Saturday, 25 August 2007
Friday, 24 August 2007
Crying
"Thus I set free the tears which before I repressed, that they might flow at will, spreading them out as a pillow beneath my heart. And it rested on them, ..."
Augustine Confessions Book 9
Thursday, 23 August 2007
Comic Genius
I have just come home from Moore DBS Doctrine 2 lecture and have found this comic gem.
A must see!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNWeWY7xCVk
A must see!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNWeWY7xCVk
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
This most beautiful passage describes a woman overcome with her own sinfulness and with love for Jesus, in tears at His feet. In an exquisite display of belief and repentance, she shows true faith - and she is set free.
At times I feel overcome with the gravity of my sin, my total unworthiness. But with this comes a great gift. For I am forgiven much and can tell of God's awesome grace and mercy.
Luke 7: 36 - 50
Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.
"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.
"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Monday, 20 August 2007
Friday, 17 August 2007
Rejoicing in all circumstances
I have always found that command to "rejoice in all circumstances" odd.
I have never really understood how we can be thankful to God when things are really bad.
Rejoicing in all circumstances is probably the opposite of self-pity. And self-pity is such an ungodly and unattractive quality, isn't it?
Blessed Be His Name is my favourite song. "...blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering, Though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be Your name".
But am I really thankful, truely joyful, in times of great pain? No, I don't think I am. It is counter-intuiative. I lapse into self-pity. Wanting to know the reason why. Unless I can understand the reason for my pain, it seems to be in vain.
A woman in childbirth certainly isn't enjoying the experience, the pain of the moment, but she may be rejoicing that God has blessed her with this great miracle of new life.
I know that God is sovereign in all things. I know that he loves me. I know that he has called me to be His daughter. I know my salvation is assured. I know that he will glorify me.
I know that he is changing me to become more like Christ. How does he do this? Through the experiences, circumstances, emotions, relationships in my life. If my pain is making me more like Christ then I can rejoice. I can rejoice in all circumstances - good, bad, boring, challenging, mundane, painful, because I know that my sovereign God is using them to mould me into the woman He intends me to be. A Christ-like woman.
So let me praise God for all the things in my life. How wonderful, how gracious, how awesome is our God!
Romans 8: 28- 30
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Meme - Tagged by Phil
I’ve been tagged by Phil (http://casethepromisedland.blogspot.com) to post “that verse or story of scripture which is important to me, which you find yourself re-visiting time after time”.
So hard to choose. The passage by which I was converted - The Prodigal Son Luke 15 will always hold a special place in my heart (I have talked at length about this passage on this blog under "Welcome Home - a bible passage to knock your socks off" 14 April 2007)
However, the passage to which I return most frequently is John 10. I am vulnerable and easily led astray, but I belong to Jesus. God the Father has given me to Him and nothing can snatch me out of his hand. He will not let go of me. I am His.
John 10: 11 - 18, 27- 30
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."
I now tag Craig T.
So hard to choose. The passage by which I was converted - The Prodigal Son Luke 15 will always hold a special place in my heart (I have talked at length about this passage on this blog under "Welcome Home - a bible passage to knock your socks off" 14 April 2007)
However, the passage to which I return most frequently is John 10. I am vulnerable and easily led astray, but I belong to Jesus. God the Father has given me to Him and nothing can snatch me out of his hand. He will not let go of me. I am His.
John 10: 11 - 18, 27- 30
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."
I now tag Craig T.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
What happens to us when we die?
What happens to us when we die? As Christians we believe in the sure promise of the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. However there is some debate about what happens to a believer’s existence between her death and resurrection after the Final Judgement. This temporary period is known as the intermediate state.
There is a paucity of information in Scripture on the intermediate state. Some argue that this is due to the belief of the early church that the Second Coming was so imminent that it would be almost irrelevant to reflect upon the state between death and Final Judgement.
Salvation is ultimately the resurrection of a unified body and soul. So as to avoid the idea of a disembodied existence, some argue that when a believer dies she passes out of the whole time order, until her next conscious moment at the Final Judgement. Her resurrected body is created by God out of nothing, with God bringing forth a new life.
Other theologians propose the idea of soul sleep. According to this theory, a believer ‘sleeps’, in the protective care of God, unconscious until resurrection. Scriptural passages including Acts 13:36-37, 1Corinthians 15:5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 which refer to death as sleep are used in support of this view. Whilst these theories overcome disassociation of a body and a spirit, a review of Scripture provides evidence for cognisance in the intermediate state. For example, in the appearance of Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:30 ff); the words of Jesus when questioned on marriage and the resurrection (Luke 20: 35-38); and the account of the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:55-56).
