I've got my eye on you ...

You might recall the words being uttered to you in the past, especially when you were a child. What it meant was, "watch what you are doing, because I will be watching you." It usually was a warning. Beware, if you step out of line, I will know about it.

It was actually something of my experience. The community I grew up in, seemed small enough that you could virtually be assured, if you did something wrong (and interestingly it wasn't so much a matter of what you did, if it was right, it didn't seem so much to matter, it was when you stepped over the line, the boundary, in error), you would be found out. There was always some very helpful person, that out of concern, would let my parents know.

How different this is when I think in terms of God watching over me, keeping His eye on me. What a great Psalm this is:

Psalm 121 (New Living Translation)

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 I look up to the mountains—

does my help come from there?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;

the one who watches over you will not slumber.

4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel

never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!

The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

6 The sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm

and watches over your life.

8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,

both now and forever.

It is such an important understanding to come too, that God is not merely interested in bringing me to task for the mistakes I make, He is purely interested in me, enough to always have His eye watching me. The Psalmist captures the essence of this a bit more by stating that God purposes to do this to keep me from harm. It reminds me of the importance of staying in tune with Him to heed the warnings He might have of impending danger or potential harm. As well as the words that might encourage me to step out in faith, the reminders that He is with me in this.

"Lord, I want that You always keep Your eye on me. Thank You for caring for me this much, to take such an interest in every activity of my life. Help me to heed Your voice as You communicate with me through this journey. Help me to be obedient to You."

Back to the source ...

I had an opportunity to preach just one week ago. The text I was given was from James chapter 3, with the subject being, Taming the Tongue. It is interesting for me as I look back again, because what I drew from this passage was the fact that the tongue is not the real issue, it is the source from which we speak - the heart. And here I am today, reading my Bible and reminded of this all over again, have a look at Mark chapter 7 commencing at verse one and concluding at verse 23.

Here are the concluding verses again ...

Mark 7:20-23 (New Living Translation)

20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

I pick up on this afresh, because I know it is true for my own life, right now. I have been on one of those wandering journeys of tiredness and somewhat a loss of focus, doing my job, but I cannot be satisfied feeling I have been who I was created to BE. Fortunately, I return to the source which reminds me what I need, to get back on track.

I am interested in the list that Jesus outlines of stuff that flows from the defiled heart. And it saddens me, because when I look back in my own life, I can see how frightfully true these become of my life when I am off track, when my heart is out of alignment with my Creator.

Today I recommence my journey in the freshness of The Word (the Scriptures) and I seek to tap into the heart of God, as my source, so that my heart and all that flows from it (from me), might be pure and honest, wholesome and good. I want to honour the One who is the source of life for my life.

Father, forgive me for having wandered from You, the source of my BEing. Help me to remain in You as the Branch does within the Vine, drawing life for my life. Help me to remain connected, and thus true and pure to Your values and character, in Jesus name.

Only one thing worth being concerned about ...

Well here is an attempt to get back on track for me. I have caught up on quite a few passages of Scripture I had let slide and today I am up to date again. Although, I must say, one of the dangers with such a discipline is to not get stuck in a trap of reading for the sake of being able to tick off the reading plan and say "yep another one done."

Well what a passage to read and be challenged about. In fact two passages I want to share, have a look with me:

Luke 10:38-42 (New Living Translation)

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 11:37-42 (New Living Translation)
Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders

37 As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. 38 His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.

42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

Let me be clear. Firstly, this is not having a go at people who are very practical and service oriented in their gifting. But it does echo a huge warning - be careful you do not neglect that which really is most important - whereby you need to find yourself in the presence of Jesus and listening to Him. Absorbing what He has to teach you. Soaking up His presence. It is important, vital that we spend time at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him. How easy it is to get caught up in work, doing. You have heard me before I would reckon, number 1 importance is BEing who God created you to be.

The second passage follows on from this. Be on guard that you don't merely follow practices, disciplines of the Christian faith and loose the essence of it. Yes! Emphatically YES! You should tithe. But, don't neglect the other elements that are also important. Don't attempt to excuse yourself as though one practice exempts you from another. We are required, actually compelled to be a people of justice and this focused particularly upon the most disadvantaged and marginalised within our community. Alongside this, let all you are and all you do be a response from your love for God.

Father, thank you for revealing these timely lessons to me today. Help me to live by the lessons taught me and faithfully follow Your disciplines expected of me.

The cost of sin ...

The readings from Scripture over the past few days have disturbed me. Ultimately because they are full of devastation and often the annihilation of a people. And from this there tended to be a thinking from myself, what am I learning from this? What is it God is saying to me? Frankly, I didn't see anything, it made me miserable.

