Love

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

Recently I was taken by a line written in a prayer update all the way from England..It went like this..."Human hearts need love, and are created for holding and giving it."  There have been so many songs written about love, so many poems, so many letters, so many stories, and they all sell well.  Our hearts cry out for love and are never satisfied until that void in us is filled.

What is it about this need for love?  Why can't we be satisfied without love?  The reason its because we have each been created in the image of God, and GOD IS LOVE. No matter how far away from God people move, it doesn't change their need for His love, or the fact that their heart is created to hold and give love.

There is a song that speaks about love coming down.  (See video below)  Love is actually what Christmas is all about.  God whose essence is love, took on human form with the sole purpose of rescuing us from a world that had fallen away from relationship with the loving God that we were created to have.  Without that we will never really be complete.  It's true, our hearts are never truly satisfied until they experience the completeness of true love that comes from Father God.  When we receive His love, our hearts are released to express and extend love to others....and a wholeness is achieved that cannot be achieved outside of that process.

If you, for any reason at all, have been resisting God and the love He wants to pour into your heart, I pray that this Christmas you may yield to what will become a defining moment in your life.

Prayer: Lord God of love, forgive me for keeping you at arm's length and not allowing my heart to be touched by your love.  Help me to forgive those who have not shown me a good example of Your love and so blocked my desire for relationship with you.  Come visit me with your love and let me be one who truly shows what Your love is really like as I go through life. Amen

Freedom

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

I have recently been reading a novel which touched on the time when the North and South in America were fighting over slavery.  Much profit was made from slaves and they were very convenient to many rich families in the south, but those who could see the injustice of it fought long and hard to set people free.  The slave owners didn't get it, their eyes were blinded to the injustice because they didn't want their 'apple carts upset'.  

Sometimes when people say things to us we just don't get it.  It's so easy to 'get the wrong end of the stick' or to not see things clearly for what they are; especially if we are comfortable in what we are doing and how we are living. 

Many who came to hear and question Jesus did not come with pure motives.  Some did and had their lives changed but many more had their set ideas and agendas and so they just didn't get it. When Jesus talked about freedom, certain people were offended because they thought they were already free.  They thought they already knew 'the truth' that Jesus spoke of and were offended that he inferred otherwise.  He went on to teach that they needed to be freed from sin.  This was so offensive to these religious people who thought they had it right.  However, it was obvious to Jesus that they needed to be set free from the spirit of hatred and murder that was manifesting in their lives.  They were out to kill the One who had been sent to set them free from sin.  They wanted to kill the Messenger of freedom.....and they succeeded. They just didn't get it.

There are issues today about which we Christians will be called upon to take a position which the world will not understand.  In fact the world will be offended at us because they cannot understand our position unless their spiritual eyes have been opened, (1 Corinthians 2:14).  We need to ensure that our stand is taken in a loving way; not self righteous, condemning and judgmental (Colossians 3:12).  Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but that world, through Him, might be saved (John 3:17).  We may still be misunderstood but we need to remain true and faithful to his teachings, or we will be open to deception ourselves.  

If we water down the truth of God's word we will deprive people of coming face to face with the Truth that will set them free and bring them into God's family.  For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), there is not one of us who can reach God's standard of righteousness apart from Jesus (Romans 3:10).  He is our righteousness (Romans 8:10).

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die to for my sins, thank you for imparting his righteousness to me.  I know my own righteousness is as filthy rags to you, the pure and holy One.  Help me to stay true to your teachings and truth.  Amen

Rock or Gems?

  Kimberlite Rock

O you afflicted one,​ tossed with tempest, and not comforted,​  behold, I will lay your stones with colourful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires.  Isaiah 54:11

I know nothing about mining for coal, gold, gems or diamonds.  I do know though that a diamond doesn't look like the diamonds I know when it comes out of the earth.  It's found in Kimberlite, a special type of rock, but I still wouldn't know it if I tripped over it. (What a shame!) I also know that diamonds are formed deep in the earth's crust and that they are formed under great pressure. Diamonds go through a process, quite a complicated process by master craftsmen, to become what we see in beautiful jewellery.

Gemstones come from rocks too.  Much more common rocks but you still have to know what you are looking at to pick them.  Then they go through a refining process which involves being put in a barrel with a whole lot of other (probably different) rocks and being whizzed around, crashing and bashing into each other until they emerge smooth and shiny and quite beautiful from the 'painful' process.

I love this verse from Isaiah that speaks to the "afflicted one, storm tossed and not comforted".  Perhaps that's your experience today.  The path has become rough, the way rather rocky and the darkness is rolling in making it difficult to see the road right in front of you, let alone the way further ahead. Perhaps you feel crashed and bashed about like the gemstones.  How you handle this kind of pressure can so easily determine whether these trying times in your life produce gems, or just remain as rocks.

God, our Master Craftsman, is always looking for ways to bring us more and more into the likeness of Jesus.  It happens through the difficulties of life and the way we respond to them.  It's a 'learning and growing' process.  We can yield to the process by committing our way to him and trusting him to bring good out of our difficulties (Psalm 37:5-8).  If we will cooperate in the process by trusting in God's promises and his faithfulness to always be working for our good, we will find real peace in the process and He will have the joy of polishing us for His glory.

