People of Divine Purpose

He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendour.” (Isaiah 49:3 NIV)

God has always designed us to be people of purpose. Primarily, to praise Him by “displaying His splendor.” Isaiah 49 refers to the coming Messiah and God’s foreknowledge in sending his Son to bring hope and redemption to Israel and beyond. Back then, Israel had been given a mission to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:2-3). Their main purpose was to glorify God and trust implicitly in His divinity. And nothing much has changed since then. God is still intensely interested in everyone’s purpose.

We are all products of a highly individualistic society and, as such, we often think of our purpose as being nothing more than the accomplishment of our personal dreams and desires. When we come to understand that our relationship with Christ demands more than this. Our purpose is more than what lies at the crossroads of our gifts and passions. There is deeper, spiritual level to purpose.

Purpose is two-fold. It is influenced in my relationships with those in the body of Christ who God has put me alongside, and it is also influenced in my relationships with those who do not yet know God and who I am called to reach.

Purpose isn’t static. It is constantly in motion. Wherever God calls me, my purpose is to fulfill His sovereign desire for the redemption and restoration of human individuals.
We are a purposed people of God!

Julie Frawley 1961-2008

Today we met to honour the life of Julie Frawley, the youngest child of Majors Lawrence and Joy Coleman, who was "Promoted to Glory" on Thursday 21 February 2008, aged 46 years. Loving wife of Kieran and devoted mother to Lawrence (19) and Ciaran (14). Born in Melbourne, Julie spent most of her childhood years living and studying in Kenya where her parents served faithfully as missionaries for many years. Her strong Christian upbringing made an impact on her life that saw Julie profess her own personal faith in Jesus as an adult. Julie loved life and lived it to the full, always looking to the needs of others and loving those around her.

The service was held in Our Lady of Victories Basilica in Camberwell, concelebrated by Fr Michael Morgan and myself. It was truly an ecumenical celebration of thanksgiving for Julie's life that brought much honour and glory to God.

In times of great personal tragedy and testing, it is comforting to know the more than sufficient grace of God upholding and strengthening us. With this in mind, Jesus shared words of comfort with His disciples saying … “Do not be afraid. Trust in God, trust also in me.” (John 14:1)

It is the grace of God that guides us into a personal relationship with Jesus.
It is the grace of God that assures us of His loving care and concern.
And it is the grace of God that finally brings us “without fault and with great joy” into His eternal presence.

An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Self Denial Launch

With 20 years ministry experience on the international mission field, Lieut-Colonels Ian and Sonja Southwell were worthy guest leaders for our Self Denial Appeal Launch. It was a time of inspiring worship as we journeyed to Zambia and learned something of the Army's ministry in that part of the world. The personal challenge to consider making a sacrificial gift toward this year's appeal was reinforced by the immense social and spiritual needs brought to our attention.

Why deny ourselves?

• Because Jesus said so.
• Because of the needs of the world.
• Because Jesus set the example.

How will our giving benefit others?

• Nothing we ever do for the Lord is wasted.
• The gospel still needs to be proclaimed.
• New leaders need to be trained.
• Poverty needs to be addressed.
• Illness needs to be fought, and
• Those with varying needs cared for.

Mark 8:34 ~ "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Promptings

Ever had a moment when you suddenly thought of someone and felt strongly you needed to call or visit them? Or out of the blue, you find yourself wondering how someone is doing? I call these "Divine-promptings".

Now when these moments arrive, we can do one of two things. We can put it into the recess of our minds and forget about them, or we can take active steps to follow through on them. Personal experience has taught me that when we respond obediently to these promptings, the blessings of God are far-reaching. I did this again today ~ and it's well-worth it.

Next time you have a "Divine-prompting", listen and obey; and wait and see how God blesses you to be a blessing!

Deuteronomy 15:4 (MSG) ~ "...if you listen obediently to the Voice of God... Oh yes—God, your God, will bless you just as he promised."

