Now is the time...... To Believe

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said. Luke 1:45

As I write it is but one week until a new year will begin; yes it is Christmas Eve and I have been reading again the story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This evening I watched the Carols by Candlelight on TV, an annual institution in Melbourne for the past very many years, and a delightful way to spend Christmas Eve………even if I was doing ironing while I watched!

It was in reading the verse above that my heart was stirred afresh by Mary’s simple trust and humble obedience. We have heard and read the story so many times that the full impact can easily pass us by, but as I think again on the story I am challenged afresh to examine my faith and see how real it really is.

Mary was a very young woman who received an amazing visitation from the angel Gabriel which was awesome in itself, but the message Gabriel brought was earth-changing, not to mention life-changing for Mary and Joseph. What an amazing faith-filled couple this was. I guess God knew that when he chose them for ‘the job’. Mary’s immediate response was “Yes, I’ll do it.” She actually believed that God would do what he said, as her cousin Elizabeth reminded her a few days later.

Then there was Joseph. He had a problem on his hands but God spoke to him in a dream (Matthew 1:20) reassuring him that Mary’s child was the promised Saviour of mankind and not to be afraid to go ahead with his marriage to Mary. Just as Mary did, Joseph believed and quickly obeyed the instructions he was given. In fact God spoke to Joseph in dreams a few times and he was always quick to believe and obey.

Many years ago God spoke to me in a dream. It took me a little while to realise that God was indeed speaking into my future, but he did do what was indicated in that dream.

Sometimes I sense that as I grow older in years and in my faith, I am not always as quick to believe God as I was in my earlier years. I am challenged by the fresh faith of some of my Bible study ladies who are mostly new Christians. Tonight I feel that I need to challenge myself afresh to believe God in the coming year. Not only to believe, but to actively expect to hear from him. (I know I don’t always listen well.)

How is it with you? Has God spoken something to you that you need to believe him to do? There is much to be done in his kingdom. We need to become willing to allow him to use us to accomplish his purposes. Let’s commit ourselves to a refreshing of our faith and obedience as we head toward 2011.

Prayer: Gracious Father, forgive me to allowing my faith to wane in the busyness of life. Help my ear to be ready to hear you when you speak and give me a willing heart to obey you quickly. Amen

Now is the time..... To Be Amazed Again

Then Mary said, “……let it be to me according to your word”. Luke 1:38

It can be difficult to keep the wonder of the true meaning of our Christmas celebrations in mind at this busy time of year. We are too busy being amazed at how many gifts we still need to buy, how many things we still have to prepare, how many groceries still to be bought, and, often we are amazed at how much money we have spent! When seen in the light of God’s eternal plan for mankind, our busyness seems so trivial.

It is good then when God breaks through and gives us another revelation of His amazing goodness that we can focus on and be amazed at again. That happened to me a couple of weeks ago during my quiet time. I don’t even remember what I was reading now but suddenly it dawned on me again……….. God is amazing in all His ways! That now brings to mind a verse in Psalm 115:3, “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.” What pleases Him involves justice, mercy, favour, righteousness and equality. All that He does is good.

The thought that caught my attention was that God has always had in mind a plan for man and woman to be equal in his equation and in bringing about his purposes on the earth. In Genesis he called Abraham, a man in the closing years of his life, to take a huge step of faith; to leave his homeland and his family, to step out into the unknown, not knowing where he was going, just that God would show him. His job was to say ‘yes’ and to go in obedience, which he did. God then blessed him with offspring (Isaac), through whom the whole world would be blessed. It was from this line that Jesus Christ would come. God called a man – Abraham.

Many generations later God calls a woman - Mary - to be obedient. The angel of the Lord spoke to Mary, a young woman, to be the bearer of His Son, Jesus Christ who was to be the Saviour of the world. She too had to be willing to say ‘yes’ and to be obedient to the humiliation, the pain, all that being the mother of Jesus Christ would involve.

