Two videos that you need in your life.

I was going to write on Philippians, Heidi Baker did so in a way more spirit-led form thoroughness than I was ever going to, so watch. She touches far too much to describe the video beyond that,  but from the moment you press ply you’ll feel the presence man!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfayw-vE318

Bill Johnson on mistaken definitions of grace, the gospel and sexual immorality. Killed it. Dug it back up. And killed it again.

 

Put aside time over the next few days to watch these. They are SO edifying.

Off to a Christian retreat for the weekend and going to do my best to surgically remove myself from my phone. Those who know me will appreciate the difficulty.

 

I cannot stress how beneficial these talks are, and will be to others if you share that blessing around.

 

God bless and keep you always x

Father we just thank you for christian community Lord God. We thank you for the body of Christians that we learn from, grow with and support in love. Lord we just pray for unity in the church body. That we always respect the differences of denominations and differing theology but will ourselves to remain firmly focused on glorifying you Father. Lord you are peace, love and joy. You will the best for us, you develop us and you intend us with purpose to do your will, not to argue over interpretation nor push others away from you by acts of condemnation. Father we just pray for those who don’t know you yet and for those who say they do but upon reflection are either denying you by how they live or acting in wilful disobedience. Lord you do not expect us to be perfect, but it is when we are fully honest with you that you can get in and lead us out of those dark places we inhibit in helplessness. You do not will us to live in secrecy, in darkness or in shame; there is no one who can’t be saved and we just pray for those who, through shame and fear, put an obstacle between you and them. For those who hear the lies of the enemy and think they are not worthy. Father your word contains so many stories of you saving people from low places that by the power of their testimony Lord God we may know the same will happen for us. Help us to see more of you in our everyday life, to recognise your beauty, actions and intercession. By the blood of your perfect son Jesus Christ the victory IS ours, we are renewed in you and our mistakes are wiped clean. Lord God grant us the grace that we may share your mercy and love with others, that we may walk against the societal tendencies to hold grudges, to be judgemental. It is not of you, it is not loving and it is not edifying. Father God we offer you our lives in continual worship. Let others see you in how we interact with them, in how you have transformed our lives, in our focus on kindness over judgement.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,

Amen.

 

 

 

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1

“I’m just finding myself”

We read, hear and will testify that we’re different from the world. We know Jesus, we’ve experienced His peace, His gifts, maybe we’ve had experiences of healing. Examining the extent to which our actions glorify or witness to God is not a new idea, or something you won’t have heard me express. Howeverrrrr. How can we say these things and make these claims and as young christians come out with something so worldly as “I’m just finding myself”?

People’s walks aren’t always as progressive as they’d like. They fall out of the habit of reading the bible or praying. The path is narrow yo, it was never promised to be a nice country walk. Our souls live in this fleshy encasing that seems to want to do stuff that as Christians we may know or guess to be wrong. When we listen and re-shackle ourselves to the temptations of the flesh, even having the victory in Jesus, sometimes we slack and go for the easier options. Now if you have a christian community, be it family, friends from church, you’re going to get pulled up on this. Eventually. God willing. And as young people we will reply in a form that at the very least sounds like “well you know, I’m just finding myself”. This in itself is not wrong, because if it was that simple you’d be in church, reading scripture or watching a talk. But you’re not. Countless sermons have clearly gone in one ear and out the other when you’re searching for yourself OUTSIDE OF GOD.

YOUR IDENTITY IS IN CHRIST. You’ve sang it in church and you’ve sang it after God’s got you through some sticky situation. Now I’m going to be condescending and ask you to repeat wherein your identity lies, in the bid that it will go into your head the way that teachers would make me do lines when they caught me talking/sleeping. When you’re sleeping around and going out on the lash, and trying to find the stuff you’re into or well suited to, in what way is this going to be of assistance to you? When your purpose is known and GIVEN by the Father. Your reason for being was destined and intended by the Omnipotent, but because the world says that “it’s finding itself” you follow suit? I’m struggling to hold back the angry patois, but I think you get the point. The reasons that you like particular things, the talents that you have, were given for reasons, often unknown to us, to do things we couldn’t even imagine. But you’re going around, potentially hurting people in the process, under the guise of finding yourself. What exactly are you searching for? Beyond a flimsy excuse to just not pull your own weight?

