The commands Jesus highlighted were to love God and love our neighbour. In coming weeks we will be looking at Jesus top Ten in those two categories. The first is His first Command – Mt.4:17 “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”. Repentance is the first command because it is the key to receiving the grace of God. To repent is simply to change direction. To genuinely repent we need to recognise that we have offended a truly holy God, seek His mercy and live to honour Him. This represents the genuine change that God brings and releases His grace.

Applications:

1. Who do you identify with the most? Peter realising his sin and asking Jesus to leave him (Lk.5); The rich young guy who thought he was OK (Mk.10) or the Pharisees who were full of themselves (Mt.23)?
2. How fully do you think you have appreciated the Holiness of God?
3. How does that understanding guide your life?

As with the other messages in the series, this freedom is found in Christ. In Him we are free of condemnation (Rom.12), renewed by His Spirit (2Cor.5) and chosen by God (Eph.1 & 2). We are gifted for His glory (Eph.2:10; Rom.12) and recipients of His Grace and Favour (Pr.3; Ps.5). More than any others we have the foundations to be confident in the call and blessing of God and so step out to bless others.

Application:

1. In what situations do you find yourself most inhibited?
2. How would an understanding of God’s calling and favour help you in those situations?
3. What changes in your thinking is God pointing you to this week?

Blessings!

“And don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry for anger gives a mighty foothold to the devil.”

Have you ever been really, really, angry, where someone has provoked you? This is the type of anger this verse is referring to, but there is another type.  

Eph 4:31

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behaviour

The two words for anger in these verses are slightly different. The first is about being provoked to anger, the second, which we are to get rid of, is about a character that is defined by anger. We are to get rid of anger because it can become something that defines us and defines our behaviour in the long term.

Freedom from anger does not mean that we supress it either. Supressed anger can also cause us all sorts of problems. Turned in on us it can lead to depression, expressed outwardly and violently, it appears as rage.

If we don’t deal with anger, we become controlled by it.

So, how do we live a life in freedom, a life that is not controlled by anger?

1.    No excuses

Take responsibility for your own anger

Recognise that whilst anger is a natural emotion, it is an indicator that something is wrong.

How is my anger affecting my thoughts, my behaviour and my actions towards myself and towards others?

We must stop blaming others and stop excusing the anger. Instead we can ask ourselves: “What is going on for me here?”  “Why am I feeling angry about this situation?”

Is this anger because something good has been violated?

Or: Am trying to protect my own pride, am I trying to get my own way; am I trying to control others, or a situation?

When we are brave enough to ask ourselves these questions and be honest about them, we can begin to resolve the issues.

2.    Forgive, Forgive, Forgive

Seek forgiveness and extend forgiveness. When we have anger from unresolved issues, and we have identified those issues, then we can begin to move forward.

Matt 18:15 gives us the way. We must go with the right motive!

Firstly deal with our own stuff

Seek God’s forgiveness for our own behaviour. We need to deal with our own stuff and come before God. We need to get the plank out of our own eyes and to come in repentance for our own behaviour. Seek his forgiveness for holding onto anger and extend forgiveness towards others.

Mark 11:25

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

This is tough. Forgiveness is not always easy, and reconciliation is not always possible.

BUT Forgiveness frees us!!!!!!!!!

Who do I still need to forgive?

3. Work on our thinking

Romans 12:2

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect

Freedom from anger is about changed thinking that produces changed behaviour.

1 Peter 1:13

So think clearly and exercise self-control

This means stop replaying the angry thoughts, the hurt thoughts and the bitterness and the resentment we hold onto for real or imagined hurts. Turn the CD player of hurt and resentment in your thoughts off.

Replace the list of resentment and anger with Spirit controlled thinking. Thinking about all that is good and right and lovely.

Where does my thinking need to change?

So, no excuses, forgive freely and change the thinking patterns.

Jesus example is the key for me in gaining freedom from the effects of rejection. He sought and found His approval in His Heavenly Father (Jn.13:2-5 & 8:28-29) and He practiced forgiveness toward those who rejected Him (Lk.23:33-34). I never cease to be amazed by Jesus capacity to rise above the junk of life and take the high road. He was, and is, amazing.

Application:
1. To what extent and in what circumstances are you still seeking the approval of people?
2. Who are you holding bitterness against due to rejection?

Blessings!

Jesus Disciples were no different. In Mark’s gospel chapter 4 we see the wind and waves experience. The Disciples immediately react with fear and panic just as we do. We need to note that Jesus is in the same boat; He is in control and He cares deeply what happens. We often loose that perspective and surrender to fear. Jesus cares what happens to you, He is working out His purpose in your life and He is always with you, whatever you face.

Application:

1. What fears do you battle with the most?
2. What is God’s perspective on that – His plan; His thoughts?
3. What could you do differently this week to break free of those fears?

Blessings – Ron

Over Easter we’ll be focusing on how to start exercising that freedom. We can’t begin to live free if we are bound by a religion that enslaves us to rules, merit and guilt. Jesus came to set us free from that treadmill and lead us to a life of faith and love. Begin your walk of freedom today. Receive His forgiveness (Jn.8:36); focus on grace (Lam.3:21-23; Rom.8:1-2) and live in His Spirit, empowered to be free (Gal.5:13-18)

Application:

1. What do you find restricts your freedom in Christ? What binds you up?
2. What is the difference between religious bondage and God’s grace and forgiveness?
3. How can we live free without indulging the sinful nature?

Blessings!

Paul spends the first eleven chapters talking about God’s grace and his plan of Salvation for all through faith in Christ. Then in chapter 12  he starts writing about how we are to live, and we find that it is because of what God has done for us, it is because of his grace and mercy, because of his kindness, that we are to be “living sacrifices”. It is because of all that he has done, that we are to be transformed.

