Where are you?

I have spoken a bit of times about this "connecting" theme and the associated inherent desire and need for "relationship". The strong belief that God created us with this as a part of our DNA.

At times the struggle that I find people often have is with the thought that God would "want to" be in relationship with them. This feeling that "I" could never be good enough. That God is so Holy that He continues to be separated from us and that He is more interested in looking for what we do wrong to punish us, rather than long to be in relationship with us.

Well, if you find yourself in that category, or have been there and wondered whether He was really interested in relationship with you, then I think I have a verse from the beginning of creation that spells this out quite clearly. Most would be familiar with the creation story as recorded for us in the first two chapters of Genesis. This is then followed by what might commonly be called "the fall" or the record of "man and woman sin". Now one of the things we understand early of God is His all knowingness (omniscience), nothing is hid from Him. In fact, parents have often used this in an attempt for their children to be good, "you know He (God) knows!". And yet, here is the verse that follows the account of them (Adam & Eve) sinning, being disobedient to an instruction given from God:-

⁸ When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God.
⁹ God called to the Man: “Where are you?”

God comes looking for Adam & Eve, the impression is that this is a regular thing, He comes strolling through the garden. Now they are only too aware the impact of sin (their disobedience) upon their lives. The innocence of being naked is lost and they attempt to cover themselves and hide themselves from the sight of God, their Creator. But God seeks them out - "where are you?"

 Furthermore, the thing that stirs me more and more as I spend time in the presence of God, is that He continues to be interested in me, in relationship with me. Still it puzzles me. Still I might question why, but the Gospels remind me I am His child. I am valued in His sight. He created me with purpose and in love and makes provision that I might find a way into His presence all the time. (This includes you too).

I am a sinful being, not any different to Adam and Eve in so many ways. I make mistakes, I get things wrong. I might not always be obedient. But I am grateful for a loving and gracious God who calls out to me, "Andrew, where are you"?

 

Connecting with each other

By now you will be aware that I am sold out on the mandate of CONNECTING. A little while ago I introduced this idea of :-

CONNECTING with God
CONNECTING with each other
CONNECTING with our community

There are two passages of Scripture which bring focus for me in this aspect of connecting with each other:-

 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 this passage reminds us of the infinite value that every single person has to making up the whole, and this whole to which I refer is the Body - the church. I become very aware that none is exempt and we need to be doing all that we can (those of us who are a part of the church) to ensure that we are inclusive of those who come amongst us. There are people for whom the feeling of being insignificant and insufficient is a very real experience, and this is not confined to an out-of-church experience (sadly). Yet this Scripture reminds us that ALL are necessary to make for the body to be functional and healthy. Without each person finding their place and operating to capacity, as they are designed, the body is placed under immense and unnecessary pressure. We need to learn better that none are more important that others, only different. Our Lego block becomes a good representation of this for us, they are different in shape, size, colour, etc.

Hebrews 10: 19-25  this passage reminds us of the importance of meeting together regularly, and compels us that we don't stop doing this. Some of the important reasons for this are highlighted in the following for us and come from various translations:- 

• the need to be motivating one another on to acts of love and good works
• we should encourage one another
• consider and give attentive, continuous care 
• study to show how we might stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities
• be inventive in encouraging and helping out

Another aspect that is important to consider is what our strong connection to one another reveals to the world around us. It reveals our relationship to Jesus and the difference He makes in our lives and relationships, believe it, people do notice. Sometimes the greater reality is that people question why we are not different at times, why the unforgiveness, bitterness, conflict is so rife within the church, because they expect a difference in people who profess to be the church. 

So here is the deal for us. We are a people created to be in relationship with God, in touch with the Creator. Learning, developing, growing and bearing fruit from this relationship. However, the relationship circle widens to encompass one another, whereby we look out for the interests of each other. Encouraging, spurring on into greater things. Identifying that EVERY person has a place and is vital to the whole, that makes up the body. In each person finding their place, this body becomes fully functioning and grows and produces good fruit from it's labours.

