At the church I attend Pastor has been emphasising on this year being year of letting God's Kingdom come as we focus on His is the Kingdom, the power and the glory!
So, I meditated on this and began to think how much of God's Kingdom do I really know? In every Kingdom there is someone who has dominon and there are usually rules to follow or some boundaries in place. For example in England it is illegal drive without a seatbelt, however in other places this may be permitted. You always hear in the news of people who go to other countries and do not always know the laws of the land as they contrast greatly to what they used to and they end up breaking those rules unaware and find themselves in serious trouble! Every Kingdom has a way of doing things. In God's Kingdom there is a way of doing things and just to look at one: UNITY.
Especially this year I really do think this is important - reading in Romans 14 (Romans 14:20) In verse 20, Paul says that we shouldnt undo the work of God. In this chapter he is speaking a lot about unity andhow our beliefs or more our opinions on what we can or cant eat shouldn't affect our relationships with one another. After reading verse 20, I thought, what is the work of God? So I went back to the previous verse....we should pursue harmony with one another...so is not God's work unity. Did Jesus not come for us to be one?!
We so easily forget the power of unity and believe in the power of one, opposed to the power of One. I know that one person can make a significant difference but sometimes we think only one can make the difference and forget the One.
Abraham. We know him from the Bible. We especially know him if we used to sing (8) Father Abraham had many sons (8) ... Now you're singing the song :p... But stay with me :) i LOVE the story of Abraham and Lot and the last time i read it, I saw something I had missed before. Abraham had been told by God to go to the land that He will show him andhad been given a promise by God, that He would bless him and make him a great nation. What an awesome promise! So Abraham journeyed with his wife and nephew, Lot, and their flocks and herds. We hear in Genesis 13 that Abraham was rich and Lot also had his flocks and herds, so where they dwelt at the time was not big enough for them. Soon argument erupted between Abrahams herdsmen and Lots herdsmen! It was not working out. Now what would your response have been. If you were Abraham would you tell Lot that God promised you a land so you're staying there?! If you were Lot would you tell Abraham that Gods given him a land so the right to stay is yours?! Abrahams response was significant to me, 'Are we not brothers?' Wow! If we approached many of our conflicts like this, would we see the power of One. What was more important to Abraham in this instance? What do we see as more important? Our dreams coming to pass or that we are One?
Romans 16:16 reads 'Greet one another with a holy kiss'. Whoa whoa whoa! Some of you are screaming. I know in a lot of conversations this scripture has caused many different reactions but when i thought about it, i personally think there can only be one response. If we think about culture, i'm guessing (forgive me if i am wrong) that it was the way they would greet one another in that time. A kiss is a way of showing affection- showing you care for that person. Now every culture is different. This form of greeting may offend some, but a form of greeting would still stand in that culture that shows some form of affection. A gladness in seeing someone. I think Paul was reiterating the importance of us holding one another in high esteem, how see one another and how we approach one another. The power of One.
The question is like asking how do we show love to one another? Do we even see it as important? Are we not brothers?
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Monday, 7 January 2013
What you got?
To whom MUCH is given...Much is required!
What have you got?
A boy goes to listen to the teachings of a well known teacher. As he gets deep into thought about what is being spoken, a sound disturbs him. A rumbling sound. What was it? Was it him? He clutches his stomach and looks around quickly to see if anybody else heard the despairs of his stomach. No. They were too busy thinking about their own stomachs. He had been so distracted in those past two minutes that he had not realised that the teacher had finished and people had been muttering about food. In the distance, he noticed the teacher being approached by his disciples with the disciples asking about where they can get food from. The boy began to dig in his pockets to see if he brought any snacks with him. He had been in such a rush! Why did he not bring any food? Surely the disciples will struggle to find food for such a large crowd. Something caught his eye. Another small boy was approaching the disciples...with his...packed lunch! The boy smiled to himself- how generous of the boy to offer his food to Jesus and His disciples. But what about everyone else?! The boy could see lips moving- a lot of conversation. Jesus then took the bread from the boy said a few words and broke the bread. The disciples then began passing the food around amongst the crowd!! The crowd! He was sure there were only 5 loaves and 2 fish in the packed lunch! The boy thought he had better get going home. It will be disappointing if he waits to see if the food will reach him. He was at the back of the crowd! On the other hand, he had heard many stories about Jesus. Imagine if he left and missed out on seeing a miracle. It wasn't long until the boy was well fed...all because of 5 loaves and 2 fish.
