Good morning,
I'm delighted to see there is a new member to my blog. Rev. Pedro Okoro...thank you sir very much for taking an interest. It is lovely to have you on board. I would also like to long-distance-heart-hug all the other members who have hung in there even though I was gone for so long. God bless you all, and I pray your day is wonderfully blessed and fruitful for the Kingdom of God.
Love, Jeanne (Toni) xxxx
Monday, 30 July 2012
Sunday, 29 July 2012
Which Direction is Your Faith Heading?
The other night mum and I were watching The Hunt For Red October. There was a scene toward the climatic end where an American naval crew had boarded the Russian submarine (Red October) in order to secure the safe defection of the Russian Captain, Marko Ramius (portrayed very distinguishably by Sean Connery). Whilst trust was being tiptoed upon, because neither side knew really what to expect from the other, the Russian sub was suddenly fired upon by a torpedo, wielded by their own countrymen, and everyone instantly fell into a frantic rush of crisis procedures. Through it all Ramius, as the Captain and leader, was firing off instructions right and left, all which were being adhered to immediately and without question. Until...
...suddenly the instructions start to NOT make sense. They still come but now seem contrary to everything his crew, and the recently boarded US crew, were taught and knew to be right. Next come questions from his crew - some voiced tentatively out of respect for the Captain, some demanding out of fear for their very lives. But Captain Ramius sticks to his decisions, and the crew members - even those who are slowly being convinced he is mad - obey his commands.
It was very exciting, edge of your seat, knitting needle suspended in mid-stitch kind of stuff. Of course, it all worked out in the end. And that's all well and good when you're the viewer, the one sitting in the comfy lounge chair holding the remote, and able to hit pause when you need to take a nature break!
But what if you were actually in that situation, or one with the same degree of adrenalin provoking rush? What if you were one of the crewmen hearing your 'leader' directing you to turn around, knowing that turning around meant you were now facing the rapidly approaching danger - an armed torpedo with a targeting system? There's nowhere to go but run, and yet you are being asked to turn around and face it! Really??
Would you question? Would you consider the sanity of your instruction giver??
Really though, haven't we all, at some point, experienced moments in our lives (some of them long, LONG moments), where God is telling us to turn around! We can see the danger that we were moments before running from, but which God is now asking us to face head on. We can hear it...maybe even smell it. In the movie, the crew, even against everything they believed to be the right course of action, followed the judgement call of their Captain...though some quite reluctantly.
Do we? Do we trust God, Who knows the end and outcome we cannot see? And Who, the Bible tells us, purposes everything for His glory and our betterment? - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). ALL THINGS! Not some things. Not just the sensible sounding things. Do we step out in faith...sometimes blind faith, and follow those seemingly preposterous and impossible instructions?
Or do we do what we think is best?? Come on, honesty time now...we've all tried it, haven't we? And what was the outcome? Amongst varying degrees of dismal failure, I'm sure we were brusquely awakened by this questions; How many of us are even Captain material, anyway? - able to think on our feet like Captain Ramius did? I know this...I'M NOT!!! Ha-ha, not that I don't still try, fool that I am!
In church yesterday our Minister preached on John 6:1-14; the feeding of the 5 thousand. He spoke on the contrast between human-thinking and God-thinking. How many of us would see a situation, like feeding that many people, or a submarine going head to head with an active torpedo, and think this is impossible, or this can't be done, and then pack up and go home? How many of us take God out of the equation?
The Bible says; "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:26). So, what does this mean? LET GO AND LET GOD!Deuteronomy 31:6 says this; "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Now, if we believe every word of the Bible is true, and every promise of God (and we SHOULD!), then there it is...in plain English. WHY do we still question? WHY are we still afraid? WHY do we fight God when the Bible is telling us He is with us, and He is saying to us DO NOT BE AFRAID!?
Let us be brave. Let us be bold. Let us push forward in the strength of Christ, even when it makes no sense or seems to be opposing everything we think we know. Let us go onward and upward, knowing He has already sealed the VICTORY.
Prayer;
Might Father God, Protector and Encourager of Your people,
Be with each of us as we face our daily torpedoes, whatever they may be. Don't allow us to be overcome with worldly thinking, or our own inability. Remind us that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Warrior against Satan and his evil. Remind us that through Christ we are the victors, able to move on boldly in His Name and through His strength. Praise be to You, Dear Father, and may the glory always be Yours. In Jesus' Name, amen.
...suddenly the instructions start to NOT make sense. They still come but now seem contrary to everything his crew, and the recently boarded US crew, were taught and knew to be right. Next come questions from his crew - some voiced tentatively out of respect for the Captain, some demanding out of fear for their very lives. But Captain Ramius sticks to his decisions, and the crew members - even those who are slowly being convinced he is mad - obey his commands.
It was very exciting, edge of your seat, knitting needle suspended in mid-stitch kind of stuff. Of course, it all worked out in the end. And that's all well and good when you're the viewer, the one sitting in the comfy lounge chair holding the remote, and able to hit pause when you need to take a nature break!
But what if you were actually in that situation, or one with the same degree of adrenalin provoking rush? What if you were one of the crewmen hearing your 'leader' directing you to turn around, knowing that turning around meant you were now facing the rapidly approaching danger - an armed torpedo with a targeting system? There's nowhere to go but run, and yet you are being asked to turn around and face it! Really??