This is not something to be taken lightly or for granted.

Romans 12:2 says:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of Your mind” (TNIV)

So often we want God to change how we think, but we are actually responsible for changing the way we think. And we can do it because God has given us everything, and has shown his  grace and kindness and mercy towwards us. Our thoughts are our responsibility. The onus is on us to do something positive, to think differently, to be actively thinking differently, because of God’s grace. His grace, and his mercy towards us, is an enabling factor, but it is also our motivation for changed thinking and changed behaviour.

The grace of God is not there just to mop up when we stuff up. Instead, because  of everything God has done for us, we are to live differently and to think differently, not with a worldly perspective but with a Kingdom perspective.   

I got to thinking how that applies to us as individuals – the Cave person or the Kingdom person.. The Cave is characterised by debt, distress and discontent with an inward survival focus majoring on the minor issues with no Kingdom vision. The Kingdom brings unity of purpose, release of joy filled fellowship and leadership with a big Kingdom vision. The question is which person am I?

Application:

1. What parts of the cave person do you still struggle with?
2. How can you build more of a Kingdom connection and vision?
3. What is God speaking to you about to change this week?

Blessings!

To become a hard core misso all you need do is count the cost; determine to do whatever it takes and cultivate an unreasonable perseverance. Easy to say, challenging to live out but within the reach of every follower of Christ. He said to count the cost before we build (Lk.14) and to keep our eyes forward when our hand is to the plow (Lk.9). I am encouraged by the guys who lowered their mate through a roof to bring him to Jesus (Mk.2). That’s the spirit I want to cultivate.

Application:

1. How can you be a hard core misso in Australia?
What does that look like?
2. How can we bring the paralytic to Jesus here and around the world?
3. What is God challenging you about in this area?

Blessings!

Whenever we embark on anything significant, when we resolve upon a course of action, there will be challenges along the way. Working through these is a normal part of life and learning to deal with these situations well makes us stronger.

David was anointed to be the King of Israel, but it did not happen straight away. He faced many challenges to his personal life and to his leadership along the way. There were times when he could have quit, but he did not.

What can we learn from David?

1. Look to God.

God has the answer. Our own perspective can become unreliable or skewed depending on our circumstances but God’s persective is always right and gives us the bigger picture.

Psalm 86:11-12

Teach me your ways O Lord, that I might live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honour you.

With all my heart I will praise you , O lord my God.

I will give glory to your name forever.

Here David is asking for God’s perspective. He is seeking to learn from God and to understand his way, his perspective. David chooses to look to God and to seek him, to glorify his name, and to honour him.

When we read God’s word, when we open our hearts to hear him and to learn from him we get God’s perspective on life and on our circumstance and we can move forward.

We can ask: In what areas of my life do I need to get God’s perspective?

2. Remember the vision

When its tough, go back to the vision God gave you.

When we revisit the vision, we begin to take our eyes off the immediate difficulty and to get the bigger picture of where God is taking us. The vision is not stuck in the “here and now” but speaks of the future, of success and of hope in what God is doing.

We can ask ourselves:

What is the vision for my life/ministry/family?

If you don’t have a vision, seek God. he will give you his vision for your life. Write it down, carry it with you and revisit it. It will encourage and inspire you along the way.

When we remember the vision, we can refocus, get back on track with the vision and begin with a renewed attitude.

3. Keep Going

Those who achieve do so because they do not ever give up, they simply keep going. David could have given up when his family and friends turned on him (1 Sam 30). He returns from battle to find the enemy has taken all his possesions and his family, and those of all his men. His men turned on him, but David found strength in God and did not give up. Instead he pursued the enemy and won back his family and possesions.

David could have quit right there and then. He had already had to deal with Saul wanting his life, and now this. But he did not give up. He sought God, strengthened himself and kept going. He would never have become king if he had given up. He chose to keep going and went on to become the greatest king Israel ever had.

Winston Churchill said “Never, never, never, never give up”. If we determine that we will never give up, we will never quit just because it seems too hard. Our greatest triumph may be just around the corner, we will miss it if we quit, but we will see success if we never give up.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that God is the author and perfecter of our faith. It is God who brings to completion the good work he has started in us. (Phil 1:4).

God is at work, he is making a way. The Apostle Paul understood this. In his letter to the Corinthian church he says:

“Therefore my dear brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain”. 1 Cor 15:58 (NIV).

God is in the business of finishing what he started and he will enable us to keep going to the end.

What areas of our lives do we need to persisit in even though we might feel like giving up?

What strategies will we use to ensure we keep going?

God has a great plan and purpose for us all. Let’s be people who seek God, remember the vision and never give up.

Hebrews 12:1-4 says (NLT)

“ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us”.

The dictionary defines hindrances as:

1.An impeding or stopping, preventing or the like

2. The state of being hindered

3. A person or thing that hinders

So lets look at some of the things that might hinder us.

1. Unresolved past issues

Unresolved issues from our past can stop us from fully embracing our future. Unless we resolve these past issues and are committed to moving into our future, we will struggle to move forward.

What hurt and pain are we carrying that hinders our progress?

Forgiveness, and doing what we are able to do to live in peace with others, helps us to move forward in this process.

Forgiveness is not always easy, but we all need it and we  can all extend it to others.   The Bible says in Luke 11:4 “And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”. The onus for forgiveness is always on us. We can ask ourselves :

Who do we need to forgive?