This a well known story in the Bible found in the Gospels, where Jesus feeds a large crowd with just 5 loaves and 2 fish! Imagine if that young boy didn't bring his lunch to Jesus. Would the people in the crowd starve? Jesus used what was brought to Him?
We have so much inside of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 reads that we have this treasure in our earthen vessels! Find your Bible! Read that scripture! I wasn't lying was I?! There is treasure inside of you! So what have you got?!
I was thinking the other day about our lifestyles. How much we offer in life? How much we hold back? I know I hold back because I either think that I have nothing to offer or what I do have is insignificant. Pastors able to preach the Word. So and so can encourage that person. All I can say is have a good week! But hold that thought- there's a higher thought to displace it....we have this treasure in our earthen vessels! God has put things in our hands, things in us, things around us - how are we using them? There are people in the world waiting to be fed. Many times in the Old Testament, we read of God's people crying out for deliverance. God answered their prayer using people on the earth! Why? Because they had hidden treasure! A lot of us are crying out and God is calling us to use what we have got! Why? Because we have hidden treasure!
Sometimes we think that much is not required from us, because we have not been given much true. It is true that people do have different levels of responsibilities but much is still required, because we all have been given much-though we sometimes despise the much. We have to be careful not to despise what God has given to us. Esau did that to his birthright, because at the time it was insignificant to him. We can see what we have as insignificant and hold back! The Bible teaches us that Christ is in us the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Now I don't know about you, but as I read Bible I find that Christ is a lot! A lot of love, a lot of wisdom, a lot of joy, a lot of peace. And I have that inside of me :O We can not despise what we have (nor who we are-but that is a whole nother topic!). We have been given much-much is required. The boy could have kept his insignificant lunch to himself, but he gave it to Jesus, who has the power to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!
On a side not- we have been given authority. Things that are not right in this world- we can change. By the power of His Spirit, we can move forward and be world changers! Me and a friend recently started to help out at the church I attend by doing the PA system. Now I knew just about nothing about PA systems. I only knew how to turn something up and down and use the power button! I now found myself learning how to alter sounds and to ensure sounds blend and....o wait...that person needs a little more reverb and....it will sound great if I put a delay in here. One day whilst working the PA system I learnt about authority and responsibility. In Christ we have authority. Only whilst working on the PA system did I have authority over the sound. Outside of that I couldn't be telling anybody what to do (especially as I didn't even know how to work it before!). I was listening the sound and realised something wasn't right and thought to myself "Somebody should really fix that!". After a few seconds I realised that that somebody was me! *sigh* How many times do we look on and say "Somebody should really fix that!" when God has given us the peace, joy and wisdom to bring to situations- the authority to change situations!
What I love about this story is that the boy brought 5 small loaves and 2 small fishes! And it fed about 5,000 people. They boy was probably thinking, I will keep my food to myself - it's just about enough to feed me, let alone 5,000. "I will keep my joy to myself, I just about have enough." "I will keep my peace to myself, I just about have enough." " I will keep that Word to myself, I just about have enough." We hold back and can even get stingy with it! How much faith did that young boy have?! Give his lunch away! All who know me know how much I love food! I'm not sure I could give that away so easily! But God has the power to multiply what we give Him! What will you bring to Jesus? The world is waiting to see the goodness of God through you.....
What have you got?