This is not aimless, self-righteous writing. This isn’t to make me feel better, but because I know these words are coming out of the mouths of young christians and they have a deep, dark undertone. You’re denying God. Calling it how I see it. If my actions do not glorify God, they are distant from Him, and searching out meaning apart from Him – then it’s denial. I assume that such christians wouldn’t explicitly say that they’re denying God, if questioned whether they believe or care they’d strongly affirm that they did, but the reason that they feel a niggle of guilt or conviction is because when they look at it objectively that is just what they’re doing.

Make the conscious decision to not do that. Please. I gain nothing from my brother or sister in Christ going astray, and not even realising the mess they’re getting themselves into. Because for all that finding, you’re going to have to find your way back to Christ.

Why don’t people like the Church? Hebrews 13:1-21

Hebrews 13:1-21

To be quite frank, a lot of people who don’t like Christians, (some, not all), have come into contact with Christians that they felt gave them reason to. Some people are just ignorant. The stereotype of the judgemental Christian, the Hypocrite, the Haranguer aren’t fables, but pretty visible and all too detrimental to the image of the body of Christ. Jesus spoke to immoral and moral men alike, gave and received from prostitutes, criminals and self-righteous and proud men. At times he did this with righteous indignation, but at others Jesus acted with great humility and compassion. As Christians we have the responsibility to reflect these characteristics with people that we come into contact with. If we’re realistic, this is not a side of Christianity that enough people, believers and non-believers, speak of. We are intended to be the light and salt of the earth (Matt 5:13-16), so clearly we have some work to do.

So, if we aren’t already, what is it that we should be doing?

“Keep on loving each others as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realising it! Remember those who are in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies” (Hebrews 13:1-3).

I don’t treat everyone like they’re my younger brother. I’m not protective, loving and playful to everyone that I come into contact with. Yet this is what we are called to do. The second part of the verse is asking us to truly empathise, not ignore, not patronise, not pity but really put ourselves in their shoes. Why? Firstly, the supreme authority Jesus said so, so you know…

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! … Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:32-36).

Christians and non-believers are not the same. Surprise ! If someone reaches those pearly gates, is judged for their actions and didn’t know Jesus you’d better believe that they’ll be in a better position than the person who knew better but let sin and immorality control their motivations. The motivation of the soft heart is a valuable gift to those to whom it comes naturally, and an important prayer request for the rest of us. Don’t be able to repeat these things, or adages to the same value, but not practise them, what good is that to anyone?

We are all God’s creation and even those who don’t believe, were created by Him. The Living God made man to be stewards of His creation, to look after, lead, protect and care for it. As stewards we should strive to love and take care of others with the same intensity and depth that we would our physical siblings.

Unsurprisingly opportunities for resentment can appear from time to time. We can see others with wealth but think it’s unfair because they’re not righteous. We may see a person even in a position in our church or life groups and feel envious of them. The Bible says “be satisfied with what you have” (13:5). At the end of the day God is in control of your life, resenting your situation equates to resenting what God is doing with it, instead of noting the gifts and opportunities He may be making way for.

“For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (13:5-6)

He will NEVER fail you, God has you 100% covered. Every Christian lives in the blessed position of being reliant on the Eternal Father, whose very nature is loyalty and love. The Father who listens to your prayers, who seeks out a relationship with you, who gifted you with ETERNAL salvation. We have a lot to be happy about, even when things appear to be unappealing, we must never allow a chasm for the Enemy to sow seeds of anger and resentment. As the verse says, our Father, our dad, is the Living, intervening, caring, just God – WHAT is there to fear? The position of the Christian is like no other, there is no better place than it.

