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!
 

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.

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.

And then ...

This week has been a tremendous time for me as I have had the opportunity to participate in the Hillsong Conference (Sydney, Australia). There have been some inspirational speakers, including one of my favourites in Andy Stanley. The music and singing has been top notch and something that affects deep into the heart. This year also had a strong focus on the social justice issues and focused on the response that we as Christians may have and should have.

You might have gathered from the title of today's contribution that I am somewhat a realist though. I believe I would be irresponsible if I didn't examine and answer the question "And then?" or "And now what?" I have been around long enough to realise that unless I actually allow that which I have been exposed to, to impact my world, then it avails to nothing. "What difference will it now make?" is a fair question. It is not unlike the daily reading of the Scriptures and what this Blog attempts to do - to answer the same questions, What have I learnt? What is going to be different? The lessons learnt, as revealing as they might be and as impactful as the required response may be, are not nearly as hard or trying as getting back home and putting them into practice in the day to day.

I must be prepared to come away from such an experience and allow God to continue the good work He has begun in me. My surrender here, MUST continue, daily and throughout the day from now on. I must be obedient and submissive to my Master and Lord, Jesus.

So, here's to another new day in the journey of life. I must say, I am grateful to God for the opportunity that is mine to have such rich experiences and sensational mates to journey with in this - every rich and unfathomable blessing to you as you learn and live - journey well!

How you live ...

Do you have those occasions when you think, I don't know that I will worry about this ..." and then you decide, nah I think I will do that. And when you do you discover something that you would otherwise have missed out on. There are times when I will leave some of the readings from the "Life journal Reading Plan" opting to shorten the load on the occasion, ie. I might choose not to do the Chronicles readings for a series, etc. Well that is where I was at today, I thought I would give the 2 Chronicles 26 & 27 a miss, then changed my mind. I am glad I did.

In chapter 26 we read of the great start that Uzziah got off to as King:

2 Chronicles 26:4-5 (New Living Translation)

4 He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done. 5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.

It seems that the Kings who were pleasing in the Lord's sight are few and far between. And then there is the disappointment:

2 Chronicles 26:16 (New Living Translation)

Uzziah’s Sin and Punishment

16 But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.

It was then that I read further into chapter 27, I am so glad that I did. Here I encountered Uzziah's son, Jotham, and here are the couple of encouraging verses:

2 Chronicles 27:2 (New Living Translation)

2 Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done, except that Jotham did not sin by entering the Temple of the Lord. But the people continued in their corrupt ways.

2 Chronicles 27:6 (New Living Translation)

6 King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.

I love reading of those who have managed to keep it together. Especially when there is some record of what assisted them to do this. What helped them to be successful. For Jotham we discover it was because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.

What does this mean? I believe it marries with those verses we have looked at before whereby we are reminded that God is satisfied when we are honest and upright before Him. When we remember to listen and attune our lives to His instruction, being obedient to His voice, rather than merely following tradition or practice. I reckon it aligns to the occasions where instruction is given to "guard your faith". To ensure that you remain in the Lord by displaying those fruits of the Spirit in your life (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).

"Lord, it is my desire to be one of Your servants who is careful to live in obedience to Your plan for my life. I understand though that I cannot accomplish this in my own strength. Help me to lean on the strength that comes in Your Holy Spirit, so that I might be counted faithful and obedient."

Conviction ...

I was reminded in worship at CitySalvos tonight to follow the conviction that you have. What is it that God has placed upon your heart and infiltrated your mind with? What is it you feel most strongly about? What is it you are passionate about?

Is it about social justice? Is it about preaching the Word of God? Is it about evangelism (sharing the Good News with others). Is it about serving others in some fashion? It is leadership of some capacity?

The encouragement would be to test this against the Word of God, does this match with His plan for us as Christians? Is God speaking clearly to you that, this is His plan for you? This is important. We need to ensure it is of God and not merely something we want, something we are looking for, something that satisfies us.