2. Procrastination 

I call this  the “I’ll do it tomorrow” and  ”it doesn’t really matter” attitude. If we know what we are to do and we don’t do it, we are not following through and we are missing God’s best for us. A good intention remains a good intention until it is acted upon.

Deut 23:21 says:

“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfil all your promises to him, or you will be guilty of sin”.

God says that to not do what we know is right, is actually sin. When we know God is leading us and speaking to us, lets follow through.

What are we putting off today, that we know God is asking us to do? When are we going to do it?

3. Excuses 

These are the “reasons” for behaviour and circumstance we allow to stop us. There is a reason for everything.  We are good at giving excuses and reasons as to why something has or has not happened. We must understand the difference between a reason and an excuse. So often we excuse behaviour and justify with reasons. If we are to continue to live with resolution and to move into all God has for us we must carefully look at what we are allowing ourselves to get away with by making excuses. Excuses are a hindrance. 

Ephesians 5:3-9 says

“ Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true”.

It’s not ok to excuse our bad behaviour. Let’s get good at seeing the reasons but using them to change our behaviour not to perpetuate wrong behaviour.

What are we allowing ourselves to get away with?

What behaviours are we making excuses for?

What changes do we need to make?

4. Fear

Fear is the biggest stealer of our future. Fear if we allow it, becomes crippling and can stop us from stepping out. The Apostle Peter encouraged the people to look to God, to give their cares and worries and fears to him.

1 Peter 5:7 “cast your cares on him because he cares for you”.

The Apostle John, writing about God’s love, tells us that God’s perfect love casts out all fear. When we allow faith to rise up and let God’s love shine on us, and into our situations, his love casts out fear and allows us to move forward into God’s purpose for our lives.

How are we allowing fear to hinder us? What will we do about it?

Seek God and his love and fear will recede.

Let’s become people who live in God’s love and who throw off those things that hinder us from living fully according to God’s good purpose for us.

The text today is Joshua 14:6-15. Caleb is taking hold of the promise of God for his inheritance. A promise he won through wholehearted dedication, speaking out and living by his convictions and drawing on the abiding strength of God. This is an example to follow and a life to emulate (probably without all the killing!!!). Don’t get caught up in fear and doubt. Give yourself wholeheartedly to God and gain the inheritance He has for you and your children.

Application:

1. What fears hold you back from pursuing God with all your heart?
2. What do you believe is God’s purpose for your life? Is His plan good? Does He want to bless you and what for?
3. Is there a step of faith you need to take to claim the inheritance God has for you?

Blessings – Ron

Application:

Q.: What was the first miracle you experienced?
How has God worked in your life to build faith?
Is Jesus the same today as in the exodus and the gospels?
What inhibits or challenges your trust in Him?
What change in attitude or behaviour would you like to make this week to release more faith?

What is God asking you to move forward on?

1.Make a decision to do what God has called us to do, to be different to the world, to work on the things that we want to change.

What decision are you making? What beahviour do you want to change?

We need to make a decision, a determination that we are going to do something. But that is only the first step.

2.If we are to carry out the resolution, then we need to act. This may seem simple, but often our resolution stops at the decision phase and never progresses because we do not act.

What actions do we need to take?  What steps, what plan do we have that we need to begin to act on?

And having begun, what strategies do we have that will help us to continue, regardless of the obstacles that will come and try to stop the plan from taking shape.

The first day of the rest of our life is today. It is a perfect opportunity to determine to make a change, to put into practise those things we know God is calling us to do. Let’s put aside the negative “what ifs” and replace them with the “positive possibilities” that God has in store for us when we step out into his puprose.

3. Lastly, we need to remain accountable to others. This helps us to stay on track, and it makes it much easier for us to follow through on the action for the long term.

Who are we accountable to?

So:

1. Make a decision

2. Act on the decision

3. Stay accountable

Heb.12 tells us to chuck off the weight that pulls us down; run the race hard and keep our focus on Jesus who is the only true source of life and strength. What hang ups are you carrying that need to go? What sin needs to be dealt with so you can freely engage the purpose of God? Don’t let another day go by without taking positive action to free yourself for his glory.

Applications:

1. What do you think are the most common “weights” that limit people from being their best?
What about you – what is holding you back?

2. How could you be more focused on Jesus? How could you make that source more real in your life?

3. What is on your heart for this year in your service of God?

David understood that it is God who enables him and God who makes the way for him. In verses 32, 33 he says it is God who makes him strong, it is God who goes before him and it is God who guides his path. David understood that his hope and his victory were in his God.

This is true for us too. As we embark upon all that God has for us in 2012, let’s remember that it is God who leads us and guides us. It is God who makes our paths straight. He is going before us and leading us into his future for us. Like David we can say that he is our guide and our protector, He is the one who strengthens us and enables us to face everything that is ahead of us. We do not need to worry, or to fear, but like David, we can put our confidence in God, knowing he is faithful and that he is the one who brings the victory.

We are called to represent Jesus to our friends and family, to those we don’t normally connect with in our community (including those we don’t like) and to the people of the world. The methodology remains the same – Jesus said to demonstrate the love of God through good deeds that would cause people to glorify our Heavenly Father (Mt.5:16). He also told us that people would know we were His followers if we loved each other (Jn.13:34-35). So, do good deeds, love God’s people and take your influence throughout the world beginning with your own home.

Application:

1. What have you found most difficult or challenging in Jesus command to go to all the world?
How does that look for you? What has He called you to here and around the world?

2. How are you going in representing Jesus?
What would you like to change or add to your witness?

Blessings!

We have good news. Just like the prophets in the Old Testament, the good news we have, is not just for us, its for others, for those around us and for those who come after us. Peter goes on to say (verses 13-15) that for this reason, we are to think clearly and to exercise self control as we look forward to the future.