Alternative views of the intermediate state, incorporating conscious awareness have therefore emerged. The Roman Catholic Church holds to the doctrine of Purgatory. Purgatory is said to be a period of temporal punishment for sins after death and before heaven. The suffering is thought to cleanse and prepare the believer to be in the presence of Christ. Scriptural passages used in support of this doctrine include: 2 Maccabees 12: 42-46 purporting both punishment and forgiveness beyond the grave; Isaiah 4:4 and Malachi 3:2ff describing refining or cleansing; Matthew 12: 32 leaving open the possibility that sins are forgiven not only in this world but in world to come; 1 Cor 3: 15 supporting transient purification and punishment; and the parables of Matt 5: 26 and Matthew 18:34 where the prisoners, not released until the last penny is paid, are paralleled with the souls of those enduring time-limited punishment of Purgatory.
Purgatory is rejected by evangelical Christians based upon the weakness of the biblical basis for this doctrine (2 Maccabees is not part of the inspired canon of Scripture and the other Scriptural texts are used out of context or misinterpreted) . Furthermore, the doctrine of Purgatory deprives God of his freedom and majesty as Judge and denies the sufficiency of the cross. Purification from our sins was accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross and no further cleansing is required (Hebrews 10:14; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:38-39).
The best evidence as to the nature of the intermediate state is to be found in the following Scriptural passages. Firstly, in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16: 22 ff), set before the Final Judgement, Lazarus is carried to Abraham’s side and comforted, whilst the rich man is suffering in hell. Secondly, in the moments before his death, Jesus tells the repentant sinner on the cross, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43). In Peter’s Pentecost sermon he refers to Psalm 16:10, to assure believers that they will not be abandoned to the grave (Acts 2:27). On several occasions, Paul refers to dying as being preferable to life because it means being with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5 has been interpreted by Calvin as meaning that after death, the condition of the soul changes, commencing the process of becoming the eternal building made by God, which will be completed at the final resurrection. Finally, Revelations depicts the martyred saints gathered around the throne awaiting the Final Judgement, crying “How long, Sovereign Lord?” (Revelations 6: 9-11).
From Scripture we can conclude that the believer does not cease to exist after death, but rather is delivered from the power of Hell. The intermediate state is not yet the gloriously resurrected life, but it is a fellowship with Christ in some incomplete, provisional form. The central hope of the Scriptures is not the mere continued existence of the soul, but the resurrection of the united body and soul. Therefore, speculation on the intermediate state should never detract from the certainty we have in the hope of the new creation.
There is a paucity of information in Scripture on the intermediate state. Some argue that this is due to the belief of the early church that the Second Coming was so imminent that it would be almost irrelevant to reflect upon the state between death and Final Judgement.
Salvation is ultimately the resurrection of a unified body and soul. So as to avoid the idea of a disembodied existence, some argue that when a believer dies she passes out of the whole time order, until her next conscious moment at the Final Judgement. Her resurrected body is created by God out of nothing, with God bringing forth a new life.
Other theologians propose the idea of soul sleep. According to this theory, a believer ‘sleeps’, in the protective care of God, unconscious until resurrection. Scriptural passages including Acts 13:36-37, 1Corinthians 15:5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 which refer to death as sleep are used in support of this view. Whilst these theories overcome disassociation of a body and a spirit, a review of Scripture provides evidence for cognisance in the intermediate state. For example, in the appearance of Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:30 ff); the words of Jesus when questioned on marriage and the resurrection (Luke 20: 35-38); and the account of the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:55-56).
Alternative views of the intermediate state, incorporating conscious awareness have therefore emerged. The Roman Catholic Church holds to the doctrine of Purgatory. Purgatory is said to be a period of temporal punishment for sins after death and before heaven. The suffering is thought to cleanse and prepare the believer to be in the presence of Christ. Scriptural passages used in support of this doctrine include: 2 Maccabees 12: 42-46 purporting both punishment and forgiveness beyond the grave; Isaiah 4:4 and Malachi 3:2ff describing refining or cleansing; Matthew 12: 32 leaving open the possibility that sins are forgiven not only in this world but in world to come; 1 Cor 3: 15 supporting transient purification and punishment; and the parables of Matt 5: 26 and Matthew 18:34 where the prisoners, not released until the last penny is paid, are paralleled with the souls of those enduring time-limited punishment of Purgatory.