A boy goes to listen to the teachings of a well known teacher. As he gets deep into thought about what is being spoken, a sound disturbs him. A rumbling sound. What was it? Was it him? He clutches his stomach and looks around quickly to see if anybody else heard the despairs of his stomach. No. They were too busy thinking about their own stomachs. He had been so distracted in those past two minutes that he had not realised that the teacher had finished and people had been muttering about food. In the distance, he noticed the teacher being approached by his disciples with the disciples asking about where they can get food from. The boy began to dig in his pockets to see if he brought any snacks with him. He had been in such a rush! Why did he not bring any food? Surely the disciples will struggle to find food for such a large crowd. Something caught his eye. Another small boy was approaching the disciples...with his...packed lunch! The boy smiled to himself- how generous of the boy to offer his food to Jesus and His disciples. But what about everyone else?! The boy could see lips moving- a lot of conversation. Jesus then took the bread from the boy said a few words and broke the bread. The disciples then began passing the food around amongst the crowd!! The crowd! He was sure there were only 5 loaves and 2 fish in the packed lunch! The boy thought he had better get going home. It will be disappointing if he waits to see if the food will reach him. He was at the back of the crowd! On the other hand, he had heard many stories about Jesus. Imagine if he left and missed out on seeing a miracle. It wasn't long until the boy was well fed...all because of 5 loaves and 2 fish.
This a well known story in the Bible found in the Gospels, where Jesus feeds a large crowd with just 5 loaves and 2 fish! Imagine if that young boy didn't bring his lunch to Jesus. Would the people in the crowd starve? Jesus used what was brought to Him?
We have so much inside of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 reads that we have this treasure in our earthen vessels! Find your Bible! Read that scripture! I wasn't lying was I?! There is treasure inside of you! So what have you got?!
I was thinking the other day about our lifestyles. How much we offer in life? How much we hold back? I know I hold back because I either think that I have nothing to offer or what I do have is insignificant. Pastors able to preach the Word. So and so can encourage that person. All I can say is have a good week! But hold that thought- there's a higher thought to displace it....we have this treasure in our earthen vessels! God has put things in our hands, things in us, things around us - how are we using them? There are people in the world waiting to be fed. Many times in the Old Testament, we read of God's people crying out for deliverance. God answered their prayer using people on the earth! Why? Because they had hidden treasure! A lot of us are crying out and God is calling us to use what we have got! Why? Because we have hidden treasure!
Sometimes we think that much is not required from us, because we have not been given much true. It is true that people do have different levels of responsibilities but much is still required, because we all have been given much-though we sometimes despise the much. We have to be careful not to despise what God has given to us. Esau did that to his birthright, because at the time it was insignificant to him. We can see what we have as insignificant and hold back! The Bible teaches us that Christ is in us the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Now I don't know about you, but as I read Bible I find that Christ is a lot! A lot of love, a lot of wisdom, a lot of joy, a lot of peace. And I have that inside of me :O We can not despise what we have (nor who we are-but that is a whole nother topic!). We have been given much-much is required. The boy could have kept his insignificant lunch to himself, but he gave it to Jesus, who has the power to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!
On a side not- we have been given authority. Things that are not right in this world- we can change. By the power of His Spirit, we can move forward and be world changers! Me and a friend recently started to help out at the church I attend by doing the PA system. Now I knew just about nothing about PA systems. I only knew how to turn something up and down and use the power button! I now found myself learning how to alter sounds and to ensure sounds blend and....o wait...that person needs a little more reverb and....it will sound great if I put a delay in here. One day whilst working the PA system I learnt about authority and responsibility. In Christ we have authority. Only whilst working on the PA system did I have authority over the sound. Outside of that I couldn't be telling anybody what to do (especially as I didn't even know how to work it before!). I was listening the sound and realised something wasn't right and thought to myself "Somebody should really fix that!". After a few seconds I realised that that somebody was me! *sigh* How many times do we look on and say "Somebody should really fix that!" when God has given us the peace, joy and wisdom to bring to situations- the authority to change situations!
What I love about this story is that the boy brought 5 small loaves and 2 small fishes! And it fed about 5,000 people. They boy was probably thinking, I will keep my food to myself - it's just about enough to feed me, let alone 5,000. "I will keep my joy to myself, I just about have enough." "I will keep my peace to myself, I just about have enough." " I will keep that Word to myself, I just about have enough." We hold back and can even get stingy with it! How much faith did that young boy have?! Give his lunch away! All who know me know how much I love food! I'm not sure I could give that away so easily! But God has the power to multiply what we give Him! What will you bring to Jesus? The world is waiting to see the goodness of God through you.....
*2013*
Psalm 42:10 - David tells his soul to be still. By this point his raging emotions are probably fervently reminding him that his enemies are after him- so David, where is your God?
