Month: June 2015

by

A Mere Speck

18th June

“The Lord is KING. Let the earth rejoice! Let the farthest coastlands be glad…The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.”

Psalm 97:1,5

It has been said that Mountain’s make up 70% of Japan’s land mass. Everywhere you travel to around this island, you probably are not far from a huge mountain range. These mountains and are not glorified hills but huge tall mountains, 2000 or 3000 meters tall. They bask in the sun’s glory in the summer and decorated with snow in the winter.

Yet in all of the glory, they still are nothing compared to the enormity of Almighty God. A human standing next to or even attempting to climb one of these mountains, has to pale into sheer humility at the size contrast. But compared to God, even these mountains are minute. Even if we could compare the earth to God’s greatness it would still be a “mere speck” if His eyes. Our planet is just one of millions of stars and planets in the thousands of solar systems in the known universe. David, in today’s Psalm, also comments on the greatness of God and how even these mighty mountains melt like wax before the Lord’s Majesty. The whole earth sings of God’s greatness.

Today, let us put our problems into perspective. God is far far greater than any of our problems. Seriously nothing is too big for Him. Nothing surprises Him, nothing scares Him and nothing makes Him worry. The best part is, is that God cares for you individually. He cares for us all individually. He knows every single hurt, pain, disappointment, financial need, and family need and HE CARES. Even if He is so much higher, bigger and greater, He still cares personally for each of us. God doesn’t look at our problems, even if they are small for Him and dismiss them. Rather He is there fighting with us, walking by our side and holding our hands through the darkest valleys, fighting to make a way out.

If you are waking up to a whole heap of problems this morning, put you life into the perspective of God’s eyes and know that He is with you. God, the creator of everything in the entire universe, is on your side.

by

God Really Does Care..!!

17th June

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

Have you ever had the experience of thinking that you are on your own? That you have to handle life’s problems on your own? That nobody else understands what you are going through? If we are honest with ourselves then probably all of us have experienced these kind of thoughts before. The truth is, this kind of thinking is completely false. We are never on our own and never have to face “life” on our own. God is not only always with us but He truly cares about each of our worries and pains.

As we discussed yesterday, we can often get despondent about doing the right thing and not always seeing the fruit that that bears. Yet we’re encouraged that at the right time, we will harvest what we have sown if we do not give up. Today’s passage further highlights the struggle between doing good and being humble and not thinking that we are living in vain when we fight for justice or when doing good.

The motivation is the same. To being glory to Jesus in our actions, lifestyles and decisions. That means that even if we have to make decisions in our lives that might seem unfair for us, might be painful and might segregate us from the “in” crowds, if it is for the glory of God, then we need to humbly do it with grace and joy. The reward is that God will lift us up. In truth, God’s elevation is far greater than man’s empty praise (even with the right intentions).

We can also encourage ourselves, that when we feel like we are on our own, we are not: God is always there. It is God who gives us the strength to be humble and to keep fighting for goodness. It is God who carries us when our strength is spent. It is God who holds all of our problems in His hands. Why? Because He cares for us. Let us be encouraged that we are not on our own and our good deeds are not in vain.

by

Don’t Give Up Doing Good

16th June

“So let’s not give up doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.”

Galatians 6:7-9

It is so easy to get discouraged when you hear phrases like “the good guys always come last”. However in actual fact, the Apostle Paul in today’s verse, tells us that the opposite is actually true. Moreover we need to examine our hearts to find out what the motivation of doing good really is all about. Are we trying to be people pleasers or are we wanting the world to see the goodness of Jesus through the way we live our lives?

I was reminded this week of a friend who we have been sharing the good news of Jesus with. It felt like the good seed of the Gospel had been sown but no fruit was being seen. Yet just a few days ago, this person expressed a desire to know more about Jesus. Now although this verse may not be talking about evangelism directly, the principle of continuing to keep hope, even when you may not see the fruit immediately is a great encouragement not to give up doing what is right and good. We are promised that at “just the right time” we will reap a harvest.

When the world is constantly telling us to mistreat woman in order to them keen, telling us to fight our way to the top of the career ladder by knocking down everyone who is front of us, or telling us to cheat our way to success, let us rather live in the opposite Spirit. Let us do good when its probably easier to do bad. Let us do good even when we can’t see the fruit of doing good. Let us not give up doing good, for “whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone!” One day we will reap the harvest of blessing and a harvest of lives transformed by the goodness of God.

by

Reaping What You Sow

15th June

“Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”

Galatians 6:7-9

It’s so great when you plant a seed in the ground, water it every day and then watch its growth either into a beautiful flower or a fruit or vegetable to eat. It would be rather strange though, if you planted tomato seeds and a rose tree grew instead. Well, believe it or not, as today’s scripture clearly states, what you sow, is what will grow.