Prayer:  Faithful Father,  when life gets tough and the path rocky, would you help me to see that this is a place where you can work out your good purposes in my life.  Let me shine for your glory and grow in your grace.  Amen

Famine

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord GOD,“That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD."  Amos 8:11

Famine is a terrible thing.  Most of us will be familiar with the heart-wrenching pictures of starving children in foreign lands but that is the closest we may ever come to famine.  I think the closest I have seen in my small sphere would have been drought-affected cattle in Australia.  That too is a sad picture.

We are truly blessed to live in a land of abundance, but there may be a different kind of famine in our land.  I believe there is.  A famine because people are not experiencing the life-giving properties of hearing God's word.  In their comfortable lives they often do not realise that they are actually starving for something which is much more life-sustaining than food.  And it may not only be 'unchurched' people who are lacking this food.  Many Christians do not make God's word a regular part of their diet, and in neglecting it they miss out on much more than they realise.

Bible reading does not have to be difficult and dry.  There are so many readable versions available, a recent favourite of mine is The Passion Translation which is still a work in process but available in smaller parts as they are finished.  I was recently reading Psalm 19 in this translation in which King David overflows in praise to God's splendour seen in the universe.  He then goes on to praise God's Word which he says, "is perfect in every way, reviving our souls, leading us to truth, making us wise." (Vs 7).  He goes on.... "His teachings make us joyful and give us light, his commands challenge us to keep close to His heart .... and makes my spirit radiant!" (Vs 8). In verse 10 he continues..."The rarest treasures of life are found in His truth.  I prize God's word like others prize the finest gold.  Nothing brings such sweetness as seeking His living words."  He rounds this section off by saying, "For they warn His servants from following the wicked way, giving a lifetime guarantee: great success to every obedient soul!" (Vs 11).

As you read those inspired words are you challenged to look again for this kind of food that satisfies your innermost being and keeps it filled with eternal truth, hope, peace and joy?  It's worth it!  Not to do so is like having a banquet nearby and not partaking of it.  To neglect our spiritual food leaves our spirit looking like the photo above, parched and cracked, unable to give life-giving food to others.

Jesus, you said that you are the bread of life and the living word.  Help me to remember that you told us that it is by feeding on you only will we be satisfied.  Stir up a hunger in me for your Word.  Amen.

Pollution

It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart. Mark 7:15

I recently heard a speaker refer to our lovely country as paradise.  He lives in a large city in Asia where the pollution is shocking.  It's hard for most of us to even imagine the kind of pollution he spoke of but as  I remembeed back to our days in Hong Kong and the pollution that challenged us and the health of many people, I knew exactly what he was talking about.  Sometimes the pollution was very obvious and sometimes it was virtually unseen, but the meters that measured the pollution did not lie; it was there visible or not.

Jesus talked about pollution of another kind, the kind that pollutes our inner lives.  The religious people of his day followed many rules and regulations about foods and washing of vessels, hands etc but when they challenged Jesus about his disciples not adhering the the rules Jesus had more important things to discuss.  He told them that it's not what goes into a person's stomach that pollutes them as much as what resides in their heart or spirit.  James 4:1 speaks of problems among God's people..... What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 

If things are not going right in our personal world it's time to look within and see what's going on inside of us. Sometimes God seems far away and that often happens because of inner pollution which grieves the Holy Spirit.  In his grace God is always wanting to bring us into a broader and richer place in our relationship with him,  but before this can happen we need to come into this uncomfortable place which will make us cry out to him.  A place where we become desperate and 'hungry' for his presence again.  

The Lord spoke these words through the prophet Hosea in chapter 2:14-15 which give us a glimpse into his way of process with us.....

...... I will lead her into the desert

and speak tenderly to her there.

 I will return her vineyards to her

and transform the Valley of Trouble 

into a gateway of hope.

She will give herself to me there.....

Often God will allow us to come into a desert place to get our attention.  He doesn't do it so he can 'give us a good talking to', he does it to get our heart.  He wants to speak tenderly to us and bring us into a broader place.  It is then that he transforms what seems to be our 'Valley of Trouble' into a gateway of hope.  It's in the valley of trouble that we see things that have been hidden in our heart that we need to repent of.  Things that have polluted our attitudes and drawn a veil between God and us.  Perhaps there will be things that need to be worked through to bring healing to our minds and hearts.  He knows that we often lose sight of him in the busyness of life but he wants to draw us back to him because it's only in his presence that we find fullness of joy.  Our Heavenly Lover wants our heart.

Father God, draw me back to yourself.  Speak your life-giving words to my heart that it might lean towards you and find joy in your presence again.  Amen.