I felt exactly like this when I began reflecting on 2012. Where has God been this year for you Neeqs? Did you expect to be in this place? But just like David did in verse 11 I had to tell my soul to be still - hope in God!
2010 and 2011 had been two very hard years for me! The struggles were hard and each year seemed to bring more obstacles. I fought through those two years and hoped and prayed that 2012 would bring greater things. So I sat some time ago thinking what greater things did I see? Before my mind could focus on the greatness of of this year (because there were great things) I had invasions of where has your God been? I then began to allow the failures of my year to dampen my expectancy of 2013. 2012 wasn't impressive so neither will 2013 be.
It wasn't until I had two conversations with friends that my perspective began to change. My friends spoke to to me about having goals and plans for 2013. Because of previous thoughts, I thought it was pointless. But I began to plan...and God began to reveal. All those things that I had let go of and abandoned in 2012 He rekindled in me. All the struggles that I thought I had to carry with me into the next year God reminded me that changes will come in 2013 and more freedom will come. God makes all things new- it is a new year! God is going to do great things.
I really believe for a number of reasons that unity is important for this year. God is going to be bringing things together, plans together, people together...there is going to be an alignment. It is when things come together that we see things happen. For example in Acts 2:1-2 it says that the disciples were in ONE place, in ONE accord, when the Holy Spirit came. There was unity amongst them and there Bible says, "And suddenly...". I really believe that this year as alignment takes place in many different areas of our lives there will be a lot of 'and suddenly's.
I'm not just talking about in our churches or our families, but also in ourselves. James 1:6-7 speaks of a the man who doubts is a double minded man. Either we believe or we don't. In ourselves we can be double-minded. "Maybe God loves me". "Maybe I love God". "Maybe God has great plans for me". "Half of me wants to serve God, the other half is unsure. I just go by how I am feeling at the time." Very double minded. Joshua 24:15 reads "Choose this day who you will serve". When we are unified in our thoughts about who we are serving, we will see 'and suddenly's. The challenge this year is when in every decision and situation I have to choose who I serve, I want to choose God every time- being very sure in my decisions!
Have a great 2013!!
I felt exactly like this when I began reflecting on 2012. Where has God been this year for you Neeqs? Did you expect to be in this place? But just like David did in verse 11 I had to tell my soul to be still - hope in God!
2010 and 2011 had been two very hard years for me! The struggles were hard and each year seemed to bring more obstacles. I fought through those two years and hoped and prayed that 2012 would bring greater things. So I sat some time ago thinking what greater things did I see? Before my mind could focus on the greatness of of this year (because there were great things) I had invasions of where has your God been? I then began to allow the failures of my year to dampen my expectancy of 2013. 2012 wasn't impressive so neither will 2013 be.
It wasn't until I had two conversations with friends that my perspective began to change. My friends spoke to to me about having goals and plans for 2013. Because of previous thoughts, I thought it was pointless. But I began to plan...and God began to reveal. All those things that I had let go of and abandoned in 2012 He rekindled in me. All the struggles that I thought I had to carry with me into the next year God reminded me that changes will come in 2013 and more freedom will come. God makes all things new- it is a new year! God is going to do great things.
I really believe for a number of reasons that unity is important for this year. God is going to be bringing things together, plans together, people together...there is going to be an alignment. It is when things come together that we see things happen. For example in Acts 2:1-2 it says that the disciples were in ONE place, in ONE accord, when the Holy Spirit came. There was unity amongst them and there Bible says, "And suddenly...". I really believe that this year as alignment takes place in many different areas of our lives there will be a lot of 'and suddenly's.
I'm not just talking about in our churches or our families, but also in ourselves. James 1:6-7 speaks of a the man who doubts is a double minded man. Either we believe or we don't. In ourselves we can be double-minded. "Maybe God loves me". "Maybe I love God". "Maybe God has great plans for me". "Half of me wants to serve God, the other half is unsure. I just go by how I am feeling at the time." Very double minded. Joshua 24:15 reads "Choose this day who you will serve". When we are unified in our thoughts about who we are serving, we will see 'and suddenly's. The challenge this year is when in every decision and situation I have to choose who I serve, I want to choose God every time- being very sure in my decisions!
Have a great 2013!!
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