Throw out an alarming alarm clock. If the ring is loud and strident, you're waking up to instant stress. You shouldn't be bullied out of bed, just reminded that it's time to start your day.
-- Sharon Gold
...Jeremy says amen to that!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
JESUS, MORE THAN A SAVIOUR
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
JESUS IS OUR SHEPHERD
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God wants us to know that He loves us, not just to know it but to believe it. He wants us to know that Jesus is our shepherd.
The Most frequently used picture of God is that he is our shepherd and his people are the flock.
When you see sheep you often know that the shepherd is not very far away.
Goats are independent and proud, they often go their own way, near the edges of cliffs and they have a tendency to fall off. Sheep are often seen as dumb and needing direction from the shepherd and not being capable of making up their own minds... I would rather be referred to as dumb and have the Lord as my shepherd and never be living in lack all the days of my life than to be proud and smart and fall off a cliff and die smart.
You don’t need to be smart to follow Jesus, you just need to have a desire to serve him, allow him into your life and live life for him and God has all the smartness, all the wisdom, all the intelligence, everything you will ever need to live an abundant life.
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want or in other words... the Lord is my shepherd I shall not lack.
There is no quantification in this scripture. It does not say lack in finance, lack in relationships, lack in wisdom... therefore it covers everything.
When you realise the Lord is your shepherd and you are His sheep faith springs forth, you feel a sense of love, being cared for and protected.
JESUS IS OUR COMFORTER
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
1) first thing - God wants you to rest.
2) second thing- God makes you lay down in green pastures
Green pastures to a sheep is top class food. God makes us lie down (rest) but we rest in the abundance and goodness that God has for us
Salvation begins when we rest in the finished work of Jesus
Healing comes when we stop and rest
Blessings begin when we rest
JESUS IS OUR PRINCE OF PEACE
He leads me beside the still waters.
Sometimes the word ‘still’ can come across as meaning stagnant. When water is stagnant it creates a home for mosquitoes or bad musty smells. God certainly doesn’t lead us beside a cess pool of brooding mosquitoes.
The Hebrew word for ‘still’ is Manuka and this word means quietness. The Lord Jesus leads us to a quiet place, a resting place. The Lord leads us beside waters of rest.
If you are ever making a major decision concerning your employment, investing money, direction for your future, remember the Lord leads you beside waters of quietness, waters of peace, waters of rest. If there is any unrest or noticeable noise in your spirit, if there is no peace, then I would seriously question whether the decision you are about to make is inspired by God or not.
If there is waters of quietness... go for it!
JESUS IS OUR LIFE
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
He restores my soul is the idea of healing or bringing life... the Hebrew word for soul is nafesh and nafesh means life so the scripture is saying the Lord restores our life back to us.
After he restores our life he leads us in the paths of righteousness... its important to realise that righteousness is not something you do, righteousness is a gift, Jesus is the gift giver. You cannot work to achieve righteousness.
Some of us think if we can struggle and strive for perfection and earn God’s favour and earn righteousness but its a free gift for all of us, earned by the nine inch nails through the hands and feet at the cross.
There is nothing we can do to obtain righteousness other than to follow the one who bore the weight of the sin of the world on his shoulders at the cross.
It is through this righteousness that we can obtain the life that Jesus promises us... He restores our soul, nafesh, he restores our life and then he leads us in the pathways of righteousness.
JESUS IS OUR FORGIVENESS
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil
Notice it says the Lord doesn’t lead you. ‘Yea, though I walk’ means we choose to go down pathways in life where the Lord doesn’t lead us. We cannot blame God for the tough times we traverse through because Yea though I walk...yea though I choose to walk away from you Lord... yea though I choose to dabble in drugs or alcohol... yea though I choose to mess around in sexual relationships... yea though I choose to flirt with the receptionist at work... the Lord does not lead us to these places... we choose to walk there.
But the good news... even though we walk through those valleys the Lord never leaves us. Even if we were the only one out of a thousand sheep to go astray, he would leave the nine hundred and ninety nine to come and find us.