Then, tonight, it dawned on me, doesn't it spell out the seriousness of sin in the sight of God? Doesn't it say something about the cost of continuing to practice sinful acts against the warnings of God? Doesn't it reveal the heart of God? For God cannot turn His back to such sinful practices without consequence, no matter how much He loves these, His people. God cannot put up with a disobedient people. He certainly cannot bless such behaviours.

Well what a learning. For the devastation that we read in Ezekiel, Lamentations, Obadiah and Jeremiah are awful, yet, they serve a purpose, if we will take note.

Offensive ...

Well this reflection comes neither from a book I have been reading (not of recent anyway) not directly from a Scripture passages for today. It comes from recent conversations, and as I have paused a moment and given thought about them a bit more.

Have you ever been in a situation, a conversation, whereby what the other person has said directly to you, or insinuated, made you mad, or angry or raised within you some thought of how dare you! Whereby what they have suggested has actually been offensive, maybe due to the fact that, in your mind and by conscious acts, this was far from what you believed to be truth. And simply, they do not share the same understanding on a particular action or process or direction that you have instituted. Thus in their mind you have not listened to them, or done what they wanted.

Well, believe it or not, my thinking is not of ill toward them (not right at this moment anyway). What I have reflected upon is the times when I have offended God in the same manner. Or even worse, because I have known what He was requiring and not been obedient in this regard. Where I have turned my back on Him and done my own thing.

As I have paused, and thought about how I have felt, I have been challenged by how I have made God feel on occasions. And yet, He continues to show grace toward me. He keeps on loving me. He reminds me that I am His child and He desires me to follow Him faithfully. Still He has a plan for me and the provision of His Spirit to help me fulfill this plan.

Lord, forgive me for the thoughts that have been out of place toward others at times in relation to their actions or attitudes toward me. Forgive me for the occasions where I have been offensive in Your sight because of my actions, my attitudes, my disobedience. Help me to live true Lord to Your desire and will for my life and at the same time, reflect You to those with whom I interact.

Broaden your vision ...

Now to the second part of this discovery from Erwin Raphael McManus - Wide Awake. This time we peer into the life of Peter. As a Jew he has grasped the importance of spreading the Gospel message, well amongst the Jews anyway. That is what is important to him and he goes for it wholeheartedly.

But God gives him a dream, a vision. In it God is preparing Peter for an encounter with a Roman. This Roman, Cornelius, well you see he was not at all on Peter's hit list for those who needed to hear the message of Christ, in fact, far from it. You might recall the dream, whereby all these different foods are being lowered before Peter from heaven and he is told to eat. Peter's response is that he can't, these to him are unclean, and the message from God is that he (Peter) does not determine what is unclean and what is not - that is for God.

The fact is though, this is not a lesson about food. It is not about what God would or would not have us to eat. It is though about the widening, broadening of a person's vision. Effectively says Erwin, God is saying, Peter, your vision is too small. am expanding your field of vision. I am broadening your sphere of concern. I am deepening the burden of your responsibility.

What a lesson. I am challenged by this, not because I have thought the Gospel to be for a select few or anything along those lines. But, because I know that at times I can be limiting of where things could go when God is in control. I can so easily get stuck in the thinking that this is impossible and take the foot off the accelerator from moving ahead as God might desire. I know the need to have my vision broadened and to take on the responsibility of what God has laid upon my heart, Lord, help me to be true to this.

Take a moment to read through Acts chapter 10 - what does God want you to see more fully?

Who to tell ...

I am going to split this into two different blogs (yesterday and today) from a new book I am reading - Wide Awake by Erwin Raphael McManus. Already, a chapter or so into this book, I am really enjoying it and it is challenging me. So here is the first lesson:

It comes from tapping into the dreams you have, those dreams that God implants within your mind, lays upon your heart. You know the things, those unique understandings, visions for the future, sometimes "out there" ideas that seem to right, yet very hard to see how it can actually come off.

The first reminder comes from Joseph, and you will read something of his experience in a moment. Erwin gives this advice - so think about it as you read this encounter - even if you are pondering a dream given to you by God, don't go telling everyone. Have a read:

Genesis 37 (New Living Translation)

Joseph’s Dreams

1 So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner 2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. 3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. 5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” 10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” 11 But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. 12 Soon after this, Joseph’s brothers went to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem. 13 When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them.” “I’m ready to go,” Joseph replied. 14 “Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along,” Jacob said. “Then come back and bring me a report.” So Jacob sent him on his way, and Joseph traveled to Shechem from their home in the valley of Hebron. 15 When he arrived there, a man from the area noticed him wandering around the countryside. “What are you looking for?” he asked. 16 “I’m looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Do you know where they are pasturing their sheep?” 17 “Yes,” the man told him. “They have moved on from here, but I heard them say, ‘Let’s go on to Dothan.’” So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there.

