Today's ministry highlight was the passing comment of one of our nursing home residents at the conclusion of our worship service. "No one ever realizes how much the Son of God has done for us."
What a great spiritual reality check! The apostle Paul too understood that there are times in life when even people of faith seem to take things in life for granted. With this in mind, he wrote these words directed to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 4:30 (MSG) ~ "Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted."
Yes, the gift of God's indwelling Holy Spirit empowering our lives is not something to ever take for granted. It's a gift to truly treasure!
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Power In Prayer
US President George W Bush today made this statement in response to the senseless shootings at Virigina Tech yesterday ~ "...our nation grieves with those who lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts, we lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today."
These God-directed comments no doubt give voice to the thoughts of the Amercian people and those of us around the world who join with them in intercessory prayer for an outpouring of God's presence, peace and promise of comfort in the lives of the remaining students and family members who are bereaved as a result of this tragic event.
May they find comfort and empowerment for the future in the arms of our loving God!
2 Corinthians 1:3 (MSG) ~ "All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times..."
These God-directed comments no doubt give voice to the thoughts of the Amercian people and those of us around the world who join with them in intercessory prayer for an outpouring of God's presence, peace and promise of comfort in the lives of the remaining students and family members who are bereaved as a result of this tragic event.
May they find comfort and empowerment for the future in the arms of our loving God!
2 Corinthians 1:3 (MSG) ~ "All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times..."
Monday, 16 April 2007
Grace Sufficient
This week we are considering 2 Corinthians 12:9 in our devotional worship services ~ "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness...so that Christ's power may rest on me.” It's a wonderfully empowering verse of Scripture that reminds us of God's ability to raise us to a supernatural level of faith living.
Even as we were reflecting on this passage today, I experienced a personal renewal of God's grace sufficient for the moment for me. Grace sufficient to forgive an insensitive staff member her loud interruption to our worship time. Grace sufficient to listen intently to a dear elderly resident recall a significant life experience that she has mentioned to me now on numerous occasions. Grace sufficient to not take offense of a new attender to worship who chose, despite a warm welcome, to sit in on our devotions wearing huge, fluffy earmuffs.
Yes, praise God for the sufficiency of His grace to empower us during and beyond the 'weakness' moments of life!
Herbert Howard Booth wrote about the wonderful sufficiency of God's amazing, personal Grace.
Even as we were reflecting on this passage today, I experienced a personal renewal of God's grace sufficient for the moment for me. Grace sufficient to forgive an insensitive staff member her loud interruption to our worship time. Grace sufficient to listen intently to a dear elderly resident recall a significant life experience that she has mentioned to me now on numerous occasions. Grace sufficient to not take offense of a new attender to worship who chose, despite a warm welcome, to sit in on our devotions wearing huge, fluffy earmuffs.
Yes, praise God for the sufficiency of His grace to empower us during and beyond the 'weakness' moments of life!
Herbert Howard Booth wrote about the wonderful sufficiency of God's amazing, personal Grace.
"Grace there is my every debt to pay
Blood to wash my every sin away
Power to keep me spotless day by day
For me, for me!"
(SASB 303, chorus)
Sunday, 15 April 2007
Sabbath Rest
Languages have always interested me. Perhaps that's why I chose to study and use German as a communication medium and, in addition, 'learn' Hebrew with Jim Briggs all those years ago, even if it was only a literal reading of Genesis 1 which is now long forgotten. One Hebrew word I still recall is שבת (pronounced shabbāt). Of course, this is the root for our English word, Sabbath. Though we understand it to mean 'rest', its literal translation is 'ceasing' with the implication of ceasing from work.
Having just returned from a week's furlough in Sydney with family, today we enjoyed a real shabbāt ~ for as we ceased from our regular form of Sunday platform ministry and corporate worship, nevertheless, we celebrated personal worship in our own 'home church'. Though a different form of Day of Rest for us, still we experienced the same heart devotion of love expressed to God.
I am convinced that full time Christian ministry makes the concept of 'ceasing from work' difficult. For when we are not officially 'on duty' we are still to be available to God for His service. We might rest from the normal schedule, but we never cease to be used of God.
Trusting your Sabbath too was one of celebration and prayer, much like ours!
Matthew 11:28 (MSG) ~ "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me ~ watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Having just returned from a week's furlough in Sydney with family, today we enjoyed a real shabbāt ~ for as we ceased from our regular form of Sunday platform ministry and corporate worship, nevertheless, we celebrated personal worship in our own 'home church'. Though a different form of Day of Rest for us, still we experienced the same heart devotion of love expressed to God.
