I don't want to give too much time to our enemy, but this week I have become keenly aware that it is in his interest to make me unefficient and unproductive in what God has put in me. It is his interest to deceive me into thinking that I am not really worth anything. And it is his interest to help me forget how goooood life was when I was dwelling with God, and how incredible the Holy Spirit is, and it is his interest to minimise my belief of what I could achieve if I took hold of the Holy Spirit in my life. It is his interest to deceive me into thinking that many of my relationships are a little sour, that others really dont care for me that much, or want to hear from me, or that I've got nothing of importance to say to these people, or to hear from them.
I am going to stand on the side of my Saviour. Who looks upon each of His beloved, His bride, His church, as intimate creations who He knows through and through. That includes me, and I stand on this rock when I am struggling to believe in myself. And that also includes all who I meet, and what I do to one of the least of those I do to God... because God created them! They are His beloved! His heart burns for them - how can I criticise?? He IS my Glorious King, He is utterly good in everything all of the time, and I will stop believing the lies that my circumstances can dictate how good God is.
And I will ask for more of Him, more of His Spirit, because I believe that the Holy Spirit is the promise of Jesus by which I will gain strength to live the life that He has called me to. I will settle for nothing less.
Please join with me in noticing the lies that you have been believing. We are being deceived into unproductivity! Ask Holy Spirit to reveal these things to you now, be released.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Difference of opinion?
Am really aware this week of how arrogant I can be with my opinions, specially on spiritual matters. I figure, now, that I don't know it all. It's just that sometimes people seem to settle for something that seems to me to be unsatisfying. Maybe I am judging what they believe though, and need to give them some time first. I realise I've got to take the good out of everybody's theology, and realise that I'll never have it all right! Too bad!
I preached last week, please listen: southsidechurch.org.uk/downloads.htm
and there I think I said most things that are really important to me. Interested to know if there's some things that I think that others disagree with? I suspect so. (although thats the first time I've realised it!!)
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him (Piper) - I wanna be satisfied. Not quenched, that will never happen, but satisfied. MOST satisfied. I don't know how to get there, but I endeavour to delve closer, every day of forever...
I preached last week, please listen: southsidechurch.org.uk/downloads.htm
and there I think I said most things that are really important to me. Interested to know if there's some things that I think that others disagree with? I suspect so. (although thats the first time I've realised it!!)
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him (Piper) - I wanna be satisfied. Not quenched, that will never happen, but satisfied. MOST satisfied. I don't know how to get there, but I endeavour to delve closer, every day of forever...
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Sermon on the Mount
'The Sermon on the Mount is intimidating Scripture and a standard of perfection I usually saw as unrealistic and unattainable. Probably like most believers, I never expected to see very much fulfillment of it in the lives of leaders and ministers, much less in my own circle of experience. In fact, it was discouraging to ask teachers I knew too many questions concerning the Sermon as I was so often told to be practical and that these teachings don't quite mean what I thought they meant. Perhaps no scriptures have been "watered down" as much as these, so grand and glorious is the picture they paint of the righteousness in the power of the Holy Spirit, sustained by the unquenchable, everlasting, burning flame of the life of God Himself...
'Still, in my own experience, the lofty flights of spirituality I had heard and dreamed of seemed out of reach. And even years of academic specialization in biblical studies and theology did not seem to bring me much closer to a hope of walking in the glorious liberty of life in the Spirit as Jesus described in the Gospels. In my case, I needed encouragement. I needed a real-life example of Jesus living in someone to such an extent that I would be inspired and motivated to consider living the Sermon as not only realistic but also the only viable way to approach life and ministry in the Lord.'
Rolland Baker in the Forward to Heidi Bakers book, Compelled by Love.
This passage, that I read four months ago, has stayed with me ever since. The whole book was fantastic. Call it unrealistic, but have you ever wondered what life would look like if you really gave someone your shirt when they asked for your coat, or walked with them two miles when they asked you for one... by no means, I'm sad to say, does this reflect my life at present. But I am again inspired that we should aim no lower.
I pet 2:21-23 (NLT) "Follow in his steps... He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God." Do we entrust ourselves to God, justice, mercy?? wow.
'Still, in my own experience, the lofty flights of spirituality I had heard and dreamed of seemed out of reach. And even years of academic specialization in biblical studies and theology did not seem to bring me much closer to a hope of walking in the glorious liberty of life in the Spirit as Jesus described in the Gospels. In my case, I needed encouragement. I needed a real-life example of Jesus living in someone to such an extent that I would be inspired and motivated to consider living the Sermon as not only realistic but also the only viable way to approach life and ministry in the Lord.'
Rolland Baker in the Forward to Heidi Bakers book, Compelled by Love.
This passage, that I read four months ago, has stayed with me ever since. The whole book was fantastic. Call it unrealistic, but have you ever wondered what life would look like if you really gave someone your shirt when they asked for your coat, or walked with them two miles when they asked you for one... by no means, I'm sad to say, does this reflect my life at present. But I am again inspired that we should aim no lower.