God loves us so much that he forgives us no matter what and in those valley times when we walk through challenges... the Lord finds us again when we open our hearts and our minds to him.
We may lose God in our lives but God never loses us
JESUS IS OUR PROTECTION
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
When we go through times of trial we need to talk to the Lord and not about Him. This verse has a change in phrasing. During or after the walk through the valley it’s time to talk directly to the Lord.
One of Jesus favourite expressions is to not be afraid. When he meets the disciples out on the water during the storm and they are thinking he is a ghost, the first thing Jesus says is don’t be afraid.
Jairus daughter had died and the moment Jesus heard the child was dead he turned to Jairus and said do not be afraid. Even in the midst of a storm do not be afraid.
JESUS IS OUR PROVISION
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
God wants us to eat even when our enemies are still present. Build our relationship with God even when you are still stressed, even when you are still not well, even when things don’t look right.
We have a big God who answers us in big ways exceedingly abundantly over and above all we could think or imagine... so think big believe big, hunger for big and when we think big then God will always exceed even that which we think is big.
JESUS IS OUR EVERYTHING
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Not perhaps and not maybe but surely!
The Hebrew meaning for follow is pursue and hunt you down.
Some of us spend the day wondering what the devil is planning to throw at us but how much better would it be to believe that goodness and mercy are devising ways to hunt us down today.
When the shepherd takes his sheep out, the shepherd always goes before his sheep.
Jesus goes before us and then goodness and mercy follows us.
We don’t need to chase down goodness and mercy... we just need to chase down Jesus and surely goodness and mercy will chase us and hunt us down.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
JESUS IS OUR SHEPHERD
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God wants us to know that He loves us, not just to know it but to believe it. He wants us to know that Jesus is our shepherd.
The Most frequently used picture of God is that he is our shepherd and his people are the flock.
When you see sheep you often know that the shepherd is not very far away.
Goats are independent and proud, they often go their own way, near the edges of cliffs and they have a tendency to fall off. Sheep are often seen as dumb and needing direction from the shepherd and not being capable of making up their own minds... I would rather be referred to as dumb and have the Lord as my shepherd and never be living in lack all the days of my life than to be proud and smart and fall off a cliff and die smart.
You don’t need to be smart to follow Jesus, you just need to have a desire to serve him, allow him into your life and live life for him and God has all the smartness, all the wisdom, all the intelligence, everything you will ever need to live an abundant life.
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want or in other words... the Lord is my shepherd I shall not lack.
There is no quantification in this scripture. It does not say lack in finance, lack in relationships, lack in wisdom... therefore it covers everything.
When you realise the Lord is your shepherd and you are His sheep faith springs forth, you feel a sense of love, being cared for and protected.
JESUS IS OUR COMFORTER
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
1) first thing - God wants you to rest.
2) second thing- God makes you lay down in green pastures
Green pastures to a sheep is top class food. God makes us lie down (rest) but we rest in the abundance and goodness that God has for us
Salvation begins when we rest in the finished work of Jesus
Healing comes when we stop and rest
Blessings begin when we rest
JESUS IS OUR PRINCE OF PEACE
He leads me beside the still waters.
Sometimes the word ‘still’ can come across as meaning stagnant. When water is stagnant it creates a home for mosquitoes or bad musty smells. God certainly doesn’t lead us beside a cess pool of brooding mosquitoes.
The Hebrew word for ‘still’ is Manuka and this word means quietness. The Lord Jesus leads us to a quiet place, a resting place. The Lord leads us beside waters of rest.
If you are ever making a major decision concerning your employment, investing money, direction for your future, remember the Lord leads you beside waters of quietness, waters of peace, waters of rest. If there is any unrest or noticeable noise in your spirit, if there is no peace, then I would seriously question whether the decision you are about to make is inspired by God or not.
If there is waters of quietness... go for it!
JESUS IS OUR LIFE
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
He restores my soul is the idea of healing or bringing life... the Hebrew word for soul is nafesh and nafesh means life so the scripture is saying the Lord restores our life back to us.