Would you question? Would you consider the sanity of your instruction giver??
Really though, haven't we all, at some point, experienced moments in our lives (some of them long, LONG moments), where God is telling us to turn around! We can see the danger that we were moments before running from, but which God is now asking us to face head on. We can hear it...maybe even smell it. In the movie, the crew, even against everything they believed to be the right course of action, followed the judgement call of their Captain...though some quite reluctantly.
Do we? Do we trust God, Who knows the end and outcome we cannot see? And Who, the Bible tells us, purposes everything for His glory and our betterment? - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). ALL THINGS! Not some things. Not just the sensible sounding things. Do we step out in faith...sometimes blind faith, and follow those seemingly preposterous and impossible instructions?
Or do we do what we think is best?? Come on, honesty time now...we've all tried it, haven't we? And what was the outcome? Amongst varying degrees of dismal failure, I'm sure we were brusquely awakened by this questions; How many of us are even Captain material, anyway? - able to think on our feet like Captain Ramius did? I know this...I'M NOT!!! Ha-ha, not that I don't still try, fool that I am!
In church yesterday our Minister preached on John 6:1-14; the feeding of the 5 thousand. He spoke on the contrast between human-thinking and God-thinking. How many of us would see a situation, like feeding that many people, or a submarine going head to head with an active torpedo, and think this is impossible, or this can't be done, and then pack up and go home? How many of us take God out of the equation?
The Bible says; "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:26). So, what does this mean? LET GO AND LET GOD!Deuteronomy 31:6 says this; "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Now, if we believe every word of the Bible is true, and every promise of God (and we SHOULD!), then there it is...in plain English. WHY do we still question? WHY are we still afraid? WHY do we fight God when the Bible is telling us He is with us, and He is saying to us DO NOT BE AFRAID!?
Let us be brave. Let us be bold. Let us push forward in the strength of Christ, even when it makes no sense or seems to be opposing everything we think we know. Let us go onward and upward, knowing He has already sealed the VICTORY.
Prayer;
Might Father God, Protector and Encourager of Your people,
Be with each of us as we face our daily torpedoes, whatever they may be. Don't allow us to be overcome with worldly thinking, or our own inability. Remind us that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Warrior against Satan and his evil. Remind us that through Christ we are the victors, able to move on boldly in His Name and through His strength. Praise be to You, Dear Father, and may the glory always be Yours. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Hello,
I know...I know....
It's been forever! But you know what they say - "The best layed intentions..." etc, etc. I guess this past few months have proven two things for me. Firstly GOD IS IN CONTROL and His plans and purposes are ALWAYS better than mine! And secondly, He can see an outcome I can't! Oh, and perhaps there is a third thing...THROUGH HIM I - (we all do) - HAVE THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE WHATEVER HE PLACES BEFORE US ACCORDING TO HIS WILL. Praise be to our Mighty God, our Loving Father!!!
This first 7months of 2012 have been intense with health issues. Oh, not for me - the worst I've had is maybe three migraines! I can deal with that. But two of my brothers have had open heart surgery - one week apart! You know, I think that's taking sibling rivalry a little too far, don't you?? :-) Another brother (yeah, I have a lot of them!) has heart and lung problems stemming from an inoperable spur located near his Achilles tendon making it extremely difficult to walk, and therefore to exercise. My uncle endured, and fully recovered with a clean bill of health, a tumour on the bladder.
It's been a bit of overkill, really!
But.....
All of the health stuff and the travelling back and forth has been overshadowed by this - MY SON GOT MARRIED in June! I was reminded of something as I reflected back on all our family has been through, and the trip to Sydney for the wedding - GOD BRINGS GOOD OUT OF EVERYTHING! The two heart-patient-brothers were unable to make the wedding due to recovery - how rude....(kidding, of course!) But their thoughts and love were there. And for me personally, seeing my son...my bear...my beautiful man get married, still brings tears to my eyes even as I write this. My new daughter-in-law is a beautiful girl and I love her immensely. She loves my son!!! What more could a mother want?! :-)
So, on that, and in regards to this blog...I make no plans or promises, other than this - GOD'S WILL BE DONE! I prayed as I walked down the street to my local library to do this, asking God that if it is His will that I pick up again, then I surrendered to Him to make it happen! I am merely His inferior and broken instrument, weilded by His power alone. This will be about Him. My life is about Him. I AM ABOUT HIM!!! Without God, I am NOTHING.
Love and hugs, and God's blessings over all of you...
Jeanne (Toni) xxx
I know...I know....
It's been forever! But you know what they say - "The best layed intentions..." etc, etc. I guess this past few months have proven two things for me. Firstly GOD IS IN CONTROL and His plans and purposes are ALWAYS better than mine! And secondly, He can see an outcome I can't! Oh, and perhaps there is a third thing...THROUGH HIM I - (we all do) - HAVE THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE WHATEVER HE PLACES BEFORE US ACCORDING TO HIS WILL. Praise be to our Mighty God, our Loving Father!!!
