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Together as one
“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all
of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6
Isn’t it great to serve the Lord together, even if you have to stick your head in gung, have water thrown over you (which was cold) or have to eat cold baked beans (especially when they make you want to heave before you have even tasted them) and have a face full of cream. (which was going sour)
I thank God for the unity and common sense of purpose this church has developed over its short life.
Thank you for all the effort and work that went into preparing and presenting the Explorers Holiday Club. I know the 60+ kids who came throughout the week really enjoyed it. Thank you to everyone who helped, young and older it shows how God can use his people for his glory. Thank you to all those that prayed.
We have such a wonderful message about God’s love to share to the community and I give God the thanks for the opportunity.
For the parents who sent their children our grateful thanks to you for your part. The kids were really well behaved and entered in to all the fun and stuff throughout the week. Thank you for helping them learn their verses and helping them with the explorer challenges at home.
See you all again next year!!
Putting things into context
Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone Isaiah 53:8-9
On Monday night I was accused of hitting a child after some out of control kids came down to the Dingle CC. His Mother came screeching down the road in her car and gave me a mouthful and told me I would never work with kids again. (a justifiable response if true.) The feeling of injustice filled me with pain, as our intensions have always be to help these young people and not to do them harm.
When I opened my bible at the end of the day, I was reminded that Jesus faced accusers and an angry mob. How much more would sorrow fill the heart of the Lord Jesus. One who has never even known how to do wrong, let alone done it.
However strong my heart is that goes out to these young people on the estate who have no future without Christ, how much more is the love of God for mankind. He who was God in human flesh, was treated beyond belief by the very people he was setting free. Unjustly condemned, struck down, beaten , spat upon, ridiculed and so we could go on, and what hits home is in this verse when it says, “no one cared” The injustice led to crucifixion and Christ was hung between two convicted criminals.
The bible says that “cursed is everyone who is hung upon a tree” and that is what our Saviour was prepared to do.
What is our response, the first thing I wanted to do was to put the record straight, to tell my side of the story. I felt hard done by and almost angry. The response of Jesus before Herod and Pilate was silence. If anyone could have proved his innocence it would have been the Lord, but he chose to be “led like a lamb to the slaughter in silence and shame.”
Sometimes our everyday lives can seem so insignificant compared to what Jesus did on our behalf and so they are, but all that God commands of us is that we use these opportunities to glorify him and be a light in a dark world. Whenever we face trials in this world, we must fix our eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
Don't get too comfy
Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing
Joshua 3:1
The Israelites were camped in an oasis called ‘Acacia Grove'. Acacia Grove was a resting place, out of the harsh plains and desert areas that surrounded it; out of the immediate reaches of the Egyptians and other enemies.
Acacia trees are known in the Middle East as trees that will grow in harsh conditions and give shelter and shade to those that would rest under there canopy. After all the Israelites had gone through it would have been an oasis like they had never known. But Joshua’s desire was to keep moving them on. Sometimes we can become comfortable.
Yes they had seen blessing before, at the address that they were at but Joshua wanted to fulfill all that God had in store for the children of Israel.
When you move house it is not because you dislike the address you are at, it is normally because you want to upgrade or maybe the family has grown out of the property or your work moves you to a different location. In a spiritual way let us keep upgrading our address, to allow more room for God to work and move in our lives.
Lets not just live on the memories of the past and sit in our comfortable Christian armchair in Acacia Grove, it may seem the ‘des res’ of all places in your mind, don’t forget that God has an even greater plan for your life, than where you are now.
Are you still living in Acacia Grove or have you stepped out into the unknown territories of God. Is your house up for sale?
The bible clearly teaches that ‘
there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.’ Prov 14v12If you want to destroy your Christian walk and the close relationship you can have with a Holy and Mighty God just sit back and do nothing. Stay in Acacia Grove, but you will not see God moving and you will not know what it means to have life to the full.
If you are not hungry you don’t eat. If you are not hungry for a closer walk and a life of Faith with God you will not have one. If we limit what God can do in and through us we will miss out of His blessings and more importantly let others miss out. How big is your appreciation of God? Have you shrunk your life to the size of a matchbox? Or does it include the entire realm of God, His kingdom. A shark in a tank will only grow in relation to the tank it is put in.
Lets swim around in the ocean and see what we can become in God.
Labels: Appreciation, comfortable, fulfilled, moving