One Day At A Time

This was the theme of an encouraging thought shared by one of our "women of God" today during worship. The challenge of Moses' words from Deuteronomy 33:25 was both timely and beneficial.

"...as your days, so shall your strength be..."

Annie Johnson Flint, well-known Christian poet and hymnwriter who gave us such gems as "He giveth more grace", wrote these inpiring words for our contemplation and action.

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,

With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,

With its portion of pain and its burden of care;

One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

One day at a time to be patient and strong,

To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;

Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;

It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.

One day at a time - but the day is so long,

And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,

O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;

Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;

"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;

I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;

I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."

Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,

Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;

Why should we look forward or back with dismay?

Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.

One day at a time, and the day is His day;

He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.

His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;

As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.

Hallelujah!

Service With A Smile

Today was Valentine's Day and, while I admit that I'm not one to get caught up in the celebrations of this day, I did take the opportunity today to take my darling wife out for an intimate lunch.

Despite living in a day and age where almost all interactions are either impersonal or virtual, it was encouraging to sit down and enjoy some good "old-fashioned" personal table service. The smile of welcome and personal interest from the employees was reciprocated on the faces of the customers. But what stood out most strikingly was the way that the restaurant manager moved around the tables interacting personally with everyone, even to the point of clearing the tables with a real spirit of humility and servanthood. The fact that the manager is known personally to us was no exception, for it was evident we all got the same personal "service with a smile" treatment.

It reminded me how appreciative I am that Jesus came down to our level and, in sacrifical love, interacted personally with us. And for this I'm eternally grateful!

Ageless Faith

In sharing with a faithful, Christlike Salvationist resident today, it was clear that the weight and anxiety of the aging process is being felt. What an absolute privilege it was to sit together and reflect on the assured promises of God's Word and His prevenient daily grace, rejoicing in the hope we each have.

However, long after our pastoral conversation, his parting words are still ringing loudly in my ears and causing my heart to beat with great joy.

"I can't do what I used to do for God, but I can still show Him through my words and walk."

Yes, Lord, thank you!

Colossians 3:17 (MSG) ~ "Let every detail in your lives ~ words, actions, whatever ~ be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."

Emotive Prayer

As Christians, we have a tendency to pray without much emotion, following a rather mechanical “praise/ask” formula: “God thanks for this; please do that. Amen.” Rarely do we show God how we feel. We pray unemotively, approaching God as if He were an accountant, processing lists of requests with a check mark or “X” on his heavenly ledger.

My Lent meditation today prompted me to recognize that it was not Jesus’ deep emotion that caught God’s attention; it was His reverence —His deep respect for the Father’s person and submission to His will. And, interestingly, in that reverence, Jesus held nothing back. He laughed and cried with his Father. To Jesus, reverence was expressed by the act of submission, not by lack of emotion or expressions of solemnity. The season of Lent reminds us of Jesus' passionate interaction with His Father.

"Lord, I want to grow beyond cool, calm, and collected prayers. I want to dare to enter into union with God, where the full range of my emotions are freely expressed."

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered...
(Hebrews 5:7-8 NIV)

Certain Faith

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise and watch over you. ...unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. (Psalm 32:7-10 NLT)

Meditating today on these verses from Psalm 32, I was reminded again that faith in Christ provides us with a certainty of hope that God will prove His faithfulness to us, providing that we are committed to do the trusting.

Here's an assuring thought ~
The Lord of all creation who died on the cross and miraculously rose from the dead loves me beyond comprehension and is more than able to guide and watch over me— even when the circumstances of life seem overwhelming and unbearable. (CRM Lent Devotional, 9 Feb)

Recently, a Christian friends challenged me with her personal testimony of having a certain faith. God is more than able...so why should we pray using words such as 'might', 'perhaps' or 'may'? God longs to work His will in and through us, so our faith in Him needs to reflect the certainty that He can, will and is sure to be all we need Him to be for us and through us.