This first 7months of 2012 have been intense with health issues. Oh, not for me - the worst I've had is maybe three migraines! I can deal with that. But two of my brothers have had open heart surgery - one week apart! You know, I think that's taking sibling rivalry a little too far, don't you?? :-) Another brother (yeah, I have a lot of them!) has heart and lung problems stemming from an inoperable spur located near his Achilles tendon making it extremely difficult to walk, and therefore to exercise. My uncle endured, and fully recovered with a clean bill of health, a tumour on the bladder.
It's been a bit of overkill, really!
But.....
All of the health stuff and the travelling back and forth has been overshadowed by this - MY SON GOT MARRIED in June! I was reminded of something as I reflected back on all our family has been through, and the trip to Sydney for the wedding - GOD BRINGS GOOD OUT OF EVERYTHING! The two heart-patient-brothers were unable to make the wedding due to recovery - how rude....(kidding, of course!) But their thoughts and love were there. And for me personally, seeing my son...my bear...my beautiful man get married, still brings tears to my eyes even as I write this. My new daughter-in-law is a beautiful girl and I love her immensely. She loves my son!!! What more could a mother want?! :-)
So, on that, and in regards to this blog...I make no plans or promises, other than this - GOD'S WILL BE DONE! I prayed as I walked down the street to my local library to do this, asking God that if it is His will that I pick up again, then I surrendered to Him to make it happen! I am merely His inferior and broken instrument, weilded by His power alone. This will be about Him. My life is about Him. I AM ABOUT HIM!!! Without God, I am NOTHING.
Love and hugs, and God's blessings over all of you...
Jeanne (Toni) xxx
Monday, 19 December 2011
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE...
Dear Readers,
The following article was not written by me. It was shared with me by my mother and it was like a heart hug and brought tears to my eyes and JOY to my heart. So, I thought it would be perfect to share with you this Christmas season as a reminder of what we have in a committed unity with Jesus Christ, and what astounding and overwhelming wonder there is to come.
Read on...
THE JOY OF JESUS by R.T. Kendall.
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy Name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted." Psalm 89:15-16.
If you think you are going to be happy when Jesus comes the second time, let me tell you that it will but like crumbs from the table compared to the joy our Lord will have on that day. Parents, what makes you happy on Christmas Day? Is it not seeing your children happy? When I watch my son or daughter open a present that they had hoped for, and I see their joy, it is my joy. I delight in just seeing their faces. And that is what makes our Lord's joy complete. His joy comes not only from what He did or from pleasing His Father but also from seeing the expressions on our faces when we see Him.
What was it like on Easter morning when Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene? Do you know why He appeared to her first? I suspect Mary Magdalene took it the hardest when Jesus was betrayed and crucified. Oh, the joy Jesus felt when He could see her as she wrapped her arms around Him. He had to say, "Stop clinging to Me." There was joy that Jesus felt when He could say to Peter, "It's all right." For Jesus knew how Peter felt when he wept his heart out (Matthew 26:75). Jesus wanted to go to Peter and say, "It's okay." There were those disciples in the upper room. They had forsaken the Lord in the last hour; now they heard that He was alive and they were so ashamed. But what joy Jesus had in going to the disciples to say, "Peace. Peace. It's all right. It's okay." And when they saw Jesus meant it - that He held no grudges, but absolutely and totally forgave them - what joy they felt! What joy He felt in seeing them accept His forgiveness!
(Taken from a Daily Devotional book called "Treasures of Wisdom".)
Readers, ideally, at this time of year, our thoughts are cast toward Jesus and the gift He was and is from God moreso than ever before. For those of you who know Him, share Him!!! Tell your family and friends, tell an acquaintance or a stranger. SHARE HIM!!!! Not only is it our obligation as Christians, but it should be our uncontainable desire and JOY to do so!
For those of you who do not know Him, He is waiting, with open arms for you to accept Him, and in turn share in the JOY that comes from a life of knowing Him as Lord and Saviour. You won't regret it! :-)
NOTE:- The author of the above piece wrote a book called "The Parables of Jesus". Highly recommended reading for anyone who does, or has struggled with understanding some, or all, of the parables told by our Lord. (**hand shoots up in the air...Me - Me!!) A very, very good book.
Now, from me, Dearest Readers...
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I still feel so new to this whole blogging thing, but in the short time I have been at this I have felt so blessed by you, your thoughts, prayers and comments - those directly here to my blog, and those who have commented on FB, Twitter and personally to me by TEXT message. (I've been challenged too, and as a Christian looking to continually grow in my faith, I welcome that!) Thank you to each and every one of you who have taken the time to read and comment on my posts. I look forward to where God will guide me through writing in 2012, and hope you will continue to travel this literary road with me.
Have a truly wonderful and blessed Christmas, and a safe and healthy New Year - 2012. Be a blessing to others in Jesus' Precious and Beloved Name, and take care of yourselves. God bless.
Hugs - Jeanne.
The following article was not written by me. It was shared with me by my mother and it was like a heart hug and brought tears to my eyes and JOY to my heart. So, I thought it would be perfect to share with you this Christmas season as a reminder of what we have in a committed unity with Jesus Christ, and what astounding and overwhelming wonder there is to come.
Read on...
THE JOY OF JESUS by R.T. Kendall.
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy Name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted." Psalm 89:15-16.