Prayer

I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one.
John 17:15 (NET)

I had a mix of thoughts when I read this verse: firstly, how precious that Jesus prayed in such a way for his disciples: those with him at the time. But his prayer was also for all of us who would believe and receive his gift of salvation down through the ages. My second thought was how good that we can remain in this world and enjoy its beauty that God originally created for us to enjoy.  But on the other hand Jesus knew what it would mean for his followers to be left on this earth....temptation, persecution, heartbreaks, frustrations, pain, grief and trials of various kinds.  That's why he prayed as he did, "that you would keep them safe from the evil one."  Jesus himself interceded for us. Yes, you and me!

Jesus saw the 'big picture'.  He himself suffered much opposition, persecution and ridicule while he walked this earth.  In fact there were times that crowds would have killed him long before his ministry time was finished but God kept him until his appointed time. (Interestingly that time was the Passover, because Jesus was to be our Passover Lamb, the one sacrificed for our sins.  His death was a fulfilment of the old Law, and because God does everything perfectly and according to his plans, the sacrifice of His Son fitted perfectly into the Jewish calendar.)

Jesus knew that his disciples down through the ages would have to endure much persecution too.  In Matthew 10 Jesus spoke much of the persecution the would follow his disciples and he said in 10:24,
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord."  We know that his disciples had taken that on board because in Acts 5:41 we find them rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer for him.

In many of our countries we are not experiencing great persecution.  (Perhaps because we are too silent in speaking out about Jesus and His love for our world, and standing up for his ideals.) However at this very moment there are thousands upon thousands of our precious brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering much persecution for their faith, in prison and out of prison.  Let us join our prayers with Jesus' prayer and pray that God will keep them strong, faithful, courageous and bold, able to count themselves worthy to suffer for His sake.  Pray as Hebrews 13:3 instructs us to pray......
"Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies."

Prayer: Father God, help me to remember to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for your sake.  Strengthen them, encourage them, make them bold for you, send your Holy Spirit to comfort them and your angels to minister to them. In Jesus' name. Amen

Distractions

Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  Luke 10:40

These days I sometimes think that 'distraction' is my middle name.  It's a funny thing but as one ages it seems so easy to get off track with many distractions.  Yesterday I found myself in the garage and wondered why I had gone there!  At the time I was in conversation with Col and he was about to leave (through the garage) and I had actually set out to go to the kitchen.  Oh well!  I start out to do a task and find myself distracted by something else and completely forget what I had set out to do.  I don't think 'my case' is serious or anything to be concerned about.  I just have to be extra intentional about what I do....and keep a sense of humour!

This past few weeks has been full of distractions (good ones), as family and friends have visited with us to celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary and then we went on holiday in the beautiful Deep South of this wonderful New Zealand.  These distractions have kept me from writing which I feel it is important for me to do because I want to use the gift of words that God has blessed me with so that I can encourage others.

One Bible character that many of us can identify with is poor Martha in Luke 10.  I love to have visitors and I think Martha did too, except that she failed to take time in the moment to enjoy her special visitor, Jesus.  She allowed herself to become very distracted by her preparations and serving.  I can imagine the thoughts that rushed through her head which would have then led to the resentment which caused her to rush into the midst of the guests with an angry outburst.  Oh dear!  Why do we often think food is more important than spending time with people?

Jesus gently but clearly reminded Martha that her sister Mary, who was the object of Martha's resentment at that moment, had gotten her priorities right by sitting and listening to the Master.  There will always be distractions or interruptions to our spending time with God and people but when they come, let's take a quick check on which is the most important thing.  Let's not allow the busyness of our day to rob ourselves of time with God in His word and in prayer, and let's remember to make time for people too.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, just as you chided Martha to check her priorities, would you also remind me when I am rushed and hassled about worldly things, that the most important thing is to take time with you and with your Word which can never be taken away from me.  Amen

Displaced

They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Acts 18:2

We have all been moved in recent times by images of displaced people, refugees of politics, persecution and war.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the enormity of it all and the seeming hopelessness of the plight of many as they are pushed from pillar to post. But we can pray knowing that God often has great purpose in allowing people (and his people) to be displaced.

Such was the case of Paul, Aquila and Priscilla where we find them meeting up in Corinth in Acts 18. Aquila and Priscilla were Jews and probably already Christians since Paul went to see them and then set up business in partnership with them while at the same time taking the opportunity to teach in the synagogue every Sabbath.  This was a great partnership for work and spiritual growth.  Paul was an excellent teacher and he took Priscilla and Aquila with him on a missionary journey to Ephesus where he left them.  Then along comes Apollos who was a Jew who had a thorough knowledge of scripture but had no experience of the Holy Spirit baptism, only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25).  Priscilla and Aquila were in the right place to instruct him further.

Don't be afraid if God seems to be moving you on.  Sometimes employment dries up or diminishes.  This happened to us in 1994 and we found ourselves in Hong Kong.....for 13+ years.  It was a wonderful season in our lives and we never would have gone if things hadn't taken a downturn for us.  

Take heart, be encouraged, He has a plan, so allow yourself to be fitted into his plan.  Remember Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future."  We need to be brave and trust God's faithfulness and let it be proven in our own life.

