Refuse Fear - 2

He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?".  Matthew 8:26

If we are honest, there are things that we all fear at times.  I don't like spiders and I am nervous at times when I am in a boat, especially if I think we will run aground, or if it's really rough.  Yet when I watch people handling spiders I know I am silly, because most spiders cannot hurt me.  When I look at a boat going through the water it looks so great and peaceful to me...... so long as I am on dry land.  I wish I didn't get 'nervous', which is a nice way of saying 'fearful'!  I can choose not to fear.

The storm that the disciples experienced while Jesus was quietly asleep in the boat must have been quite a severe one.  Why?  Because many of them were experienced fishermen and used to this unpredictable lake.  They cried out to him for help and he chided them.  Had they not seen enough of His power already that they could not believe they would be kept safe?  Perhaps they were not grounded in the scriptures, the ones that tell us that our times are in His hands (Job, 14:5, Ps 31:15). After all before they went he said, "Let us cross over to the other side."  That seems to assume that it was his intention that they would reach the other side!

Soon after (Matthew 8:28) there was to come another amazing miracle before their eyes when they landed on the shore.  Two men, (some passages say one), met him.  They came out of the tombs screaming, "Why have you come to torment us?"  Mark's account of this (Mark 5:1-7) says this tormented one could not be restrained, he was in the mountains and in the tombs crying out and cutting himself with stones.  Isn't it interesting that he, the already tormented one, accused Jesus of coming to torment him. That's what demons do. 

The other interesting thing is that Mark says the man ran to Jesus and worshipped him.  He was a conflicted soul.  He recognised Jesus as the mighty son of God and worshipped, yet the demons had such a grip upon him that they raged at Jesus because they knew He had the power to move them on, which he proceeded to do, sending the demons into a herd of pigs which then dived off a cliff into the ocean, leaving the man free, sane and rejoicing.

The neighbourhood was not happy though, at the good news of this man's freedom.  They were fearful.  So much so that they came and asked Jesus to leave their area.  How sad; the One who could bring freedom to tormented souls was asked to leave.  Why?  Because he was going to cause things to be different? I believe that was their fear.  They didn't even give Him a chance.

It is the same for many people today.  They will not give Jesus a chance because they fear that He will change their comfortable life.  And He may, but it will only ever be change that brings freedom, peace and joy.  My challenge for you if you have those kind of people around you is to pray for them. Pray believing that God will remove the scales that are blinding them to the truth, and wait and see what God will do. We need to fight for their freedom. Let's attack that spirit of fear that keeps people bound to their torment. The weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. (2 Cor 10:4)

Prayer:  Lord and giver of life, help me to pray and break through the stronghold of fear in the  fearful ones I come in contact with, so that they may experience life and freedom, joy and peace.  Amen

Refuse Fear - 1

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Psalm 46:1-2

As well over 100 bushfires still rage throughout New South Wales, we may well add "though fires come" to the verse above.  Many people have lost their property, their livelihood and their precious possessions in the past few days, and not only in this state.  Our hearts go out to them and our prayers go up for them. 

We are thankful for the brave men and women who are our fire fighters.  They stand within reach of the fire and fight on behalf of others.  They refuse to fear and run. They are our heroes.

God is, indeed, our refuge and our strength and we need to remember to run to him in our times of trouble, especially when we find ourselves becoming fearful. Fear is such a tool of the enemy to destroy God's people and even to keep people from really entering into a relationship with Jesus. Let's talk about the latter first. Many people who have heard the good news of the gospel fear to enter into the fullness of relationship with Jesus because of the demands he may put on their life; i.e. giving up habits, 'having' to attend church, giving up control of their lives. Some even feel that they have to 'clean themselves up first' before they will be acceptable to God....wrong! Their fear blinds them to the benefits that He offers. You see, Satan paints Jesus as 'a controller', that's because he (Satan) doesn't want to lose control of his own captives. He is the real controller and deceiver. Eve recognised that he was a deceiver way back in the Garden of Eden.

God is not a controller at all. He is the one who gives us the free will to choose life or death, blessing or cursing (Deuteronomy 30:19). When we come into relationship with Him we choose life and allow Him to lead us in the best path for our life. We give Him permission to give us the best life.

However, Christians can still be prone to fear. It is something that we must choose to refuse. We don't refuse to fear without having a foundation for hope and faith. That is why it is so important to be grounded in God's word. It is through the Bible that we begin to understand the depth and breadth of God's love for us and His power to act on our behalf (Ephesians 3:16-19). You see, knowing the love that God has for us and His desire always for the very best for 'His kids', increases our trust in His ability to guard and protect us.

How do we do this? Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God." When we feel ourselves beginning to fear a situation we need to be still, turn to the truth of his word, remind ourselves that fear will lead to torment, faith will bring peace. In choosing to refuse fear, we choose to exercise faith and so allow God to be in control of our situation.

Prayer: Faithful Father, I thank you that you always desire what is best for me. When I am tempted to entertain fear, please help me to choose faith and so allow you to work on my behalf. Amen

 

Hope

The LORD reigns; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad! Psalm 97:1

 

Standing on the eve of a brand new year is always a time of wondering.  What will happen this year? Will it be better, or worse than last year? Will the world economy stand or fall? Is my employment secure?  Will my kids find work?  What do you want me to do this year Lord?