If you think you are going to be happy when Jesus comes the second time, let me tell you that it will but like crumbs from the table compared to the joy our Lord will have on that day. Parents, what makes you happy on Christmas Day? Is it not seeing your children happy? When I watch my son or daughter open a present that they had hoped for, and I see their joy, it is my joy. I delight in just seeing their faces. And that is what makes our Lord's joy complete. His joy comes not only from what He did or from pleasing His Father but also from seeing the expressions on our faces when we see Him.
What was it like on Easter morning when Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene? Do you know why He appeared to her first? I suspect Mary Magdalene took it the hardest when Jesus was betrayed and crucified. Oh, the joy Jesus felt when He could see her as she wrapped her arms around Him. He had to say, "Stop clinging to Me." There was joy that Jesus felt when He could say to Peter, "It's all right." For Jesus knew how Peter felt when he wept his heart out (Matthew 26:75). Jesus wanted to go to Peter and say, "It's okay." There were those disciples in the upper room. They had forsaken the Lord in the last hour; now they heard that He was alive and they were so ashamed. But what joy Jesus had in going to the disciples to say, "Peace. Peace. It's all right. It's okay." And when they saw Jesus meant it - that He held no grudges, but absolutely and totally forgave them - what joy they felt! What joy He felt in seeing them accept His forgiveness!
(Taken from a Daily Devotional book called "Treasures of Wisdom".)
Readers, ideally, at this time of year, our thoughts are cast toward Jesus and the gift He was and is from God moreso than ever before. For those of you who know Him, share Him!!! Tell your family and friends, tell an acquaintance or a stranger. SHARE HIM!!!! Not only is it our obligation as Christians, but it should be our uncontainable desire and JOY to do so!
For those of you who do not know Him, He is waiting, with open arms for you to accept Him, and in turn share in the JOY that comes from a life of knowing Him as Lord and Saviour. You won't regret it! :-)
NOTE:- The author of the above piece wrote a book called "The Parables of Jesus". Highly recommended reading for anyone who does, or has struggled with understanding some, or all, of the parables told by our Lord. (**hand shoots up in the air...Me - Me!!) A very, very good book.
Now, from me, Dearest Readers...
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I still feel so new to this whole blogging thing, but in the short time I have been at this I have felt so blessed by you, your thoughts, prayers and comments - those directly here to my blog, and those who have commented on FB, Twitter and personally to me by TEXT message. (I've been challenged too, and as a Christian looking to continually grow in my faith, I welcome that!) Thank you to each and every one of you who have taken the time to read and comment on my posts. I look forward to where God will guide me through writing in 2012, and hope you will continue to travel this literary road with me.
Have a truly wonderful and blessed Christmas, and a safe and healthy New Year - 2012. Be a blessing to others in Jesus' Precious and Beloved Name, and take care of yourselves. God bless.
Hugs - Jeanne.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY...
Focus point taken from a Devotion by - ( (c) Edward Hindson, D.Phil. & Edward Dobson, Ed.D.) - source, "The Knowing Jesus Study Bible".
People want to be in charge of their own lives. This theme began to unfold in the Garden of Eden, when humanity first turned away from God. God created a perfect world and placed man (Adam) and woman (Eve) in the Garden of Eden. In the entire garden there was only one tree whose fruit they were forbidden to eat - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told them that, if they were to eat the fruit from that tree, they would die. Adam and Eve were not innately prone to sinful choices, nor were they surrounded by temptation in an evil environment or victims of dysfunctional backgrounds. They were sinless people in an idyllic environment - and still they chose to disregard God and indulge in sin.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS FOCUS POINT?
Sometimes it's hard to imagine two people who had everything, including freedom and a sin-free existence, could so completely mess it up. I've often thought on Adam and Eve and wondered primarily why God put the tree in the garden in the first place...it was almost like being shown every day something you couldn't have. If it was detrimental to Adam and Eve to touch it and eat it, why was it there? Why couldn't God have put it somewhere else, out of their sight? Surely, because He created them, He was aware of their human weaknesses? Right?
This is the approach I take with my life sometimes...actually I am smack-bang in the middle of that right now! - wishing for the easy way that requires no effort or commitment on my part. God is more than aware of my weaknesses, but He allows temptation (He doesn't tempt us, but He will sometimes allow the things or people around us to be a temptation) as a way of strengthening me and my resolve as a Christian, and teaching me to rise above them in His strength - not as a way of teasing me into falling headlong into a place I should go, but as a way of building my character and my Christ-like-ness.
I suppose we can get caught up in thinking that because Adam and Eve were the first people to walk the earth that they were perfect...completely, utterly and unequivocally perfect. But what we must remember is that although they were the first and, as the authors of the above piece say, were void of all hurdles we can lay claim to as to why we do the things we do, they were still mere humans! They were not gods, they were not equal to their Creator God in any way. They needed to be taught and guided and shown and warned and told, just like we do. They needed instructions and they needed to know they had to follow them, that they were for their own good! It was no different for the angels God created, who were required to do His will. If that was the way it was for the angels why would it be different for the first man and woman?