Having said that, do remember those who have been displaced from their homes and lands at this time.  Pray that God will reveal Himself to them through people they meet in their plight.  Pray for those working to relieve suffering and hardship.  Pray for God's light to shine and His truth to be revealed to hearts that are wondering "Why God?"  Sometimes suffering and shaking, insecurity and great need are what it takes to make us open to receive God's Truth.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus please reveal yourself as the Lord and giver of life to those who find themselves in difficult situations at this time.  Help their hurting hearts to find peace as they hear of your great love for them and their families.  Bless those who work among them and for those who don't know you, please reveal your truth to them too.  Amen

Is it Legal?

....Jesus said to them,"Is it legal to heal on the sabbath?"  Matthew 12:10

Recently I received a fine for speeding.  Yes, a camera caught me doing 55 kph in a 50 kph area.  I usually set the cruise control but obviously I forgot on this particular day.  It's only my second ticket in my 55 years of driving because I know that rules are for the safety of ourselves and others so I am generally a law-abiding person.  But everybody makes mistakes!

When Jesus healed the withered hand on the sabbath he did not make a mistake.  He was making a statement. A statement that he made a number of times which stirred up the religious leaders to such anger that they plotted to kill him.  Why would he deliberately break their laws when he clearly stated elsewhere that he came to fulfil the law? (Matthew 5:17).  He was making a point.  His point was that they had changed lawfulness into legalism.  I heard a preacher say recently that legalism is evil.  I didn't hear the second part of his reasoning because I missed the program but I can see here, in the story of the man with the withered hand, what he probably meant.  Legalism takes pride in rule-keeping, and we see clearly what the result of legalism did.  It persecuted and finally killed Jesus.

God gave the law for our good, for our guidance and the protection of ourselves and others.  It was a law based in love; love for God and love for others (Matthew 22:36-40) .  The priests and the Pharisees had added a multitude of other rules and regulations around God's Law which made it burdensome and it lacked love and compassion. We see that so clearly in this story.

Years ago we got caught up in a very legalistic church for some years.  The worst thing was that we got blinded to the truth of God's grace.  When we left that church we lost every friend we had in that church.  They would have nothing to do with us. That is a fruit of legalism.  We had not left our faith in Jesus, we moved straight into another church, but these people believed a lie that was founded in legalism and control.  I am glad to say that in later years we have happily resumed loving relationship with some who have left that church.

For those who seek to sincerely represent Jesus Christ and his message, the question must not be "Is it legal?" but rather "Is it loving?"  Love doesn't deny or compromise God's truth as we see from Jesus' life', it is not weak and wishy washy but neither is it hard and condemning.  It is vital that the Body of Christ portray the love of Christ correctly because the essence of the One we worship is love.  God IS love.

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, help me to continually examine my heart to ensure that the love of God resides within me and overflows to those who need to know you.  Amen

Prison to Praise

And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember .......  Psalm 77:10 

If you are going through a miserable time wondering if God is there for you, please take time to read the whole of this psalm's 20 verses.  This poor man was having a miserable sleepless night, no doubt rehearsing all his troubles and totally wondering where God was in all of it,  he could not understand why God wasn't answering his prayers, he felt rejected, he wondered whether God would ever answer his prayers again, he asks "Has God slammed the door on compassion?" (Vs 9 NLT)

At this point he made a decision....to remember what God had done in the past.  He remembered his faithfulness, that he is mighty and awesome in power and so on.  I would like to say that this psalm comes to a happy ending but it leaves us in mid air.  In a way that's good because it reminds us that we are left hanging for quite awhile sometimes in our difficulties and it takes more than one night's prayer to see an answer.

What I wanted to look at here is the decision the psalmist made to change his thoughts from fear of God forsaking him and leaving him in his misery, to thoughts of remembering God's faithfulness in the past.  When we do that something changes in us and our fear is replaced with faith and our hopelessness changes to hope.  In 1 Samuel 30:6 we see David in a terrible position surrounded by grief but he made a choice and he "encouraged himself in the Lord".  No doubt he turned his thoughts towards what God had done in the past, what he had promised in his word and through the prophet.  He set his mind on a positive course.

I am not talking about "think nice thoughts, positive thoughts and it will all work out" type of thinking which we hear a lot about today.  I am talking about God-centred, God-honouring thoughts centred in His truth, the Bible, in his character and his faithfulness to his word. These are the kind of thoughts that have a foundation in something of substance, not just an airy fairy hope.

Years ago there were some books written by Merlin Carothers called Prison to Praise and Power in Praise and they gave a powerful message which I remember to this day.  We can get out of our prison of misery by turning our hearts to praise and thanks in affirming that God is faithful and he does hear our cries and we can trust that through our misery he will do a good work in us, (Romans 8:28).

Prayer:  Faithful God, thank you for the reminder that I have a choice to focus on my problems or to remember your faithfulness in times past and stir up my faith to believe you for solutions by encouraging myself in your word.  Amen

Attitude

"...they all complained saying, "Look, this man has gone to eat with a man who is a sinner." Luke 19:7

An item in the news recently was of interest to us as reasonably new residents in NZ.  The Inland Revenue Department is considering making it compulsory to submit a tax return.  That's an interesting concept for we have mainly lived in countries where submitting a tax return was a requirement.  Colin had submitted one last year (which turned out to be to our benefit), and was surprised as how easy it is to do it online.

