, not to be a nice person, but to totally live out the Christ who dwells in me. Once I do this, all else will follow naturally as I reveal the 9 fruits of the Spirit talked about in Galatians 5:22-23.
What an incredible privilege it is to be alive and with God today!
All of this, because God first loved me.
Today I am loved. Today, you are loved by God!
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Be still and know that I am God…
'Be still and know that I am God… '
(Psalm 46:10a)
The whole world works by running at a great pace. Busy, Hurry, Worry. These are the most predominant activities and thoughts that go on in most peoples’ head’s these days. Technology, once heralded as the great solution for our lives, instead of being a useful servant has become a ruthless master. We are slaves of our mobile phones, PDA’s and laptops. And computer systems are the cause of as many problems as they solved. Instead of a slackening in the pace of life, we note that in fact the opposite is true; it goes gets faster.
The world seeks to suck us dry. It builds up false dreams, that keep us entranced for years, but ultimately we realise alas too late, that they were false hopes. At that stage we become cynical and bitter… drained of opportunism, energy, enthusiasm and life itself. Is it any wonder that some many people are on medication, alcohol, recreational drugs, in and out of relationships, or in total despair they take their own lives. Many people burn out under the pressure, others make it to retirement and then die suddenly afterwards.
This was never the world that God intended it to be. But it is the one that man has fashioned. Our world is suffers conflict in human relationships on all levels, from nation to nation, to neighbour to neighbour in conflict. Ultimately, man has a hard time loving his fellow man, because he has a hard time to love his God.
In the end, it comes down to one thing. We are unable to function without God, ultimately leading to our destruction through unwise lifestyle patterns. Our search for purpose and meaning, is whether we realise it or not, a search for God.
Yet Jesus Christ, who is both fully man and God, came down to us, so that we could saved from our own worst enemy, ourselves. Unable to redeem ourselves, defeated by our own very genes, He redeemed us.
Now, in our ‘Hurry, Busy, Worry’ World, God is speaking. To those who do not know Him, He calls out for them to come to Him, to be reconciled through His Son. To those who do know already, His Spirit calls unto our spirits, as deep calls unto deep… ‘Be still and know that I am God‘. And when we stop, when the rapid cycle of thought dialogue that goes on in our heads, ceases, God can bring us into a place with Him. A place where we stop performing, stop racing, and just … rest. We have rest from the burdens in our lives, an opportunity to catch breath, to put all things in perspective by looking to Him, and a place to receive His life and His love.
Today, we have the privilege of being able to spend time with God and just rest in His presence. It is not easy. The world desires to keep us on the treadmill. But we are in a different race and we have that option of going to God and spending those vital moments with Him, time that will make all the difference to what we think and how we act for that day.
This day, Be still and Know that He is God…
(Psalm 46:10a)
The whole world works by running at a great pace. Busy, Hurry, Worry. These are the most predominant activities and thoughts that go on in most peoples’ head’s these days. Technology, once heralded as the great solution for our lives, instead of being a useful servant has become a ruthless master. We are slaves of our mobile phones, PDA’s and laptops. And computer systems are the cause of as many problems as they solved. Instead of a slackening in the pace of life, we note that in fact the opposite is true; it goes gets faster.
The world seeks to suck us dry. It builds up false dreams, that keep us entranced for years, but ultimately we realise alas too late, that they were false hopes. At that stage we become cynical and bitter… drained of opportunism, energy, enthusiasm and life itself. Is it any wonder that some many people are on medication, alcohol, recreational drugs, in and out of relationships, or in total despair they take their own lives. Many people burn out under the pressure, others make it to retirement and then die suddenly afterwards.
This was never the world that God intended it to be. But it is the one that man has fashioned. Our world is suffers conflict in human relationships on all levels, from nation to nation, to neighbour to neighbour in conflict. Ultimately, man has a hard time loving his fellow man, because he has a hard time to love his God.
In the end, it comes down to one thing. We are unable to function without God, ultimately leading to our destruction through unwise lifestyle patterns. Our search for purpose and meaning, is whether we realise it or not, a search for God.
Yet Jesus Christ, who is both fully man and God, came down to us, so that we could saved from our own worst enemy, ourselves. Unable to redeem ourselves, defeated by our own very genes, He redeemed us.
Now, in our ‘Hurry, Busy, Worry’ World, God is speaking. To those who do not know Him, He calls out for them to come to Him, to be reconciled through His Son. To those who do know already, His Spirit calls unto our spirits, as deep calls unto deep… ‘Be still and know that I am God‘. And when we stop, when the rapid cycle of thought dialogue that goes on in our heads, ceases, God can bring us into a place with Him. A place where we stop performing, stop racing, and just … rest. We have rest from the burdens in our lives, an opportunity to catch breath, to put all things in perspective by looking to Him, and a place to receive His life and His love.
Today, we have the privilege of being able to spend time with God and just rest in His presence. It is not easy. The world desires to keep us on the treadmill. But we are in a different race and we have that option of going to God and spending those vital moments with Him, time that will make all the difference to what we think and how we act for that day.
This day, Be still and Know that He is God…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
