Wonder-working Power

God's power always has wonder-working outcomes. Consider the life of Peter. The Peter we meet in the gospels is remarkably different to the Peter we meet a little later on in the book of Acts. Same person, but different personality. Once an insignificant, failure-prone follower of Jesus hiding behind his human limitations, God's power at work changed him into a significant, Spirit-obedient messenger who became the promised Rock of the Church.

Seeing God's power at work in the lives of His people is evidence enough that God longs to interact personally with us. A changed life is a powerful testimony of God's ability and a tangible reward of ministry.

What will God's wonder-working Power do through you? He alone knows.

2 Peter 1:3 (CEV) ~ "We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness."

Perseverance

While watching the Tour de France recently, my mind went to a series of inspirational art and motivational sayings that I enjoy.

The wording for the Perseverance picture reads "It is to the one who endures that the final victory comes." Don't you love it?

When the world says "Give up!", Christian faith and hope echo "Give it another go!"

Perseverance might be a challenging principle to uphold in the everyday, but be assured that it always pays off in the end.

Luke 11:9-10 (NLT) ~ "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Visions Splendid

Here is a meditation that was recited by my mum's uncle, Major John Cross (Rtd), during his visit to Australia in the 1980s. I remember dictating the words as a teenager and being blessed by his dramatic retelling of this personal testimony in his broad Scottish accent.

You say you have read your Bible from Genesis right the way through.
Then you’ll quite understand the pictures I’m going to paint for you.
Six scenes are here presented, which speak of Love Divine,
And in each the central figure is personal Friend of mine.
JESUS ~ MY LORD

The first scene is a stable with cattle lying around.
Bare rafters low above them and straw upon the ground.
I saw a wooden manger and there was laid one night
A God-sent little stranger who came to give us light.
JESUS ~ THE SAVIOUR

And now I see one leaning against a workshop door.
A carpenter, his tools I see, and shavings upon the floor.
He looks both sad and weary, the toil has been hard today.
And now that his workers leave him, He reverently kneels to pray.
JESUS ~ THE WORKER

A crowd collect around Him ~ the blind, the halt, the lame,
They gathered in the hope of being made fit and well again.
And now I see the worker, a carpenter no more,
Healing them all with His words or touch on the banks of the Jordan shore.
JESUS ~ THE HEALER

Behold, I see a prison, the flash of soldiers’ spears,
And Jesus, my Redeemer, is greeted now with jeers.
But, never a word of anguish does He answer to their cries:
“Away with this impostor! Crucify Him, let Him die!”
JESUS ~ THE PRISONER

And so they hanged my Saviour upon a cruel tree.
In agony He suffered for love of you and me.
The earth was dark with sorrow; I bowed my head in shame.
It seemed a bright tomorrow would never dawn again.
JESUS ~ THE CRUCIFIED

But, He rose; you know the story how the stone was rolled away
And how in all His glory He is coming back one day.
And, softly, through the stillness there come His words to you:
“All this I did for you, my child, for me what wilt thou do?”
JESUS ~ THE RISEN ONE

O weary, helpless, wandering soul who knoweth not my Lord.
Come now to Him, rely on Him and trust upon His Word.
He’ll ease your care, your burdens share, o listen to His call.

And you will prove this joyful news that Christ is all in all.

Claiming Victory

What do you do when worries, concerns and fears take hold of you? Do you ride the emotional rollercoaster? Ignore the issues perhaps? One of our congregation told us today that she tells the Devil to go back to hell and asks Christ to come in with His perfect peace!

Faith in Christ strengthens us to claim the victory in all circumstances and experiences of life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) ~ "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."

Act on this advice sooner rather than later. You'll be pleasantly surprised at just what God has in store for you.

Book Of Salvationist Prayers

While surfing the IHQ website today, I sourced the following prayer from "A Little Book Of Salvationist Prayers" that reflects my thoughts from yesterday's post.

Dear Lord,
Help me not to be so caught up in religious activity that I am sadly unaware of the needs of others. Help me not to be so engrossed in helping others that I fail to keep company with you. Keep me separate in nature, but involved in love, so that I may be like Jesus.

June 26, Daily Prayers

Not sure who wrote it or how to obtain a reference copy, but I'm interested to keep researching. If you know, be sure to let me know.

Sensitivity

Some lessons in life are taught to us by the most unusual of circumstances. Having recently been laid low by the gastro/flu, we noticed the immense sensitivity of our intelligent guide dog, Zarena. Here's the scenario ~ in the early stages, while my unaffected spouse was lovingly caring for me, Zarena was staying close to my bedside providing her 'loving' support. Then, when my wife succumbed to it, not knowing whose side to stay by, Zarena jumped up and laid down inbetween us.

It was a clear reminder to us that, as Zarena was sensitive to our need, so we need to be constantly aware of our sensitivity to the needs of others. It's quite easy, and often convenient sometimes, in this day and age to notice a need but not follow through on it for whatever reason.

At times like these, we need to pray the words of Albert E Mingay (SASB 209).

Come, Holy Spirit, thy guidance we crave;

Speak out thy will we pray;

We would be sensitive to thy control;

Speak to our hearts today.

Galatians 5:25 (NLT) ~ "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."

The Angel Of Amsterdam

The Netherlands Territory recently farwelled 94 year old Lieut-Colonel Alida Bosshardt (known as 'Major Bosshardt') to her heavenly reward. A well-known Christian social activist and Salvation Army officer, Alida Bosshardt ministered for over 50 years in Amsterdam's famed Red Light District, where she established a Goodwill centre that eventually became a place where a wide range of troubled people came for shelter and social services: prostitutes and their children, the homeless and drug addicts.

As I read reports of her Promotion to Glory, I was encouraged by the legacy she left behind not only for the Army as a Christian organization, but on her own nation and for the Lord she faithfully loved and served.

Here's some challenging and noteworthy remarks that others have made about her life and ministry.

The Mayor of Amsterdam ~ publicly called her 'The Angel of Amsterdam'

Commissioner Wim van der Harst ~ saluted 'this true and faithful soldier of God, whose weapon was the love of Christ and armour was her Salvation Army uniform'

Commissioner Reinder Schurink ~ testified that 'she followed in Jesus' footsteps'

General Shaw Clifton ~ in a tribute honoured her 'deep devotion to the cause of Christ, selflessness in serving others, example of Christlikeness, and the wonderful inspiration of her discipleship'

Sydney Morning Herald headline ~ 'She worked for the salvation of others'

Of herself, Alida Bosshardt said: "To serve God is to serve people and to serve people is to serve God'; I'm in God's service to serve people. All honour goes to Him, not me."

General Clifton concluded his tribute with this pertinent challenge: "Where are those who will now step forward, inspired by her example, to continue the sacred work for which she was renowned? The world is waiting for you!"