Joseph Sold into Slavery

18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

You see, not every person you might ant to tell, wants to hear what it is you might have to say. It may very well effect them in ways that they will not actually appreciate or even understand to begin with. Likewise, people are not always in the same space we are in to receive this "word", so use some discernment as to who you choose to tell, or to share this information with, this dream.

At times it is important to share with someone. To even clarify with another what it is God is saying to us. To check it out with them. Just be careful who it is. Look for someone who has a maturity about their spirituality. Someone who can even share the burden of the message you have until the time of fulfillment is revealed. Someone who has strong faith.

Praise the Lord ...

Pure and simple tonight, this Psalm just reminded me of an act that I need to take on board more often. To stop. Take stock of my life. To remember the interest and desire for participation in my life from God. And to bring Him praise. Think a moment, would you argue with the Psalmist here? I know I can't. It is truth. The deeds of God are amazing. His righteousness never fails. He is gracious and merciful.

Take a moment and pray through these verses for yourself, go on, and be refreshed:

Psalm 111:1-10 (New Living Translation)

1 Praise the Lord!

I will thank the Lord with all my heart

as I meet with his godly people.

2 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!

All who delight in him should ponder them.

3 Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.

His righteousness never fails.

4 He causes us to remember his wonderful works.

How gracious and merciful is our Lord!

5 He gives food to those who fear him;

he always remembers his covenant.

6 He has shown his great power to his people

by giving them the lands of other nations.

7 All he does is just and good,

and all his commandments are trustworthy.

8 They are forever true,

to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.

9 He has paid a full ransom for his people.

He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.

What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.

All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise him forever!

Up to you ...

One of those things that strikes me is the opportunities that we have to come back to God if we have walked away, gone our own way or strayed. And ultimately it is up to us as individuals, to turn our back on the way we lived our life to choose God. Have a look at these verses:

Ezekiel 18:30-32 (New Living Translation)

 ³⁰ “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you!³¹ Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? ³² I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!

To choose our own way is to choose a potential way of destruction, however, to choose God is to choose life. It gets back to that heart transplant that I discovered a few days ago and God implanting a new spirit within me. God desires this for us.

I hope that your choice, like mine,  is for God's way.

Anxious prayer ...

As I read the following Psalm, I was lead to think of the first sentence in parallel with the prayer of a flight of people upon an aircraft today who not long after take-off had an engine catch fire and force them to dump fuel and return back to an airport other than it's destination. As you might imagine, for many of the people on board this was an anxious moment. They were unsure as to what might happen. They had reason to wonder whether this might be the last flight they would ever take, and even the news recorded, many of them prayed.

Psalm 70:1-5 (New Living Translation)
For the choir director: A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.

1 Please, God, rescue me!

Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

2 May those who try to kill me

be humiliated and put to shame.

May those who take delight in my trouble

be turned back in disgrace.

3 Let them be horrified by their shame,

for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

4 But may all who search for you

be filled with joy and gladness in you.

May those who love your salvation

repeatedly shout, “God is great!”

5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;

please hurry to my aid, O God.

You are my helper and my savior;

O Lord, do not delay.

There is a part of me that might want to respond, yeah pray when your life is at risk. But then I stop a moment and here is my prayer:

Father, I pray that in the prayers of these people, whether they were people who knew You or not, that these people today would recognise You as the living God. They would believe their prayers to have been answered. that in these fleeting moments, they might have seen something, even a mere glimpse of who You are and they now believe.

It is so easy for me to become cynical and down on those who turn to God when something isn't right in their lives, but I hope I am learning more and more to see the possibilities that exist. That even in these moments god can act and can be seen and that people can believe. That is what I ultimately want, people to turn to God and experience Him like I do. I hope you want this too.

Singleness of heart ...

I think I have mentioned before, I am not a really keen reader of Ezekiel, he looses me in all the imagery. Yet one of the things I have been attempting by the discipline of following all of the readings from the Life Journal for each day, is not merely to gloss over or neglect to read certain passages because i don't think there is anything in them, rather to take the time and read them anyway. Read with an open mind and always with the thinking, "what is it God might want to reveal to me, say to me, have me do, from this passage?"

Here is the "something" I picked up today:

Ezekiel 11:18-20 (New Living Translation)

18 “When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. 19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, 20 so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 11:18-20 (The Message)

I will gather you back from those countries and lands where you've been scattered and give you back the land of Israel. You'll come back and clean house, throw out all the rotten images and obscene idols. I'll give you a new heart. I'll put a new spirit in you. I'll cut out your stone heart and replace it with a red-blooded, firm-muscled heart. Then you'll obey my statutes and be careful to obey my commands. You'll be my people! I'll be your God!