If we think back further, before the Creation and remember an angel who fell because he wanted to be in charge, and run his own existence, and be God! - Satan - we see another act of disobedience and rebellion. Like Adam and Eve who came after him, Satan was also banished from what should have been his perfect paradise home.
For whatever reason - and who are any of us to question Him? - God did put the tree there and said don't touch! He set boundaries and made it clear what they were and what would happen if they were crossed...and Adam and Eve still crossed them. By whatever human reasoning - and that is a powerful tool, isn't it? - they did what God said not to do. We parents know sometimes we have told our kids 'don't touch' and when they have asked why we answer, 'Because I said so!' We all have at some point in our lives, disobeyed the will of God, and in days to come we still will.
And on top of it all, when they were found out they played the blame game. Adam blamed the woman and God. Eve blamed the serpent. In the wording of Genesis Chapter 3, I don't think either of them actually owned their mistake. Neither of them took responsibility. Neither of them even said they were sorry. They just made excuses.
Genesis 3:11-13;
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman You put here for me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
When God asked; "Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?", Adam didn't say, "Yes, Lord." He said, "She made me do it, the one You gave me." When God said to Eve; "What is this you have done?", she didn't say, "I ate from the tree when I shouldn't have." Instead she said, "That snake lied to me." And God wasn't asking because He didn't know, He was asking to see if they would tell the truth and take responsibility.
I think also they were complacent and naive, and many of us still are, about the seriousness of God's commands, believing that He didn't really mean it, or He changed His mind...because He loved them, adored them, enjoyed having them around. Perhaps once they realised that they'd made a right mess of things they thought God would be upset - rightly so - perhaps angry even, before giving them a good talking to and that would be the end of it. But instead they lost everything. All the beauty and wonder and perfection God had given them was taken away from them again. God's judgement is sure and severe, and we all need to remember that. It doesn't mean He stops loving us, or loves us less, but He is a perfect God commanding righteousness from His creation - us! Of course, when we foul up, we are forgiven when we repent and turn away from our sins, and as long as we live we are given one second chance after another, but there are still consequences to anything we have done. A large percentage of people now languishing in prisons around the world are living the consequences of their stupid, ill-thought out choices.
HOW CAN WE APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES?
These things can be applied by owning up to our mistakes instead of trying to hide from God. And doing so, not because He can see into our hearts and knows them anyway, but because we love God and want to obey and honour Him with Christ-like living. And instead of wishing God would make our life easier by taking temptation out of our way completely, we can grow in His strength toward continuously being able to resist the temptations we are faced with through the strength of the Holy Spirit within, and growing as a person, as sons and daughters of the King.
Hugs - Jeanne.
People want to be in charge of their own lives. This theme began to unfold in the Garden of Eden, when humanity first turned away from God. God created a perfect world and placed man (Adam) and woman (Eve) in the Garden of Eden. In the entire garden there was only one tree whose fruit they were forbidden to eat - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told them that, if they were to eat the fruit from that tree, they would die. Adam and Eve were not innately prone to sinful choices, nor were they surrounded by temptation in an evil environment or victims of dysfunctional backgrounds. They were sinless people in an idyllic environment - and still they chose to disregard God and indulge in sin.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS FOCUS POINT?
Sometimes it's hard to imagine two people who had everything, including freedom and a sin-free existence, could so completely mess it up. I've often thought on Adam and Eve and wondered primarily why God put the tree in the garden in the first place...it was almost like being shown every day something you couldn't have. If it was detrimental to Adam and Eve to touch it and eat it, why was it there? Why couldn't God have put it somewhere else, out of their sight? Surely, because He created them, He was aware of their human weaknesses? Right?
This is the approach I take with my life sometimes...actually I am smack-bang in the middle of that right now! - wishing for the easy way that requires no effort or commitment on my part. God is more than aware of my weaknesses, but He allows temptation (He doesn't tempt us, but He will sometimes allow the things or people around us to be a temptation) as a way of strengthening me and my resolve as a Christian, and teaching me to rise above them in His strength - not as a way of teasing me into falling headlong into a place I should go, but as a way of building my character and my Christ-like-ness.
I suppose we can get caught up in thinking that because Adam and Eve were the first people to walk the earth that they were perfect...completely, utterly and unequivocally perfect. But what we must remember is that although they were the first and, as the authors of the above piece say, were void of all hurdles we can lay claim to as to why we do the things we do, they were still mere humans! They were not gods, they were not equal to their Creator God in any way. They needed to be taught and guided and shown and warned and told, just like we do. They needed instructions and they needed to know they had to follow them, that they were for their own good! It was no different for the angels God created, who were required to do His will. If that was the way it was for the angels why would it be different for the first man and woman?
If we think back further, before the Creation and remember an angel who fell because he wanted to be in charge, and run his own existence, and be God! - Satan - we see another act of disobedience and rebellion. Like Adam and Eve who came after him, Satan was also banished from what should have been his perfect paradise home.
For whatever reason - and who are any of us to question Him? - God did put the tree there and said don't touch! He set boundaries and made it clear what they were and what would happen if they were crossed...and Adam and Eve still crossed them. By whatever human reasoning - and that is a powerful tool, isn't it? - they did what God said not to do. We parents know sometimes we have told our kids 'don't touch' and when they have asked why we answer, 'Because I said so!' We all have at some point in our lives, disobeyed the will of God, and in days to come we still will.