Our behaviour affects those around us and the way we live out our faith is seen by others. Peter says we are to live as God’s obedient children, to live a holy life before God and before others.

I challenge us to ask ourselves: What does my life say about God and about my saviour? Am I living with God’s purpose and with others in mind, or just for myself?

What do others see of my faith? How do others view  God based on how I live?

If we are honest with God and with ourselves, we would probably find lots of room for improvement. Don’t be discouraged. Just make a decision before God to live differently, to live his way and to live in obedience to him. Ask other’s to help you stay accountable and take responsibility yourself for how you behave.

Let God transform your thinking, fill your life with God’s word, and think about all that is good and right and lovely. Then you will live as God calls you to. 

The characteristics of a life of faith are relationship and obedience. The narrow way is walked by those who have a genuine relationship with God and make decisions each day to live His way and for His honour. James describes it as a faith that is lived out in works and says that that kind of faith is the only one that saves (Jms.2:14-17).

Application:

1. What changes has God brought about in you since He saved you?
What kid of good fruit is evidence of a good tree?

2. How are you going with obedience?
What areas of life do you struggle to submit to God’s way?

Remember: Jesus message began with blessings and His intent for you is to live your absolute best!

We know from Luke 1 that Elizabeth was a godly woman, and the mother of John the Baptist. We know she was considered past child bearing and that John was a great delight and answer to prayer. Anna was also old, and had been widowed a long time. She lived in the Temple and was a prophetess.

What do we learn from these women?

1. They had a desire for God. 

Anna had placed herself in the Temple (Luke 2) and worshipped God there. Elizabeth lived a godly life; her situation was different but she placed her herself to be used by God.

God speaks when we place ourselves in a position to hear. Anna was positioned in the Temple in a position that enabled her to hear from God and to act.

How are we placed? Are we  in a place where we can hear God? How have we prepared ourselves to hear from God and respond to him?

 Hebrews 10:19-20 tells us we can boldly enter into God’s presence because of the blood of Jesus. He has made a way and we can enter right into his presence. We can position ourselves to hear.

2. They had an expectant attitude

Both these women had an expectant attitude. Elizabeth was not only expecting her own baby, but she was also expectant about the Messiah. When Mary, expecting Jesus, visited Elizabeth we read that her baby leapt within her, and she said:

“What an honour this is that the mother of my Lord should come”.

She was expecting so much more than a physical baby. She was looking to and expecting the saviour of the world, and recognised him when Mary came.

I love the expectant attitude that Anna had, she was expecting to hear from God and she was expecting the Messiah, her saviour.

What attitude do we have? Are we living expectantly. Are we expecting amazing things to happen?

 We have a God who makes the impossible possible. An expectant attitude is a faith attitude. It says that even when it seems impossible, God is able to make it possible.

So many of us fail to live in the grace of God, especially towards the people around us. We are reactionary and judgmental and end up striving when we should be trusting our heavenly Father. What a difference it makes in life when we take responsibility for our own faults and trust God to meet our needs by His grace. Don’t live in fear, judgement and striving but in the loving grace of God.

Application:

1. How are you at judging others?
What’s first – their problem or my contribution to our problem?

2. Why don’t I believe that God will give good gifts to me?
Do I need to try harder or be more worthy?

3. What change in thinking or action is God looking for in me this week?

Blessings!

In Mat.6 Jesus transitions from religious practices to the heart of the issue. He uses three questions to focus attention on the state of our hearts and what’s important in life. Where’s your Treasure? How’s your Eye? Who are you serving? His point is that we can serve God or we can serve Earthly desires but not both.

The conclusion Jesus draws is to serve the Kingdom of God with a confident faith that flows out of the assurance that we are valued and known by God. Our efforts and performance will always fall short but if we keep the focus of faith in God, He will bless and provide.

Application:

1. How valued are you in God’s eyes?
In what ways do you struggle with that question? Do you really believe it?

2. Can we call down fire (1Ki.18:36) and speak to the tomb (Jn.11:41)?
Does God see us differently to Elijah and Jesus?

We can learn alot from the mustard seed. Though small and seemingly insignificant, it grows to something significant. Though tiny, within its DNA is everything that enables it to become a mustard bush. So just a couple of quick thoughts.

1. God says that we have everything we need, that he has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm. (Eph 1:3) Just like the mustard seed, through Jesus we have been given everything we need to become larger and to grow. To grow the mustard seed must first be planted. We can ask ourselves, Are we firmly planted where we can grow? Are we firmly planted in the house of God? We grow well and flourish when planted in God’s house (see psalm 92). 

2. The mustard seed must be transformed to become a mustard plant. Though it has everything it needs to become a plant it cannot stay a seed. It must be transformed, not conformed. Paul says in Romans 12:2 not to be conformed to the world in our thinking, but to be transformed. What changes do we need to make today to begin the work of transformation in our thinking and to move away from being conformed in our thinking by worldly thoughts and attitudes?

3. The mustard seed becomes a mustard plant. It does not become a rose bush or any other type of plant. It is true to what it has been created to be. Sometimes we spend so much time and energy trying to be something other than what God created us to be. I guess at times we have all done that, but God has created each of us speacially and with our own DNA and with our own calling. He has created us to be his masterpiece. When we get on board with God’s agenda, and seek to be who he called us to be and to live according to his purpose, then no matter how small we start out, God can take it and use it to do something amazing within us and through us.

4. When we have faith as a mustard seed, then we can speak to the “mountain”s in our lives and they will move. We don’t need much faith, but we need to exercise what we have. When we are following God’s plan and purpose for our lives, then, when we exercise mustard seed faith, those mountains will move.  