As I read from the New living Translation it was that element of having a singleness of heart. To this point we read of a people all over the place in relation to their worship and what was important to them. Certainly God was out of the picture, they had many gods. And as you might imagine, God was not at all happy. So to have a singleness of heart, one focused, God focused, tuned in on Him again, this is important and a big move for these people.

Then to read it from The Message translation, well you will know by now I love looking at the way Eugene Peterson captures it. The picture to me is of a heart transplant and God appears to me to be the donor as well as the surgeon. it is healthy. It is alive. It is vigorous.

Finally, You'll be my people! I'll be your God!

Absolutely nothing better!. this reflects the father's heart, it is what He desires all the way through the Scriptures from beginning to end.

It's what I want! I hope it is what you want too!

No solo leaders ...

I am not sure if I have mentioned another book I have been reading (put it aside while I was away on holidays as I didn't want to take a book I was nearly finished). Leadership Gold by John Maxwell. Let me say from the outset, the title sums up the content. If you are seeking a book on leadership that has the richness of much experience (tried and tested) and lots of practical tips for being the best leader you can be, then this book is for you. Twenty Six golden nugget lessons.

Here was the one that stood out to me this morning - Few Leaders Are Successful Unless A Lot Of People Want Them To Be. John Maxwell says - We believe individuals like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Louis XIV, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill would be great no matter what kind of support they got. but that simply isn't true. Without a lot of people working together, there would be no successful leaders.

In other words, behind all these amazingly great people, there were lots of other people working away. Yes, they were probably fulfilling the vision and instructions passed on to them from their leader, but they were doing their bit. They were fulfilling their part. The leader had a reliance upon them.

Now this is not to diminish the greatness of the leader or their contribution. It serves as a reminder that we need others to help us. We cannot do this alone.

Paul reminds us of the Body. Jesus the head, each of us having a part to play. Some the eye, some the hands, some the heart, etc. None more important than another. All significant. All of value. All required by the other.

Let us celebrate the importance of others in what we do.

Me first ...

Well I must say this Ezekiel guy has some imagination, as he starts with his vision and moves into the call and commission given him. I am not sure I personally understand all that part - but here is something that stood out for me.

Ezekiel is given a mission to speak to the rebellious nation of Israel. In fact. one might even question the purpose for this, for in all intents and purpose they appear to be a lost cause (by the description given anyway). But, if Ezekiel is not faithful in delivering the message God gives him for the people, then their blood, their death is upon him. Quite a bit to wear I think, especially as Ezekiel is alert to the fact that these people are not going to receive the message very well.

All that aside, the element that stood out for me, about a third of the way through chapter 3:

Ezekiel 3:10 (New Living Translation)

10 Then he added, “Son of man,

let all my words sink deep into your own heart first.

Listen to them carefully for yourself.

Ezekiel 3:10 (The Message)

10-11 Then he said, "Son of man,

get all these words that I'm giving you inside you.

Listen to them obediently.

Make them your own.

And now go. Go to the exiles, your people, and speak.

Tell them, 'This is the Message of God, the Master.'

Speak your piece, whether they listen or not."

Ensure you have made application in your own life first. Absorb this message. Let it settle deep within you and ensure you are living to it first. Be obedient to the message too. These serve as a good reminder for those who are responsible for bring the Word of God to the people. We ought to make sure we have absorbed the message into our own lives and living first. Live the truth. Be an example of them. Show how God's Word is living and brings life.

Where do you run ...

In some suburbs we have identified houses which are termed safe houses. A place of refuge for any children going to school or returning home after school, for whatever reason might feel, or sense they are unsafe. These are places where someone is known (usually) to be home between these hours. These people are trusted. They will provide a safe place, a listening ear, comfort and act upon the threat that exists.

That is what came to mind for me as I read the following:

Psalm 143:1-12 (New Living Translation)

A psalm of David.

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord;

listen to my plea!

Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.

2 Don’t put your servant on trial,

for no one is innocent before you.

3 My enemy has chased me.

He has knocked me to the ground

and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.

4 I am losing all hope;

I am paralyzed with fear.

5 I remember the days of old.

I ponder all your great works

and think about what you have done.

6 I lift my hands to you in prayer.

I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.

7 Come quickly, Lord, and answer me,

for my depression deepens.

Don’t turn away from me,

or I will die.

8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,

for I am trusting you.

Show me where to walk,

for I give myself to you.

9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;

I run to you to hide me.