 

Psalm 97:1 answers the last question.  Rejoice.......because the Lord reigns!   As we review our own year past, the news we've watched that is often so depressing, perhaps the doctor's prognosis for ourselves or dear ones, it is so easy to become discouraged and depressed.  Yet the good news is, and always is, THE LORD REIGNS.  Therefore we can rejoice, no, we must rejoice, for we have HOPE.

 

Hope is the foundation of our faith; that God is faithful to keep His promises, that He is in control no matter what our circumstances look like. No matter what is happening in the world, God will have the final say.  He still reigns in the heavens and will reign on the earth.  We wait with hope; that is the challenge for this year.

 

Our world is a world in need of hope and if we Christians are hopeless we have nothing to offer our world. No matter what your circumstances are as we enter into this new year I challenge you to be be filled afresh with hope, for our God is the God of hope. In Romans 15:13 Paul prays that "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the  Holy Spirit."  Believing in what? 

 

We are believing that He reigns, that He is our Saviour, that He will rescue us, that He will lead and guide us through this coming year as we invite him to do so. We believe that His word is true and He will do all that He has promised to do.We believe that the trials that come will make us stronger as we walk through them with Him beside us. 

 

And how do we become strong in believing?  By reading His word.  Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing the word of God."  Let's fill our hearts and minds with God's word so that we are filled with hope to offer to our world. 

 

Prayer:  Faithful God, help me this year to be filled with hope that can be shared with our needy world.  Help me to journey with you and be found faithful and faith-filled.  Amen

Gifts I am Thankful For

....in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This is the time of year when gifts come into focus in a big way.  Sadly for many the real Gift is overlooked, unknown or just plain ignored.  Jesus is the greatest Gift in all the world.  He is the Gift that encompasses so many other gifts, not the least of which are peace with God, unconditional love and joy.  I thank God for this priceless Gift.

Some gifts don't come in fancy wrapping and they don't cost us money, they are, nevertheless, very real and precious gifts.  As I look back on this year there have been highlights and lowlights, and that is normal.  We were never promised a life without challenge.  Just to live in this world and in our broken down society with broken people is challenging for sure. Add to that relationship challenges, disappointments, health issues, financial pressures, loss of dear ones and everything in between and we have LIFE.  That's just how it is.  I find that having faith in a God who is inately good and loving, One who wants the best for my life, is such a great anchor and I thank Him for the gift of faith that gives me assurance of His goodness and love.

This week I decided to think through the things that I am thankful for this year and I came up with a list which I want to share with you.  I'm sure I will think of many more things once I hit the 'publish' button but my aim is mainly to spur you to thankfulness.  We are to 'consider one another in order to stir up love and good works'  (Hebrews 10:24), and giving thanks, having a thankful heart or an attitude of gratitude is, I believe, a good work that pleases God and does us great good.  So here it is!

Gifts I am thankful for in 2012
The gift of Jesus, my Saviour, on whom I need to lean constantly

The gift of His righteousness, my own is sadly lacking

The gift of my husband, friend, lover, travelling companion and constant supporter, what a gift!

The gift of family, they bring us great pleasure and joy, we love them
The gift of good health, money can't buy it
The gift of friends and neighbours, old and new, they are precious
The gift of fellowship, church family, Bible study, CWCI friends and others worldwide, I love it
The gift of communication at lightning speed to stay connected, I need it
The gift of ministry opportunities in various places, a privilege indeed
The gift of travel to many places through the year and safety in it all, I'm blessed
The gift of provision of all we need, He is faithful
The gift of trials, they teach me, stretch me, grow me. I need them to mature.
The gift of answered prayer, it confirms my faith.
The gift of unanswered prayer, it teaches me patience and perseverance, and tests my faith.
The gift of hope.....for all that 2013 has in store for me - He will be with me no matter what comes.

Prayer:Heavenly Father, I give you thanks and celebrate your goodness and faithfulness this year.  Help me to maintain an attitude of gratitude always because I know that it pleases your heart.  Amen

The Long Haul

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. Luke 8:15

On our outback trip earlier this year we drove some long days, but they were not nearly as long as some of the road trains (extra long trucks) that passed us. The roads out there were flat and often boring, especially when the road stretched for mile after mile with trees either side blocking what may have been an interesting vista beyond.

As we travelled nearer the coast we crossed the Great Dividing Range. Our vehicle slowed with the load of the caravan we pulled and we needed patience.  However, we needed much more patience during the times we followed slower drivers when there was nowhere to overtake.  Have you noticed that the Christian life can be much like this?

Growth takes time, in fact we need to remember that when we 'sign up' for the Christian life, we have signed up for the long haul.  Sometimes we feel boxed in on a boring road and sometimes we can become impatient with what we consider to be our slow progress.  It's very easy to become discouraged and despondant when we 'lose it' and feel like we'll never 'get there'.  Sometimes we get impatient with others who do not meet our expectations.  Those are the times we need to remember that we often disappoint God too.  Not one of us has it altogether.  We are all a work in progress.  (I don't know how many times I have said or written this.  I feel like a cracked record.... or should I say a sticky CD!)