In these two people so many generations apart God showed me that he uses both man and woman to bring forth his purposes, he also uses the young and the old. So often in our world there can be the feeling that it is only those in the middle part of their life, between young and old, that God uses significantly. That is so not true. There is a place for each of us. Let us stir ourselves up to stand ready to be used for God’s purposes every day of our life. These two people didn’t know what was to come from their obedience. Neither do we know what God will do through our obedience. Let’s stand and be amazed again that God will use men and women, young, old and in between to accomplish his purposes on earth and let's be ready. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Wonderful God, thank you that to accomplish your purposes on earth you will use whoever is willing and obedient. Help me to stand ready and available for your purposes today and every day that you give me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now is the time.... To be Generous

They (the elders at Jerusalem) desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do. Galatians 2:10

The phone rang last week and usually when there is a delay before someone answers I know it’s computer-generated with someone either selling something or wanting money for a good cause. Because it’s usually the former I quickly hang up before the operator can come on and ‘bug’ me with “Hello and how are you today?” I don’t know why they ask that because I know that they are not the slightest bit interested in how I am at all, it’s just an opener to a conversation I would rather not have! Oh dear I sound cranky!!!

Anyway this particular day it was an organization which we have supported for the past couple of years wanting our financial support yet again. I confess, to my shame, that I inside my attitude was not good (after all it is coming up Christmas with all its expense) but I did agree to give again this year.

I was convicted about my attitude because I had recently read this verse in Galatians 2:10. Paul was writing about the time he had visited the church leaders in Jerusalem to discuss with them his conversion some years before, and his subsequent ministry. The elders were quite happy with the teaching that Paul was doing which he’d received not from man but from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 1:12). The only thing that the apostles asked was that Paul remember to help the poor.

Jesus said that we will always have the poor among us (Matthew 26:11), and that He was sent to preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18). A generous spirit comes from God who is generous beyond measure. If He dwells in us it will be seen by our desire to bless others when we can. He has shown us how to give by his own examples in His life, and the final gift to surpass all gifts – His life for ours. Our giving should include money but should not be limited to money. A generous spirit will give time, energy, a listening ear or a helping hand.

In a world drowning in debt let us show the world what a blessing it is to give financially and to give with a happy heart this festive season. Remember it is the season of remembrance of God giving His only Son. Let us open our hearts to see what he requires of us. In case you need a little extra encouragement may I leave you with 2 verses in closing. “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given “(Proverbs 19:17) and “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” (Proverbs 28:27). Nothing goes unseen by the Lord, He will reward.

Prayer: Lord God, help me to see the needs around me through your eyes and give with a generous heart. May blessing flow from me freely in thankfulness to you for all that you have given to me. Amen

Now is the time..... To Check Your Legacy

….I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

This week when we picked up our 2 youngest grandchildren, Dan and Leah from school it was a chance to get involved in their homework. Leah’s task was to join a friend or relative in a leisure activity or pastime. She helped me with a crossword puzzle and did a good job.

Dan’s homework was to think about and discuss the word legacy. His Mum had begun the task earlier and we got to continue. When Granddad asked him the meaning of the word ‘legacy’ he was unsure so was sent off to check it out on the internet! The simple answer is ‘anything handed down from the past’. There followed a discussion in which we talked about the most important legacy parents and grandparents can leave their children and grandchildren; a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ and one of righteousness. Sadly, this is missing from so many families today.

Even when our example to our children has been a good one, it does not automatically guarantee an immediate good result. If not we should not be discouraged. Today I was reading about Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah. His father had set him a wonderful example (2 Chronicles 29 – 32). He had become king of Judah at age 25 and reigned for 29 years. During that time he destroyed the places of pagan and idol worship and redirected the people back to worship of the one true God. He stood firm in the face of attack from the Assyrian army, and God delivered the people in answer to Hezekiah’s prayer (2 Chron 32:20) and his obedience brought peace to the whole land.