I see an awful lot of complaining coming from Christians, about other Christians, on social media. Firstly, I find it inappropriate, Paul labours the point of not arguing and belittling Christianity in front of non-believers so no Christian should be doing so. Simple. There is a key difference between trying to address issues in the hopes of building up the Church and prattling on about what you don’t like about Christians, undermining the unified body that you belong to. Secondly, I think a lot of it is short-sighted. A lot of people speak out pride and self-righteousness, vilifying those doing positive things and usefully forgetting John 8 (the story of the woman caught in adultery). For those with the aforementioned selective amnesia let me paraphrase the story: woman gets caught in the act of adultery, crowd want to stone her, Jesus says whoever is without sin let them throw the first stone, and off everyone disappears. Don’t like that bit of scripture, cool, let’s try Matthew 7:1-6, headed DON’T JUDGE OTHERS.

Your intentions will colour the words that you say, if not dictate them. “But the words you speak come from the heart – that’s what defiles you” (Matt 5:18). When you desire what God desires, when your motivations are goodness and love, your advice or constructive criticism for the church body and others will be healthy and beneficial. I don’t think the alternative needs further going into. Our lives on this earth are going to be judged one day, and even without that hanging over your head, when you came to God you received plentiful gifts, shouldn’t you get to sharing some of that with other people?

“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” (13:14-16)

God bless and keep you always x

The Righteous Remnant (not as catchy as other titles but bare with), Zephaniah 3:17.

Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

The prophet Zephaniah lived in the decades just before the Babylonians captured Jerusalem. Chronologically the Israelites were taking the mickey, Zephaniah is the thirty sixth book of the Bible (dated to the seventh century bc). You’d think by now they’d know the repercussions of worshipping other idols and living outside of God’s love. But yet another prophet comes with harsh words for the disobedient Jews (zeph 1:1-3:8). This morning I come with the wholly positive message that if in your heart you have repented and turned to God, accepting His Son Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you’re saved from the final judgement just as the righteous few were saved in the days of destruction that fell upon the Jews.

Zephaniah 3:9-20 is both comforting to the “lowly and humble” (3:12) who would have lived in those days but also to us: “On that day I will purify the lips of all people, so that everyone will be able to worship the Lord together…And then you will no longer need to be ashamed of yourselves…And The Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you!” (Zeph 3:9,11,15).

In the times of Zephaniah people felt that because they were materially prosperous worshipping others couldn’t be that bad and God would just turn a blind eye. Unlike people we may know today who aren’t Christians, the Jews knew better and were repeatedly told to fix up and possibly bring about God’s mercy in time to stop their approaching destruction and yet they STILL disobeyed!

But the reason I wrote on this this morning is because God loves us. Look how many opportunities He gave the Jews to right their wrongs. And even in the face of rightfully punishing the Jews God never forgets those trying to do right by Him, flaws remaining for He never expects perfection from us. Instead He delivers us from hard times on earth and then when He welcomes us into eternity – we’ll never face them again. Our Lord the deliverer is “a mighty one who will save”, He “rejoices” over us, He calms us, fills our very being, our every cell, our every thought, our every move with peace! We exult in Him and He “will exult over you”!!! (3:17)

When I asked God to soften my heart He definitely made me quite soppy but this verse makes my heart feel like it’s going to burst. Listen to what Zephaniah is saying, inspired by God. After sin…can we just take the time to imagine a time WITHOUT sin, no matter how righteous we try to be the flesh is weak, we only know life with sin down to our physical body…and yet God says after those days of judgement, when the world as we know it is changed following those days of judgement, He will rejoice in us! Our creator, our very reason for being is the greatest superlative of a proud parent. Think of a time where your parent just beamed at you and then put God in their place. God wants to rejoice in YOU. His very nature, for He IS love (we only know how to love because of Him), will quiet us as we stand in wonder and peace in the presence of what must be the most overwhelming love we could ever receive. And then when you couldn’t get anymore overwhelmed He’ll sing in praise. Pick any psalm that David Solomon, or Asaph (yeah he was an actual person) dedicated to God and imagine Him redirecting that same passion to YOU! This is the God we serve.