Learning to lighten up and laugh at our failures will help us keep humble before the Lord.  I learned a long time ago that it is pride rising up when I beat up on myself.  Humility is not being surprised when I fail, but getting up again and settling in for the long haul.That's how we patiently produce a huge harvest.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that you are never surprised and you never give up on me when I fail.
Help me to have a heart that's set for the long haul with you, the author and finisher of my faith. Amen

Understanding

For as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. John 20:9

This picture of the Canadian woods highlights something to me that is interesting reagarding our understanding of spiritual things.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then, face to face." (1 Corinthians 13:12).  Just as there is light and shadow in this picture, our understanding in life is like that.

Most of the disciples had walked with Jesus for 3 years.  Some had had more intimate interraction with him that others.  John, who wrote the verse above, was one of the inner circle.  He would have heard most, if not all of Jesus' teaching.  The disciples must have been miserable and confused on that first "Easter" morning.  Their Saviour - dead. They didn't understand that he was a Saviour for the whole world, past, present and future, not just their world of Israel at that time; and in order to accomplish that he was to be a sacrifice through death and then would rise again. Finding the tomb empty added to their confusion.

I found it interesting that John should write "For as yet they did not know the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead", because it is recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, that Jesus had told them plainly that he would suffer at the hands of men, be scourged killed and then on the third day, he would rise again. John, however, says that they did not know the scripture.  He refers to Psalm 16:10 which alludes to Jesus rising from death when it says, "You will not leave my soul in (hell), nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption." 

Sometimes when we are told scriptural truths or we read the word and yet we still don't understand.  It is like our understanding is darkened for a time.  But when the sun shines through the trees, as it were, and the Holy Spirit gives us understanding, it is the most wonderful thing.  Suddenly things make sense.

I am sure that you, like me, sometimes feel like your Bible reading has just gone right over your head, or in one ear and out the other.  You get up and forget what you read 2 minutes before.  If we can go just a little bit further and spend time really thinking about something that caught our attention, we will allow the Holy Spirit time to give us light on what we are reading.  It doesn't have to be a whole chapter, or even a number of verses, just one verse will do.  You will be surprised what will stay with you as you journey through your day.  I know that far too often I hurry away from my morning time the Lord and into my day without first really digesting my spiritual food.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I run from my quiet time with you and into my day without allowing you to speak to my heart and give me understanding of what I have read.  Please help me to linger with you to receive understanding of your word and so enrich my own life and be equipped to enrich others on the way.  Amen

Fame

 

 

And they said to themselves "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves....... Genesis 11:4

It seems that one of the main desires of many young people today is to be famous.  It is probably easier to do these days with opportunities abounding in music and media circles.  It's possible to become 'famous' almost overnight by posting yourself on Youtube doing something that attracts attention even if, or especially if, it's downright stupid or dangerous.

I find that I have mixed feelings when someone comes onto the world stage and steps into fame.  The ones I'm thinking of at this moment are singing sensations like Susan Boyle or our own Australian winner of The Voice, Karise Eden.  I am thrilled for their success and frightened for their future. Why frightened?  Because I know there will be pressures that will now surround them in a world that has changed almost overnight. It's like they no longer have control over their lives and destiny, it is in the hands of another, and who knows what is the purpose of their new master.

Why do people want fame?  I can think of a number of reasons; power, prosperity, prestige would be a few.  I believe that the two singers I have mentioned probably wanted none of these things, but I prefer to think that they wanted to prove to themselves and to others the value of the gift that had been given them.  Their fame was the result of courage and a lot of hard work, plus taking the risk of failing. I'm glad they did well.

After the great flood recorded in Genesis, the descendants of Noah and his family combined forces to make a name for themselves.  They wanted fame.  Because they were united in their cause and all spoke one language God looked down from heaven and saw that anything was possible for them to achieve.  For his own reasons and purpose he chose to confuse their language and scatter them far and wide.

Abraham, on the other hand, was minding his own business, worshipping God in a pagan nation when God chose him for fame (Genesis 12).  The price was to leave his homeland and all his relatives and travel to a land that God would show him. He had no idea of his destination, he had to go out in faith. God's purpose in this was to make him a blessing to all the families of the earth.  Through the line of Abraham, who had no family then, or for many years to come, was to come the Saviour, Jesus Christ.  It was much later the promise of a son came, but then another 25 years to fulfilment of that promise.  The name of Abraham is famous to this day, for his fatherhood and his faithfulness.

The people building the tower of Babel wanted to created their own fame and were foiled by God.  It is far safer to commit our future to God and allow him to do with us what He has purposed for our life. Our purpose should be to live for "the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:11-12).  To desire to bring Him fame will keep us grounded. He is a Master whose love for us is beyond understanding and His desire is always to do us good. To serve the One before whom, one day, every knee shall bow, (Philippians 2:10) will be to glory in His fame, and that will be more than enough.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus Christ, help me to desire your approval above all else and to stay grounded in seeking always your purpose for my life.  Amen