When Hezekiah died, his son Manasseh became king at the age of 12. Instead of following his father’s godly example he restored the places of pagan worship, he practiced divination, consulted spiritists and mediums and even set up a carved image in the temple of God. 2 Chronicles 33:9 tells us that "Manasseh did more evil than the pagan nations before had done." Amazingly discouraging…….BUT GOD….!

If you read chapter 33 you will see that God allowed Manasseh to be captured by the Assyrians and he was led away a prisoner by a ring through his nose and bound in bronze chains. He was brought low so that he would feel enough pain to cry out to God for help, which he did. God was then able to have him released with a new understanding of the love, mercy and power of God. “Manasseh had finally realized that the Lord alone is God”. (2 Chron 33:13). Do read the story!

It is our privilege and our duty to pray for our children and grand-children that they may know the one true God and worship and serve only him so they may know God’s peace and protection always. It may not happen right away but God is faithful to answer these prayers as he did for Hezekiah.

Prayer: Merciful God, help me to set a godly example to my family and to pray for their salvation always. Have mercy on them and lead them into your kingdom of righteousness and peace. Amen

Now is the time..... To Watch Out

Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. 1 Peter 5:8

Our home is in a semi bushland setting where care has been taken to protect the environment and its natural inhabitants. We enjoy watching the birdlife, especially now it’s spring and there are families of ducks wandering around. Though of course there is always the cycle of life and there are predators roaming around.

Last week I was alerted by the screeching of a sulphur-crested cockatoo and a number of the noisy mynah birds. I knew it meant danger because I’d heard similar warnings before. The birds went crazy swooping low and squawking close to our house. I went out onto the front deck to investigate in time to seek a 2 metre long Lace Monitor Lizard cross from the empty block next door into our garden and disappear under our house. I didn’t go down for a closer look!

It didn’t particularly concern me as we have seen this happen before and they just wander through and out the other side and on their way. So why all the fuss? It’s spring and these lumbering fellows are really good at tree climbing and they rob the nests if the parent birds are not vigilant. It’s great that the neighbouring birds all cry “watch out!”

Peter warns us that our enemy the devil is roaming the earth in the same way looking for victims to devour. How does he do it? He pounces when we least expect it and it can come in many forms. Sickness, depression, discouragement, criticism, financial struggles, loss of loved ones, loss of job are just some of the ways that Satan uses to devour us. Sometimes things start small and if we don’t have Christian friends around us to encourage us and give us perspective then we are much more susceptible to ‘going under’. There have been times when I haven’t even realised that it was the devil attacking me. I thought it was ‘just me’ or ‘all in my mind’! It certainly was but it wasn’t just me, it was Satan, my enemy messing with my mind to put me in a place of vulnerability. Remember that Satan is out to rob, kill and destroy (John 10:10) but Jesus mission was to destroy the works of the enemy (1 John 3:8). With Jesus help we are to do the same.

We are surrounded by people wearing masks to cover their pain and unless we allow ourselves to get close to them we may never realise the danger they are in from the enemy of our souls. Satan is out to destroy lives and we need to be the ones to reach out, rally round, support and love people to a safe place and the Strong Place – Jesus.

Friends we have an amazing gift within us and that is the love of God that has been planted in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Will we allow that love to flow from us today to save a friend, a neighbour, a stranger from the devourer? It will cost in some way but the rewards are eternal.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for pouring your love into my heart. Forgive me for not allowing it to flow freely to this hurting world. Grant me the grace and strength to love freely as you love me. Amen

Now is the time.... For Balance

On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work. Genesis 2:2

Today I was watching a programme which featured a 13 year old girl who was playing sport every night of the week and on the weekends. Not only was she an excellent player but she was playing at university level, not high school level. She was asked if she ever had fun, to which she replied, “I have fun playing sport.” Hmmmm. Her grandmother was very concerned that her granddaughter’s life was not balanced and her concern was justified and validated by the host.