After he restores our life he leads us in the paths of righteousness... its important to realise that righteousness is not something you do, righteousness is a gift, Jesus is the gift giver. You cannot work to achieve righteousness.
Some of us think if we can struggle and strive for perfection and earn God’s favour and earn righteousness but its a free gift for all of us, earned by the nine inch nails through the hands and feet at the cross.
There is nothing we can do to obtain righteousness other than to follow the one who bore the weight of the sin of the world on his shoulders at the cross.
It is through this righteousness that we can obtain the life that Jesus promises us... He restores our soul, nafesh, he restores our life and then he leads us in the pathways of righteousness.
JESUS IS OUR FORGIVENESS
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil
Notice it says the Lord doesn’t lead you. ‘Yea, though I walk’ means we choose to go down pathways in life where the Lord doesn’t lead us. We cannot blame God for the tough times we traverse through because Yea though I walk...yea though I choose to walk away from you Lord... yea though I choose to dabble in drugs or alcohol... yea though I choose to mess around in sexual relationships... yea though I choose to flirt with the receptionist at work... the Lord does not lead us to these places... we choose to walk there.
But the good news... even though we walk through those valleys the Lord never leaves us. Even if we were the only one out of a thousand sheep to go astray, he would leave the nine hundred and ninety nine to come and find us.
God loves us so much that he forgives us no matter what and in those valley times when we walk through challenges... the Lord finds us again when we open our hearts and our minds to him.
We may lose God in our lives but God never loses us
JESUS IS OUR PROTECTION
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
When we go through times of trial we need to talk to the Lord and not about Him. This verse has a change in phrasing. During or after the walk through the valley it’s time to talk directly to the Lord.
One of Jesus favourite expressions is to not be afraid. When he meets the disciples out on the water during the storm and they are thinking he is a ghost, the first thing Jesus says is don’t be afraid.
Jairus daughter had died and the moment Jesus heard the child was dead he turned to Jairus and said do not be afraid. Even in the midst of a storm do not be afraid.
JESUS IS OUR PROVISION
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
God wants us to eat even when our enemies are still present. Build our relationship with God even when you are still stressed, even when you are still not well, even when things don’t look right.
We have a big God who answers us in big ways exceedingly abundantly over and above all we could think or imagine... so think big believe big, hunger for big and when we think big then God will always exceed even that which we think is big.
JESUS IS OUR EVERYTHING
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Not perhaps and not maybe but surely!
The Hebrew meaning for follow is pursue and hunt you down.
Some of us spend the day wondering what the devil is planning to throw at us but how much better would it be to believe that goodness and mercy are devising ways to hunt us down today.
When the shepherd takes his sheep out, the shepherd always goes before his sheep.
Jesus goes before us and then goodness and mercy follows us.
We don’t need to chase down goodness and mercy... we just need to chase down Jesus and surely goodness and mercy will chase us and hunt us down.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
Who would of expected the almighty Collingwood Magpies to put in a performance against reigning premiers and the undefeated Geelong Cats that would rate as the best win for any side in the 2008 AFL season thus far.
An 86 point drubbing that would put any team to shame let alone the almighty Cats who have dominated all in their path since last season.
A similar proposition faced the NSW Blues as they took out the first match of the State of Origin series against a red hot QLD Maroons side that has won the last two series.
It just shows that adversity should never intimidate anyone. When things look less likely to be achieved... that is when one digs their heels in and creates a memorable moment of success that can act as inspiration for many...
An 86 point drubbing that would put any team to shame let alone the almighty Cats who have dominated all in their path since last season.
A similar proposition faced the NSW Blues as they took out the first match of the State of Origin series against a red hot QLD Maroons side that has won the last two series.
It just shows that adversity should never intimidate anyone. When things look less likely to be achieved... that is when one digs their heels in and creates a memorable moment of success that can act as inspiration for many...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
AN ODE TO OUR GOLDEN EAGLES
We have an excellent over 50's ministry in our church at Hinterland Christian Centre who have a significant impact on our Seniors in the local community. The Golden Eagles meet fortnightly and I have the privellege of sharing with them in the next couple of weeks.