Are you convinced it is of God. Otherwise get on your knees and check in with God and be certain. Get together with a trusted spiritual friend and together search the Scriptures and see you are on the right track. And then, be obedient to follow that passion all the way. Faithfully and in honour of God.

Where's the heart ...

How careful we have to be to ensure we do not get in such a rut that all we are doing is going through the motions. I have seen it, time and time again. Here is the typical one I can recall - "we really must say the Lord's prayer ..." Are you kidding me? Do you not get it? Have a look again, here is a way to fashion your prayer. Here is a model for you. Look at the various elements that are contained, and pray in this fashion. I even recall an occasion whereby for a number of weeks we dissected the model and worked through it to assist people to understand what was meant by this instruction of Jesus. And you know what happened? Somebody approached me at the end of the series and asked, "are we going to say it in the services again each week now." Well you might imagine I just wanted to scream.

The passage from Isaiah tonight reveals to us that the people were fulfilling the elements to worship - sacrifices, burnt offerings, parading in the courts of the temple with ceremony, bringing gifts, burning incense, lifting their hands in prayer and offering many prayers... But, this is not what satisfies the Lord if all it is, is a going through the motions. Have a look at what the Lord required of them (and requires of us).

Isaiah 1:16-17 (New Living Translation)

16 Wash yourselves and be clean!

Get your sins out of my sight.

Give up your evil ways.

17 Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Help the oppressed.

Defend the cause of orphans.

Fight for the rights of widows.

We are to look out for those who are marginalised and disadvantaged within our communities, that's what this means, that is what the Lord requires. It might be somewhat like the Matthew 25 passage - "as you have done unto the least of these ..."

However, let me point out - it is not merely about our correction, or about what we must do. It follows on somewhat from the restorative reading of yesterday. Have a look at the activity of the Lord in this, as He looks to make things right:

Isaiah 1:18-20 (New Living Translation)

18 “Come now, let’s settle this,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

I will make them as white as snow.

Though they are red like crimson,

I will make them as white as wool.

And the promise if we are obedient:

19 If you will only obey me,

you will have plenty to eat.

And if we are not obedient:

20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen,

you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.

I, the Lord, have spoken!”

I know where my choice lies.

Small windows ...

You may have heard before the urgency that lies for us to be faithful in telling the Message of God (the Good News). Such Scriptures remind us of Jesus coming as a thief in the night (in other words, the timing being unknown, but it could be any time, so be prepared, ready, on guard even).

Another reminder comes in this passage of Scripture:

2 Timothy 4:1-4 (New Living Translation)

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

Firstly, be reminded of the task at hand: we are to preach the Word of God. And there is a huge challenge in this task – "whether the time is favourable or not." And further to this, here is what this will look like (the preaching of the Word of God) – with patience correct (let them know what is wrong with what they are doing, how they ought to be going about their lives, what is truthful, accurate, acceptable , remember though, in patience), rebuke (reprove, reprimand, take to task over – again remember, this is still in the framework of patience), and encourage (I like this one and find it more natural for me, give confidence – your confidence in them, hearten them, cheer them on).

Secondly, and back to the urgency aspect, for a time is coming when they will no longer be willing to listen, the window of opportunity is at times very small and could close at any time. They may give their attention to the ways of the world, chase after that which satisfies the flesh. By then it may have become too late – they reject the truth and chase after myths, false teachings, etc.

Wow, what a responsibility we have. How important that we are faithful to the call God has placed upon us to faithfully preach His message when the opportunity presents. Yet, don’t be too overwhelmed into thinking of the responsibility that you freeze from responding. Remember, the Lord provides the strength and the words, we just need to respond by being in the place He has sent us and open our mouths as He directs.

“Lord, it seems at times a daunting task. It is easy to become overwhelmed and even respond that this is too much of a responsibility to be placed upon my shoulders. Yet, it is good for me to remember then, that my responsibility is not for the salvation or response of others, but to be faithful and  obedient. Lord, help me to BE Your willing and obedient servant.”