Controlled or Controlling?

Friday 14 November 2014


At the start of this year, a friend of mine made a statement that set tone for the rest of my year. Nicola remains convinced that 'control' is at the root of many of our internal struggles - with self-control being the most challenging to master. We get angry or lose heart when we can´t control people or circumstances. We lack discipline and lose control over our own thoughts, words or actions, and spiral into a self-destructive cycle - hurting ourselves and others.

King Solomon, one exceptionally wise man (1 Kings 4:30), wrote the book of Proverbs as a practical guide for attaining wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:2). Although he probably faced many a battlefield, he also waged a vicious war in his mind and suffered the crushing consequence of a lack of self control. His 700 wives and 300 concubines were instrumental in turning "his heart away from the Lord" (1 Kings 11:3), and he went on to lose control of much of his kingdom.

Solomon understood that people who lack self-control are like a city with broken-down walls (Proverbs 25:28). They´re lost and will ultimately die in their own foolishness (5:23).

Scripture teaches, however, that those who are not impressed with their own wisdom fear the Lord and turn away from evil (3:7-8). The write of Hebrews understood that discipline isn´t enjoyable while it´s happening - it´s painful. But afterwards there´s a peaceful harvest of right living for those who learn from it (Hebrews 12:11).

As we approach the end of this year, may we continue to grow by looking to the Word of God and to the Holy Spirit for help in choosing a disciplined, self-controlled life (Proverbs 1:3). - Ruth O'Reilly-smith.

Read 

Proverbs 1:!-7

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel :

for attaining wisdom and discipline;

for understanding words of insight;

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,

doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youg - let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Titus 2:11-14

You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful, he is self-condemned.

As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

Question to Ponder

Don´t wait till the New Year to set a new goal for controlling others less and controlling yourself more. What´s preventing you from starting now and keeping it going throughout next year?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 issue

Joy of Faithfulness

Thursday 13 November 2014

In early 2014 the attention of the world turned to Sochi, Russia, where Olympic athletes pursued their lifelong quests. Our family loves the Summer and Winter Games - the global pageantry, the athletes' grit and fight, the goodwill expressed among countries.

Our favourite moments are the individual athlete stories. From the Olympic Trials through the 2 weeks of the Games, we hear tales of athletes who spent years training, who overcame hardship, who became (over years of persistent devotion to their sport) women and men prepared to represent their homeland and compete on the world stage. Hearing the Olympians' stories, I'm struck by the way so many of them are compelled by the joys of competition, love for their sport and hope for the glory of a medal.

In Scripture, God called His people to a lifelong obedience - a dogged faithfulness of commitment to God´s ways. Moses challenged Israel to "carefully keep all his commands" (Deuteronomy 28:1). God provided these instructions as guides for life. They weren´t fickle whims, but a holistic pattern of living and being.

Yet there was much joy and promise accompanying these commands. For in keeping them, Moses reminded Israel, "you will experience all these blessings "(v.2). Their cities would be blessed (v.3). Their families and farms would be blessed (v.4). They would know abundance (v.5). And to make sure God was clear about the extent of the promised joy to come, Moses concluded with a flourish : "Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed" (v.6).

A life enduring, persistent faithfulness to God requires much and is often difficult. But the path leads to eventual and eternal Joy. - Winn Collier

Read
Deuteronomy 28:1-6
If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.

You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock - the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

* Read the rest of Deuteronomy 28*

Question to Ponder
Where in your life do you struggle most with faithfulness to God and the life He´s provided for you?
How might joy come as a fruit of saying "yes" to God?

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 Issue.

The Spirit´s Power

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

The effects of an ice storm led to the loss of electricity to my house one morning. Late that night, as we returned home from showering in a nearby leisure centre, we pulled into our street and saw our lights were back on. Yes! We hadn´t realized how dependent we were on electric power until we lost it, and we resolved not to take it for granted again.

The episode reminded me of the Holy Spirit, who is the power of God in our lives. He is God Himself, the third Person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19), and He dwells within all of us who believe in Jesus. We are travelling temples, for our bodies are "the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in [us]" (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit baptises us into the body of Christ, joining us with other believers who "share the same Spirit" (12:13) so that we become one united "temple of God" (3:16-17).

The Spirit made us alive when we were dead in sin (Titus 3:5), then sealed us to guarantee that we will persevere to the end (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22). The Spirit "shows us God´s deep secrets... so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us" (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). He groans for us when we don´t know what to pray (Romans 8:26), and He fills us so we may understand God´s word and obey (Ephesians 5:18; Philippians 2:12-13).

