Tag: God

When We’re Weary

Galatians 6:1-10 New International Version (NIV)

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ²Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵for each one should carry their own load. ⁶Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

⁷Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Image result for Christian when weary

Psalm 46 says desist striving and know that God is in control. Lord God we pray that you’d take us back to the joy of our salvation That joy that gives us strength.

Don’t grow weary in doing well,
Don’t surrender in the fight;
Keep on storming the gates of hell,
Keep on doing what you know is right.

For there will be seasons of testing
And there maybe weeping for a night,
But soon we’ll be reaping the blessing
If we keep pressing on towards the prize.

Keep on praying in the Spirit,
Keep on walking in the light;
Don’t be fearful or discouraged,
Keep on doing what you know is right.”

Colossians 1:27

The buried seed has cracked the ground,

The pilgrimage begun!

The spring ties yellow cords around

And drags it to the sun.

The birds bomb scatter-songs of scenes

Where other tiny shoots

Have bubbled into forests green

With waves of foaming roots.

God let me like the flower described

Intent on extra height,

Drink first born Son-shine as prescribed

Pulled up by ropes of light.

Already blood red Pimpernel

You’ve stalled the cart of death

You’ve sacked the guillotine of hell,

And kissed with second breath.

The feathered weft of angel’s wings,

Each jewelled head that turns,

The sceptred skies of planet kings,

The hottest star that burns

Are crazy love-laid paving stones

That cross the sin-stretched miles

And scarlet set cement atones

The path that reconciles.

Yet though the black revolt is quelled

And sin’s against the wall.

Fresh caravans of grace are held

As mortal home guards fall.

For ego leads guerillas still

Who plague the second start,

They sabotage and strive to kill

The re-conditioned heart.

Yet ultimately heaven’s keys

Are mine if I persist,

So purer thoughts I’ll trade for these

And pillagers resist.

Past exemplary saints have bled

With lung-stung nailed breath

And trod the lonely path that led

To empathetic death.

They helped complete in frail flesh

The meal of stale bread,

That Jesus, frightened, tasted fresh

And brought-up with the dead.

And when I’ve chewed my portioned crust

I’ll have the eyes to see,

The hope of glory’s simply just

That Jesus lives in me.

(AJB)

Happiness and Joy

Happiness in our lives will come and go,

It’s not something that we can control;

It is very much dependant on our external circumstances.

However, there is joy that can be found in God that can be a constant reality in our lives.

This joy is not tossed about by the storms of life but is an anchor or harbour for us in those storms.

It doesn’t depend on external circumstances in life,

but depends upon God and upon our understanding of what he thinks of us.

This joy is worth more than gold or silver,

and yet, is a free gift available to all.

Commitment

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

In The Salvation Army we have what is known as ‘Commitment Sunday’. A Sunday when we are asked to dedicate/rededicate our life’s to Christ.

Of course commitment Sunday isn’t the only time you can give your life to Christ, it can happen anytime you wish provided you let him in. The words of an old chorus come to mind:

Behold me standing at the door,

And hear me pleading evermore:

Say, weary heart, oppressed with sin,

May I come in? May I come in?

I leave you with The Chelmsford Citadel Songsters as they sing ‘I Dedicate myself to Thee’. I hope it gives you much blessing.

New Year’s resolutions

Philippians 3:12-15

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

What can I say about Resolutions, some of us choose to live a healthier lifestyle (cut down/out cigarettes our even alcohol), others choose to diet after the festive period because of the amount of food we have eaten not just on Christmas Day but at our work’s Christmas party and any other parties we attend in this period.

On a personal note I don’t do resolutions basically because a couple of days into it and I literally crash.

As it says in today’s reading It is important hat we forget what was behind us and move forward toward the goal of the call of God.

The tune in this video is called ‘Let there be peace on Earth’

In the bleak mid winter

1 In the bleak midwinter
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone:
snow had fallen,
snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.

2 Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign:
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

3 Enough for him whom cherubim
worship night and day,
a breastful of milk
and a mangerful of hay:
enough for him
whom angels fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel
which adore.

4 Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air,
but only his mother,
in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the Beloved
with a kiss.

5 What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a wise man
I would do my part,
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart.

These heartfelt lyrics offer a profound reflection on the essence of Christianity and leading people to Christ. As Christians, we often contemplate what we can offer, especially when faced with challanges and limitations. Just like the shepherds and the wise men who presented their humble gifts, we too, can find purpose in giving our hearts as leaders. This means leading with genuine care, empathy and selflessness, providing with the best of ourselves and guiding with commitment.

Prayer

Father, as we meditate on these words we recognise the significance of giving our hearts as Christians. Help us to lead with care, empathy & selflessness. May we offer our time, attention and support to help others flourish and succeed. Lord, may our heartfelt dedication inspire trust & loyalty among those around us. Guide us to lead with humility & gracereflecting your love and compassion. Amen

Coming to the light

Isaiah 60:3

Nations will come to your light, and Kings to the brightness of your dawn.

The prophecy of Isaiah speaks of nations coming to the light of God’s glory. As Christians, we should strive to bring light and hope to those around us, inspiring them to reach their fullest potential. Like the wise men who followed the star, we can be guiding lights, leading with vision and purpose and pointing others toward God’s truth and grace.

Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you for the promise that your glory will be a light that draws people from all nations. As Christians ,help us to be guiding lights, inspiring and empowering those around us to reach their fullest potential. May we lead with vision and purpose, always pointing others towards your truth and grace. Guide our Christian journey, O Lord, and use us to bring hope and positive change to the lives of those we serve. Amen.

Jesse’s Tree

Isaiah 11:1New International Version

The Branch From Jesse

11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The prophecy of the shoot from Jesse’s stump speaks of the emergence og new and unexpected leadership. Just as the seemingly lifeless stump produced new growth, God has the ability to raise Christians from unexpected places. As Christians, we should be open we should be open to recognising and empowering emerging members of our church fellowship. By nurturing and empoweringthem we participate in God’s transformitive work in the world.

Prayer

Father, We acknowledge that you are the one who raises up Christians from unexpected places. Help us to nurture the potential in those around us. May they grow and flourish with your guidance. Use us, O Lord, to be instruments of your work in the lives of others. Amen

Greatness from the most unexpected places

Christmas reminds us that greatness can emerge from the most unexpected places, just like the humble town of Bethlehem. In our pursuit of leadership excellence, we may focus on prominent positions or grand achievements, but the birth of Jesus in a lowly manger reminds us that significance is not determined by status or wealth. God chooses to use the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary, teaching us to value humility and simplicity in our Christian approach

Prayer

Almighty God, we praise you for your ability to bring greatness out of unexpected places. Help us, as Christians, to recognise the value and potential in every individual, irrespective of their background or status. May we create an inclusive and empowering environment where all can thrive and contribute their unique gifts. Keep us humble, O Lord, and remind us that our significance lies in serving others and glorifying your name. Amen.

Be Warned

1 Corinthians 10 New International Version

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. ²They were all baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³They all ate the same spiritual food ⁴and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

⁶Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”^[a] ⁸We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.⁹We should not test Christ,^[b] as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. ¹⁰And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

¹¹These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.¹²So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!¹³No temptation^[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted^[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,^[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.

Refrain:
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.

2 Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through. [Refrain]

3 To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through. [Refrain]

A song of Testimony, and what a testimony we have in verse three. Tis true when we overcome sin we are rewarded by God and it is by faith we conquer that sin. Yes we as humans get knocked back from time to time, but it is through our strength and belief in God that as long as we look to Jesus he will carry us through