Purgatory is rejected by evangelical Christians based upon the weakness of the biblical basis for this doctrine (2 Maccabees is not part of the inspired canon of Scripture and the other Scriptural texts are used out of context or misinterpreted) . Furthermore, the doctrine of Purgatory deprives God of his freedom and majesty as Judge and denies the sufficiency of the cross. Purification from our sins was accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross and no further cleansing is required (Hebrews 10:14; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:38-39).
The best evidence as to the nature of the intermediate state is to be found in the following Scriptural passages. Firstly, in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16: 22 ff), set before the Final Judgement, Lazarus is carried to Abraham’s side and comforted, whilst the rich man is suffering in hell. Secondly, in the moments before his death, Jesus tells the repentant sinner on the cross, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43). In Peter’s Pentecost sermon he refers to Psalm 16:10, to assure believers that they will not be abandoned to the grave (Acts 2:27). On several occasions, Paul refers to dying as being preferable to life because it means being with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5 has been interpreted by Calvin as meaning that after death, the condition of the soul changes, commencing the process of becoming the eternal building made by God, which will be completed at the final resurrection. Finally, Revelations depicts the martyred saints gathered around the throne awaiting the Final Judgement, crying “How long, Sovereign Lord?” (Revelations 6: 9-11).
From Scripture we can conclude that the believer does not cease to exist after death, but rather is delivered from the power of Hell. The intermediate state is not yet the gloriously resurrected life, but it is a fellowship with Christ in some incomplete, provisional form. The central hope of the Scriptures is not the mere continued existence of the soul, but the resurrection of the united body and soul. Therefore, speculation on the intermediate state should never detract from the certainty we have in the hope of the new creation.
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Finding Encouragement
Some of Broughton Knox's words have given me great encouragement. He says.."Faith in God is the truest form of worship... The Christian concept of God is that of a loving heavenly Father. This concept may be expressed in hymns and psalms of praise to God’s goodness; but it is more suitably expressed in action than in words and that action that corresponds to the Christian concept of God as a gracious Redeemer and Father, is utter faith and reliance on God’s fatherly goodness and saving power.
God is glorified when men call upon Him in the day of trouble; when in the face of adversity they put their confidence and trust in Him, expecting His promises to be fulfilled to them according to His word.
Psalm 50 clearly teaches that the worship of trust is the highest worship that can be offered by men. "
Psalm 50: 14-15 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
So as men and women in times of adversity, we have an amazing opportunity to worship our God by calling upon Him and living each day in faith that His promises will be fulfilled.
Monday, 6 August 2007
Friday, 3 August 2007
Restraint
A friend of mine who has a chronic illness, commented recently that she thought because of her illness God was restraining her in so many areas of her life.
Have you ever felt that ?
I sure have. If only God would...... .then I could........
If only God would heal this illness, then I could serve His kingdom better. That was one of my most frequent laments, and still is.
But who am I to say that serving without this burden would be better than serving with it. It certainly makes me aware of my need for God's mercy and grace every day and maybe that's more important than being on another church committee or being involved in another ministry.
Have you ever felt that ?
I sure have. If only God would...... .then I could........
If only God would heal this illness, then I could serve His kingdom better. That was one of my most frequent laments, and still is.
But who am I to say that serving without this burden would be better than serving with it. It certainly makes me aware of my need for God's mercy and grace every day and maybe that's more important than being on another church committee or being involved in another ministry.
Monday, 30 July 2007
Painting Pictures of Egypt
A great sermon by Rhys Old last night, included a reference to one of my favourite songs by Sarah Groves.
I particularly like the last line ..... if the things we "want" come too quickly, is there a risk we will not fully appreciate them or not realise God's faithfulness to us day by day?
Painting Pictures of Egypt
I don’t want to leave here I don’t want to stay
It feels like pinching to me either way
And the places I long for the most Are the places where I’ve been
They are calling out to me Like a long lost friend
It’s not about losing faith It’s not about trust
It’s all about comfortable When you move so much
And the place I was wasn’t perfect But I had found a way to live And it wasn’t milk or honey
But then neither is this
I've been painting pictures of Egypt,I've been leaving out what it lacks
The future feels so hard,And I wanna go back!
But the places that used to fit me,Cannot hold the things I've learned
Those roads were closed off to me While my back was turned!
The past is so tangible I know it by heart Familiar things are never easy to discard
I was dying for some freedom But now I hesitate to go
I am caught between the Promise And the things I know
I've been painting pictures of Egypt,I've been leaving out what it lacks
The future feels so hard,And I wanna go back!
But the places that used to fit me,Cannot hold the things I've learned
Those roads were closed off to me While my back was turned!