There isn´t enough space in this article to discuss how He gifts us to serve His church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; Ephesians 4:11), but from the above thoughts we can understand why Jesus said it was better that He leave us and send the Spirit to take His place. It´s easy to take teh unassuming yet dependable Spirit for granted, but it´s impossibly hard to live without Him - Mike Wittmer

Read
John 16: 1-33
" All this I have told you so that you will no go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you."

"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me 'Where are you going?' Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth : It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgement, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."

" I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."

"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."

Some of his disciples said to one another "What does he mean by saying 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don´t understand what he is saying."

Jesus saw that they wante to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you : Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

"Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving that world and going back to the Father."

Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."

"You believe at last!" Jesus answered. "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not bee removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord´s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Questions to Ponder
Where do you need the Spirit´s help today?
Tell Him you´re counting on Him, and don´t forget to include areas you might take for granted.

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 issue.

Small Steps

Tuesday, November 11 2014

Reconciliation. It´s God´s heart for people to be restored in relationship with one another across differences in culture, race and class. This is vital, but sometimes it feels so big that we don´t know where to start.

The answer is to start small.

In Acts 6 we find an issue that was about more than food distribution. It involved a bitter cultural and ideological conflict between Hebraic and Grecian Jews - people who not only spoke different languages but shared other differences too (v.1). The conflict between groups was a recurring problem in the early church, and other accounts can be found in Acts 9, 11, and 22. In light of this the apostles' decision to place some men in charge of the food distribution seemed woefully inadequate.

But these were Spirit-led followers of Jesus, including Stephen, the first martyr of the church (Acts 7), and Philip, one of the early church´s most powerful evangelists (Acts 8). What´s more their simple efforts to make sure food was equitably distributed minimised the potential for conflict. This pave the way for healing to take place between the two groups.

No reconciliation would have been possible without that practical first step of appointing seven men for the food distribution. In fact, after their installation, the renown of the church spread even further (6:7).

We can take great encouragement from this example. Yes, reconciliation is a difficult pursuit. But it´s also one that can begin with simple acts of generosity, fairness and hospitality. These actions might seem small, but they create an environment where relationships can begin to heal, discussions can take place and - with God´s leading - true reconciliation can occur. - Peter Chin

Read
Acts 6:1-7
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God i order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
The proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter. "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord. "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Question to ponder
In what small ways can you begin to lay the foundation for reconciliation in your personal life?
How about in your church?

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 issue

Stealing vs. Working

Monday, November 10 2014

When my twin sister and I were 5 years old, we began counting the money we had in our piggybanks. It turned out that one of us had more than the other. To our young minds, this just wasn´t right. So, we decided to balance our accounts by helping ourselves to our mother´s money!

Since then, I´m not proud to confess, there have been times I´ve "helped myself" to the shared music and e-books uploaded on non official websites. As I did so, an iffy feeling inside me told me it was wrong. But I simply shoved it aside.

I couldn´t plead ignorance any longer, however. God´s Word confronted me : "You must not steal" (Exodus 20:15). This commandment is straightforward and perfectly clear : "You" who belong to God and trust that God is your provider "must not" ever consider it acceptable to pilfer; "steal" - take what´s not yours and make it your own.

When we steal, we´re telling God two things : "I don´t really trust You to give me what I need" and "my desire for what I want is greater than my desire to obey You." Essentially, we´re violating the Great Commandment - to love God with our all.

One preacher commented, "So often people take what is not theirs because they can´t or won´t wait for it, or believe they shouldn´t have to wait for it."

The apostle Paul wrote about what we should do with such wrong prespectives : "If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need" (Ephesians 4:28).

The opposite of stealing is obtaining what we need through honest work. WOrk, then you´ll have the money for your living expenses and the ability to give generously to others who are in need. - Poh Fang Chia

Read
Ephesians 4:17-28
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter. "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord. "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Question to Ponder
What forms of stealing are prevalent in our culture today? 
How can you begin to cultivate a spirit of hard work and generous giving?

**Article taken from the ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 issue

To Suffer Alone

Sunday, November 9 2014

In an episode of Downtown Abbey (a historical English drama), beloved housemaid Anna Bates is brutally raped. It was heart-wrenching to watch her try to keep it a secret. The head housekeeper, Mrs Hughes, found Anna shortly after the assault - bruised, crying and hiding in a corner. Despite the strong urgings of Mrs. Hughes, Anna told her to tell no one, not even her husband. She was not only afraid he would kill her assailant, but she also felt "dirty" and believed the attack was somehow her fault.

Anna´s feelings and silence are typical and understandable in victims of sexual assault. The shame that victims feel - though undeserved - is beyond words.

The Bible also contains a disturbing story of sexual assault. Tamar, King David´s virgin daughter, was raped by her half brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:1-20). But rather than hide what happened, Tamar grieved openly (vv. 18-19). Two years after the assault another of Tamar´s brothers sought revenge. Absalom killed Amnon, throwing King David´s family and kingdom into chaos (vv. 23-28).