Anyway.....the point I am getting to is really that tax collectors have generally been unpopoular since early times.  In Palestine in Jesus' time they were doubly unpopular because 1) they were collecting taxes for the Romans who ruled over the land and 2) they were often cheats and took extra for themselves.  Such was Zaccheus, a man not blessed with height, but one who was so eager to see Jesus that he climbed a tree along the roadside to get a better view of him.  Never for a moment did he think that Jesus would see him and his life would be changed that day, but he was a man to whom salvation was on its way.

For those of us who have heard this story since Sunday School days and sung the song about him, we know that Jesus looked up and said, "Come Zaccheus, I'm coming to your house to eat!"  So accustomed as he was to rejection from his fellow man, that acceptance from this controversial man called Jesus took him by surprise and did something to Zaccheaus' heart.  He changed, gave half his money to the poor and committed to repay monies he had wrongfully taken - fourfold!  All the religious people outside could do was complain that Jesus could eat with a sinner.  Their attitude would ensure that they would receive nothing from Jesus.

It is so easy for some of us to have a wrong attitude towards people we don't agree with, especially those who have a reputation for doing the wrong thing.  Yet Jesus' attitude towards Zaccheaus shows us what can happen if we show God's love and acceptance to them.  Let's allow God's grace and unconditional love flow through us to the unlovely.  It may be that God is drawing them to himself and just needs a vessel to use.  Let's see potential for change in everyone and write no one off as beyond help.  God's unconditional love is life-changing.

PRAYER:  Lord, forgive me for the times I have neglected to see potential for good in people.  Help me to tune into your Spirit and allow your unconditional love flow through me to those who you are drawing to yourself.  Amen

Wisdom

,

My son(daughter) be wise and make my heart glad.  Proverbs 27:11

We all want our children to be wise and to make good life decisions.  We often offer them more wisdom than they want.  Sometimes they listen and heed us but more often they probably think we are weird or just not up with the times and don't understand, so they go ahead and follow their own wisdom,  what they think will work.

But what about us?  God's vast wisdom is available to us freely (James 1:5), do we seek him, our heavenly Father, when making life decisions, even small ones, or do we lean on our own limited wisdom? That is quite an important question to ask.  One of my favourite verses is found in Proverbs 3:5-7 and it says this, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you the path to take."   It's pretty clear advice to God's people.  So often we don't do that because when passion is involved we can make some really poor choices.

Earlier this year we were thinking about how we wanted to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. We thought a European river cruise would be great but then we saw the struggles going on in Europe  with refugees etc and we decided against it.  HOWEVER, we recently received a brochure from one company offering really good deals, we got excited, even went to the travel agent and began to lock some things in, but we did involve God.  We prayed that God's wisdom would prevail: if details all fell into place over the weekend we would go ahead, if not, we would cancel.  Well, details did not fall into place and we cancelled.  We were a little disappointed, until two days later terrorism reared its ugly head again, this time in Belgium, and we felt glad to have followed God's wisdom.

In reading details surrounding Jesus' trial we see clearly how passion can cause people to make very wrong decisions. They put Jesus before Pilate who found no wrong in him but sent him to Herod to make sure.  Herod found no wrong in him and sent him back to Pilate.  He put it to the crowd, "I find nothing worthy of death has been done by him.  I will therefore chastise him and release him.  .....And they all cried out at once saying, "Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas." Luke 23:13-24.  Three chances were given, three choices made...."crucify him".

In their passion they chose Barabbas, a terrorist; one convicted of insurrection against the government  and murder.   They chose instead to crucify Jesus, the most innocent man of all time.  Yes, we know God's hand was in this to bring about our salvation but it is a clear example of how passion can cause us to make very crazy decisions.

Will you choose to commit your decisions to God and follow his wisdom to make his heart glad?

Prayer:  Father God, forgive me for the times I have gone my own way, relying on my own wisdom.  Help me to remember to hold things loosely and ask your wisdom in life decisions. Amen

Crisis

But you O Lord God are a God full of compassion...Psalm 86:15

Do you ever wonder how you would react in a crisis? In this lead up to Easter I am thinking again of how the disciples and other followers of Jesus reacted and asking myself "what would I have done?"

Jesus had made no secret of the fact that he was about to be betrayed and given over to hostile authorities to "go the way that had been determined" for him (Luke 22:21-22). Peter swore that he would be loyal, stand with him through thick and thin but he had a lot to learn about himself.  Jesus knew that Peter would fail and he pre-warned him but he also said "I have prayed for you that your faith would not fail" (Luke 22:33-34).