And on top of it all, when they were found out they played the blame game. Adam blamed the woman and God. Eve blamed the serpent. In the wording of Genesis Chapter 3, I don't think either of them actually owned their mistake. Neither of them took responsibility. Neither of them even said they were sorry. They just made excuses.
Genesis 3:11-13;
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman You put here for me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
When God asked; "Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?", Adam didn't say, "Yes, Lord." He said, "She made me do it, the one You gave me." When God said to Eve; "What is this you have done?", she didn't say, "I ate from the tree when I shouldn't have." Instead she said, "That snake lied to me." And God wasn't asking because He didn't know, He was asking to see if they would tell the truth and take responsibility.
I think also they were complacent and naive, and many of us still are, about the seriousness of God's commands, believing that He didn't really mean it, or He changed His mind...because He loved them, adored them, enjoyed having them around. Perhaps once they realised that they'd made a right mess of things they thought God would be upset - rightly so - perhaps angry even, before giving them a good talking to and that would be the end of it. But instead they lost everything. All the beauty and wonder and perfection God had given them was taken away from them again. God's judgement is sure and severe, and we all need to remember that. It doesn't mean He stops loving us, or loves us less, but He is a perfect God commanding righteousness from His creation - us! Of course, when we foul up, we are forgiven when we repent and turn away from our sins, and as long as we live we are given one second chance after another, but there are still consequences to anything we have done. A large percentage of people now languishing in prisons around the world are living the consequences of their stupid, ill-thought out choices.
HOW CAN WE APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES?
These things can be applied by owning up to our mistakes instead of trying to hide from God. And doing so, not because He can see into our hearts and knows them anyway, but because we love God and want to obey and honour Him with Christ-like living. And instead of wishing God would make our life easier by taking temptation out of our way completely, we can grow in His strength toward continuously being able to resist the temptations we are faced with through the strength of the Holy Spirit within, and growing as a person, as sons and daughters of the King.
Hugs - Jeanne.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
A CALL TO PRAYER......Dear Fellow Prayer Warriors, In Sydney, Australia this Saturday, December 3rd, at 12 midday a rally will be held for what is being termed the demand for "Marriage Equality". Basically the Homosexual community is calling for Australia to join the ranks of more than a dozen other countries who recognise and accept (and condone) the marriage of two same-sex individuals. Our current stand against this is being called outdated. Any Christian knows where God stands on this issue - but it seems for some the words 'detestable' and 'abhorrent' have escaped their understanding. (Read all of Leviticus chapter 18.) Or perhaps for some that is just one of those parts of the Bible they choose not to believe. In the eyes of the world Australia's stand against gay-marriage may well be outdated, but not in the eyes of God. God does not change His mind to suit a modern world. (Malachi 3:6.) I am not usually a campaigner, or a person who makes a big noise about anything in the political arena, but this is striking a nerve with me. Please, come together in prayer over this; for my country, for a united stand for Christian and Biblical beliefs, for my own, yours and our joint, personal stand in adherence to God, as brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you, and God bless. P.S. Pray also for safety for those attending....these things do tend to get out of hand.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
PRAYER AND SHARING GOD...
We are all weak and powerless, and filled with fear.
We are all weak without God.
This describes so many of us in all walks of life, no matter our circumstances or situation. When fear strikes us in whatever personal form that takes - for me it's dogs - we hide, we are paralysed, we back away, sometimes we run.
In some situations people face in their lives even our church doesn't know how to help...each other or other people. Just like each individual, the church needs the power of God in order to help and guide itself and others. The church needs God's power.
We - the church - cannot do anything without the power of God.
How often do we try, though? I know I go about my life, my day, so often under my own strength and the result is always a colossal mess. That's coupled with feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, the overwhelming desire to hide or run away...yeah, at my age!!! However, recently I have found - perhaps because I am more aware of this shortfall in me than I used to be, and most definitely because God refuses to give up on me - that following close on the heels of this mess-making caper I keep embarking on, is the sense of relief when I realise (finally) that God is right there, waiting to take over and fix my mess, and take charge of the rest!
Sadly society is having more of an impact on the church than the church is impacting on society. How frightening is that? Media attention is freely given to those who speak out about their disbelief, but whenever any attention is given to the church through the media it is usually from a negative viewpoint. In the celebrity circles there are numerous Christians, or people of faith, but it seems very few of them are even willing to speak out about their belief, for whatever reason. Perhaps they are afraid of its effect on their celebrity status or careers. Perhaps they are fearful of the reactions from their peers. After all, the world is just a big 'ole High School, right? And as one secular song suggests High School Never Ends! Whatever the reason, it's a sad state of affairs when they have at their disposal a fantastic platform for the spreading of God, His Word, and His Kingdom, and they are not using it, or certainly not as they should be.
Even as ordinary, everyday, un-famous people we should still take every oppotunity presented to us BY GOD to speak out about our own beliefs. Do we? Are we afraid too? Okay, confession...I know at times I am!!! I admire the candour of the minister at my own church who reveals to us even his own fears of this. It happens to all of us at some point or another, but the difference in his case is that, more often than I do, Vince (my minister) pushes forward anyway, despite the fear!