The following video is a tribute to those seniors whom we wonder what they get upto when they are bored...
The following video is a tribute to those seniors whom we wonder what they get upto when they are bored...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
This Year's Darwin Awards
Yes, it's again that magical time of the year when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honouring the least evolved among us, including those who removed themselves from the gene pool for the sake of all humanity.
Here is the glorious winner:
When his 38-calibre revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.
And now, the Honourable Mentions:
1. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company, expecting negligence, sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.
2. A man who shovelled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.
3. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.
4. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
5. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer: $15. (If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?)
6. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a brick through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the brick and heaved it over his head at the window. The brick bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of plexiglass. The whole event was caught on videotape.
7. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer, that's the lady I stole the purse from."
8. The Ann Arbour News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 am, flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away.
9. When a man attempted to syphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. The police spokesman said the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his syphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges, saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.
Here is the glorious winner:
When his 38-calibre revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach, California, would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.
And now, the Honourable Mentions:
1. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat-cutting machine and submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company, expecting negligence, sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.
2. A man who shovelled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.
3. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.
4. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.
5. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer: $15. (If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?)
6. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly. He decided that he'd just throw a brick through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the brick and heaved it over his head at the window. The brick bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of plexiglass. The whole event was caught on videotape.
7. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer, that's the lady I stole the purse from."
8. The Ann Arbour News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at 5 am, flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away.
9. When a man attempted to syphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. The police spokesman said the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline and plugged his syphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges, saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
MOTHERS DAY THOUGHTS
We had an excellent Mother's day at our church with Devonshire Tea, (love those scones with jam & cream) massage pampering for all mums, and a gift for all mums in attendance.
The main highlight for me was presenting three mothers from the community with three hour pamper packages at a local day spa.
Two of the three mums had never stepped foot in our church and all three were extremely overwhelmed and touched by the generosity of our people. It really was one of those memorable days in the life of our church!
I shared the following quotes and thoughts with our church across both our services for Mother's Day.
"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."
-- George Washington (1732-1799)
"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."
-- Jewish proverb
"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
-- Abraham Lincoln
A very happy Mother's Day to all mums, especially my own mum, Lorraine Greening who I owe everything too and who has played a major role in making me who I am today, and my Step mum Judy who is also an amazing lady and has been obviously fundamental in the upbringing of her own children!
Praise God for our Mums!
The main highlight for me was presenting three mothers from the community with three hour pamper packages at a local day spa.
Two of the three mums had never stepped foot in our church and all three were extremely overwhelmed and touched by the generosity of our people. It really was one of those memorable days in the life of our church!
I shared the following quotes and thoughts with our church across both our services for Mother's Day.
"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."
-- George Washington (1732-1799)
"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."
-- Jewish proverb
"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
-- Abraham Lincoln
A very happy Mother's Day to all mums, especially my own mum, Lorraine Greening who I owe everything too and who has played a major role in making me who I am today, and my Step mum Judy who is also an amazing lady and has been obviously fundamental in the upbringing of her own children!
Praise God for our Mums!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
QUOTE FOR THE DAY
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson (essayist, philosopher, and poet)
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson (essayist, philosopher, and poet)
LAUGHTER - THE BEST MEDICINE
A friend of mine got stopped for speeding yesterday.
They thought they could talk their way out of it...
Until the officer looked at their dog in the back seat.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
GOING TO A DEEPER LEVEL #5
Listen, O coastlands, to me and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called me from the womb;From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword;In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me. Isaiah 49:1-2 (NKJV)
CHARACTER VERSUS ANOINTING
Character versus anointing is about avoiding the comfortability factor and continuously stretching yourself and sharpening your character so you can be a complete product of God’s grace.
Resting and relying on anointing from God without sharpening your character can lead to a very mundane existence that becomes samey and repetitive.
But when we mix Gods anointing in with our constant sharpening and building of our character we will be in for a very exciting journey indeed!!!
DON’T BECOME THE FROG IN THE POT
When a frog is thrown into a boiling pot they will jump straight out but if you place the frog in cool water and gradually turn up the heat then the frog generally will not move until it’s too late and dies.
