After a couple of weeks with very little sky in my photos we are now back in blue here in London. One of my daily walks brought a surprise as I happened on a giant dragonfly; jumbo in fact ;) Have a happy weekend.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Monday, 18 October 2010
God Will 'Be There' For You
Image by duopastorale via FlickrHe leadeth me beside the still waters
Philip Yancey says, 'Faith means trusting in advance, what will only make sense in reverse.' If you fear the future, look back and see how God took care of you in the past. 'This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness... The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him' (Lamentations 3:21-25 NIV).
You say, 'I don't know what I'll do if my loved one dies.' You will - when the time comes. You say, 'I don't know how I'll pay these bills.' Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, will be there - when the time comes. You say, 'I'm not qualified to handle this, there's too much I don't know.' Maybe you want to know everything too soon. God will give you wisdom - when the time comes. The key is to meet today's problems with today's strength, and leave tomorrow in God's hands. During World War II, Arthur Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times, found it hard to sleep or rid his mind of fear until he adopted these words from the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light': 'I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.' And God isn't going to let you see the distant scene either. No, He promises a lamp for your feet, not a crystal ball for your future. 'He leadeth me' and that's enough for today. And tomorrow? '...we will find grace to help us when we need it...' (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).
Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
In His Hand
In his hand are the depths of the earth,and the mountain peaks belong to him.
Psalm 95:4
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Skywatch #107
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God.
Isaiah 35:2
Isaiah 35:2
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Not Only To Believe
Image by Rachel Ford James via FlickrFor it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him...
Philippians 1:29
On Sunday at SPH, the sermon was entitled Joy in a Hostile Culture and the reading was taken from Philippians 1. Paul is rejoicing in this chapter as he reflects on his partnership with the Philippians and how the gospel is advancing. As I was thinking how good it was to hear a whole chapter being read, the final few verses were cut, verses about the destruction of those who oppose the gospel and how it is granted to us to suffer for Christ. I'm sure the effect of cutting those verses out made everyone pay careful attention to what had been missed, at least it did in my case!
I am pleased to say that the sermon didn't fail to address the issue of suffering, and the sermon is well worth listening to. But it got me thinking about how we often avoid difficult questions like this, especially when we want to emphasise God's healing and victory. But the truth is that suffering and and joy go hand in hand when we are following a Christ who was a man of sorrows and calls us to be like Him.
I've recently been reading Joni Eareckson's last book A Place of Healing. Here is a woman who understands the theology of suffering, not because she has endlessly studied it, but because she lives it every day from her wheelchair, and currently from her bed of chronic pain. And in that place, her testimony is of joy and closeness to God. It is a challenge to me to bring my suffering to God and let Him use it for His glory and my benefit. In Joni's own words:
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I am pleased to say that the sermon didn't fail to address the issue of suffering, and the sermon is well worth listening to. But it got me thinking about how we often avoid difficult questions like this, especially when we want to emphasise God's healing and victory. But the truth is that suffering and and joy go hand in hand when we are following a Christ who was a man of sorrows and calls us to be like Him.
I've recently been reading Joni Eareckson's last book A Place of Healing. Here is a woman who understands the theology of suffering, not because she has endlessly studied it, but because she lives it every day from her wheelchair, and currently from her bed of chronic pain. And in that place, her testimony is of joy and closeness to God. It is a challenge to me to bring my suffering to God and let Him use it for His glory and my benefit. In Joni's own words:
Pain is a bruising of a blessing, but it is a blessing nonetheless. It's a strange dark companion but, a companion if only because it has passed God's inspecting hand. It's an unwelcome guest, but still a guest. I know that it drives me towards a nearer more intimate place of fellowship with Jesus and so I take pain as if I were taking the left hand of God. Better that left hand than no hand at all. Perhaps the realisation of something so redemptive is healing enough.
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Friday, 8 October 2010
Make Allowances
Image by danorbit. via FlickrMake allowance for each other's faults...
Colossians 3:13
When it comes to forgiving, you can't say it better than Tim Stafford did: 'I would rather be cheated a hundred times, than develop a heart of stone.' The Bible says, 'Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.' You don't get to choose who you'll forgive. Love is a command, forgiveness is an act of obedience. 'He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother' (1 John 4:21 NIV). You can't be closer to God than you are to the people you love least.
God sets the bar high because grudges are like cancer, and forgiveness is the laser that removes them. Bitterness chains us to the past, destroys families, divides churches and sours relationships. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of hate. Take your hurt feelings to God and say, 'Point out anything... that offends you...' (Psalm 139:24 NLT). It takes courage, but that's the kind of prayer He answers. It gets easier as you grow in Christ; in the meantime you have to work at it. As a child of God His Spirit lives inside you. You're no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:14). God knows it's hard to forgive deep-seated hurts, but He will give you grace to do it. To 'make allowance' means to take a charitable view and consider extenuating circumstances. People change and grow over time, so don't insist on clinging to a limited, outdated view of them. Try to see them as they are today. Most folks are doing their best based on the knowledge and understanding they have now, so give them a break!
Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
My Chains Are Gone
Amazing Grace (My chains are Gone) - Michael W Smith/Chris Tomlin
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
Today we are going to sing this at church for the first time having been learning it for a few weeks. My chains are gone is a challenging lyric to sing. I am always asking myself when I sing it, "Can I really rejoice in this truth today?" I have no doubts that His work is enough for me, but am I really being set free in my life from the things He died for? And if so, is my heart on fire because of it?