If we decide to live a lifestyle, constantly giving into temptation, constantly gratifying our fleshly and sinful desires, then we can’t expect the fruit of Godly living to be evident in our lives. In fact as Paul writes in his warning to the church of Galatia, you will only reap “decay and death”. Those are seriously strong words. If we keep sowing into our fleshly sinful desires, the only thing that will grow is a desire for more sin, less of God and eventually eternal separation from Almighty God.

However, chapter 5 verse 16 has good news. If we let the Holy Spirit guide our lives then we won’t want to do “what our sinful nature craves.” Our flesh and Spirit are constantly in conflict with each other. On one hand we want to please God yet on the other hand our fleshly desires burn within our hearts. Yet the more we say no to the flesh, the more the we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lifestyles and decisions, pleasing God and living a lifestyle that will harvest everlasting life and joy in Lord. Yet the key is not trying to live a lifestyle that pleases God in our strength but asking for the “Holy Spirit to guide our lives.”

Lets us say no the flesh and ask for more of God in our lives. Let us live to please the Spirit and not to satisfy our sinful desires. Let us decrease so He can increase.

Lord, less of me and more of You in my life.

by

God’s Mercies Are New Every Morning

13th -14th June

Weekend Edition

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting in you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”

Psalm 143:8

It’s amazing that as the dawn bring a new day, so the mercy of the Lord is new every morning. Yesterday sorrows are gone and today is a new day. The past is behind and we look to the future.

Its so great to remind ourselves in the morning of God’s greatness and unfailing love. It gives us such a boost to know we are supported by a God whose love is unfailing. Furthermore it’s so great to know that we can start our day off with the trust and security that we are in the hands of Almighty God. Even when we feel like we are boxed in by life’s problems, or surrounded and knocked down by enemies, as was David in this Psalm, we can take full courage and assurance that God is fighting for us and if our trust is in Him, He will show us where to walk.

It is so important to remind ourselves of the unfailing love of God, early in the morning. It’s more important than breakfast or our morning cup of coffee. It is what truly sets us up for the day. It gives life to our bodies knowing that we are loved by the creator of the universe. It encourages our souls to know that we are forgiven by the love of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It gives us energy to know that God’s mercies are new every morning because He is a faithful God.

Before you start your day each morning take some time to think on God’s love. Let the knowledge of His love be your spiritual breakfast that feeds your soul and guides your steps. May we give ourselves fully to Him.

by

Fruit Filled Believer

12th June

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

Galatians 5:24-25

An old pastor once said to me that you can tell what kind of Christian someone is when something falls on their toe and their reaction to it. Although this has comical undertones there is a truth hidden in there. When life’s pressures and temptations squeeze us, what is our reaction to them and what comes our of us?

Galatians 5:22 highlights the list of the 9 fruits of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Notice that not one of these things is an attribute that we alone can muster up. Every characteristic mentioned here is indicative of a life filled by the Spirit and the fruit that produces. We alone cannot be kind, loving and gentle in and of our strength. We cannot muster up self-control to withstand the enemies temptations on our own. The only way to live a fruit filled life, is to be filled with the Holy Spirit daily and rely on Him in everything.

Let us live by the Holy Spirit’s power and not in our own strength. Let us follow His leading, not just when we are in public places, but also in the quietness of our homes, in the moments we are alone. Let us nail every sinful pleasure and desire we have to the cross. Let the Holy Spirit completely fill us, remove our sin and birth new life in our hearts and minds that produces the kind of fruit that bring glory to Jesus’ Name. We don’t just want to be known as nice person who didn’t get angry when something dropped on their toe, rather we want to live our lives to show the world that through life’s hardship there is hope, through the trials there is peace and through temptations there is victory: His name is Jesus Christ.

by

What Really Matters?

11th June

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”

Philippians 1:9-10

Life is full of so many temptations, so much pressure, so many decisions to make and so little time. Our lives in the Western world are lived at a fast pace, surrounding by chaos, career and ambition. People work to live, provide for their families and enjoy life’s luxuries. Yet on the final day of Christ’s return, what will really matter?

Ambition to progress in our careers and desires to provide for our families are not negative character traits, in fact much the opposite. However, so often these admirable desires overtake what should be our number one priority; living pure and blameless lives, growing in the knowledge and understanding of God’s character and being filled with the love of Christ so that it overflows to all we see and meet. The great news is as we love others at work we are growing in our walk with Christ. As we provide for our families we are honouring Christ. But the focus must always be Jesus.