We can relate this picture to our own lives as we rediscover the urgency we must demonstrate in being in tune with the things of God in our world. Otherwise, just like the frog, we become complacent in our own boiling pots.
The challenge during this time of consecration is to reignite our passion to want to embrace the things of God and become more in tune with the environment in which we live in so when the pressure cooker is turned up and the pot begins to boil, we can sense what is happening in our world and take fast evasive action and be rulers in our environment rather than be dictated to by the boiling pot.
BECOME A COMPLETE ARROW
Israel challenges us not just to focus on the arrowhead which he equates to the more material things like looks, ability, talent and results, but to continuously work on straightening our shafts, the part that is connected to the arrowhead, and represents our character.
We need to be a people, constantly sharpening our characters, and forever asking God for His grace to be very real in our lives. We do things wrong, we make mistakes, BUT GOD... His grace comes and we maintain solid character by constantly seeking more of Him.
THE KEY TO DEVELOPING STRONG CHARACTER IS TO CONFESS...
The thing of which I am part... Is greater than the part I play...
CHARACTER VERSUS ANOINTING
Character versus anointing is about avoiding the comfortability factor and continuously stretching yourself and sharpening your character so you can be a complete product of God’s grace.
Resting and relying on anointing from God without sharpening your character can lead to a very mundane existence that becomes samey and repetitive.
But when we mix Gods anointing in with our constant sharpening and building of our character we will be in for a very exciting journey indeed!!!
DON’T BECOME THE FROG IN THE POT
When a frog is thrown into a boiling pot they will jump straight out but if you place the frog in cool water and gradually turn up the heat then the frog generally will not move until it’s too late and dies.
We can relate this picture to our own lives as we rediscover the urgency we must demonstrate in being in tune with the things of God in our world. Otherwise, just like the frog, we become complacent in our own boiling pots.
The challenge during this time of consecration is to reignite our passion to want to embrace the things of God and become more in tune with the environment in which we live in so when the pressure cooker is turned up and the pot begins to boil, we can sense what is happening in our world and take fast evasive action and be rulers in our environment rather than be dictated to by the boiling pot.
BECOME A COMPLETE ARROW
Israel challenges us not just to focus on the arrowhead which he equates to the more material things like looks, ability, talent and results, but to continuously work on straightening our shafts, the part that is connected to the arrowhead, and represents our character.
We need to be a people, constantly sharpening our characters, and forever asking God for His grace to be very real in our lives. We do things wrong, we make mistakes, BUT GOD... His grace comes and we maintain solid character by constantly seeking more of Him.
THE KEY TO DEVELOPING STRONG CHARACTER IS TO CONFESS...
The thing of which I am part... Is greater than the part I play...
Monday, May 5, 2008
GOING TO A DEEPER LEVEL #4
THE DARK PLACES
Fear not for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,I will uphold you with My righteous right hand
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
We can all experience dark places in a world where we are trying our best to live in the light.
The fact is we are all flesh and it is our spirit man that dwells in all of us that yearns to connect with God. Without the spirit man we would simply be flesh and have no desire to seek the things of God in our lives.
BRING FEAR INTO THE LIGHT AND MAKE IT YOUR FRIEND
The concept of fear is interesting in that it shows us how we can rob ourselves when fear controls us. I love the picture Israel paints when he talks about throwing all your junk and stuff lying around your home into the closet when people come to visit. When they arrive in your home they ask you what’s in that room over there and we let out an almighty NO!!!!
It is easy to live our lives like that sometimes and we try and hide our fears and concerns in amongst the busyness of life but sometimes we need to let God be God and give those fears up to him.
Living in fear is like a merry-go-round that never stops. You will always stay on the same track your entire life if you allow fear to dictate your steps.
EGO
Some people totally miss it when it comes to this topic. There is a healthy way to accept praise into your world. If someone comes up to us and says good job and we simply point heavenward and declare it’s simply the Lord then we have missed it.