Some might argue that the royal family's upheaval could have been averted if Tamar had simply kept quiet. NO! Family bitterness and division grew because Amnon acted selfishly and wouldn´t take responsibility for violating Tamar.

To those who are victims of sexual assault or any form of abuse, please know that it is not your fault! Nor is it God´s desire for you to carry life´s heaviest burdens alone (Galatians 6:2). What´s often worse than the violation(s) itself is a lifetime of suffering alone in the darkness. If you´ve been abused or are the victi of someone else´s selfishness, tell a person who can help you. You can discover that what is shareable slowly becomes more bearable. - Jeff Olson

Read

2 Samuel 13:1-20

In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. Amnon became frustrated to the point of illness on account of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.

Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David´s brother Jonadab was a very shrewd man. He asked Amnon, "Why do you, the king´s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won´t you tell me?"

Amnon said to him, "I´m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom´s sister."

"Go to bed and pretend to be ill," Jonadab said. "When your father comes to see you, say to him, 'I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.' "

So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, "I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand."

David sent word to Tamar at the palace : "Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him." So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat.

"Send everyone out of here," Amnon said. So everyone left him. Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand." And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, "Come to bed with me, my sister."

"Don´t, my brother!" she said to him. "Don´t force me. Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don´t do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you."

But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.

Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, "Get up and get out!"

"No!" She said to him. "Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me."

But he refused to listen to her. He called his personal servant and said, "Get this woman out of here and bolt the door after her." So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. She was wearing a richly ornamented robe, for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore. Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.

Her brother Absalom said to her, "Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet now, my sister; he is your brother. Don´t take this thing to heart." And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom´s house, a desolate woman.

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other´s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Question to Ponder

What burden of shame have you been carrying alone?

Name one person with whom you can open up and share. How can you experience God´s love through that person?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 Issue.

A Piece of My Heart

Saturday, November 8 2014

Senseless violence and dark injustice can make for a steady rain in life - dampening spirits in mists of grey. In the summer of 2013, a 17 year old from a rough neighbourhood jumped in front of his mother to protect her from an attack. The bullet struck and killed him, leaving his mother clutching his lifeless body in front of their home. The boy´s brother, who witnessed the crime, said later, "I lost a big piece of my heart that night."

Habakkuk was losing heart - bit by bit, piece by piece. All around him, he witnessed violence and injustice. The nation of Judah was struggling with a pagan nation - Assyria - pressing down on them, and the effects of sin were eating away at them. The prophet called out to God, "O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal - surely you do not plan to wipe us out?" (Habakkuk 1:12). Habakkuk acknowledged God, His holy ways and the eternal hope he needed in his bitter, temporal circumstances.

As the prophet called out to God, he called Him "Our Rock" (v.12). That speaks of God´s sovereign power and constant faithfulness. The prophet was struggling with the sin, violence and injustice of his day, but he knew he could call on the One who would listen and - one day - make things right. And God didn´t disappoint. He told Habakkuk that even though Judah´s enemies would thrive for a time and even conquer them, His judgement and punishment would "surely take place" (2:3).

When you and I are overwhelmed by the harsh and unjust things we witness and experience in life, may we choose to be like Habakkuk - calling out to God and waiting expectantly for Him to answer (v.1). "Surely" He will answer and make all things right one day (v.3). - Tom Felten

Read
Habakkuk 1:12 - 2:12
O Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die.
O Lord, you have appointed them to execute judgement; O Rock, you have ordained them to punish.
Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong.
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?
Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler.
The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad.
Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food.
Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

Then the Lord replied : 
"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
"See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright - but the righteous will live by his faith - indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples.
"Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, 'Woe to him who pikes up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?'
Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim. Because you have plundered many nations, the people who are left will plunder you. For you have shed man´s blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them."
"Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it."
"Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime!"

Psalms 33:5
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of his unfailing love.

Isaiah 61:8
"For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them."

Question to ponder :
What has caused you to lose a piece of your heart?
How does the promise of restoration and God´s justice realized in the future encourage you today?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 Issue.

" If Only I " steps

Friday, November 7 2014

Mark 5:25-34 contains what I call my "If Only I" steps. They´re the desperately needed, but often last resort, actions I often take to reach out to Jesus and find the healing and deeper intimacy I need.

Last month I took an "If Only I" step when I flew across the country and then drove 7 hours to join a group of women on a prayer retreat. Depleted following a hard season of ministry in Uganda, I knew I´d reached a point where I absolutely had to be engulfed in fellowship with praying friends. There, I believed, I could better wade through the negative thoughts that had crept in during trials - challenges that had crowded out my understanding of God´s love for me.