10 Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit lead me forward

on a firm footing.

11 For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.

Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

12 In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies

and destroy all my foes,

for I am your servant.

And especially this verse:  9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.

I think it is important to know where to go when we are feeling uncomfortable in some situation. A place where we can feel accepted. Where someone can care for us. Where someone can set us on the right path. A place where it is safe. And I certainly believe there is no place where that is more applicable than if we were run int the presence of God. We can do this because He is faithful and righteous. We can do this because of His unfailing love.

Let us trust in Him in the ups and lows of life, and know Him to be our safe refuge and place of acceptance.

What matters ...

There was a bit that went through my mind looking at the readings (Scriptures) for today. In some way it is one of the dangers of routine, that one has to be careful that it doesn't merely become shallow and rote and following a pattern for the sake of doing just that. I do not want that I just follow a practice and loose the meaningful engagement of God speaking to me through His Living Word. So, it could have been, in seeking something to contemplate that I pick up on those verses from 2 John regarding the requirement that we love one another ... However, this is what stood out to me:

2 John 1:12 (New Living Translation)

Conclusion

12 I have much more to say to you,

but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink.

For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face.

Then our joy will be complete.

2 John 1:12 (The Message)

12-13I have a lot more things to tell you,

but I'd rather not use paper and ink.

I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk.

That will be far more satisfying to both you and me.

Everyone here in your sister congregation sends greetings.

My rationale. Because I truly believe "people" are important. I truly enjoy and look forward to spending time with people, face to face. Sharing together. Listening. Being listened to.

Sure we can communicate via other means, letters, emails, text, phone, facebook ... but there is still something about being with a person, especially if it is over a coffee (well my personal preference anyway).

For me this is about relationship. As together people invest, give of themselves to others. Share and care.

To me this is not only satisfying but also a privilege, so thank you to those whom I have spent time with, I appreciate you each, you add to my life considerably and I value you greatly.

Celebrating ...

In two minds regarding so much within the readings and nothing really standing out. But also reflecting on an experience of Sunday where I was privileged to witness a couple of people becoming Senior Soldiers in The Salvation Army.

Each had a very different experience and thus testimony to share. One an amazing story of transformation from addiction, self esteem issues, etc. The other from much questioning, searching and release to just being obedient in the end.

The thing I have been thinking about is the ease by which we can let these opportunities come and go (though they are few and far between in most places). Rather than really celebrating the transformation of a persons life. It may be that this has taken place over time. It has been gradual. It has been a bit by bit experience of change. And I am not sure how we do it better, apart from suggesting we do not want to down play the circumstances. We don't want to miss the opportunity to celebrate. Think how the angels in heaven are celebrating.

And from the celebration, continue to encourage and support and come alongside. Allow ourselves to be encouraged too.

A matter of choice ...

I thought something slightly different tonight. I have been reading another non-fiction of two sisters who rescued Jews from the Nazis - Safe Passage by Ida Cook (one of the sisters). It truly is a remarkable story and spells out for me the heroism of two woman, as they willingly took enormous risks to bring life to others, for whom life was threatened.

Something that stood out was an encounter with someone whom they had come to admire greatly and this question was asked of her, "What was it Marjorie, that keeps you so bright and courageous in spite of everything? you must have some clear and remarkable philosophy to support you." She smiled mischievously, but replied without hesitation, "Well, you see, many people believe in God and make themselves miserable. We believe in God and have lots of fun. That's all."

"That's all." It sounds so simple doesn't it. And yet, in a sense, isn't it? Is it not merely a matter of what we choose for it to be? Some choose misery. We have an option to choose otherwise - to choose fun. To choose life. To choose something positive and affirming and infectious (in the positive sense). We can choose to allow the circumstances to dictate disappointment and loss, or we can choose to rise above it and learn and be thankful for surviving it.

What about you? What is your choice? As for me - I choose fun!

Beware of the false ...

One of the lessons that is important to learn is that of not taking everything on face value. just because someone says that "this is a word from God" doesn't always mean it actually is, and that truth is proclaimed.

Jeremiah 28:1-17 (New Living Translation)
Jeremiah Condemns Hananiah

1 One day in late summer of that same year—the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah—Hananiah son of Azzur, a prophet from Gibeon, addressed me publicly in the Temple while all the priests and people listened. He said, 2 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will remove the yoke of the king of Babylon from your necks. 3 Within two years I will bring back all the Temple treasures that King Nebuchadnezzar carried off to Babylon. 4 And I will bring back Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the other captives that were taken to Babylon. I will surely break the yoke that the king of Babylon has put on your necks. I, the Lord, have spoken!’”