We’re always told that God loves us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Giving your Son’s life in sacrifice to your brattish, disobedient creation is quite a significant way of demonstrating your love. Yet somehow we often let God’s love for us go straight over our heads. God LOVES us. He loves us and He rejoices in us and we make HIS heart want to burst. Is that not amazing?

“God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.” ~ Jerry Bridges

God bless and keep you always x

Here On Purpose, Ephesians 1:4-5

“For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will –”
(Ephesians 1:4-5)

I love stumbling across parts of the Word on the theme of purpose. So often we can feel a bit lost and we tend to know the more famous Bible verses on purpose and intention so well that we can lessen the meaning they have as we just reel them off. God knew us before we were even formed and intended us on purpose (Jer 1:4-5), “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:13) etc. Sometimes, we can say these things to ourselves so often that we forget the greatness of these words. God…the creator of our universe, giver of life, Father of Christ Jesus…made you as you are…joyfully…on purpose…and intended to do so before your parents were even conceived…you…you in particular. Ever dislike and scrutinise certain things about yourself? God doesn’t. Mind blowing stuff.

But Paul says not only did God create us with intention, not only do you matter to God but He chose YOU to be “holy and blameless” in a very dark world. I’ve always thought of light and darkness as helpful imagery, symbols, but when we really look at the world around us it is not a nice place. We live in a world rife with sexual assault, oppression, extreme poverty and extreme greed. An article on the rape of two women (one pregnant) by army militia in Syria brought me to tears a couple days ago. In a world full of darkness, God chose you “for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will-”

You accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and with great pleasure, foreknowledge and intention God granted you freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1) in a world of death and sin, ruled by Satan. “Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God” (2:1-2).

The term sonship is used a lot in the New Testament. In Ancient Greece inheritance worked on the basis of primogeniture: inheritance through the oldest son. This could be through your biological child but you also had the option to adopt a man into your family who would take on your name and the possessions and stature that came with it. In Paul’s own life the oppressive Emperor Nero was adopted by his Great Uncle. When Paul says we have been adopted into sonship he is intentionally using this same language. This adoption is God’s bond, God’s covenant with us for a stable future, one where “we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of His glad welcome” (2:12).

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (2:8-10). WE are God’s masterpiece. He looks at us with love and pride, and gifted us with eternal life and wisdom through Christ Jesus, so that we can do things He had planned about before we even physically existed. The bountiful gifts we receive when we come back to God are so awesome.

Out of love God created you and determined that you were to know eternal life and do amazing works in His name. You matter to Him, you please Him, through Christ you are blameless in His sight.

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. I want you to realise what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people.” (1:18) And people think of Paul as just being mean….

God bless and keep you always x

The Beatitudes, part two, Matt 5:2-12

The Beatitudes

“This is what he taught them:

“God blesses those who realise their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice,
for they will receive it in full.
God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heavens is theirs.
God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too.” (Matt 5:2-12)

Reading the Beatitudes last night I got to “God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full/be filled (NIV)” (5:6) and I realised I have an amazing visual aid in one of my closest friends. It is pretty much impossible to bring up social issues without him responding with sincerity & genuine passion on the need for reformation and understanding, rather than people assuming that they know what’s best, or worse still ignoring the plights of those less fortunate. This is a glimmer of part of the nature of the person you will meet in heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is explicitly repeated in this chapter and it isn’t for effect. To enter into heaven we need to have these qualities, to be more Christ-like we need to take on seeing the world through the loving, comforting and active eyes of Christ. One of the simplest prayers that you can pray is: “Lord, share your burden with me. May the things that hurt your heart hurt ours and invoke us to action, may the love you see in all of your creation be made visible to us.” The battle for truth, righteousness and justice is of God but Jesus demonstrated it whilst He was here on earth too. Jesus wants us to comfort the homeless, love those left on society’s fringes, speak out for the truth and to not be false witnesses. And how does he encourage us to do so….He sets the precedent!