"If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed," the woman said as she unabashedly worked her way through the crowds to touch the hem of Jesus´ robe (Mark 5:28). And as a result of her reaching out to Him, the "terrible condition" that had plagued the woman for 12 years left her "immediately" (v.29).

"Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, ´Who touched my robe?´ His disciples said to him, ´Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, "who touched me?" ´

"But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realisation of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, ´Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over´" (vv. 30-34)

If there´s something plaguing you, prayerfully consider taking an "if only I" step and reach out for Jesus today! - Roxanne Robbins

Read
Mark 5:25-34 : 
And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately he bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked "Who touched my clothes?"
"You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, ´Who touched me?´ "
But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

Proverbs 3:7-8
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Question to ponder :
What do you need to bring to Jesus today as you reach out to Him in faith and trust?
What keeps us from seeking Jesus when we´re plagued by trials?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 Issue.

Large Asking

Thursday, November 6 2014

John Newton, slave trader turned pastor and hymnwriter, believed in 'large asking' when it came to prayers. He encouraged many with the archaic words in this verse from the hymn "Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare" : "Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring, for His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much."

His 'large asking' was no doubt motivated by people in the Bible who prayed big prayers. Abraham famously pleaded for mercy on behalf of the people of Sodom and the other cities of the plain (Genesis 18:16-33). Moses interceded on behalf of the people of Israel, asking God to erase his name from the book of life instead of destroying the nation (Exodus 32:31-32). Esther, risking her life, came before the king to save the lives of her people (Esther 5:1-8). The apostle Paul prayed that the Romans would experience "complete harmony" and that the "message about Jesus" would be known to all Gentiles (Romans 15:5-7, 16-25-27). He also asked that the Ephesians would be empowered with inner strength (Ephesians 3:14-21), that the Philippians' love would overflow more and more (Philippians 1:8-11) and that the Colossians would have a complete knowledge of God´s will (Colossians 1:9-12).

In each case God, in His sovereignty, responded with generous grace. He has extended a gracious invitation for us to ask big things of Him. Considering the costliness of gaining access to our heavenly Father (the death of His Son), we should remember and practise the words of Phillips Brooks : "Pray the largest prayers. You cannot think a prayer so large that God, in answering it, will not wish you had made it larger. Pray not for crutches but for wings." - Marvin Williams

Read
Genesis 18-16-33 : 
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.
Then the Lord said , "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."
Then the men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Then Abraham approached him and said : "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing - to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
The Lord said : "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."
Then Abraham spoke again : "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?"
"If I find forty-five there," he said, " I Will not destroy it."
Once again he spoke to him, "What if only forty are found there?"
He said, "For the sake of forty, I will not do it."
Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?" He answered, " I will not do it if I find thirty there."
Abraham said, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?" He said, "For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it."
Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?"
He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."
When the Lord finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

Hebrews 8:1 : The point of what we are saying is this : We do not have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.

Question to Ponder :
How do your recent prayers compare to the requests and petitions made by men and women in the Bible?
What will it take for you to bring your largest prayer requests before Him?

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 issue.

The Silence Of Jesus

Wednesday, November 5 2014

Silence. That´s all he gave them. Silence. And some strange scribbling in the sand.

He´d been so vocal just a few moments before - sitting down, in the customary way, to teach the crowds gathered around Him in the temple. He´d spoken calmly but boldly then, passionately but enigmatically, about the kingdom of God and its arrival. Everyone had been enthralled by His word. But now, He was silent (John 8:6).

Other people weren´t so quiet. They shouted at Him, demanding an answer. " The law of Moses says to stone  her. What do you say? " (v.5). But He was simply silent as the shamed and trembling woman stood half-naked before the crowd. Tears flowed down her cheeks. But Jesus stooped to make some marks on the ground - without a word.

" All right...." He said, finally looking up, "but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" (v.7). He lowered His gaze to the ground, wordless once more.

Silence, a few words, then more silence.

One by one the gathered crowd slowly began to walk away, Jesus´ words ringing in their ears .... and souls. Finally, just He and the woman were left.

Soon He would be silent during another tense moment, but this time He would be the one shamed and scorned. As Pilate asked his questions, Jesus would remain silent until the few words He spoke ripped deep into Pilate´s soul (19:8-12).

Perhaps Jesus´ silence should be kept in mind when we struggle to hear His voice - when we´re left with just a few words in between lengthy times of not hearing Him. His silence doesn´t mean He´s absent, and neither does it diminish His power or care. Instead it invites us to reflect on whether we´ve really heard what He´s already said. - Sheridan Voysey

Read : 
John 8:1-11 : But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis of accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them. "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"  "No one, sir." she said. "Then neither do I condemn you." Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Psalms 5:1-3 : Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Question to ponder :
How do you interpret God´s silence in your life? What has God said to you that you need to remember or act on?

*Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 issue.