Why? Because of His unfailing love!

Bishop Brent

Charles Brent (1862-1929) was an Episcopal missionary to the Philippines for 16 years prior to becoming Bishop of Western New York in 1918. He authored the reflective thought, "What is dying?", that I shared at the graveside service I conducted today.

A ship sails and I stand watching ‘til she fades on the horizon
and someone at my side says, She is gone.
Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all.
She is just as large now as when I last saw her.
Her diminished size and total loss from my sight is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says, She is gone,
There are others who are watching her coming over their horizon
and their voices take up a glad shout, Here she comes!

And that is dying.

Bishop Brent's experiences in the Philippines had aroused in him a strong concern for the cause of visible Christian unity leading him to write this challenging thought.

The unity of Christendom is not a luxury, but a necessity. The world will go limping until Christ's prayer that all may be one is answered. We must have unity, not at all costs, but at all risks. A unified Church is the only offering we dare present to the coming Christ, for in it alone will He find room to dwell.

Lent

Today is the commencement of the forty-day period of self-reflection called Lent.

The main purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence and almsgiving — for the annual commemoration of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, as celebrated during Holy Week, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in the celebration of Easter.

Amy Galloway summed it up well in her meditation in the CRM Lent Devotional.

Lent is “sitting with our sinfulness much longer than we may be comfortable.” Without taking a hard look at the extent of our need, we may be unable to taste the goodness of the Lord. That’s why Jesus said to the Pharisee, “He who has been forgiven little loves little…” (Luke 7:47, NIV). How much more meaningful Easter becomes when I’ve contemplated anew my great need for atonement and his willingness to sacrifice on my behalf!

FreeRice

I was recently introduced me to the FreeRice initative of the United Nations World Food Programme.

FreeRice has two goals:

• Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
• Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

This is made possible by the sponsors who advertise on this site.

Whether you are CEO of a large corporation or a street child in a poor country, improving your vocabulary can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself. Perhaps even greater is the investment your donated rice makes in hungry human beings, enabling them to function and be productive.

Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide.

Visit the FreeRice website ~ http://www.freerice.com/ ~and take the social justice vocab challenge today!

Courage To Trust

Meaningful worship is always personally inspiring, corporately edifying and, most of all, God-glorifying. Such was our time spent in the house of God this morning.

The comforting words of Jesus spoken to His disciples ~ "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid" ~ were reinforced in our hearts and minds, increasing our faith with a timely word of challenge and hope. Dabak's new music composition entitled "Take Courage!" was an inspirational highlight.

When the day is dark and stormy
And the night is long and hard
Then I hear Him gently saying,
“Peace be still! Trust with your heart.”

Take courage! Do not be afraid.
Take courage! Put your trust in Me.
I will hold your hand
I will help you stand
So take courage, be not afraid!

When I feel all weak and helpless
And my faith begins to wane
Then I hear Him gently saying,
“Peace be still! Trust with your heart.”

When you feel real lost and lonely
And uncertainty prevails
He is gently saying to you
“Peace be still! Trust with your heart.”
~ words by Timothy Lynn; music by Dabak Lynn (composed 31 January 2008)

Matthew 14:27 (NIV) ~ "Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

Fellowship Meals

The last couple of days have presented valuable opportunities to share with family and friends over fellowship meals. On Friday evening it was to quietly celebrate a 37th birthday [Happy Birthday to me!], while last night it was a vibrant and entertaining 70th birthday celebration. Both events were enjoyable, though to compare them would be like comparing apples and oranges!

A common link between the two fellowship meals was the company that gathered. The very different guest lists were each reflective of two factors ~ influence and faith. There is great reward in gathering together with people of influence and faith. For when we do inspiration abounds.

It's interesting to note, too, that people of faith are most effective when they open themselves up to God's leading to be influential encouragers in the lives of others.

Acts 2:42 (MSG) ~ "They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers."