With Anticipation...

I have been reflecting upon the fact that I have placed a few orders over the past couple of weeks, locally and international. Some I am waiting on a phone call to say when they are in or when they will be delivered and others it is a matter of watching and waiting with anticipation for their delivery by post/courier.

These items have consisted of furniture, bike parts and books (I love my reading in case you are not a 'Goodreads' follower of mine). So, each day I might at some point wonder, 'is today the day?' Some items I have gotten tired of waiting and ended up phoning to check on the progress of availability and delivery.

Here's the thing it had me contemplating, do I watch and wait for a revelation of the Lord with the same anticipation? Is that the way I view my relationship with the Lord, wanting more, desiring more, hoping for more of Him to be revealed. For me to understand the Lord that bit more because of my encounter with Him?

Actually, it 'is' my experience. There is something about the realisation that my reliance is upon Him. I constantly depend upon Him. Does it mean I always listen well to His instruction? No! Does it mean I am absolutely obedient? Sadly, no! But there is an ever growing desire that I might place myself in a better place whereby it is the Lord I seek direction and guidance from first. I do not want to get in the way of His being able to do GREAT things in this city, in this Corps of Geelong, in the lives of people that I might encounter.

'Lord (Master), speak: Thy servant heareth,

Waiting for Thy gracious word, 

Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;

Lord (Master), let it now be heard.

I am listening, Lord, for Thee;

What hast Thou to say to me?

May you be richly blessed as you seek a stronger and growing relationship with the Lord.

Who Are You Listening To?

1 Samuel 3:8-10

The Message (MSG)

^8-9 God called again, “Samuel!”—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, “Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am.”
That’s when it dawned on Eli that God was calling the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, “Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, ‘Speak, God. I’m your servant, ready to listen.’” Samuel returned to his bed.
¹⁰ Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.”

The story of Samuel is one of my favourites. I would encourage you to take the time to sit down some time and read it through.

This passage has me thinking about the voices we listen to. There have been many occasions when I have had people talk to me about what they have been told in the past, you might know the stuff, they will amount to nothing, they are hopeless, worthless, just taking up space. The reality is, you hear that stuff enough and you begin to believe it.

As people begin to encounter Christ and hopefully, as they begin to encounter good, honest followers of Christ, they begin to hear fresh messages. Messages of love and encouragement, value and purpose. The struggle is, which do I believe? Who do I listen to?

Further to this, for some there because another difficulty, how do I know that it is God speaking to me? I reckon there are a couple of things to be looking for. Firstly, God is consistent. Does what you hear match up to what is recorded of Him in the Scripture? Because God doesn't all of a sudden go back on His word. So, is it about grace, mercy, peace and love? Secondly, who are the people in the church that exemplify Christ in their lives? Those who reveal the fruit of the Spirit in their living? For these are the people that are discerning and are able to assist you in understanding if what you are hearing is of God, seek them out.

Friends, let's be those people of God, people who live life in Christ. Let's ensure we are encouragers and assisting others to determine what God's will and plan is for them. Bless you real good as you do this for the Kingdom!   

But then God...

I had a terrific opportunity to connect with a friend in the UK via Facebook chat this morning. The conversation surrounding what we are doing now, work, where we are living and family, leads me to remember the faithfulness of God.

I think of our (Jenny & I) children  and realise how wonderfully blessed we are. That blessing reflects the graciousness and faithfulness of God. I have always wanted that they are solid in their own faith, have good partners (Christian) in their lives and enjoying life (happy & fulfilled). 

Well, both our girls are married and their partners in life are great guys. They are loved, have fulfilling jobs and are very happy. They enjoy life and family and friends over anything else.

Our son has had a challenging time the past month or two. For him it was like the whole world was collapsing around him, all that he loved and hoped for. It is hard when you just want to say it will be ok and embrace them and care for them in your home. Easier said than done from a distance and when you are living in trust and in hope. You commit it all, commit them all in prayer to God, again, trusting, hoping and believing. Time tests you, makes you wonder, allows room for some doubt, wondering...

But then God...  back to the beginning, faithful always. Prayers answered. A house with some mates to share with. Some good final gig's for a couple of bands he has been in. A tour to commence in three states this coming week. God IS good! 

Not detracting from the faithfulness of God, I am grateful for the faithful people (some of you) who have been prayer warriors alongside us. Those willing to remember our children before the Lord and pray - 'thank you!'

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness - always! Keep our children/families close to Your heart, protecting, comforting, caring and empowering them for ministry and life - thank you!

An Unqualified Yes ...

Have you had those occasions when you have committed yourself with full intention to fulfill the commitment you have made, only to find you have struggled at some point, something else grabbed your attention or became a distraction to you fulfilling this intention?

Have a read of this account of the people of Israel:

Joshua 24:16-24

The Message (MSG)

¹⁶ The people answered, “We’d never forsake God! Never! We’d never leave God to worship other gods.
^17-18 “God is our God! He brought up our ancestors from Egypt and from slave conditions. He did all those great signs while we watched. He has kept his eye on us all along the roads we’ve traveled and among the nations we’ve passed through. Just for us he drove out all the nations, Amorites and all, who lived in the land.
“Count us in: We too are going to worship God. He’s our God.”

^19-20 Then Joshua told the people: “You can’t do it; you’re not able to worship God. He is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He won’t put up with your fooling around and sinning. When you leave God and take up the worship of foreign gods, he’ll turn right around and come down on you hard. He’ll put an end to you—and after all the good he has done for you!”

²¹ But the people told Joshua: “No! No! We worship God!”
²² And so Joshua addressed the people: “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen God for yourselves—to worship him.”
And they said, “We are witnesses.”
²³ Joshua said, “Now get rid of all the foreign gods you have with you. Say an unqualified Yes to God, the God of Israel.”
²⁴ The people answered Joshua, “We will worship God. What he says, we’ll do.”

I believe it is time for those of us who belong to Christ to stick up our hands and with that action say an unqualified "YES!" I will worship God, He is my God.

However, like the people of Israel I would do well to follow the instruction of Joshua and examine what might stop me from going 'all out' in this endeavour? What are the idols that might get in the way? What is it I worship that is going to hinder me from being 'full-on' for God?

Is it a possession? Maybe a lifestyle? The fact that 'I' like to be in charge of my life? What is the foreign element that hinders the relationship and gets in the way of total surrender to God? In identifying this I do well to let it go, surrender it, count it as nothing in comparison to the God I worship.

'Lord, assist me in my personal examination to see that which hinders a healthy, fruitful, growing relationship with You and give me the strength and determination to let it go.'

Make Me A Conduit ...

Tonight's thought comes form a conversation with someone on Facebook today. Someone who I see as inspirational and enthusiastic in their efforts to promote the church and the Gospel. Truly a person who lives out this thought/concept/practice. 

It comes from a chorus:

Make me a channel of blessing today,

Make me a channel of blessing I pray;

My life possessing, my service blessing,

Make me a channel of blessing today.

Another term I often refer to is, conduit. That we might be a conduit of God's blessing so that the blessing we experience might be passed on (flow on) to others. This challenges the notion that often comes from people being desirous of the Lord blessing their lives. (full stop) 

In other words, there is no thought or notion that the purpose of their lives being blessed is that the blessing flows through them to others. For others to be blessed through them. It is like they are buckets or wells, wanting to capture the blessings of God, however they seal them up as though they are theirs for containment, only for their pleasure.

'Lord, my desire is that Your blessing (Your favour) might be upon me, and operate through me, to touch and impact and affect the lives of others with whom I might have contact. Especially Lord, those who are in some way broken, hurting, empty and searching. That their lives might encounter You in a way that is very real and life changing in a positive sense. Lord, empty me of all I have and am, that others might be won to the Kingdom.'