I remember years ago I had a friend who lived in another state, and we spoke often on the phone. She was a Christian I found out months after getting to know her, but she revealed to me that she didn't want anyone to know. She had her reasons...we all do for whatever form our short- or long-term hesitation takes, whether they are valid or not. Fear, I believe, will remain the greatest of these. Fear of rejection because of our faith, of mocking and humiliation, fear of persecution, fear of finding ourselves standing all on our own outside the popular group or the charmed circle...I could go on, this is a long list!
We need to remember again to draw on the power of God within us...the same power that rose Christ from death.
We need to know God's power to experience the Lord's power in our lives. We mustn't try to live relying on our own power and strength. Satan wants to get control of our children, our family and friends, and us. We need to encourage our children and the people around us to turn to Christ, get to know Christ, to accept Christ...we need to get to others through Christ before Satan gets to them. And whether those very people want to know it or not, the truth remains that a life apart from Christ is a life in allegience of Satan! Anyone who does not accept and follow Christ, sins against God and rejects Him, whether they are a good person or not, whether their lives are an action by action itinerary of good works or not!!! The misconception of evil is that it is only the ugly, the heinous, the abhorrent, but anything that keeps us apart from a relationship with God is all those things to Him...it is rejection of Him. Anything less than the acceptance of Jesus Christ is sin against God.
"Bible Answers for Almost All Your Questions" by Elmer L. Towns gives this answer to the question 'What is sin?'; Sin is an act, attitude, or response against the Person or law of God. No acceptions!
T.V., music, newspapers, magazines...any media outlet is bombarding our young people with immorality and evil. And so much is being passed off as acceptable. The censorship scale is being widened allowing in more depravity, not only on a world-wide arena but in our own homes as well. Children and young adults need the power of God to break free of this, and to live successfully in this life. Really, I think this applies to anyone of any age. There are men and women, church leaders, people (including Christians) in every area of life and in any age group, who are influenced by the effects of the media, and most especially today by the internet.
We will continue to repeat our mistakes if we don't have God to guide us right, and if we don't pay attention to that guidance - we stay with what we know if that is all we know! Those in prisons are a great case in point. I've encountered inmates, through Crossroad Bible Institute, who before coming to Christ admitted that they would go back to their old ways if they were freed because it was all they knew. It is our responsibility to show them that there is something new for them to strive toward. As Christians we need to speak out to these people, to anyone who lives apart from Christ and through the power of God within us show them a new way...the ONLY way.
We need to confess our needs to God in prayer, and show people that they can do the same. We all have needs, and whilst it is good to pray for others we need also to pray for ourselves and bring our needs, troubles, confusions and our desire to grow ever closer to Him, before God. Our joys and happiness too, of course. God wants it all.
Before you can solve a problem you must first recognise the cause. Some of the reasons why we may struggle in our day to day life, and through the trials life throws our way, are:-
*Unbelief
*Doubt
*Little faith
*Too much faith in past victories!
That last one forces accountability, doesn't it? I've experienced that! :-( I've had successes in the past and then the next time tried to march forward on the wake of that rather than on the power of, and the ability presented by God.
Instead we need to have faith through God, confindence through God. I heard a saying; "Pray and doubt and you do without. Pray and believe and you will receive."
PRAY!!!
Spend time in prayer before doing anything. Seek God. Prayerlessness is a cause for lack of faith. Where there is little prayer there is little faith. All too often we lack faith. Our failures are God's reminder to rely fully on His power. Jesus has complete dominion over Satan and his followers. Satan just doesn't know when you're dead lie down!!! As Christians we should want and desire to see more people saved....to see ALL people saved.
Have faith in Jesus. Bring it all to Jesus. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome everything - problems, temptations, etc. Consider these things that can bring us into a deeper faith.
*Remember what Christ has done.
*Read God's Word.
*Share our own experiences of God.
*Ask God for stronger faith.
*Ask God to cast out our doubt.
*Claim God's promises.
God cannot lie! Return to the promises of God all throughout His Word.
Have faith, of course, but also be persistent in prayer. Have regular prayer time. Prayer is an acknowledgement of not only God, but God's power. Pray and believe, and the faith, insight and wisdom will come.
Hugs - Jeanne.
We are all weak without God.
This describes so many of us in all walks of life, no matter our circumstances or situation. When fear strikes us in whatever personal form that takes - for me it's dogs - we hide, we are paralysed, we back away, sometimes we run.
In some situations people face in their lives even our church doesn't know how to help...each other or other people. Just like each individual, the church needs the power of God in order to help and guide itself and others. The church needs God's power.
We - the church - cannot do anything without the power of God.
How often do we try, though? I know I go about my life, my day, so often under my own strength and the result is always a colossal mess. That's coupled with feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, the overwhelming desire to hide or run away...yeah, at my age!!! However, recently I have found - perhaps because I am more aware of this shortfall in me than I used to be, and most definitely because God refuses to give up on me - that following close on the heels of this mess-making caper I keep embarking on, is the sense of relief when I realise (finally) that God is right there, waiting to take over and fix my mess, and take charge of the rest!