In the same vein: don’t bare grudges (5:7). The God that you belong to is willing to erase everything wrong that you ever did. And you did it to Him! Undeniably, no opportunity for miscommunication, or subjective interpretations, you sinned against God. Repeatedly. But out of His eternal love He grants you forgiveness and is merciful. Pass that on…God didn’t hold onto the fact that for a lot of your life you worshipped your girlfriend more than Him or you used to treat people with coldness and a deep sense of jealousy. If He can do that for the entire population of the world, I think you can choose to let go off some stuff, no?

The judgement you treat a person with will be exercised against you, so be “merciful” in your treatment of others so that “God’s mercy towards you will win out over His judgement against you” (James 2:13). A LOT of people struggle with forgiveness, no one with an ounce of common sense would claim forgiving an abusive parent or partner is easy and God gives us the grace to really push through such occurrences. But there are so many smaller ways that we can be merciful, not arguing back or getting wound up is preemptive of having to actively forgive someone. Immediately addressing a conflict in as civil and considerate a way as possible instead of obsessing over being the one to make the first move is merciful. Mercy and love, not judgement, is responsible for a lot of transformation in the Bible, look at Zacchaeus or even Peter!

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God” (5:8). I don’t know how often on road you see God, but I’m willing to bet that it isn’t that frequently…Nobody’s perfect but that isn’t what this means. Rather, the pure in heart are those who act without thought to what they can gain, more in line with our understanding of selflessness. Imagine coming into contact with a person, who NEVER thought of themselves and how they’d be affected in the pursuit of righteousness. The next couple verses go onto the persecution you will face in the name of Jesus, but such a person would still willingly choose this path rather than worry about what they’d stand to lose or gain. Martyrs have existed since Stephen, Paul and Peter and exist to this day. In Turkey in 2007, whilst holding a bible study for new Christians three missionaries were tortured for hours and finally killed. When their wives spoke to the media they spoke of the joy and love that would have got their husbands through it and how they would have suffered wilfully. These men didn’t deny Jesus, they didn’t try to get themselves out of the predicament by negotiating and lying, but left such an amazing example of selflessness. Aim for this, strive for this, for you will see God.

Blessed are the “peacemakers”. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, by that alone we should strive to be peaceful and harbour peace in the relationships we see around us. But there’s a real sense of agency in this verse. The Lord blesses those who attempt to cultivate peace between God and man. When you help or pray or intercede on the behalf of others, on whatever scale, you are working towards peace for God’s creation and this pleases Him to no end. I don’t know the level of antagonism you encounter daily but for some of us this is a pretty tall order, for others it occurs on more of a macro scale. But seek it out, true peace is of God so in spreading the gospel we seek to unify people to knowing this peace and reflecting it.

Matthew 5:10-12 brings in the final beatitude: “God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.”

I don’t think I need to break that one down for you, but isn’t it an epic point to finish with. Have a lovely Sunday x

The Beatitudes: part one, Matthew 5:2-12

The Beatitudes

“This is what he taught them:

“God blesses those who realise their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice,
for they will receive it in full.
God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heavens is theirs.
God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too.” (Matt 5:2-12)

When we say we want to be more Christ-like what are we saying? That we want to be really nice? To have lots of followers? To try and be generally nice and loving?

Jesus was love. We know this. But what qualities of man were similar to Jesus? What qualities in us would be rewarded or should be cultivated? Well the Beatitudes is quite a nice conclusive list should we look at it in that way.