5 Jeremiah responded to Hananiah as they stood in front of all the priests and people at the Temple. 6 He said, “Amen! May your prophecies come true! I hope the Lord does everything you say. I hope he does bring back from Babylon the treasures of this Temple and all the captives. 7 But listen now to the solemn words I speak to you in the presence of all these people. 8 The ancient prophets who preceded you and me spoke against many nations, always warning of war, disaster, and disease. 9 So a prophet who predicts peace must show he is right. Only when his predictions come true can we know that he is really from the Lord.”

10 Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke off Jeremiah’s neck and broke it in pieces. 11 And Hananiah said again to the crowd that had gathered, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Just as this yoke has been broken, within two years I will break the yoke of oppression from all the nations now subject to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.’” With that, Jeremiah left the Temple area.

12 Soon after this confrontation with Hananiah, the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah: 13 “Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what the Lord says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but you have replaced it with a yoke of iron. 14 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: I have put a yoke of iron on the necks of all these nations, forcing them into slavery under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control.’”

15 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, but the people believe your lies. 16 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: ‘You must die. Your life will end this very year because you have rebelled against the Lord.’”

17 Two months later the prophet Hananiah died.

One needs to be discerning as to what is said, who has said it and measuring it for some consistency against the Word of God. Align to this the need to hear personally, what is God saying to me.

There are many who bring counterfeit messages to us, wanting us to believe what they have to say. Whether it is that it brings attention to them. Whether it be that there is a lack of accountability because they fleet in and out of our midst as they bring the message. Whether it be that it is a pet peeve of theirs they want to get across. Whatever the initial reason for such action, we need to be prepared to sift through the messages and find / know the truth.

The best way I believe we can do this is by continually being a people who align our lives, our living, to the Word and principles of God. That we intentionally follow His lead. That we ensure each day, some time, is spent in the Word of God.

What do you love ...

It can be an interesting conversation to ask this question. the answers I am sure will be (or may be) quite varied, from I love my wife, my kids (children), my lifestyle, my home, my car, CHOCOLATE (mmmm), etc. of course if we were to look for biblical descriptors we would find that there are different terms for love (but I am not going there today). Simply I want to be thinking about the things that we might invest ourselves in to. What we give our attention to. What we focus on. have a look at the verses for today:

1 John 2:15-17 (New Living Translation)

Do Not Love This World

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

It is a bit like that Scripture that reminds us we cannot love both money and God, you will love one and hate the other. You cannot have two masters. If you give yourself over to (give your attention, focus, invest your time and resources into) the world and the things of the world, the very real outcome is that God is snubbed, put on the back burner, left out of the equation.

The world (or the things in it) have great allurement to the eye. they have a tendency to have outcomes of a pleasurable nature (albeit temporary). And we can be pretty much assured that once it gets a hold of us, it is difficult to break free from its grasp - thus the warning.

Lord, I know I can be attracted to many things within the world. There is much that captures my eye. Help me to keep my attention to the things that are of You. Help me to focus on You. help me to invest in the Kingdom that is Yours.

The case ...

Here is an amazing passage of Scripture for us:

1 John 1:1-4 (New Living Translation) 

Introduction

 ¹ We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. ² This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

 1 John 1:1-4 (The Message) 

^1-2From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.

 ^3-4We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!

Jesus is the Word of life ... that is the statement that is made in this introduction. And how is this conclusion drawn? This is not drawn from mere hearsay. It is not a case of second hand knowledge as someone recalled what they had seen and passed it on to someone else and on to someone else. It is not based upon some deductive thinking or theory.

The case for this claim is on personal experience. I love the statement From the very first day we were there. Here are actual eyewitnesses. Here are people who experienced Jesus for themselves. They give us insight into the the full package experience that they had - we heard, we saw, we touched. 

The same continues for us you know. That should be the basis for our testimony. Think about it - what have you seen Jesus do in the lives of others and in your life? What has Jesus revealed to you, spoken to you? Let the case you build be one that is upon your own experience.

The turn-around ...

Have you encountered those times when things just don;t seem to be going your way? You would feel you are even sweet with the Lord, in tune with what He might be signaling as the way you ought to be living, and yet stuff seems to be happening that is neither positive or encouraging. In fact, it seems you are far from being the "blessed" person you are supposed to be as one of His followers.