So what did Peter do in the ensuing crisis?  At first he was 'strong' and brash. When the arresting party came he took a sword and cut of the ear of the servant of the high priest.  Jesus healed the ear said "Permit this (to happen)." He knew his time had come.  Peter followed on and watched from a distance in the courtyard.  He was recognised as a follower of Jesus by three people over the course of an hour or two and each time he denied that he even knew him.  It was a dangerous time, others had fled but he stayed.  He thought he was the strong one. When he realised his weakness in standing with Jesus, and his utter failure, he went from that courtyard and wept, a broken man.

At the cross were John with Mary the mother of Jesus and 2 other Marys.  No doubt lost in grief over the events of the past few hours and now watching the agony of his death on the cross.  The worst kind of death imaginable and to a man who was blameless in every way.  They stood close enough to hear Jesus speak, committing the care of his mother to his friend John.

On the first day of the week, after the sabbath had been kept, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb where Jesus had been laid to anoint his body but the tomb was empty.  She ran to tell the others and Peter and John came running to see if it was true, and seeing that it was they took off again to report back to the others but Mary stayed in the garden near the tomb and there she had her own special encounter with the risen Lord.  In her crisis she pressed in, stayed close and Jesus met with her (John 20).

In times of crisis, grief and sorrow we have different reactions and Jesus understands.  Some are angry in their pain and loss, accusing God of not caring and "How could he do this?" Others, like Mary stay in a place where Jesus is able to comfort them and speak to them.  She had questions, she didn't understand it all, but she lingered to be near him and he met with her.

What will you do?  No matter what your response is, Jesus will still love you, but if you tuck in to him you will have the benefit of his comfort.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that even in my darkest times you will come to comfort me. Help me to stay humble, trusting you in my pain.  Amen

Underneath

The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms...Deuteronomy 33:27

Recently I  took a weekend trip to Christchurch with my sister, my niece and great niece to see Cirque du Soleil's final ever performance of Quidam after 20 years of performing around the world.  I spent a lot of the evening shaking my head in unbelief at the feats of strength and acrobatic skills that would have taken hours and hours to perfect.  The most heart-stopping act came close to the end when men stood on shoulders, three high then a team that I call a 'human trampoline' hurled a girl into the air and she landed upright on the shoulders of those men never missing a beat.  Prior to that she had been tossed to and fro, hither and yon by so many different people it was difficult to keep up.

(No photography allowed in Cirque so this picture is not them but something similar.)

As I watched all of this I thought about the absolute trust these acrobats had to have in each other in so many ways; not to mention the equipment that they used and the behind the scenes people who worked the equipment.  Such an exercise of total and fearless trust - in their fellow man.

This is the kind of trust that our heavenly Father would like to see from us as we put ourselves in his hands. Perhaps you are facing what seems to be an insurmountable hurdle or a huge disappointment, maybe you feel God challenging you to step out into a new area of ministry and you are so afraid to fail.  He is our refuge, the eternal God, the one who is in us and with us and all around us.  He has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), he has said that if we need wisdom we are to ask and it will be given liberally (James 1:5).  He is all we need and if we fall, then underneath are the everlasting arms.  He gives us a soft place to fall and a place to hide while we heal.  His faithfulness is so amazing as written in this wonderful old hymn by Annie Johnson Flint

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

Will you think on the truth of His word and trust yourself afresh to His promises and find the joy of scaling new heights with Him who has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Prayer:  Mighty and faithful God, thank  you that I am your child and you are my Father.  Help me to return to full trust in your wisdom and faithfulness.  Amen

Get Real

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.  Hebrews 4:13

It's funny what one thinks about at times.  I was sitting looking at the units behind us and remembering how, not many months ago, I was watching this building under construction and now it's occupied by lovely new neighbours.

I was particularly thinking about the roof and the layers that are now hidden beneath the iron.  The trusses went up, pre-formed and then each was secured firmly by builders.  Later it was covered by layers of insulation, and what looked like plastic wrap, and then the roofers came and covered it up.  Later the electricians came and threaded an incredible maze of wires, not only for power and TV,  telephone and internet but also for call buttons in case we ever need help.  Yes, lots is hidden under that roof!  It will keep out the rain and the cold and offer protection from the sun.

We humans have something in common with roofs.  We have a nice clean 'roof' that we show the world, yet hidden underneath may be hidden many layers of 'stuff' that protect us from really being seen for who we are.  Why do we hide?  Usually because we are afraid that "if they really knew what I was like" or if they knew what I had done", they wouldn't like me.

If you find yourself thinking these kind of thoughts I have a question for you.  Do you really think that you are unique in having 'a past'.  I have news for you!  We all have things that we are ashamed of to one degree or another because God says that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23) and if we say we have not sinned the Bible says we are calling God a liar (1 John 1:10).