5:3 is translated both as “God blesses those who realise their need for Him” and “the poor in spirit”. We can’t be self sufficient. As limited beings to think we can sort everything out is seriously overestimating our capabilities. But those who realise they need Him are “given the Kingdom of Heaven”! God says “you can’t do everything for yourself but you understand you need me? Well about time. I’ve got this”. Feeling that you are not in control can be quite a hard pill to swallow. God lifts the chin of the “poor in sprit” and with His loving nature and His goodness, promises them eternal life. I’m quite clearly not saying make yourself depressed, but embrace that dependence on God whatever place you’re at, and if you are in a dark place, look up, God’s got you.

God is a God of comfort, throughout the Bible we hear references of Him as a “shield” (ps 3:3), “shelter for the oppressed” (ps 9:9). God wants to comfort you, when you lose someone close to you you “will be comforted”, when you realise how prone to sin you are God will wrap His arms around you, when you consider that some of your friends may not nor ever know the message of salvation God takes your heaviness (Matt 5:4). If you’re mourning the loss of a friendship or the life you used to live, the Lord wants to comfort you, to protect you and be your shelter. “I cried out to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for The Lord was watching over me” (Ps 3:4-5).

The entire earth is promised to the “gentle and lowly” (5:5). In people we interact with, humility and gentleness can be some of the most attractive qualities. They make us want to know that person better, put as at ease. There is no place for pride in Christianity, how can we prideful or boastful of things when everything we have received has been permitted or given to us from God?

This is a long verse and I want to deal with things fully, so I’ll tackle the second half tomorrow.

God bless x

Not Home Yet, 1Peter 2:11-12

1 Peter 2:11-12
The Message (MSG)

“11-12 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.”

It is so easy to get stuck in issues of this world so deeply that we forget the fundamental tenet of Christianity: life on earth is brief. We argue over material possessions, hurtful words, things that if we think about we’d realise God would not deem significant.

“This world is not your home” (2:11). Simple. We are here as “foreigners” and “aliens” (NLT, NIV). We are placed here to live “exemplary lives”, to be an example to a world of darkness, governed by sin. How many verses are there on being light in the world? On being attractive to the non-believer so they may want to know what you know, belong to the Father you belong to?

NLT translates 1Peter 2:11 as “I warn you keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls”. God has freed you from sin, do not fall into the trap that the enemy is just waiting to ensnare you with. Things of the world can seem so attractive; we live in a period where our generation are more likely to rent for a good portion of their life because they won’t be able to buy a house. Who wouldn’t want a nice semi with a lovely garden, to be famous or perhaps be a particular dress size/body shape? We live in a culture that emphasises financial security, but in reality you can have money one day and wake up to the startling reality of it all being gone. The only security we have is in God the Father. Let us never compromise that because things of the world seem attractive.

I think it’s interesting that The Message words this as not indulging your ego. Pride and self are issues that some of us really struggle. I’ve prayed numerous times against self-importace, this can be the first cause of so many other sins, causing our lives to become so much messier and chaotic than they need be. Vanity is not too far from idolatry guys, slippery slope. Further, it brings up imagery of the celebrity surrounded by adoring fans and sycophants, this is not God’s purpose for us and is nothing but a distraction. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33). That’s all we have to do, seek to advance and love His kingdom, in layman’s terms “do what you can for God and he’s got you covered”. That particular verse in Matthew is a response to people worrying over material possessions, over where they’ll procure clothes and even food. Jesus says seek God and God will grant you these things and more, He cares, duh.

The second half of this moves onto how we act in front of non-believers. I’ve got a quick fuse and my mum always reminds me to be conscious of curbing that (and other things…quite a few other things) so that people can’t make the types of comments that begin “but I thought you were a Christian…”, “well that’s not good for a Christian…” Whether we like it or not when we accept Jesus as our Saviour, we simultaneously sign a waiver accepting that we will be continually judged and scrutinised by “your unbelieving neighbours” (NLT).

Peter says if you do live an exemplary life though, you’ll win them over. You can evangelise through your life and actions, you need not stand in the street and shout in the second coming. Be a good example so that you can lead others to Christ, so that they can “join in the celebration when He arrives” too.