Mary can teach us much about making a difference in our world. Three observations: Deal with your junk; Lift your Head and Meet a need. I’m quite taken that the women showed up to anoint a dead body and were commissioned to declare His resurrection (Mk.16:1-7). It seems they struggled to get on with it (v.8) but Mary got on with the job.

Application:

1. What is holding you back from doing all God has called you to?

2. What help could you get to move forward with that?

3. What one need stays with you and is always first to mind?
Maybe one thing in the Church; and in the Community/Work place; and in our Missions program.

Application:

1. What areas of your life are in danger of becoming “religious” practices instead of life giving processes?

2. How are you going with the three areas Jesus highlights – giving, prayer and fasting?
(NB: In Giving – Think beyond offerings to the needs that are around you.)

3. What changes will you make this week?

Last week we saw that Jesus is calling for a transformation from being poor in spirit to taking our stand in representing God. It’s a powerful transformation by the love and grace of God. This week we explore the outworking of that transformation in a life that honours God. The remainder of Matthew 5 (v.13-48) records Jesus teaching on how to be salt and light in the real world. His challenge to value relationships and express a love that goes beyond the norm can be confronting but remember, this is the Son of God telling us how life is to be lived to the full.

Application:

1. Who do you find it most difficult to love? Is there an “enemy”, a family member or work colleague you struggle with?

2. What is God challenging you to do to make a difference in that relationship?

Supplementary: What is one thing you could change to make life better for your spouse?

Blessings – Ron

Jesus tells us to store up treasure in Heaven where the treasure we have will last forever (Matt 6:19-21).You see, where we place our treasure is where our heart is. As followers of Christ, we are to keep our focus on the things of Heaven.   Col 3:1-3 tells us that because we have been raised with Christ, we are to set our hearts on things above, and not on earthly things. Where is your heart set? Is it focussed on the things of God, or is it focussed on the things you think you need here on earth? This is an important question for us all to answer. Where our heart is, is where we will place our treasure.

So how do we store treasure in heaven? The answer is to seek God’s Kingdom above all else, and to trust God with our daily needs. Paul writes to Timothy about this in 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will store up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

In many ways we live in uncertain days, but we do not put our hope here. Our hope is in God, who wants to provide more than what we need and who is rich in blessing toward us. We store up treasure for the future by being rich in good works, by living in generosity towards others, by trusting God to provide our needs and by maintaining a Kingdom focus.

Matthew 6:33 Says “But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. As we place God and his Kingdom as the focus of our lives, then he will provide the things we need. 

So, seek God and his Kingdom first, above all else. Place your confidence and your hope in him. You will not be disappointed.  

“So think clearly and exercise self control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.  You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy”.

It’s quite clear that we are called to holy living. This means living life according to God’s standards, exercising self control  and not just following our own desires. The Bible gives us a standard.  Colossians 3:1-17  is a great passage that sets out for us what we need to remove from our lives and what qualities we should have for living a holy life.

My challenge to us all is to read this passage, and ask God to show us what we need to remove from our lives so that we can live to his standards.

Ask yourself:

What is God asking me to change in my life?

How will I make the necessary changes?

Who will hold me accountable?

Ephesians 3:20 says:

“God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according to his power at work in us”.

What breakthrough do you need in your life? Who are you praying for that needs a breakthrough in their life? Whatever it is GOD IS ABLE.

God has given us his Spirit; he has given us all that we need and blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Do you know that even before the creation of the world he had us in his heart and wanted us in his family?

Eph 1:3-5

“Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing. in the Heavenly realm. Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be Holy and without fault before him. Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children-this was his pleasure and purpose.”

Did you see that God has already given us everything we need? He had already decided he wanted us to be in his family. The question is not what God has given us but what will we do with what he has already given us. Will we take hold of what he has already done?

We are entering a really exciting time for our church (like really exciting) and I believe God has amazing breakthrough planned for us all. The truth though, is that it is up to us to grab hold of what God has done. It is up to us to grab hold of everything he has given us and to grab hold of all that he has for us. No-one else can do it for us.

Will you take hold of what God has done for you?

As we enter the coming weeks, prepare for breakthrough. It’s on it’s way.

Ezekiel speaks in chapter 14 of idols of the heart.

“Son of Man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin”.

I believe there is a clear challenge to us to examine our own hearts and to look carefully at where we are placing our priorities. We can ask ourselves the question:

What are we embracing in our heart that is dangerous and could cause us to fall into sin, living in a way that does not honour God?

God calls the people to repent and to turn away from their sin, those things that stop them from wholeheartedly worshipping him. We too have an opportunity to turn away from the things that affect our relationship with God. God is a gracious and loving God who desires relationship with us. He has made a way through Jesus for us to come to him and to be cleansed and made whole.

1 John 1:9 says that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What is in your heart? Does God have the first place in your life and are you wholeheartedly serving him? If something has taken his place in your heart, I encourage you to deal with it; bring it to God and allow his forgiveness to set you free.

Jesus’ response was: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength”

I think there are some important things we can learn from this. The most obvious one is that love for God should be the most important thing for us and the driving force behind all we do, especially as we love others.

What does it mean to love God this way? Here are some thoughts:

All the heart implies love from within our spirit as we are spiritual beings and we connect to God through our spirit. God wants relationship with us and he sends his Spirit to us so that through our inner most being we have the capacity to love God. The heart implies the deepest part of us and we are to love God, from the deepest, innermost part of our being. But what about all our soul, all our mind and all our strength? Our soul includes our emotional self, so we need to be people who are deliberate about bringing our emotions in line with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our spirit, and not allow our emotions to dictate whether we love God or not. Our feelings are important, but they are indicators to us of what is happening inside of us, and should never be a driving force for how we act. We may not “feel” like loving God but we choose to anyway.