I pet 2:21-23 (NLT) "Follow in his steps... He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God." Do we entrust ourselves to God, justice, mercy?? wow.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Soaking
'Soaking' is a concept that I am very excited to talk about./blog about.
At my job at the pub, if I want to clean my tables at the end of a busy night, I get my cloth. I can go to a table that is soiled and rub and rub and rub, but when my cloth is dry it is to no avail, perhaps moving the grime around but certainly not cleaning it.
At 10.15 ish each night I begin cleaning tables. I get some cloth, soak it under the tap, and then clean tables starting at the top of the restaurant area. And you know what, after 3 or 4 tables, the cloth is dry. Those 3 or 4 tables are lovely and clean, but the next will be less so if I carry on without getting a good dunking for my cloth. So I walk all the way back to the bar, soak the cloth again, and carry on. It's hassle walking all that way so many times to re-soak the cloth! But my tables simply wont get clean unless I do it!
In the Christian sense, I'm not sure we really 'get' soaking... but it's just another word for another quite ordinary thing! I think too often we disregard it as some wish-washy meditation/emotional relief for the weak. You know what, soaking is the only way to live! Or we will be dry and no use at all!
When I have had a long days work, or a long summers day of fun, I often come home and just soak in the bath. I need it! Not only for the cleaning purpose, but for the relaxation, for the rest and peace... the fruit of a long bath to me is cleanliness but also, de-stressing, a good thinking time and so better perspective, sometimes nothing at all but some sleep, and hopefully sometimes I smell pretty good after too!
The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. (Gal 5v22??) Soak in our beautiful Lord and His Spirit! Come and be washed! be cleansed, be relaxed, get some perspective again, and become effective once again for the purposes that you have!
I have found that sometimes I'm really struggling to know truths, lies are coming in.... and whatever I do, I can't kick it. So come soak. Just rest into the presence of our Lord. Just drink of His goodness. and the truths so often just come! Sometimes other people can help, or the Bible, or worship, but sometimes just come empty and with no agenda, possibly even in the bath, and ENJOY. It's an adventure!
At my job at the pub, if I want to clean my tables at the end of a busy night, I get my cloth. I can go to a table that is soiled and rub and rub and rub, but when my cloth is dry it is to no avail, perhaps moving the grime around but certainly not cleaning it.
At 10.15 ish each night I begin cleaning tables. I get some cloth, soak it under the tap, and then clean tables starting at the top of the restaurant area. And you know what, after 3 or 4 tables, the cloth is dry. Those 3 or 4 tables are lovely and clean, but the next will be less so if I carry on without getting a good dunking for my cloth. So I walk all the way back to the bar, soak the cloth again, and carry on. It's hassle walking all that way so many times to re-soak the cloth! But my tables simply wont get clean unless I do it!
In the Christian sense, I'm not sure we really 'get' soaking... but it's just another word for another quite ordinary thing! I think too often we disregard it as some wish-washy meditation/emotional relief for the weak. You know what, soaking is the only way to live! Or we will be dry and no use at all!
When I have had a long days work, or a long summers day of fun, I often come home and just soak in the bath. I need it! Not only for the cleaning purpose, but for the relaxation, for the rest and peace... the fruit of a long bath to me is cleanliness but also, de-stressing, a good thinking time and so better perspective, sometimes nothing at all but some sleep, and hopefully sometimes I smell pretty good after too!
The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. (Gal 5v22??) Soak in our beautiful Lord and His Spirit! Come and be washed! be cleansed, be relaxed, get some perspective again, and become effective once again for the purposes that you have!
I have found that sometimes I'm really struggling to know truths, lies are coming in.... and whatever I do, I can't kick it. So come soak. Just rest into the presence of our Lord. Just drink of His goodness. and the truths so often just come! Sometimes other people can help, or the Bible, or worship, but sometimes just come empty and with no agenda, possibly even in the bath, and ENJOY. It's an adventure!
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
anxious about tomorrow?
Soooo I had a fun revelation this week! For background information, I am considering taking a trip out to Oklahoma in February. Although I'm not particularly rich, I have a few savings and student loan etc and am not against using this money in a way that honours God, and so I have spent a very good amount of time looking at all sorts of flights to Oklahoma in Feb.
It struck me the other day, that it would be folly for me to be looking if I didn't have any potential of access to this money. I know we all like to dream, but does anyone in their right mind sit down and look for holidays, looking up cheaper options and a variety of flights, finding out the details of the hotel, looking up what the town might have to offer,,, if they have 100% no access to the money to buy it.
If someone who knew you really well offered to choose and buy you a massive holiday, what would your response be? You could try dropping hints on the kind of holiday you like, but I'm not so sure it would be of any use at all for you to sit there looking in detail at loads of holidays out of your own budget.
Does this make sense?! When someone else is choosing, what good does it do to have a go at choosing for yourself?! It might be quite fun, BUT you put youself at risk of atleast one bad thing - getting excited about a type of holiday that you're not going to have (and would not in fact be right for you). When the friend who IS buying knows exactly what they're doing and therefore what is going to suit you perfectly.