Trying to hide things from people and from God is such a useless waste of energy.  People can often see through us and mostly love us anyway (if they are walking in the love of God), and God knows all about us and loves us anyway.  Remember what he sent Jesus to suffer and shed his blood for?  So that we might have his righteousness and not have to worry about our own 'goodness' any longer.  So let's get real with God and with others and save all that energy we use on keeping up appearances.  Your honesty and transparency about your past may just help someone else get free of their big cover up too.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, forgive me from trying to hide my shame from you, thank you that you know me inside out and love me anyway.  Forgive me for being afraid to be known for who I really am with others.  Help me to get real and be free from trying to be something I am not. Amen

Sleeping in the Storm

As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  Luke 8:23

As I read this story of Jesus sleeping in the boat that was filling with water while the disciples battled to keep the boat afloat in the raging waters, I am reminded of how we can so easily think that God is asleep in the midst of our troubles, and we have to keep things afloat.  Our problem is often that we feel we need to be in control or at least have things looking like they are in order.

How difficult it is for us ,(read me).  to watch a situation occurring and to just let it happen.  It's not in my nature,  I want to fix things.  Actually that means I want to be in control.  It is so interesting that God allows things to get messy sometimes in order to bring about His purposes.  If we try to fix things, we can actually prevent him from being able to bring about the best solution to the issue.

Let's face it, a lot of us are 'fixers'.  Would we have allowed Moses to spend 40 years minding sheep in the desert?  A clever young man like him, such a great upbringing, such leadership capabilities.  Shepherding??  What a waste!  Yet God was using that time in the desert as a character-building exercise for Moses.  There was a time for his leadership skills to be used......actually the time was when he had no confidence in himself. (Exodus 4).

In Ecclesiastes 3:11 the writer says that "there is a time for everything....".  That time is the right time, God's time and his timing is perfect.  Have you noticed how many stories and prophecies in the Bible demonstrate the absolutely perfect timing in what God does.  I have to tell you he IS in control.

As we watch world events seeming to move from critical to chaotic, we Christians can rest in the peace of knowing that God has perfect timing in it all.  Man thinks he has to work it all out but just when he thinks he's got it sorted something else will happen to show that he doesn't.  We don't just do nothing, we pray earnestly for the things we see!

God is not asleep in your situation, he maybe waiting for you to hand things over to him and leave it in his hands for his purposes and his timing.  Yes, there are times when we need to act, but let's allow God to tell us when that is, and not to just assume that it's our responsibility to resolve something or make it happen. Hand your situation over to him with the confidence that he has it in his control then you will be able to get some sleep in your storm.

Prayer:  Father, forgive me to wanting to be the fixer in situations.  Help me to see that you may have a special purpose in allowing things to happen.  Help me to commit things to you and trust you to work them out.  Amen

The Fear Factor

And all the people in that region begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear had swept over them.  Luke 8:37 (NLT)

One of the most effective weapons of Satan, our arch enemy, is fear, and in Christian circles we probably don't address 'the fear factor' often enough.  We need to bring things into the light and take a look at them in different ways so we don't get 'the wool pulled over our eyes'.

In this story in Luke 8 we see Jesus arriving by boat in the area of the Gadarenes and being immediately confronted with  a very demon possessed man. He works an amazing miracle of deliverance on him the result of which, for the man, was great joy, and a desire to follow Jesus.  On the other hand, the people in the region were overcome with 'a great wave of fear' and they begged Jesus to depart from them.

What were they afraid of?  After all hadn't they been afraid of the mad man who had run naked among the tombs? Now that threat had gone you would think they would be pleased.  No way!  They just saw Jesus as a threat to their livelihood because a herd of pigs had been 'sacrificed' in the course of the deliverance (read the story).  In begging Jesus to depart and leave them to their 'safe and comfortable' environment they were robbing themselves and their community of a much greater  blessing through the teaching and ministry of Jesus.

How often do we deny Jesus entrance into a part of our life because we fear that he will make changes that we won't like, or ask us to do something we feel we are not able to do, or we think he will deny us things that we really, really want?   When we do that we are operating in fear and doing the same as these Gadarenes did.  We are actually depriving ourselves of great blessing because Jesus  said that he came so that we might have the best kind of life (John 10:10).  He also promised to give us grace to do whatever he asks of us (2 Corinthians 12:9) and he will help us (Hebrews 13:6).  Jesus came to show us exactly what God, our Father, is like, loving, affirming, safe, able to be trusted, willing to give His very life for us?  Why do we believe Satan's lies that He only wants to deprive or harm us?

Why do we fear?  Because we lack faith.  When the disciples were fearful in the storm on the lake Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith (Matthew 8:26).  Fear is the opposite of faith, there is no way around it.  Faith and fear cannot exist together, one has to go.  You get to choose which one you will entertain.  If you find yourself fearful you need to read your Bible and get to know the One who is faithful and true and will protect you as you put your trust in Him. Then step out of the boat!

As we see all kinds of terrible things happening in our world we have an opportunity to exercise our faith in God who is still the creator and sustainer of all things and in whom all things hold together.  Our times are in his hands, his control, and that gives me peace.  I pray you will escape the clutches of fear and put your faith in your wonderful heavenly Father.

Daniel 11:32b says, "..the people who know their God shall be strong and do exploits." They know Him by personal experience, that He can be trusted so they put their trust in Him. Do you know Him?

Prayer:  Father God, you long to see me walk in faith, trusting in you as I face the challenges of life and not turn away from you in fear.  Help me to return to the trust that a child has toward a good earthly Father.  Amen

Success or Failure?