You have a functioning part to play in the body that is the church. Are you finding that place? 

My God...

It is interesting in conversation at times to see how many people have a belief 'in' God. Prevalent today is the thought that God is the same across religions. A figure, being, object, mostly out there somewhere and affecting some things in life, usually to be blamed for the bad things.

1 Kings 5:1-51-4 Hiram king of Tyre sent ambassadors to Solomon when he heard that he had been crowned king in David’s place. Hiram had loved David his whole life. Solomon responded, saying, “You know that David my father was not able to build a temple in honor of God because of the wars he had to fight on all sides, until God finally put them down. But now God has provided peace all around—no one against us, nothing at odds with us.

5 “Now here is what I want to do: Build a temple in honor of God, my God, following the promise that God gave to David my father, namely, ‘Your son whom I will provide to succeed you as king, he will build a house in my honor.’ ”

Here is what stood out 'my God'. The personal relationship that we have with God. It is what often sets Christians apart from others. It is the desire of God that we know Him, His love and care and plan for us each. In the storms and difficult times, He is not remote, removed from it all, He is right there in the midst of it with me - He is MY God and I am His child.

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.

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!

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.

To do ...

The Scriptures from Hebrews (chapter 10) continue the thought of yesterday in relation to the sacrifice that was made for total cleansing from sin. Christ, giving up His own life for the forgiveness of my sins (our sins) and thus replacing the defunct sacrifices of animals (and the application of their blood) of various kinds that were deficient and now superseded.

In the dialogue that differentiates the two orders or systems, Jesus is found to say:

Hebrews 10:9 (New Living Translation)

9 Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.”

He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect.

It had me thinking, what is the Father's (God's) will for my life?

We see in this following verse that we are being made holy:

Hebrews 10:14 (New Living Translation)

14 For by that one offering he forever made

perfect those who are being made holy.

Further on we see:
 

Hebrews 10:24-25 (New Living Translation)

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another

to acts of love and good works.

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together,

as some people do, but encourage one another,

especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

We are reminded of the importance of motivating one another in actions that display love and good works. The necessity of meeting regularly together and again to encourage one another. However, I don't think it answers the question of what is God's will for me - I think these requirements are for us each generally, universally, inclusively.

 

What I do believe is, we need to develop our relationship with God to the point that in our state of full surrender and total dependence upon Him, we find clarity in that which He determines and calls me (us) to, His will for me (for us).

 

"Lord, tonight I surrender myself over to You afresh. That I might more clearly discover the plan You have for me, what Your desired will is for my life. Lord, help me to come before You in silence, with a willing heart and mind, to hear Your voice as you reveal to me Your will."

Look and see ...

As I was contemplating this tonight I was going to title this, "some just don't get it ...". I realised though this might be a bit different to just not getting it. That would infer to me that there was some difficulty to interpreting the message. Whereas, I think it is a bit more subtle, for as I read these verses from Amos chapters 4 & 5, it appears that ALL these various peoples were given ample signs and they simply did not heed the warning/s. And now they were paying the penalty for this. The common theme interwoven through these verses:

Amos 4:6, 8, 9, 10, 11,  (New Living Translation)

... But still you would not return to me,”

says the Lord.

Amos 4:6 (The Message)

But you never got hungry for me.

You continued to ignore me."

God's Decree.

Can you begin to imagine the heartache of God? Can you see the desire He has? For He wants that His people would recognise the signs and see how He wants to be their God. He wants them to return to Him. It is somewhat a replay of the forgiving Father (New Testament Prodigal Son account). God wants for them to be in relationship with Him.

"Father, I wonder if I should dare ask, is there something I am not seeing? Open my eyes, remove any distractions, let me not miss what You are trying to reveal to me, if this is the case. Help me Lord to be attentive, having eyes let me see, having ears let me hear You voice. Help me to act worthily to the claims I have as Your servant. Help me to be faithful and honourable to You."