God is using YOU so let his people give you praise. The danger only comes when we take that praise and form an attitude that we are the be all and end all and things only happen in church when we are involved. This is what we call EGO.
WORKING IT OUT IN THE KITCHEN
We all need a secret place where we develop in our relationship and in our worship to our King. Your bedroom, your closet, your study, your little place hidden away at the local park... form a well worn path to your secret place, visit it regularly, and work out your worship heart there.
YOUR FIRST LOVE
Never forget the simplicity of your first love. It’s like when we first meet a romantic partner... things were so simple and you would make every effort to see them and hang out but after a few years the desperation to be together has fallen away and you are now in a routine of normality.
The same can happen with our relationship with God... it’s time to return to your first love again...
MORE THAN WE DESERVE...
The picture we are given of Israel as a 16 year old sneaking out of the house must remind alot of us what we got up to as kids. Israel went to his dad totally expecting to be grounded but his dad told him he could have a later curfew now and entrusted him with more.
This is a great example of the picture we have of how God deals with us. We know we are flesh we do bad stuff and we deserve hell, but the grace of our Lord is more than enough... so much more that he simply says... come home again.
Fear not for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,I will uphold you with My righteous right hand
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
We can all experience dark places in a world where we are trying our best to live in the light.
The fact is we are all flesh and it is our spirit man that dwells in all of us that yearns to connect with God. Without the spirit man we would simply be flesh and have no desire to seek the things of God in our lives.
BRING FEAR INTO THE LIGHT AND MAKE IT YOUR FRIEND
The concept of fear is interesting in that it shows us how we can rob ourselves when fear controls us. I love the picture Israel paints when he talks about throwing all your junk and stuff lying around your home into the closet when people come to visit. When they arrive in your home they ask you what’s in that room over there and we let out an almighty NO!!!!
It is easy to live our lives like that sometimes and we try and hide our fears and concerns in amongst the busyness of life but sometimes we need to let God be God and give those fears up to him.
Living in fear is like a merry-go-round that never stops. You will always stay on the same track your entire life if you allow fear to dictate your steps.
EGO
Some people totally miss it when it comes to this topic. There is a healthy way to accept praise into your world. If someone comes up to us and says good job and we simply point heavenward and declare it’s simply the Lord then we have missed it.
God is using YOU so let his people give you praise. The danger only comes when we take that praise and form an attitude that we are the be all and end all and things only happen in church when we are involved. This is what we call EGO.
WORKING IT OUT IN THE KITCHEN
We all need a secret place where we develop in our relationship and in our worship to our King. Your bedroom, your closet, your study, your little place hidden away at the local park... form a well worn path to your secret place, visit it regularly, and work out your worship heart there.
YOUR FIRST LOVE
Never forget the simplicity of your first love. It’s like when we first meet a romantic partner... things were so simple and you would make every effort to see them and hang out but after a few years the desperation to be together has fallen away and you are now in a routine of normality.
The same can happen with our relationship with God... it’s time to return to your first love again...
MORE THAN WE DESERVE...
The picture we are given of Israel as a 16 year old sneaking out of the house must remind alot of us what we got up to as kids. Israel went to his dad totally expecting to be grounded but his dad told him he could have a later curfew now and entrusted him with more.
This is a great example of the picture we have of how God deals with us. We know we are flesh we do bad stuff and we deserve hell, but the grace of our Lord is more than enough... so much more that he simply says... come home again.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
A PASTORS BUSINESS CARD
A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.
When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."
Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."
When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."
Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."
Friday, May 2, 2008
GOING TO A DEEPER LEVEL #3
OBSTACLES TO GOING DEEPER
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us - Hebrews 12:1
It is natural to encounter obstacles when you are on a journey that is leading you to a deeper relationship with God. Our commitment as a worship team at Hinterland Christian Centre is to conquer the obstacles and demonstrate control and confidence when overcoming the obstacles that come our way.
KEEP GOING SO YOU REACH THE END OF THE ROAD
One of the greatest challenges in life is making it to the end of something you start. It may be a new diet, a fitness regime, a sporting commitment or any number of new things you may commence in life. God calls us to be finishers in life.
