Connecting with each other...

You will know by now if you have followed my Blog that I am sold out on the need for us to be connected. I have shared before the need to be connected to God, however the second element is the need to be "connected with each other", that is, with each other within the church. 

The focus within this must not be about creating a "club", which has tended to happen in the past. This is not about securing ourselves in a protected environment away from the ills and threats of the world. Rather, this ought to be a place where we find support, encouragement and are spurred on in our discipleship, following Christ, living Christ in the world (wherever we are).

It is good, and important for us to stop and think about this. We need to ensure that our gathering together is healthy and wholesome. That the focus is upon the interest of others and not merely about us. Of recent I have thought a bit about this. I have wondered about us exercising some 'lag time' before we make response in our conversations. Take the time to ask ourselves the question, 'is this conversation or subject helpful and beneficial, or might it be counted as gossip or really none of my business?' I think it is time that we stood up for what is right and honest and of benefit to others, rather than getting caught up in matters that might not be the 'whole truth' or that might not be 'helpful' to another, whether directly or by what it might do to their character.

How different church, and the whole of life for that matter, might be, if our conversations and interest are in regard to the spiritual journey of each other and how we might best support one another practically or prayerfully. Of recent I have appreciated occasions with people whereby this has been the centre of our conversations (over a good coffee of course). Our focus has been upon our encounter with Christ through the Word (the Scriptures) and in our everyday experiences, how He (Jesus) has revealed Himself to us. Fresh discoveries. New learning's. This has been so liberating, so encouraging and exciting. The other thing is, you find you want more of it. And, it fits you (equips you) for living in the everyday.

Interestingly, Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13: 35 (NLT)

Let's do it! Let's ensure that we are intent on what is good for each other, seeking to make a positive impact upon one another, so that we are clearly identified as belonging to Christ, known as His disciples, His followers. If this happens, I believe people will want to be journeying with us, they desire genuine people in their lives. Let's score some wins for Jesus!

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!

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.

Mirror, Mirror ...

As I was reading through the passage (as per below) I began thinking of the Fairy Tale "Snow White". I thought of the queen (?) and her seeing what she wanted to see in the mirror each day, until one day the mirror revealed to her another story (someone fairer than herself, someone far more beautiful). And she didn't like what she saw, however it was the truth.

In this passage of Scripture the people have some association with God, though it seems only by name now, for He awaits them to call on Him but they don't. They go about their own ways and practices, much of which is offensive and a slap in the face to God. And it is like He has to hold a mirror up to them to see this:

Isaiah 65 (New Living Translation)

Judgment and Final Salvation

1 The Lord says,

“I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.

I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.

I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’

to a nation that did not call on my name.

2 All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people.

But they follow their own evil paths

and their own crooked schemes.

3 All day long they insult me to my face

by worshiping idols in their sacred gardens.

They burn incense on pagan altars.

4 At night they go out among the graves,

worshiping the dead.

They eat the flesh of pigs

and make stews with other forbidden foods.

5 Yet they say to each other,

‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me!

I am holier than you!’

These people are a stench in my nostrils,

an acrid smell that never goes away.

I was particularly interested that these people, in all their actions (and practices) which were obviously contrary to what God had directed through the generations, had the thinking that they were holy. And that they desired for others not to defile them. It was a reminder to me of how easy it can be that we get so caught up in what we are doing that we don't see how off centre, or off track our living is to the plan and purpose of God. So much so that we soon believe ourselves that it is OK. That we see only what we want to see in the mirror.

How grateful I am that either through my reading of the Scripture (a discipline necessary to keep on track), or other materials, and on occasions through some close, honest friends, God on occasions holds up a mirror of truth for me to see what is "really" happening in my life.

It is my desire Lord, that when You reveal the truth of my ways, my intentions and my practices that are contrary to Your plan and desire for me, that I take note and make the necessary change/s. I want not to be amongst another group of Pharisees in the world today. Help me through Your Holy Spirit to be faithful and honouring of You by the way I live my life.