Be blessed as you become a conduit for the Lord!

What You Need ...

Well there continues to be some frustration as I wait for an internet connection, how true it is that you don't know what you have until you don't have it. However, a few $'s later and I have a USB pre-paid for use.

Anyway, here is the real stuff for today. Have a read of this AMAZING passage and take it to heart:

Joshua 1:1-9

The Message (MSG)

1 ^1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant:

“Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

I have taken the liberty of highlighting the aspects that stood out for me, though I could easily have highlighted even more. Here's the thing, both for me, and I believe for you. This is God's promise to US. The very words He uttered to Joshua, I reckon He echoes to you and I today.

God has a purpose for our lives. He desires that we be successful and reach the goal set before us. He does not desire that we fail, and thus the Lord supplies the enabling for us as is required. Does it mean the journey will be an easy one? No! Does it mean I will be unscathed from attack or attempts to bring me down or to turn me off course? No! And lots more No's. However, the God of the many champions of the past is both MY God and YOUR God.  And because of this we can have Strength! Courage!

We have some part though in this journey, we have to give it all we have and take it serious. No half-hearted responses, everything, heart and soul. Note the other advice. Ponder, meditate and practice. 

Lets do this. Lets take up the mantle of leadership that is ours and faithfully be God operatives in the field of mission with purpose and deliberate action.

Bless ya real good in your engagement in this journey!  

Bitter-Sweet ...

Anyone caught up in the business that sees you moving will understand something of these thoughts tonight. It doesn't really matter if it is long periods of time you spend in a place or short, the fact that you have to move carries with it some of these emotions at opposing ends of the spectrum, bitter-sweet.

We have just commenced a brand new year and often with this experience is the setting of new goals for one's life. I mentioned a few days ago that, 'marking a line in the sand,' for things to be different from here on. This is often a positive moment or experience. We get an opportunity to start afresh, reality is, we could start afresh at any time of our choosing. For those then who are Salvation Army Officers and moving at this time, there is an opportunity that we might begin something new, something different. Our aim is that we might make a good start.

However, I am mindful as this day draws to a close, that there is also a bitterness in the circumstances. Relationships that have been formed will become fractured to some degree, some from distance, but also from the need to give the people who replace us an opportunity to make their mark, for them to get a good start. We will reflect on those who have encountered Christ and experienced life-change through this encounter. Those who have experienced grief and loss. The opportunities of celebrating milestones with people. With the moving comes the knowledge that our paths may not cross for some time. The privilege that has been ours to journey with these people is in some respects is now passed on for someone else and there can be a sense of loss for us in this.

I am drawn to a song of this morning in worship which reminds me of a 'constant'. In speaking of God, this phrase echoes numerous times, 'Your love never changes...' He is always the same. The Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and the End. Who WAS and IS and ALWAYS WILL BE. Now isn't that something to grasp with all we have and hold onto firmly?

'Lord, may it be that in this moment of bitter-sweet I hold onto that which does not change, that which is true and positive - Your love for me.'

Who's plans ...

Some of you will be aware what an interesting year 2012 was for me. It commenced with me seeing myself in a 'made to fit appointment'. I think we were really kicking some goals in a way that we hadn't for a while. You will know that expression, 'like a pig in mud', well that was me for a while. 

Well, it came tumbling down pretty quickly too. It took me to places I had never visited and would want for no person to find themselves. I felt robbed, cheated, attacked, angry, disappointed, disillusioned .... (I think you get the picture).

Have a read of this part of Joseph's story:-

Genesis 50:15-21
The Message (MSG)

^14-15 After burying his father, Joseph went back to Egypt. All his brothers who had come with him to bury his father returned with him. After the funeral, Joseph’s brothers talked among themselves: “What if Joseph is carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?”