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather ino barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matt 6v25-34
It struck me the other day, that it would be folly for me to be looking if I didn't have any potential of access to this money. I know we all like to dream, but does anyone in their right mind sit down and look for holidays, looking up cheaper options and a variety of flights, finding out the details of the hotel, looking up what the town might have to offer,,, if they have 100% no access to the money to buy it.
If someone who knew you really well offered to choose and buy you a massive holiday, what would your response be? You could try dropping hints on the kind of holiday you like, but I'm not so sure it would be of any use at all for you to sit there looking in detail at loads of holidays out of your own budget.
Does this make sense?! When someone else is choosing, what good does it do to have a go at choosing for yourself?! It might be quite fun, BUT you put youself at risk of atleast one bad thing - getting excited about a type of holiday that you're not going to have (and would not in fact be right for you). When the friend who IS buying knows exactly what they're doing and therefore what is going to suit you perfectly.
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather ino barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matt 6v25-34
Friday, 23 October 2009
Revelation of the day
It's a good one! Ha!
So I'm looking after a house with a cat (thanks for this lovely opportunity to recover from my chest infection with the luxury of a sofa and large tele!) who is a rescue cat, relatively new to the household. And so she's pretty shy, and isn't really yet used to being picked up and relaxing, she always jumps away when you try to really 'pet' her.
I was just going up to bed last night and I leant down to stroke her good night (haha that sounds funny) and as she lept away I caught these exact words coming out of my mouth 'I wish that you would understand that it is my intention to love you and not to harm you!'
Suddenly, bam, because of affection for a CAT of all things, God is revealing His heart for me. When He reaches out to me so often I leap away, I dare not accept the loving stroke because after all I am so much like a rescue cat! Not that I blame people here for having treated me badly yet in my sinful nature I simply don't understand that when someone reaches out for me they can have a pure intention just to love me.
You know what, that cat had just pooed on the carpet too. Maybe she knew she'd done something wrong - am I overestimating the intelligence of cats? - although I'd not voiced it. Yet, somehow, I wasn't at all mad I just wanted to love her and say goodnight. Are we so often like this? We do something wrong and assume that God's going to be mad at us although He never voiced His anger, so we find ourselves shying away from His affection towards us...
I'm going to try to learn to accept God's incredible grace for me, and His desire to love me not to harm me. much like Lily the cat.
So I'm looking after a house with a cat (thanks for this lovely opportunity to recover from my chest infection with the luxury of a sofa and large tele!) who is a rescue cat, relatively new to the household. And so she's pretty shy, and isn't really yet used to being picked up and relaxing, she always jumps away when you try to really 'pet' her.
I was just going up to bed last night and I leant down to stroke her good night (haha that sounds funny) and as she lept away I caught these exact words coming out of my mouth 'I wish that you would understand that it is my intention to love you and not to harm you!'
Suddenly, bam, because of affection for a CAT of all things, God is revealing His heart for me. When He reaches out to me so often I leap away, I dare not accept the loving stroke because after all I am so much like a rescue cat! Not that I blame people here for having treated me badly yet in my sinful nature I simply don't understand that when someone reaches out for me they can have a pure intention just to love me.
You know what, that cat had just pooed on the carpet too. Maybe she knew she'd done something wrong - am I overestimating the intelligence of cats? - although I'd not voiced it. Yet, somehow, I wasn't at all mad I just wanted to love her and say goodnight. Are we so often like this? We do something wrong and assume that God's going to be mad at us although He never voiced His anger, so we find ourselves shying away from His affection towards us...
I'm going to try to learn to accept God's incredible grace for me, and His desire to love me not to harm me. much like Lily the cat.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Some great snippets!
Here's one from Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel (which is my commuting book, for when I'm focussed... it is AMAZING! i know I say that about every book I read and every preach I hear and every worship time I attend... but it's just true!!)
We repent because we're forgiven, it's not that we're forgiven because we repented... (let that sink in a little.... IMMMMMENSE TRUTH!)
And some from Banning at the JesusCulture night tonight in Southampton...
... our capacity to love God is only possible as a response to His loving us (Banning gave a brilliant illustration that I'm not eloquent enough to repeat, shame)
.. when we cry out to God, He cannot resist it! So pray, and He loves you so much He'll come!
... 'If no one else goes, I'm going anyway' - the attitude of a revival starter - a leader not a follower.
We repent because we're forgiven, it's not that we're forgiven because we repented... (let that sink in a little.... IMMMMMENSE TRUTH!)
And some from Banning at the JesusCulture night tonight in Southampton...
... our capacity to love God is only possible as a response to His loving us (Banning gave a brilliant illustration that I'm not eloquent enough to repeat, shame)
.. when we cry out to God, He cannot resist it! So pray, and He loves you so much He'll come!
... 'If no one else goes, I'm going anyway' - the attitude of a revival starter - a leader not a follower.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)