Our Mind, the way we think, is important too. Jesus was saying that we need to love God with our thought life; that our thinking should be brought in line with what the Bible says, about how we are to live and how we are to love God (and others). Romans 12:1-2 talks about being transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is because we need to work at bringing our thinking into line with God’s, and what God says about himself and about us. We are to take responsibility for our thoughts and to deal with those that are not right by taking them captive and allowing God to change the way we think. It is not just thinking about how we love God, but it is showing how we love him by allowing him to work on the way we think to have our thoughts centred on him and in what he is doing, being obedient to his word. So, heart, soul, mind, and finally, strength; I believe that what Jesus is saying is that we are to put all our energies into loving God. We show that we love God by loving others. This takes energy, and is sometimes difficult, but if we make an effort to love God, if we are deliberate about our actions, if we are choosing to love him and to love others with everything we have, then we are getting somewhere to loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength.

I challenge you to grow in your love for God, making a decision (and maybe changing some habits and ways of thinking) to love God better, heart, soul, mind and strength.

To “make every effort” requires action on our part. God’s promises are available, but we are responsible to make an effort. This implies working hard, putting in the time and energy that is needed. It means making  quality decisions based on the word of God,  including the  hard decisions. It means choosing to follow God’s ways even when it seems difficult, living with moral excellence,  exercising self control, and being patient with people.

There is a reward for this. Peter tells us the more we grow in these things, the more productive and useful we will be in our knowledge of Jesus (vs 8). I don’t know about you, but I want to be productive and useful for the Kingdom of God. Let’s make a decision to “make every effort” to grow in our faith and then start working on it, so that we are productive and able to live the way God has called us to, and to become who he has called us to be.

Our purpose is what we are called to do, and uses the unique gifts and talents God has given us. How do we find our purpose? We take what we already have and begin to use it for God. What are you good at? What resources are available to you? It does not have to be huge. God is happy to start with whatever we have. If we offer it to him, he can use it way beyond what we could imagine.

When Moses was asked to go and free the people of Israel, God told him to look at what was in his hand and to use what he had. It was just a staff, but God was able to use it for his purpose. We all have something in our hand that is the first step on the road to discovering purpose. We use what we have and we move forward as God enables and directs.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

It seems odd to think about purpose in this context but the truth is that one day we will no longer be here on this earth, and we will not be able to do anything or plan anything. The opportunity will have gone. Let’s not waste time now,  but let’s get about God’s purpose while we are alive and able to do so. Let’s take what we have in our hand, and do it with all our might, knowing that God’s purpose will be accomplished. There are many opportunities awaiting, so let’s engage God’s purpose for our lives because we will only truly find fulfillment when we engage God’s purpose wholeheartedly.

Often physical strength comes to mind, maybe someone who is able to do great feats, or some super hero changing the world. But strength is more than a physical thing. Inner strength, the ability to persevere and endure is different.

What gives us inner strength? How do we become strong in our soul?

The Bible tells us that God is our strength, that we draw strength from him, by trusting him, by living in obedience to him. Habakkuk found his strength in God, he turned to God to draw on God’s strength in his life. He said even when it all seems bad, God the Lord is my strength, Habakkuk 3:18-19

David also found strength in his God. When no-one else was able to stand by him, he went to God and drew strength from his God. (1 Sam 30:6).  David had to learn how to draw strength from God, and we can too. There will be times when others are not able to come alongside and when no-one else is there to build us up. These are the times we need to learn how to rely on God and draw strength from him. It is a choice we make.

Inner strength is developed over time and requires practice. It doesn’t just happen because we want it to. Developing a strength of character or an inner strength is all about the decisions we make each day, how we choose to respond and by understanding our feelings and emotions, but not allowing them to dictate our actions.

Strength is built day by day and week by week by putting into practice what we know, by drawing strength from God,  by learning more about ourselves, by learning where our strengths are and by building on them for the future.

How Do you respond in any situation good or bad? Is your response a positive one or a negative one? Is it a response that builds towards a good out come for everyone or a response that ends badly. When we can take a good hard look at our selves, we can begin to identify areas that we need to change, areas where we need to understand more about ourselves and areas where we need to grow (or in some cases just grow up). We can then make decisions based on who God is and not just react to a situation.

Knowing that we have a choice in how we respond is empowering because it means we don’t have to keep going the way we are, it means we can change, we can develop strength and we can make our own decisions. We are responsible for the decisions we make, our thoughts feelings and actions and understanding this empowers us. It means we don’t have to go with the flow or with the crowd. We can make decisions based on what we believe is right and what we know is right and not react. We become people who respond , from strength of character and from who we are in God and not from circumstance. I encourage all of us to develop our inner strength and become strong in God.

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”.

What makes the masterpiece valuable? It is one of a kind, it is carefully created and it is loved by the creator. We are not a collection of genes, randomly put together. We are a masterpiece, we are God’s masterpiece, created by a creator who has put a great deal of love and thought into who we are and who we will be.

A masterpiece is created in the mind of a person, thought of, and valued before it ever comes into being. Once the creator has the masterpiece in mind, he sees it as it will be and then he sets about making what he sees into reality. God has created you as his masterpiece, he saw you long before you were created and he created you making you just the way he saw you.