Today’s world seems to have spun right out of balance in so many ways. People have either forgotten how to truly take a rest, or, they are too lazy or unmotivated to get a job because their parents or the social welfare system gives them all they need. What happened to balance and work ethic? Personally I get equally concerned about people who work 7 days a week and never take time to rest as I do about those who refuse to get a job, but I want to address the former issue.

Work is good and the Bible affirms this when it says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that if a man does not work then he should not eat. God appointed each to work because laziness is not healthy for us. But each of us also needs to know how to rest and relax.

As I have observed the lives of some families I just feel exhausted when I see the number of activities that they are involved in and the constant running around by “Mum’s taxi” that it takes to make it all happen. I am not against healthy activities but I think we need to ensure that a healthy balance of home life and socializing is achieved so that the family remains a place of stability and peace, a safe place to return to and a place where family meals are valued and important and relationships cemented.

It is often easy for Christians to be over-involved in church-based activities. I know because it happened to us many years ago. We lost the balance for a time and our Christian life became more about church attendance than about relationship with Jesus who, incidentally, gives us rest (Psalm 23:2). We need regular time to rest if we are to live a healthy, balanced life. We should not live life in a constant whirl of activity, flying in and out the door, passing each other as ships in the night, with never time to sit with the family and be a family. The day after I first wrote this piece a man on the radio, speaking on the same subject said, “Children deserve more that the leftovers of our time.” How true.

If keeping the family finances afloat requires you to overwork, then perhaps you need to reassess your needs and where the money goes. Or is work a convenient and ‘legitimate’ activity to keep you too busy to face uncomfortable issues? There may be other reasons why you may not have balance. Perhaps it is time to take stock; time to smell the flowers or enjoy the sunset God has painted for your refreshment.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please shine your light into my busy world and show me if I need to find more balance in my life. Amen

Now is the time..... To Walk in the Light

And God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4

This week the world has witnessed the amazing sight of 33 Chilean miners being rescued from what could easily have been their burial chamber more than 700 metres deep underground. Some say it was ‘pure chance’ that they were even detected more than 2 months ago; but I believe that God indeed heard the prayers of these men and their families and helped their rescuers to bring them to the light of day and into the arms of their waiting loved ones.

If you watched, you will have noticed that each of these men wore dark glasses to protect their eyes from the light. This was to prevent damage to their weakened sight after so long in the dark. The glasses will not be removed until their eyes have had chance to adjust to normal light again.

Today as I read my daily devotional which included the verses from Genesis above, it brought the miners to my mind again. I am sure that as they languished in the darkness of their ‘prison’ deep below the surface the miners all longed for the light. I’m sure they too agreed with God, that light is good. It is difficult to imagine what deep darkness is like unless you’ve been down a mine and turned the light off. Colin did that in Wales many years ago, I was happy just to hear him recount the story. Apparently you cannot even see your hand in front of your face. Not for me, that’s for sure!

Anyway, back to my thoughts on light…… I also read in John 1:4 that Jesus, who was with God from the beginning and vitally involved in creation; this same Jesus was and is life and light. 1 John 1:5 declares that God is light and that there is absolutely no darkness in him. In fact in Revelation 22:5 John tells us that in heaven we will not need a lamp or the light of the sun because God alone will be our light.

God has called us out of darkness and into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). We are no longer people of darkness but it is possible to be pulled back into the darkness if we choose to walk in ways that are contrary to God’s word. Darkness blinds us to the light of God’s truth and dulls our conscience. It is like we are wearing dark glasses.

1 John 1:6-7 warns that “ if we claim to have fellowship with him (God) yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Is there any hidden area of darkness in your life that you afraid to confess to God. Don’t be, he knows about it anyway but he wants us to own up to it and be cleansed so that our relationship with him is restored and the darkness cannot hold us in bondage to sin.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you that you came to deliver me from darkness into your wonderful light. Shine your light into my heart today and show me if there is any hidden darkness and grant me grace to walk in the light with you. Amen