Well we return to another Psalm and are reminded to give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness ... (Psalm 105:1) But there is much more to this amazing Psalm for us tonight. For we are given a number of accounts that serve as a reminder to us that though the chips might be down, the God Whom we serve, Whom we praise, Whom we worship - is able to turn-around even the most unbelievable circumstances. Let me highlight just one of these - the story (account) of Joseph:

Psalm 105:16-22 (New Living Translation)

 ¹⁶ He called for a famine on the land of Canaan,
      cutting off its food supply.
 ¹⁷ Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—
      Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
 ¹⁸ They bruised his feet with fetters
      and placed his neck in an iron collar.
 ¹⁹ Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,
      the Lord tested Joseph’s character.
 ²⁰ Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free;
      the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.
 ²¹ Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household;
      he became ruler over all the king’s possessions.
 ²² He could instruct the king’s aides as he pleased
      and teach the king’s advisers.

In fact that is only part of it - if we were to go back and read over his life account we would discover a number of repeated occasions that reflect the same turn-around experience for Joseph. 

It struck a cord for me, reminding me that I am called to be faithful and true to God whatever the circumstances I face, or experience. God does not promise that things will always be easy, or plain sailing, however I am constantly reminded that He is faithful. He is trustworthy. He loves me and has my best interest in mind, and to this end, He will never leave me. All this serves as a reassurance, that no matter how difficult or unpleasant the experience for me, God is able to turn-around the situation. 

Lord, it is my desire that I be found, even through testing, to be faithful in my proclaiming thanks to You in ALL circumstances. Receive and accept my thanks today!

Obedience ...

Here's a wonderful tribute to a tribe of people (the Recabites) who's stand out compliment is to do with their willingness to be faithful through obedience. They were known for the fact that they were instructed to "not drink wine, not to plant vines or build houses or plant crops, rather to merely live in tents." In so doing they were promised "If you follow these commands you will live long, good lives in the land." So what do you think they did? "So they obeyed in all these things."

It is interesting to find the amount of times that people start well, but fall away in the ensuing months or years. But here are a people commended for sticking to the command that had been directed to them. More than this, they are actually used here as an example for the Israel (as Jeremiah is to address both Judah and Jerusalem to "come learn a lesson about how to obey Me ..."

Have a look through the Scripture passage:  Jeremiah 35: 1-19

The lesson for us today is that firstly, we clearly discern (understand, hear, interpret) the message of instruction that God has for us today and the days ahead. Secondly that we ensure that we act upon the instruction as it is declared to us, in faithfulness and obedience. 

Here is a way that we might be an example of others to learn and also become true followers of the living God.

The stand-outs ...

Looking at the passage of Jesus being betrayed by Judas, had me thinking of the "stand-out" moments in people's lives. Those moments that distinguished them from others. The times when that real "something" made them stand out from the crowd, from everyone else.

Maybe I am wrong, but there seems to be those moments for many people who we characterise as being "above" others. It was a moment in time that captured our attention and appealed to us. Think about it in this sense. Mother Theresa is a "stand-out" in our minds - yet, is she the only one who has worked (works) in the slums of India assisting the poor - no. But there was a moment in time where she captured the attention of "someone" (and then others) and that moment was leveraged to bring attention to the plight of the people she was looking to assist. Throughout history there seems many just like this.

Reading the account in John's Gospel today (actually yesterday now - John 18: 1-14) I sensed this to be another of those "stand-out" moments for Jesus. There are some of us who might have wanted to be behind Peter (just after he has cut off the ear of the High Priest's slave - Malchus), behind him yelling, "now one in the chest, and look out for the person behind you - run Jesus, run ..." But the reaction of Jesus was very different. He has Peter put the sword away, puts the ear back on the guys head and echoes once more His resign to do the will of His Father. He hands Himself over to those who have come with the intent that they might snuff out His life. He gives Himself over to death. Yes, He knew only too well what this would all mean, and yet, He was still willing to face that music.

You know what stands out even more for me, what amazes me more than anything else? The fact that Jesus, at this moment, was willing to give up Himself for me, not the world, all peoples everywhere, for me. That He was willing (and remains willing) to surrender His life that I might know life in all it's fullness - wow, that just blows my mind.

What a "stand-out" moment!

The ultimate King ...

Another of those things that stands out for me about the Psalms is the imagery that is expressed. Have a look at this one and see what comes to your mind and then I will share a few of my thoughts:

Psalm 93 (New Living Translation)

1 The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty.

Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength.

The world stands firm

and cannot be shaken.

2 Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial.

You yourself are from the everlasting past.

3 The floods have risen up, O Lord.

The floods have roared like thunder;

the floods have lifted their pounding waves.

4 But mightier than the violent raging of the seas,

mightier than the breakers on the shore—

the Lord above is mightier than these!

5 Your royal laws cannot be changed.

Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever.

I think of the King sitting on a huge throne, you know the type seen in the movies, where it is so large that it virtually envelopes them. And yet, with God it is somewhat different, for what could be bigger than He. Then I am drawn to the flowing eloquent robes, so pure in nature, fine and like nothing we have ever seen before. I think of the pure white appearance and yet adorned with purple, such as might be fitting for royalty.