In whatever we do and say let what really matters dictate our decision making, love giving, serving and desires. Let Jesus be the center of all things we do. Let Him lead us away from temptation, deliver us from evil and grow in the goodness of all He has for us and all He is. “May you always be filled with the fruit of the your salvation – the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” (verse 11)

by

Planning Your Life

10th June

“We make our own plan, but the Lord determines our steps.. ..The Lord directs our steps, so why do we try to understand everything along the way?”

Proverbs 16:9, 20:24

It is so great to know that God is in control of our lives. He knows what is best for us and guides accordingly along the right path. Yet so often we seem to want to take the driving seat, row in the boat or try to map out every step we are going to take. In fact even in my own life this sometimes happens. We have some big decisions to make, and I found myself start to worry, start to try and plan things out on my own, even though I know God has, time and time again, provided, guided and led us in the right path for our lives.

Rather than worrying about “everything along the way”, every hurdle, bump and insecurity, we should take comfort in knowing that every plan and idea we have given to God, is in His hands. We can fully trust Him because not only does He hold our lives in His hands but holds the whole world in His hands.

However, this does not negate the responsibilities of planning and organising our lives but rather than be passive and leave everything to God to do or stress, worry and try figure everything out, we simply just need to give our plans to Him in faith that His perfect will will be done. We can breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that God is planning every step for us already. Let us trust God together for He always knows best and has our best at the forefront of His plans. Be open to His guidance, trust His best judgement and be at peace in His direction.

by

Faith Comes From…?

9th June

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

Romans 10:17

Does faith just happen when we feel like trusting in God or when we know something will happen for certain? Well it takes takes a lot of faith to believe that when you are about to sit on a chair, the carpenter has made it well enough, that when you do sit on it, it won’t break. Or how about when you sleep? You have enough faith to know that when you close your eyes, you will wake up in the morning..!

Although these examples might seem trivial, the point is, is that faith is not built in what you think you know will happen but faith is built in belief of the one that makes things happen. Like the two blind men discussed yesterday, they didn’t have faith just because they saw themselves with open eyes, but rather because they knew Jesus could heal them. Their faith was found in Jesus Christ and what He could do. Yet how can we build our faith and trust in Jesus?

By hearing about Him in His word. The writer of Hebrews wisely writes that our faith is increased when we start hearing about the Good News of Jesus Christ audibly. Why? Because the word of God is powerful. It encourages our souls to hear about Christ’s victorious triumph on the cross where He defeated death and sin, or the numerous stories where Jesus healed the sick, delivered the oppressed and possessed, raised the dead to life, and spoke mighty words of hope, love, justice, liberty and acceptance. Yet the word of God and the Good News of JESUS is so much more than words but is the power to save lives.

When we pray in faith, yes let us believe that what we are praying for will come to pass, but rather than the faith be in what we are praying for, let it be found in the power of Jesus’ Name. Let our faith come from hearing about the Good News of Jesus. If your faith is increased by hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ, then go and tell others of Him too..

by

Because Of Your Faith, It Will Happen..

8th June

““Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told Him, “we do.” Then He touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see.”

Matthew 9:28-30

Today’s story, found here in Matthew 9, is so encouraging, both as a confirmation of God’s compassion and mercy on the sick and the simplicity of His miracles. When Jesus laid His hands on the two blind men, He didn’t ask them if they had obeyed the law, if they had been baptised, if they give tithes or if they have been members of a local church for more than 10 years. He simply asked “do you believe I can heal you?” That is God’s only requirement for miracles to take place… Do you have enough faith to believe that I (God) can heal you?

These two blind men were sure of Jesus’ mighty power… they probably had heard of His miracles, heard of His compassion and were desperate for a touch from the Son of David. In fact in the previous verses Jesus had just a healed a woman with the issue of blood and raised a young girl from the dead. So as these two faith filled men followed Jesus they cried out to Him for mercy. Jesus turned around to them, laid His hands on their eyes and healed them… why? Because of their faith.

There is no special formula, no list of requirements, just simple faith to believe that when they asked Jesus for something, it will happen. When we pray for God’s will to be done, we simply just need to have faith knowing that God can do exceedingly more than what we are even asking Him to do. Faith is simply believing in hope, what we know is truth, and being sure that although we might not be able to see what we are asking for, it will come to pass according to God’s Holy and Perfect will if we believe. Let us believe for healing, even if it seems too big to ask for, because we are not trusting in the circumstances but have faith in NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES…JESUS CHRIST!