A person of good character will always finish something they start as it really is part of demonstrating faithfulness. In the case of our 40 day consecration, we are demonstrating our faithfulness to God.
OBSTACLES OF THE HEART
It’s so easy to rely on ability and talents to get us through a worship experience with God but the biggest lid we place on ourselves in times of worship is our attitude which derives from the condition of our hearts.
With a poor attitude we are limiting how much God will be able to move in and through us. If we keep our hearts in the right place we are giving God every opportunity to do what he wants to do as we become outwardly focused on him rather than inwardly focused on our own attitudes and heart condition.
OBSTACLES OF BUSYNESS
Life is BUSY. There is always something to do at any particular time and often how we choose to spend our time will dictate the kind of fruit we are producing in our lives.
In order to reap a deeper level in our times of worship both personally and in church we must commit to sowing time into our relationship with God.
Imagine what could happen in our times of worship together when a team of committed worshippers join as one in a time of consecration together.
OBSTACLES OF CHANGE
Psalm 16 is comment enough on the challenge of facing change in our lives. I have decided to print the Message Bible version for us to read together:
1 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. 2 I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. 3 And these God-chosen lives all around - what splendid friends they make! 4 Don't just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I'll never treat god-names like brand-names. 5 My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice! 6 You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir! 7 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. 8 Day and night I'll stick with God; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go. 9 I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed. 10 You cancelled my ticket to hell - that's not my destination! 11 Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us - Hebrews 12:1
It is natural to encounter obstacles when you are on a journey that is leading you to a deeper relationship with God. Our commitment as a worship team at Hinterland Christian Centre is to conquer the obstacles and demonstrate control and confidence when overcoming the obstacles that come our way.
KEEP GOING SO YOU REACH THE END OF THE ROAD
One of the greatest challenges in life is making it to the end of something you start. It may be a new diet, a fitness regime, a sporting commitment or any number of new things you may commence in life. God calls us to be finishers in life.
A person of good character will always finish something they start as it really is part of demonstrating faithfulness. In the case of our 40 day consecration, we are demonstrating our faithfulness to God.
OBSTACLES OF THE HEART
It’s so easy to rely on ability and talents to get us through a worship experience with God but the biggest lid we place on ourselves in times of worship is our attitude which derives from the condition of our hearts.
With a poor attitude we are limiting how much God will be able to move in and through us. If we keep our hearts in the right place we are giving God every opportunity to do what he wants to do as we become outwardly focused on him rather than inwardly focused on our own attitudes and heart condition.
OBSTACLES OF BUSYNESS
Life is BUSY. There is always something to do at any particular time and often how we choose to spend our time will dictate the kind of fruit we are producing in our lives.
In order to reap a deeper level in our times of worship both personally and in church we must commit to sowing time into our relationship with God.
Imagine what could happen in our times of worship together when a team of committed worshippers join as one in a time of consecration together.
OBSTACLES OF CHANGE
Psalm 16 is comment enough on the challenge of facing change in our lives. I have decided to print the Message Bible version for us to read together:
1 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. 2 I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. 3 And these God-chosen lives all around - what splendid friends they make! 4 Don't just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I'll never treat god-names like brand-names. 5 My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice! 6 You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir! 7 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. 8 Day and night I'll stick with God; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go. 9 I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed. 10 You cancelled my ticket to hell - that's not my destination! 11 Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.
--The Message Bible - Psalm 16
QUOTE FOR THE DAY
Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.
-- C. S. Lewis
Achieving things in life rarely comes without first experiencing some form of failure from which we learn and gain valued wisdom.
Failure therefore becomes a stepping stone towards our next achievement.
Next time you encounter failure simply ask this question. What can I learn from this experience that will draw me ever so closer towards my next achievement in life.
-- C. S. Lewis
Achieving things in life rarely comes without first experiencing some form of failure from which we learn and gain valued wisdom.
Failure therefore becomes a stepping stone towards our next achievement.
Next time you encounter failure simply ask this question. What can I learn from this experience that will draw me ever so closer towards my next achievement in life.
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