Then there is the disposition that seems fitting for a King, steadfast, strong and decisive. Full of wisdom and truth and grace and mercy and love - like none ever before Him.

I am drawn to contemplate the natural elements - raging torrents of water, so powerful man is unable to stop them, cleaning up anything in their paths, whether on land or at sea. But, in the comparison, my God is bigger, more powerful, in control and able to tame even these.

Yes, the Lord, God, has rules in place. Rules for the universe to be governed by. Rules for me to live a healthy and meaningful existence in harmony with my environment and those I am to share this life with.And He reigns. He is in charge. He is the instigator and sustainor of all things - He is indeed Holy. And His rule is forever, and ever and ever and ...........

Have a look again:

Psalm 93 (The Message)

God is King, robed and ruling, God is robed and surging with strength.

And yes, the world is firm, immovable,

Your throne ever firm—you're Eternal!

3-4 Sea storms are up, God,

Sea storms wild and roaring,

Sea storms with thunderous breakers.

Stronger than wild sea storms,

Mightier than sea-storm breakers,

Mighty God rules from High Heaven.

5 What you say goes—it always has.

"Beauty" and "Holy" mark your palace rule,

God, to the very end of time.

Back to basics ...

I was thinking I could title this one - "Worship 101" - and then for the body of the Blog write the following -

"GOD!"

It really is that simple, isn't it? Oh how I find myself at times complicating things. Getting all concerned with whether I am on track. Whether I have been focused on certain practices, etc, etc. And then I look at the following :

Psalm 96 (New Living Translation)

1 Sing a new song to the Lord!

Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!

2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name.

Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.

Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!

He is to be feared above all gods.

5 The gods of other nations are mere idols,

but the Lord made the heavens!

6 Honor and majesty surround him;

strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.

7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;

recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.

8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!

Bring your offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.

Let all the earth tremble before him.

10 Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

He will judge all peoples fairly.

11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!

Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!

Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise

13 before the Lord, for he is coming!

He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with justice,

and the nations with his truth.

And I am reminded that it is God whom I am to worship. It is God who deserves my praise. It is God who is my salvation. It is God who deserves my offering (my life - a living sacrifice). It is God who is Holy. It is God who judges. It is God who reigns.

So, back to the first thought then -

Title:  "Worship 101"
"GOD!"

The source ...

Another one of those stand out passages. One that reminds us where we get our life source from, but at the same time warning of the apparent loss when one is not productive in bearing fruit.

It is one thing to be sucking the life out of all that we can (receiving sustenance, a good education, good leading and example from others), but if one's life is not producing anything from this, it is pretty pointless. Jesus points out that part of being grafted into Him as our life source, is that we produce fruit. That our lives effect the lives of others. I think of this fruit being that Galatians 5:22-23 (New Living Translation) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.

These ought to be evident in our lives if we are people who's lives are grafted into the life of Christ. Have a read of the verses again and take up the challenge to produce, much good fruit:

John 15:1-17 (The Message)

The Vine and the Branches

1-3 "I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.

4"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

5-8"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

9-10"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.

11-15"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.

16"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

17"But remember the root command: Love one another.

If you love Me ...

A short and simple response as Jesus tries to get the message through to the disciples that His time was coming to an end, and that the way to the Father is through Him. They have all sorts of problems comprehending what He is saying. It just does not gel in their minds. And then this verse:

John 14:15 (New Living Translation)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.

 

This stands out for me because we often experience a turn around in the statement. If you give me this, I will do this for you in return. We tend to want something in return. Jesus says, if you love Me, show it by doing what I've told you (Eugene Peterson - The Message). Show it by your actions. Back it up with a heart that is obedient.

 

Well I know I am challenged. It certainly leaves me much to contemplate.

What sort of leader ...

There has always been something about this passage for me. I like the idea that says, a leader is someone who is humble enough to help others with whatever is needed. So for Jesus to disrobe, place a towel around his waist and wash the feet of the disciples appeals to me.

I have met leaders that were good at what they do. They were thoughtful. They were knowledgeable. They were visionary. But, the thing that seemed lacking to me was that after a function, they were lax in picking up a tea towel and pitching in to help out. It seemed like it was below them to do this.

Have a look at the reading:

John 13:1-17 (New Living Translation)

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.[a] 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas,[b] son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet,[c] to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Lord, help me to remain humble throughout life. Help me to remember the lessons I have learnt to date, whereby I will be a servant leader. As Jesus was inclined to get down and wash the feet of His disciples, may it be that I am not beyond performing even the most menial of tasks, alongside others, for others.