^16-17 So they sent Joseph a message, “Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, ‘Forgive your brothers’ sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.’ Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father’s God?”
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
¹⁸ Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, “We’ll be your slaves.”
^19-21 Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.


The passage is often highlighted for an act of forgiveness. However, the element I want to focus on is highlighted in bold, the fact that God can use any situation. I believe He revealed where I am not to be (which differed to where I might have been headed or seen myself at some point in time), in the intervening time this last six months. In a few more days Jen and I will return to ministry together in a Corps (Geelong). We are excited about this chapter in our lives and ministry. We love the journey with people, and the Corps setting enhances this considerably. I am sure this will not be without it's own set of challenges, and on this seek your prayer support.

I seek to remain faithful and obedient to what it is God has to say to me or where He seeks to lead me. I desire that His Kingdom grow with lives changed through an encounter with Jesus. That I too might grow, more and more into who He created me to BE.

Please join me in this prayer - thanks, and may He bless ya real good!
 

It is time to get in the ring.

There are times that I desperately 'want' something, but after obtaining it, the novelty wares off and it gets put aside. You might note I did highlight the word 'want'. Confession time, I also believe too often things are too easily placed in our reach and available to us with means such as credit, etc. and thus we accumulate more than we actually require.

There is something in the advice about going away a while and doing the almost unmentionable in our vocabulary today, praying about it and even saving for it. Making it a goal and working toward attaining it (if we have resolved with God that it is something that might be appropriate/beneficial).

What about spiritual matters though? What is it you might desire above other things? What are you prepared to do to receive something spiritual? Have a read of this short passage a moment:-

Genesis 32:22-32
The Message (MSG)

^24-25 But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he couldn’t get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob’s hip out of joint.

²⁶ The man said, “Let me go; it’s daybreak.”

Jacob said, “I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me.”

Would you be prepared to wrestle with a representative of God to receive a blessing from God? Is it not what is represented on those occasions within Scripture where we are called upon to contemplate persistent prayer? To keep coming before the Father with our request and not giving up until the answer is received, the blessing experienced.

Of recent days, I have been challenged to consider prayer and what it is 'I draw a circle around', seek answers too, from God. It may be a matter of stretching my faith, believing where I don't always see the answer already, practicing faith in a God who is mighty, the creator and sustainer of all things. It is about not giving up on occasions and really going for what I believe is laid upon my heart.

I wonder, are there things that you would, or even 'need' to be wrestling for? If so, can I encourage you to get in the ring, and not let go until you receive the answer, the blessing.

Bless ya real good!  

New Beginnings ...

Here I am at the commencement of a New Year. I had one determination heading into this period, to re-commence the discipline of a Blog.

Many use the start of a year for the purpose of making some form of resolution. They see this as a way of marking it as a starting point. A line in the sand positioning whereby they note, 'from here things will be different, I will now do ...'

I cannot help but be drawn to a reminder that 'any time', no matter what day of the week, time of day, whatever else marks the instance, 'any time' is the best time to make a decision to accept Jesus as Saviour of one's life. It is the purpose for which Jesus came, and we have been reminded of this over the Christmas Season.

My reading this morning was from Genesis chapter 3 which gives an account of the fall of man from the favour of God, through a disobedient act - 'sin'. This caused a separation between God and man, the creation of God. And we learn throughout the Scriptures that God desires most of all to be in relationship with all people. Jesus comes to bridge that gap, to bring the relationship back into a healthy state. If we accept Jesus, does it mean we will no longer sin? No! But that is something for another Blog.

Just now I want us to be certain that our relationship with God, through Jesus, is right. Secondly, that we are centered in God, so that we might assist others in discovering and accept Jesus as their own Saviour.

I pray that the journey is a good and fruitful one for you and I. My desire is that this year will be a Kingdom year, with life after life being added (regularly).

Feel free to pass on this Blog and thank you for your encouragement over past days.

Bless ya real good!