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Tuesday, 15 May 2012 12:07 |
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10
Our life prior to Christ could almost be compared to a vehicle standing in a scrap yard. The car is stored away in obscurity, neglected, abandoned and only used every so often for spare parts. It’s got potential to fulfil its designed purpose – with some of its parts being in working condition and other parts having been stripped, damaged or lost as a result of some of the questionable practices taking place in the scrap yard. Then one day a collector comes by and sees the potential in this beat up old car. He purchases the car, cleans off all the dirt and mess, he removes damaged & fake parts and has brand new ones made, he knocks out all the dents and removes the rust, he gives it a few coats of paint, a buff and a polish and the car looks as good as new. But for all its shiny exterior and neat trimmings the car would be useless without an engine to drive it. A car with no engine doesn’t have much value, other than possibly being a nice museum or showroom exhibit – you’d have to push the car around with a lot of effort to get it from one destination to the next. Finally the owner proceeds to put in a brand new engine and the previously beat up old scrap yard reject has a new lease on life. The engine gives the car power to fulfil its purpose, without it the car would just be a nice looking collector’s item.
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Monday, 07 May 2012 00:00 |
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10
Have you never noticed fish in a pond or in a fish tank? They just swim along doing their thing. Doesn’t seem like they have a care in the world. Everything they need is in that pond or tank. They glide gracefully & carefree in their water world; finding shelter among the rock formations and playfully swimming through the plants and coral. When the “Owner” of the fish throws in the food they happily consume it not wondering where it comes from or when it will come – they just know it’s going to come. No wonder research shows that staring at fish in a pond or a tank has such a calming effect. The seamless ease and comfort with which they exist in the water relaxes us. God wants you and me to be like the fish and exist in Him like fish exist in the water.
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Monday, 23 April 2012 00:00 |
Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine." Ezekiel 47:12
I don’t ever recall seeing a barren or dead tree next to a river. Every tree next to a river that I’ve ever seen always seems to be green, strong and lush. There’s just something about trees next to a river that speak of life and vitality and I somehow just get a sense that those trees don’t have a lack or need of anything as they stand there firmly planted along the bank with their flourishing branches reaching up & out. God often refers to us as being trees planted by rivers when He talks about us and His church and there is a very good reason for this I believe...
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Wednesday, 18 April 2012 11:24 |
For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:9
I have often times in my walk with God come to places in my life where I have responded to where I believe God wanted me to be, only to experience strong resistance. The resistance comes in all forms, whether from negative people, ignorant colleagues, wrong thinking, family members, friends, fear, doubt, confusion, etc. I’m sure we’ve all got to the place where we wonder have we heard God correctly and if this is from God, why is this thing so hard. We hang onto cliché’s (true as they may be) such as, “where God guides He provides” or “God gives provision for the vision”, only to get to a point where it seems God is nowhere close to this place because all you meet is constant resistance.
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Monday, 02 April 2012 19:55 |
Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." And He said, "Who told you that? Genesis 3:9-11
Imagine you get asked “Where are you?” by the God of heaven and earth. You might answer “I’m in the shower Lord” or “I’m in Checkers getting a few things”. Then you get that sinking thought that this is not what God is asking because He’s God and He is everywhere and He sees everything. He sees you in the shower, trying to reach that difficult spot on your back with your loofah and He sees you in Checkers pondering whether to go regular, low fat or no fat. God knew exactly where Adam was. The question wasn’t referring to Adam’s geographic location; it referred to where He was in his heart and mind. Adam went hiding in the bush, yes, but he first went into hiding in his heart and head before he ended up in the bush. God knew what was going on; He asked the question to get Adam to see what the problem was. The problem wasn’t God or that He was angry, the problem was the mistake that Adam had made and what the mistake caused in his heart & head.
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