As a final point, we will never feel completely satisfied on earth because we were made for something so much better. On a personal note, I feel at such a higher place of peace and fulfilment when I’m in communion with God. Almost like a glimpse into the future. My spirit feels like it’s where it’s meant to be, but whilst I reside here it occurs in temporary bursts.

Realising that life on earth is only temporary, like a work trial, completely changes your values and priorities. Notions of the eternal, not temporal ones, become the deciding factors for your decisions. Suddenly having the last word in an argument just doesn’t seem worth it; I do not say this in a spirit of self righteousness, but I can’t emphasise the amount of times things have been brought to me impassioned that seem so trivial now.

“When life gets tough, when you’re overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not home yet. At death you won’t leave home – you’ll go home.” (Rick Warren)

God bless and keep you always x

Reality Check, Titus 1:15-16

“Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are despicable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:15-16)

Paul is blunt. Should you read any of the Epistles, you will realise he isn’t one for mollycoddling, but everything said is said in love. This is only my intention with what shall follow. If your pride is going to cause you to feel anger towards evaluating your behaviour in the light of Christ, you may want to pray about that. I’m quite serious. There’s no place for self or pride in Christianity, none of us are perfect nor are we expected to be.

Titus was an assistant of Paul’s, left to steward a young church on the island of Crete. As news of public discord in the church spread, Paul advised Titus on the selection of elders, teaching of doctrines, ideal christian characteristics and the significance of leading a Christian life in the world around us. The book of Titus is three chapters so I’d recommend you just read all of it in one go and meditate on the messages of “self-control” (2:1), “love and patience” (2:2).

When Paul says “everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure” (1:15), he isn’t saying only the perfect are going to lead good lives. Far from that, in Romans 7 & 8 Paul laments his imperfections “It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do right, I inevitably do what is wrong” (Romans 7:21-25). But as Paul exhorts “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” When we know and love and live in Jesus Christ, God sees us through Jesus’ purity and unless we consciously turn our hearts back to sin, to evil and a life lesser than that of the Christian, we will always be pure in heart, hiccups or otherwise.

Paul, understandably, is angry with the church of Crete. They “rebel”, “engage in useless talk and deceive people” (1:10). The problem with this is that being church leaders they misuse and dishonour their authority, “They must be silenced. By their wrong teaching, they have already turned whole families away from the truth” (1:11). You may know God, go to church on a Sunday, you may even go to two services, sing in the worship band and give all your money away but what do your actions really say? Did you come to church having “spent the night at your boyfriends”, perhaps you’re economical with the truth or only tolerate and accept people whose opinions are in line with yours? Does this sound like the life of freedom your God has given you through Jesus Christ? Don’t deny God “by the way you live” (1:16). Beyond taking the concept of repentance for granted, you’re kidding yourself if you think your entry into heaven will still be guaranteed off of your church attendance or some good deeds. Ask yourself and you’ll find that you know better.

The concept of repentance is one of full and complete transformation towards something so much better, it is impossible to turn to a complete life of God and still actively live in habitual sin. Do you think God wants half your attention or that until you give Him your all your relationship is going to be strained? As I said no one is perfect, even people who habitually sin can be trying to pray against it but there is a difference between that and the person who continues on in justification of what they’re doing, things that the Lord their God has communicated they ought not to do. What’s so great about earthly pleasures when through Christ we get God? We actually get to live and buss jokes and debate and hold and see our Creator, but you’d put a barrier between that by not waiting until marriage for sex?

Evaluate guys. The feelings we get of conviction are only ever there to lead to repentance. Any time you feel a prolonged sense of “ah man I messed up” and that feeling just can’t be shaken and leads to further despair, that isn’t of God. Conviction, good; condemnation, bad. No one wants that – not God, not the apostles, not your family, but if people really love you they have a responsibility to “rebuke them as sternly as necessary to make them strong in the faith” (1:13). God gives us ways to live because those allow us to get the most our lives have to offer, not because He felt like just listing off some rules. Read the word, meditate on it and live it.

 

God bless x