God’s message to the prophet Jeremiah was:

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart, and appointed you as a prophet to the nations”. Jeremiah 1:5

Our call might be different to Jeremiah’s, but for each of us we can say that God knew us before we were formed. We were known by God and in his heart and mind, long before we were even conceived. Psalm 139:13-16 is a really well known psalm, but read through it. See it in a new light. Meditate on how amazing you are and how God has made each intricate part of you, not just your physical body, but every part of you.

How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as God’s masterpiece? As God’s masterpiece you are something to stand in awe of, you are distinct and distinguished and you are surpassing, wonderful and extraordinary. Our birth is never a mistake. We are created for this time and place because God had us in his mind long ago.

Paul takes it a step further in verse 8. He says, thank God and then fix your thoughts on what is good and right and lovely, and on what is pure and true and honest.  I think if we did that more we would certainly worry less. When I am worrying, I’m not always great to be around. Worry is consuming and distracting. When I think on what is good and right and lovely, I am much more likely to be positive and have the right attitude. Take a look at yourself and do a check. What are you worrying about? Pray about it and tell God about it and thank him for what he has already done. Then, take it that step further, fill your thoughts with all the things that are pure and honourable, right and true. Fix your thoughts on the good things God has done and what his word says, and you will find that worry will not consume you, but the peace of God will.

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter; see you at Stuart Park on Friday for communion at 8am.

“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will always bring honour to Christ, whether I live or die.”  (Philippians 1:20)

It was the words “always honour Christ” that I found so challenging. Most of us want to live a life that honours Christ but actually doing it is another thing all together. The challenge is to live what we believe, to back up our words and motives with our actions.

To live a life that is always honouring to Christ, no matter what the circumstances, takes courage and discipline. For me this means watching my attitudes, keeping a check on them and making sure they are always positive. It means thinking about my actions and looking at them in the light of God and what he would want them to be, then acting accordingly. It means doing everything without complaining and arguing, (Philippians 2:14) just getting on with what God wants me to do.

Living this way is not easy, but we are able to do it because God is at  work in us, helping us to do his will and live our lives his way. If we allow him to work in us, to change us, and to be open to what he is doing, if we truly want to take on the challenge of always honouring Christ with our lives, then God will enable us. Are you willing  to take on the challenge?

Esther was placed in a harem and was faithful and became Queen. When the King decided to kill the Jewish people, her uncle Mordecai tells her that she has been made queen “for such a time as this”. (Esther 4:15). We know that Esther took a great risk, but God used her to save his people. Both these people were placed by God into situations less than what they expected, but God was able to use them to bring about his purpose and bring something to their lives which was far above and beyond what they could have hoped or dreamed.

Ultimately, we see God bringing salvation to the entire world through his son Jesus. At the right time God sent his Son to die for us and to bring us into relationship with Him.

“But when the right time came, God sent his son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Gal:4:4-5).

God’s timing is always right. Esther and Joseph  are only a couple of examples but the Bible is full of people who God was able to use “at the right time” for his purpose, regardless of what their circumstance was. This means that all of us are also placed on the earth at the right time and place. None of us are here by accident and all of us are in the right place at the right time, where God is able to fulfill his purposes through us to bring salvation to others.

We might not see yet what God is doing in a situation, but like Esther and Joseph, he has a purpose for our lives which is far above what we could have planned for ourselves, far more exciting and also far more fulfilling. Let God get a hold of you and allow him to work his purpose out in your life.

Recently I was reading about Simeon in Luke 2:25-32. He was a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit and he was waiting to see the Messiah. When Jesus was presented at the Temple as a baby, Simeon was led by the Spirit to be in the Temple at the same time and to see his long awaited Messiah. The NLT says he was “eagerly expectant”.  Simeon’s eager expectation was rewarded with the fulfillment of God’s promise, not just God’s personal promise to him, but God’s promise for the world.

Are we eagerly expectant? Do we bring into our world an eager expectation that God will act, not just on our behalf but for others as well. I hope so. Expectation builds excitement for the things of God in our own lives and it is contagious in the best possible way, as it brings expectation and excitement into the lives of others around us. God is an amazing God and we, like Simeon, can be excited and expectant about what he is doing in the world around us as we continue our amazing  journey with him.

This year, 2011, is already shaping up to be a great year. There is a sense of excitement as I talk to people, a sense that this year there will be breakthrough and growth in the life of our church and in the lives of individuals. As I read the Bible I am reminded that God is working out his plan and his purpose and we have the privilege of being part of that.

I was struck recently by the story of Noah. This is a story that I had read many times and heard about many times in my life, but a few words from Genesis 6 really stood out. I’m sure I’ve read these words before, but here they were, fresh and new. (By the way, I love the way the Bible is fresh and new whenever we read it.)

“Noah was as righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at that time. He consistently followed God’s will and enjoyed a close relationship with him”. Gen 6:9 (NLT)

The Bible says that Noah was the only blameless person on earth at the time (This is pretty amazing in itself). The words that really resonated with me though, were the words “consistently followed”  and “close relationship”. Noah clearly spent time with God!! I began to think about how we can become sporadic in the way we serve God, following his will sometimes and not at others. Would people say that we are consistently following God’s will? I was quite challenged to reassess my own consistency! What impressed God was that Noah wanted to be close to Him and wanted to be consistent in the way he served God, being consistent in doing God’s will. God therefore chose Noah for something great, to be part of His plan and purpose for the future of mankind.