If it comes too quick I may not appreciate it Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
And if it comes too quick I may not recognize it Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
I particularly like the last line ..... if the things we "want" come too quickly, is there a risk we will not fully appreciate them or not realise God's faithfulness to us day by day?
Painting Pictures of Egypt
I don’t want to leave here I don’t want to stay
It feels like pinching to me either way
And the places I long for the most Are the places where I’ve been
They are calling out to me Like a long lost friend
It’s not about losing faith It’s not about trust
It’s all about comfortable When you move so much
And the place I was wasn’t perfect But I had found a way to live And it wasn’t milk or honey
But then neither is this
I've been painting pictures of Egypt,I've been leaving out what it lacks
The future feels so hard,And I wanna go back!
But the places that used to fit me,Cannot hold the things I've learned
Those roads were closed off to me While my back was turned!
The past is so tangible I know it by heart Familiar things are never easy to discard
I was dying for some freedom But now I hesitate to go
I am caught between the Promise And the things I know
I've been painting pictures of Egypt,I've been leaving out what it lacks
The future feels so hard,And I wanna go back!
But the places that used to fit me,Cannot hold the things I've learned
Those roads were closed off to me While my back was turned!
If it comes too quick I may not appreciate it Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
And if it comes too quick I may not recognize it Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
Thursday, 26 July 2007
A Prayer for Today
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
Words by Frances R. Havergal, 1874
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
Words by Frances R. Havergal, 1874
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Preaching to the Converted
Sometimes the person I most need to tell the gospel to is myself. To remind myself what God has done in the past - in the history of the world and in my own life, to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the freedom that brings, and to look forward with hope to the time when all will be made right.
No matter how I feel right now, I will praise God again.
No matter how I feel right now, I will praise God again.
Psalms 42 and 43
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"
My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.
You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Monday, 16 July 2007
Jacob wrestles with God
In last night's sermon at St James it was suggested that Jacob had to learn to abandon his own resources and learn to trust in God, and that God 'maimed' Jacob so that he would be forced to rely more on God.Does God strike us down so we have to rely on him?
Is that perhaps a reason why our prayers are not so easily answered?
Is that perhaps a reason why we suffer?
Monday, 9 July 2007
Japan is such an amazing country - so many contradictions. Tradition and technology blur.In my travels I saw Shinto shrines and Buddist temples too many to count. I was surprised though to also see a tribute to Christian martyrs - 26 men executed in by crucifixion in 1597 in Nagasaki for their belief in Jesus. Two hundred and fifty years later, when Christian missionaries returned to Japan, they found a community of Japanese Christians that had survived underground. Another testimony to the power of God.
Monday, 25 June 2007
The power of the tongue
Ephesians 4:29 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'
I have been challenged to see that communication is a gift from God. My words can be used to encourage others or build another person up or can be used to hurt, cut down or destroy another. With God's grace I hope to tame my harsh tongue, my sarcasm and my language.
I have been challenged to see that communication is a gift from God. My words can be used to encourage others or build another person up or can be used to hurt, cut down or destroy another. With God's grace I hope to tame my harsh tongue, my sarcasm and my language.
Friday, 22 June 2007
Focusing on the grace of God
It seems that one of the features of my illness is the tendancy to turn in on myself. Certainly selfishness is one aspect of that, but so is an intent focus on my own sinfulness. I am in such pain about not submitting fully to God nor serving Him. The pain is physical and acute. I want Him to say "Jill, you are a good and faithful servant" and the thought of disappointing Him just makes me weep.
This inward focus is manifested when I read the scriptures. I focus my attention on what the Word says about me (my sins) rather than what it says about God (his character).
Thanks to Phil B and Jason R for helping me to identify this issue - two wise, Godly men whom I am very blessed to have as friends.
Here is a classic example of a passage which does discuss the sins of God's people, but is really about the incredible, abundant grace of God.
Malachi 3: 6- 17 Robbing God
"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
"You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?'
"You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' "
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
"They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
So, a challenge for me..... Focus on God. Fix my eyes on Jesus.
This inward focus is manifested when I read the scriptures. I focus my attention on what the Word says about me (my sins) rather than what it says about God (his character).
Thanks to Phil B and Jason R for helping me to identify this issue - two wise, Godly men whom I am very blessed to have as friends.
Here is a classic example of a passage which does discuss the sins of God's people, but is really about the incredible, abundant grace of God.
Malachi 3: 6- 17 Robbing God
"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
"You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?'
"You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' "
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
"They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
So, a challenge for me..... Focus on God. Fix my eyes on Jesus.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Maybe God can get into a sealed crate after all (see previous post)
Psalm 139
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
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