Crestwood Church Blog

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18

The Christian life is a seemingly crazy one at times, when we ask for help of how to over come problems, the bible’s answers is to fix our eyes on things that cannot be seen.

That doesn't sound very helpful, and at times we can feel that way when we go to God with our troubles. This reminds me of Thomas who couldn’t believe the resurrection of the Lord Jesus until he physically saw it himself.

But God it trying to catapult us into a different world, not the world we know but a world where we will not need “pick-me-ups” and words of comfort. A world where Jesus is king and in control.

God, through the Apostle Paul, is putting the context of our concerns into the big picture of eternity. Whatever we face today is only temporary and will not be with us long, even if it is with us all the days of this world. Compared to the world and life that is too come, it is a blip on a screen and it will never trouble us for any moment of eternity.

Faith is the essential ingredient in our Christian lives for survival down here. It is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. So we have hope in a better future with Christ, free from financial worries, health issues, job prospects, relationship problems and the rest.

Whatever is in front of you today which is wrong will not be with you in glory. God is an unseen God, but we still have an unmoveable belief that he is real. We need this kind of faith to know that whatever God has promised us in his word will come to pass. There is nothing wrong in believing for these promises today, because God is a merciful God, we just have to be prepared to except that God knows the end from the beginning. What we ask for is not always for our good now.

Trust him, believe him for now, and put your hope in things yet unseen.

Labels: Belief, Faith, Future, Promise

Lyrics by Martyn Joseph.

The light or the shade, concealed or displayed
Enemies, friends, opposite ends
Bitter or sweet, ruffled or neat
Feathers or lead, silent or said
Generous or mean, corporate or green
Vagrant or lord, the dove or the sword
Distinct or obscure, prosperous or poor
Devil or saint, we are and we ain’t

Intricate mysteries Life's secret code
Cul-de-sac signposts On yellow brick roads
Ambiguous answers The question's still "Why"
Thunder and rainbows From the same sky

Champagne or dust, banquet or crust
Authentic or fake, angel or snake
Flower or thorn, pristine or torn
Desert or sea, the throne and the tree
The light or the shade, concealed or displayed
Enemies, friends, opposite ends
Flower or thorn, pristine or torn
Desert or sea, the throne and the tree

Sometimes we just have to trust God. Life is full of opposites and extremes, the whys this side of heaven don't always have answers. How reassuring that God knows all things, he is the omniscient God and has our future forever on his mind.

But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying "You are my God", My future is in your hands. Psalm 31:14

Labels: Faith, Future, Promise

By Janet Shackleton.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance
Psalm 65:11 (NLT)

As Jesus called his disciples to follow him, he promised to make them from ordinary fishermen into "fishers of men". And as they walked and lived with him, they learned who he was and saw his almighty power change the most impossible situations and transform lives.

We saw that same power among us last year as lives were changed when people met Jesus. In this next year let us continue to pray and trust him for an even more abundant harvest, of God's fruitfulness in our own lives and in the local community. We are called to work in the harvest field, and the Lord promises to "drench the ploughed ground with rain, melting the clods and levelling the ridges" (Psalm 65:10) and to bring in the harvest.

Though at times it seems our lives follow a difficult pathway, even then he promises abundant blessing and fruitfulness. And when those around us seem hard and unreceptive to the message, let us continue to pray for the rain of the Holy Spirit to bring softness and fertile ground, for a rich harvest of life in Jesus.

Labels: Community, Mission, Promise

After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4 (NLT)

The Lord Jesus is the great heavenly shepherd, who is constantly gathering his flock back to his care after their aimless wanderings without him.

In ancient times, a shepherd would devote his life to his sheep, making sure that they were never out of his sight. He would protect them from ravenous wolves and lead them to good pasture for nourishment. He would also stand in the gap of the fold, to prevent wanderings in the night.

During the day, he would be constantly calling them and giving them direction. If other shepherds were nearby they would still only listen to their master's voice for direction.

How we need to learn the sound of the Good Shepherd's voice! There are so many false voices calling out, that often we can get confused by them and lose our direction. The Lord Jesus has promised to walk ahead of us and direct us - but are we listening to his voice?

If we are close to his side, his voice is so easily recognised we will never be mistaken, but if we take our eyes away from the shepherd and stray over the hill, his voice can be lost in the crowd of all the other voices.

God doesn't want to scream at us just to get our attention, he wants us to want him, know him and delight in him. Don't listen to strangers, listen to God!

Labels: Jesus, Listening, Promise, Shepherd

Becoming a Christian, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, a follower, someone who is saved (or whichever title you want to use...), doesn't make you just another number in God's kingdom.

Jesus taught that "there is joy in the presence of God's angels when one single sinner repents" (Luke 15:10). Heaven is thrown into a godly party mode every time one of us comes to recognize the Saviour. You aren't a number but a treasured individual, who God wants to pour his grace upon and strengthen you as your new life unfolds.

Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matt 10:29-31

You are one of his very own children who has strayed into grave danger but now has returned, and the Father is delighted to have you back. His eye will be on you, making sure that you stay close. And if you do stray again he will guide you back.

Self worth is something that is yours, because the Almighty God of Heaven has now declared you worthy to be called his son or daughter.

Labels: Believers, Promise, Salvation, Shepherd