As we move through this year, let’s determine to be like Noah, and be consistent in the way we serve God: consistently following His will, consistent in reading His word and consistent in building our relationship with Him, so that we too can enjoy a consistent and close relationship with God. As we do this we will see God move mightily in the life of our church as His plan and purpose is fulfilled. Love Jill

Their question is one we can ask ourselves today. Who is Jesus to us? Is he the one who  saves us when we ask (I hope he is that) or is he more than that to us? Is he the one who is Lord of our lives, powerful and able to make a difference in our lives? Is Jesus the one who has control, or do we still want to control life ourselves? Is Jesus the one who has the answers for our life in all situations, or just the person to get us out of trouble or a difficult time.

The disciples ultimately had to come to a place where they could say that not only was Jesus their saviour but he was Lord of their lives. Later Peter acknowledged Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God”. On the lake that day they got a glimpse of who Jesus is. He is the one who is the answer to our life, not just for salvation but for everyday in everything. Let’s never forget that the one who can control the wind and the waves is more than able to deal with anything and everything we can ever come across or face in our lives.

Who is Jesus to you?

Isaiah 40:31

“Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,

they shall rise up on wings as eagles,

they shall run and not grow weary,

they shall walk and not faint”.

Lets continue to wait on God and press  in to all God has for us.

I’m always looking up original language bible helps, commentaries and all kinds of Church related topics. The information is so amazing and so fast – it’s great!

I’m enjoying Craig Groschel’s podcasts at the moment as they are totally free and complete. He’s very challenging personaly, really get’s to heart of life. Very good! I’d also encourage the use of “Cell Church Solutions” which is Joel Comiskey’s great cell church site. Heather loves Phil Baker’s blog site and off course you can follow Life House blogs from Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Tokyo.

If I was more savy I would have put in links but I’m pretty hopeless with that so just look it up for yourself and stay away from the rubbish. On that – know what your tempatations are and if you can’t get it under control be accountable to someone who will ask how you’re going and randomly check your history (best to get a computer geek to overcome the tricky deletions).

Blessings – Ron

I have been reading through Judges. Judges is full of great and inspiring stories of heroism and of God’s great victories for his people, to save them from oppression. I love the story of Deborah as Judge of Israel (Judges 5-6) and her great ability to handle the situations that she faced, the bravery of people like Jael who took hold of the opportunity for victory (even if it was bit gruesome) and the judges who followed God and restored justice to the people. But then you get to parts of Judges that seem to just be horrible. The story in chapter 19 about a Levite and his concubine is truly horrific and would make anyone question what was going on in the head of the Levite to allow such terrible things to happen (read the story, it really is awful). I began to think about such stories and their relevance to us. 2 Timothy 3:16 says all Scripture is useful for teaching, correcting etc. so there must be some point to it for us.

The answer is in Judges 21:25. “In those days, Israel had no King; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes”.

I began to see that there is a great warning here about what happens when we get complacent, when we stop seeking God and especially when we stop passing on to others the truth of God, who he is, and our need for him. The real issue for the people was not that there was no king, but that they did whatever seemed right to them, with no accountability and no input at all from God and his Word. When we stop looking to God we start doing what seems right to us, but we can so easily be led into doing really dumb stuff (or some truly awful stuff) when left to ourselves.

We need to continually look to God and to his direction so that we do what is right in God’s eyes and not our own (and we need to be accountable to others in the process). This is why reading the Word and journalling are so important. It is why Life Group is so important. They enable us to stay on track, to be accountable, to look to God, to seek him, to ask his direction and to listen to what he is saying. And then we need to put it into practice so we grow in our Christian life and our walk with God.

Love Jill

Awesome – Go the Team Players!

So: Where do we get our direction for life from?

From God, and from people we know who love God and can be trusted.  This means that we seek guidance from God through the Word of God and spending time in God’s presence,  and from people we know are following God, living a godly example.  I hope that we choose carefully  who we allow to speak into our lives.

The psalmist continues by saying that those who follow the way of the Lord are like trees planted by the water, bearing fruit and prospering in whatever they do. Trees planted by the water always have enough, they are able to grow strong and develop the way they are supposed to. They bear fruit regularly, and they stand firm and tall.

Jesus tells us in John 15:16 that we are appointed to bear lasting fruit. It is our call and our purpose. Let’s make the effort to set an example for others, to be the ones leading the way in seeking God, choosing carefully who we listen to and take advice from, living by His Word and bearing fruit for His Kingdom.

Love Jill

The urgent gets our attention simply because it is urgent, but it’s doing the important things that enables us to be productive. Focussing on the important actually means we end up with less of the urgent in the long run. The urgent will always be there, but focussing on the important and getting those things done, means that not only are there less urgent things to have to deal with, but when something that is both urgent and important comes along, we are better placed and better able to deal with it.

So: Think about your life.

How much of it is spent dealing with the “urgent” rather than the “important”?

What do you need to change or do differently in your life to enable you to focus on the really important things?

Now, determine that you will make those changes (go on, you can do it), and ask someone to hold you accountable to them.

If we do this we can be much more productive in all areas of our life and achieve more for God’s Kingdom purposes.

Love Jill.

Exodus has snippets of his story before the conquest.  Joshua became a leader after many years of service to the people of Israel as they traversed the wilderness. He fought battles along the way (Exodus 17:10), he had to learn to trust God and he was faithful in his service. When Moses was on Mt Sinai meeting with God, Joshua went as his assistant. He was not amongst those who built a golden calf, he was waiting for Moses and he was willing to learn from him. He developed and took responsibility for his faith life. He spent the bulk of his time learning from those who were Godly and who loved God. This enabled him to become the kind of person who was able to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land.

It was his attitude that meant that he was willing to hear God and to listen to him and to seek him,  to do what he said. I think this is the kind of attitude God wants from all of us;  a heart willing to serve others. A heart willing to serve and to learn, willing to take time to be in God’s presence, be obedient and then lead others from that position.

Love Jill