Sadly society is having more of an impact on the church than the church is impacting on society. How frightening is that? Media attention is freely given to those who speak out about their disbelief, but whenever any attention is given to the church through the media it is usually from a negative viewpoint. In the celebrity circles there are numerous Christians, or people of faith, but it seems very few of them are even willing to speak out about their belief, for whatever reason. Perhaps they are afraid of its effect on their celebrity status or careers. Perhaps they are fearful of the reactions from their peers. After all, the world is just a big 'ole High School, right? And as one secular song suggests High School Never Ends! Whatever the reason, it's a sad state of affairs when they have at their disposal a fantastic platform for the spreading of God, His Word, and His Kingdom, and they are not using it, or certainly not as they should be.
Even as ordinary, everyday, un-famous people we should still take every oppotunity presented to us BY GOD to speak out about our own beliefs. Do we? Are we afraid too? Okay, confession...I know at times I am!!! I admire the candour of the minister at my own church who reveals to us even his own fears of this. It happens to all of us at some point or another, but the difference in his case is that, more often than I do, Vince (my minister) pushes forward anyway, despite the fear!
I remember years ago I had a friend who lived in another state, and we spoke often on the phone. She was a Christian I found out months after getting to know her, but she revealed to me that she didn't want anyone to know. She had her reasons...we all do for whatever form our short- or long-term hesitation takes, whether they are valid or not. Fear, I believe, will remain the greatest of these. Fear of rejection because of our faith, of mocking and humiliation, fear of persecution, fear of finding ourselves standing all on our own outside the popular group or the charmed circle...I could go on, this is a long list!
We need to remember again to draw on the power of God within us...the same power that rose Christ from death.
We need to know God's power to experience the Lord's power in our lives. We mustn't try to live relying on our own power and strength. Satan wants to get control of our children, our family and friends, and us. We need to encourage our children and the people around us to turn to Christ, get to know Christ, to accept Christ...we need to get to others through Christ before Satan gets to them. And whether those very people want to know it or not, the truth remains that a life apart from Christ is a life in allegience of Satan! Anyone who does not accept and follow Christ, sins against God and rejects Him, whether they are a good person or not, whether their lives are an action by action itinerary of good works or not!!! The misconception of evil is that it is only the ugly, the heinous, the abhorrent, but anything that keeps us apart from a relationship with God is all those things to Him...it is rejection of Him. Anything less than the acceptance of Jesus Christ is sin against God.
"Bible Answers for Almost All Your Questions" by Elmer L. Towns gives this answer to the question 'What is sin?'; Sin is an act, attitude, or response against the Person or law of God. No acceptions!
T.V., music, newspapers, magazines...any media outlet is bombarding our young people with immorality and evil. And so much is being passed off as acceptable. The censorship scale is being widened allowing in more depravity, not only on a world-wide arena but in our own homes as well. Children and young adults need the power of God to break free of this, and to live successfully in this life. Really, I think this applies to anyone of any age. There are men and women, church leaders, people (including Christians) in every area of life and in any age group, who are influenced by the effects of the media, and most especially today by the internet.
We will continue to repeat our mistakes if we don't have God to guide us right, and if we don't pay attention to that guidance - we stay with what we know if that is all we know! Those in prisons are a great case in point. I've encountered inmates, through Crossroad Bible Institute, who before coming to Christ admitted that they would go back to their old ways if they were freed because it was all they knew. It is our responsibility to show them that there is something new for them to strive toward. As Christians we need to speak out to these people, to anyone who lives apart from Christ and through the power of God within us show them a new way...the ONLY way.
We need to confess our needs to God in prayer, and show people that they can do the same. We all have needs, and whilst it is good to pray for others we need also to pray for ourselves and bring our needs, troubles, confusions and our desire to grow ever closer to Him, before God. Our joys and happiness too, of course. God wants it all.
Before you can solve a problem you must first recognise the cause. Some of the reasons why we may struggle in our day to day life, and through the trials life throws our way, are:-
*Unbelief
*Doubt
*Little faith
*Too much faith in past victories!
That last one forces accountability, doesn't it? I've experienced that! :-( I've had successes in the past and then the next time tried to march forward on the wake of that rather than on the power of, and the ability presented by God.
Instead we need to have faith through God, confindence through God. I heard a saying; "Pray and doubt and you do without. Pray and believe and you will receive."
PRAY!!!
Spend time in prayer before doing anything. Seek God. Prayerlessness is a cause for lack of faith. Where there is little prayer there is little faith. All too often we lack faith. Our failures are God's reminder to rely fully on His power. Jesus has complete dominion over Satan and his followers. Satan just doesn't know when you're dead lie down!!! As Christians we should want and desire to see more people saved....to see ALL people saved.
Have faith in Jesus. Bring it all to Jesus. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome everything - problems, temptations, etc. Consider these things that can bring us into a deeper faith.
*Remember what Christ has done.
*Read God's Word.
*Share our own experiences of God.
*Ask God for stronger faith.
*Ask God to cast out our doubt.
*Claim God's promises.
God cannot lie! Return to the promises of God all throughout His Word.
Have faith, of course, but also be persistent in prayer. Have regular prayer time. Prayer is an acknowledgement of not only God, but God's power. Pray and believe, and the faith, insight and wisdom will come.
Hugs - Jeanne.
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