I am convinced that full time Christian ministry makes the concept of 'ceasing from work' difficult. For when we are not officially 'on duty' we are still to be available to God for His service. We might rest from the normal schedule, but we never cease to be used of God.
Trusting your Sabbath too was one of celebration and prayer, much like ours!
Matthew 11:28 (MSG) ~ "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me ~ watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Thursday, 12 April 2007
Navigating The Roads
A good wholesome laughter does everyone good. This was certainly true as we tried to navigate Sydney's streets tonight. A drive to a suburb some 10 minutes away from where we are staying ended up taking about 40mins to get to. Unfamiliar roads resulted in continuous confusion and an unexpected sight-seeing tour of Sydney's "No Right Turn, No U-turn" southern suburbs to the roaring delight of all passengers, including the driver. But I guess it's a case of "You had to be there".
In the middle of this hilarious scene I was reminded of these words by General John Gowans ~ "Who is it plans the route for me and will not let me stray? That's the Spirit! Holy Spirit! That's the Spirit of the Lord in me." Aren't you glad that God's Holy Spirit directs you at the crossroads of the everyday? I sure am!
Numbers 20:19 (MSG) ~ "The People of Israel said, "Look, we'll stay on the main road."
In the middle of this hilarious scene I was reminded of these words by General John Gowans ~ "Who is it plans the route for me and will not let me stray? That's the Spirit! Holy Spirit! That's the Spirit of the Lord in me." Aren't you glad that God's Holy Spirit directs you at the crossroads of the everyday? I sure am!
Numbers 20:19 (MSG) ~ "The People of Israel said, "Look, we'll stay on the main road."
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
The Big One
Turning one is not always the most memorable birthday we experience, but it is almost always a significant occasion in the eyes of close family members ~ fun-filled and full of expectation. Will today be the day that he/she takes their first step on the road to walking? Will they sit and enjoy the toy gifts or simply opt to play with the wrapping paper instead?
What a beautiful reminder belongs to those who believe ~ God is always mindful of us. Nothing we do ever escapes His attention. Our spiritual development is His key concern. His loving care enables us to feel valued every day. Praise God we are all special in His sight.
Oh and before I forget, "Happy 1st Birthday Jordan. We love you very much"!
Psalm 139:4-6 (MSG) ~ "You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too ~ your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful ~ I can't take it all in!"
What a beautiful reminder belongs to those who believe ~ God is always mindful of us. Nothing we do ever escapes His attention. Our spiritual development is His key concern. His loving care enables us to feel valued every day. Praise God we are all special in His sight.
Oh and before I forget, "Happy 1st Birthday Jordan. We love you very much"!
Psalm 139:4-6 (MSG) ~ "You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too ~ your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful ~ I can't take it all in!"
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Uncoached Gratitude
One of the joys of unclehood is to spend quality time with my 2 year old nephew, Jesse. And for now, this means sitting at the 'puter exploring The Wiggles website. It's amazing how much enjoyment he can get out of repeating the same few 'favourite' games online. Yet, as Jesse directs so I navigate the site and, at times, press something 'wrong' that he thinks is so funny. Just to see his reaction is priceless!
When all was well and truly over and the routine goodnight farewells were shared some hours later, Jesse asked permission of his grandma to tell me about the 'puter and then came and stood in front of me and sincerely said, "Tim, thank you for putting me on the 'puter". Wow, his simple, uncoached words of gratitude were encouraging enough to boost my 'tired-out' spirit!
Sadly, sometimes most of us almost need to be coached into a spirit of gratitude. But God's Word is quite clear in its emphasis to always be prepared to cultivate thankfulness in all we do. It's bound to always have a positive effect on others!
Colossians 3:16 (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."
When all was well and truly over and the routine goodnight farewells were shared some hours later, Jesse asked permission of his grandma to tell me about the 'puter and then came and stood in front of me and sincerely said, "Tim, thank you for putting me on the 'puter". Wow, his simple, uncoached words of gratitude were encouraging enough to boost my 'tired-out' spirit!
Sadly, sometimes most of us almost need to be coached into a spirit of gratitude. But God's Word is quite clear in its emphasis to always be prepared to cultivate thankfulness in all we do. It's bound to always have a positive effect on others!
Colossians 3:16 (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."
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