Master, we have fished all night and haven't caught anything, but because you say so I will let down the nets. Luke 5:5

As I meditated on this story of the huge catch the disciples  took after Jesus had used their boat as a teaching platform, a funny scene that came back to mind.  It's from the madcap comedy Knight & Day where Tom Cruise is on the run.  Somehow Cameron Diaz gets caught up with him and at one crucial moment Tom calls on her to make a choice; to join the run with this crazy guy (and probably escape the other crazies who were after them) or whether to leave him to his adventures and hope to escape with her life.  In this funny scene Tom gesticulates the possibility of her life expectancy with him or without him to her saying "With me (raises his hand high indicating she will do well with him), without me"' (lowers his hand). He says, "With me, without me, with me, without me?"  She chooses to go with him through a crazy chase and, of course escapes with her life.

The story of the disciples reminds me of the success or failure we choose whether we choose to do it with Jesus or without Him.  They had been fishing all night and caught nothing, Jesus borrows their boat then, in payment, tells them to launch out into the deep, which they do, and catch a huge and unexpected haul.  In the time after Jesus' resurrection we read of a similar story.  Peter decided to go fishing, reverting to the thing that he knew how to do on his own.  The others went with him.  Again they fished all night and caught nothing, but when Jesus (though they didn't recognise it was He),  called to them from the shore asking if they had caught anything they admitted that they had not.  He called out, "Let your net down on the right side of the boat and you will get a catch,"(John 21).  They did as he said and made a huge haul.  Immediately John recognised it was Jesus and impulsive Peter jumped out of the boat and headed for the shore and his beloved Friend and Master.

You see a Peter knew that with Jesus, people got healed, fed and encouraged and nets got filled supernaturally.  When we try to carry out God's tasks in our own strength (without Him), things don't go nearly as well as they do if we do them with Him.  God never meant us to operate alone.  He always planned that He would be our source of strength, help and supply.  Dependence upon Him is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of maturity and spiritual wisdom.

Is there something you are doing at the moment, something you are trying to make happen in your time and strength?  Perhaps you are getting frustrated because nothing seems to be working. Why not re-evaluate and ask your Heavenly Father if He'd like to be involved.  The Bible tells us in Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord and he will bring it to pass."  It may not be in your timing or in quite the way you expected but He is faithful when we entrust our stuff to Him.

With Him, without Him. Your choice!

Prayer:  Father, please show me when I go off doing my own thing without consulting you.  Forgive me when I do it in my ministry too and things become a burden because I don't hitch up to your yoke which can make my burden so much lighter and tasks more fruitful.  Help me to recognise the signs quickly when I get off track.  Amen

Rain

When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God's blessing.  Hebrews 6:7

We have had some much needed and heavy rain overnight.  Yesterday my petunias were smiling at the world from their hanging basket but today they are drooping from the onslaught.  It's strange how something good can also damage and discourage.

Thinking of discouragement, my mind turns to the northern hemisphere and the floods in England.  Then just this week our news showed pictures of a town in Wales which had experienced rain for 81 days in a row.  Enough is enough!   Our weather patterns sure seem to be messed up along with the rest of the world!

It is so easy to smile at the world when the sun is shining but too much sun and dry weather is also a problem bringing drought to the farms, dust storms, danger of easily combustible vegetation and so on. Many of our New Zealand farmers are crying out for rain.  Balance is what we need and for me, that means taking the rain with the sun and being grateful for the benefits of each.

I am very aware of friends who are finding themselves in 'floods' in their lives with struggles, sickness and loss.  It's in these times we find it most difficult to see what possible benefits there could be. Sometimes it is literally impossible to see anything good.  This is where I would simply say, in the words of that beautiful old song...."Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."  Yes, it may sound trite but friends, it is true.  We have to turn our eyes away from our situation and exercise our faith and trust in the One who has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. " (Hebrews 13:5) and one of my favourite passages from Isaiah 43:2, 3a  (NLT) "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God." 

We have great promises for rainy days but we have to pull them out and use them like we would  use a raincoat or umbrella to keep us from getting too wet and 'going under'.  The Word, mixed with your faith will do you good.  It is possible for us to 'bear a good crop' from our rain.  We have to look for the work God is doing in us and through us in those difficult times.  Just look at Joseph, Job and Jesus and the 'rains' they endured.  Look at the end result and be press on! Years ago when I was going through a difficult time I wrote this poem.

                     The way ahead’s uncertain

                    There’s a mist before my eyes

                    Of tears I’ve shed through many a night and day

                    And yet I know my Saviour

                    Will make a path for me

                    I’ll walk with Him till sunlight shines again.

Yes, the rain comes to do a work in our lives that, just like the rain outside, will cause growth in character and faith if we will trust Him who is faithful.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father,  thank you for the rain in my life.  I don't always like it but help me to turn my eyes away from the negative and thank you that in the 'rainy' times you are still my God, still faithful and able to sustain and encourage me as I look to you. Amen