"He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word and give them authority to banish demons. These are the Twelve:...." Mark 3:14
I've read this passage on a few occasions but I will still never win a Bible trivia contest that asks me to names the 12 apostles. I cannot even remember the names of people I see every week. I still require several minutes to bring the names to mind, or have someone prompt me!
In this list of names it is those with a low profile that I can never remember. Simon Peter is well known as is Judas Iscariot. But then there is Bartholomew and Thaddeus, hardly household names.
Jesus chose these people. It's interesting that he didn't choose an all star cast. I guess you could say he went into the game with a fiery fast bowler, a spinner, a flashy batsman and a couple of dour middle order batsmen plus some line and length bowlers (Oh, and one match fixer!).
I don't need to be flashy to be chosen by God. If it's good enough for some apostles chosen by Jesus to be dour, low profile, yet important members of his team, then it's good enough for me too.
Thank you for having faith in me God.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
We still have to do our part
'Don't give up, Paul. You're going to stand before Caesar yet—and everyone sailing with you is also going to make it.' Acts 27:24
Paul must have thought he was doomed. The ship he was on had been in the middle of a massive storm. He said it had been many days since they had seen sun or stars and "we lost all hope of rescue." Then an angel visited and told him they would all be saved but they would still be shipwrecked on some island or other.
I would probably be tempted to just sit back, do nothing and wait until the ship hit rocks or the shore, since God had said all would be saved. But not Paul. He still did the stuff that you would normally do if survival was uncertain. He got the soldiers to intervene when some of the crew tried to jump ship. He insisted on everyone eating breakfast so that they would have strength for the rescue. And grain was dumped overboard to lighten the ship prior to running for shore.
Why bother when God had already assured them of survival? Why worry if half the crew jumped ship or the ship was sitting too low in the water to run safely to land?
When God assures us that something good is going to happen or he is going to rescue us from a tight spot, it doesn't mean we sit down, put our feet up and let God do all the work. We still need to work as though the result is still in doubt.
The Bible is full of promises, not the least of which is that if we put our faith and trust in Jesus then our future beyond this life is assured. But do we put our feet up and relax because God has promised us an eternity with him? Certainly not. The story today is a reminder to me that trusting God for his provision in my life is not an invitation to bludge but is, instead, an invitation to roll up the sleeves and be an active part of the fulfilment of his promises.
Paul must have thought he was doomed. The ship he was on had been in the middle of a massive storm. He said it had been many days since they had seen sun or stars and "we lost all hope of rescue." Then an angel visited and told him they would all be saved but they would still be shipwrecked on some island or other.
I would probably be tempted to just sit back, do nothing and wait until the ship hit rocks or the shore, since God had said all would be saved. But not Paul. He still did the stuff that you would normally do if survival was uncertain. He got the soldiers to intervene when some of the crew tried to jump ship. He insisted on everyone eating breakfast so that they would have strength for the rescue. And grain was dumped overboard to lighten the ship prior to running for shore.
Why bother when God had already assured them of survival? Why worry if half the crew jumped ship or the ship was sitting too low in the water to run safely to land?
When God assures us that something good is going to happen or he is going to rescue us from a tight spot, it doesn't mean we sit down, put our feet up and let God do all the work. We still need to work as though the result is still in doubt.
The Bible is full of promises, not the least of which is that if we put our faith and trust in Jesus then our future beyond this life is assured. But do we put our feet up and relax because God has promised us an eternity with him? Certainly not. The story today is a reminder to me that trusting God for his provision in my life is not an invitation to bludge but is, instead, an invitation to roll up the sleeves and be an active part of the fulfilment of his promises.
Monday, October 25, 2010
It's not always black and white
"Their message to Paul, from insight given by the Spirit, was "Don't go to Jerusalem."" Acts 21:4
"The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can't you see that?"" Acts 21:13
So, who was correct - the believers in Tyre who claimed insight from the Spirit, or Paul who saw the visit to Jerusalem as obedience to the Master? Surely they can't both be right.
When Paul got to Jerusalem it appeared to me that he compromised the Christian message a bit by buying peace with the locals rather than being strong on the view that Christians were no longer slaves to the law and the old Jewish ways.
Later still, when the Roman captain, determined to get to the bottom of the riot involving Paul ordered a meeting with Paul and the Jewish leaders. Paul, knowing the hatred that existed between the Pharisees & Sadducees, deliberately and somewhat mischievously, drew them into a factional argument which ended up with them at each others' throats. Was that a Christian thing to do? Would we see it as right for someone today to deliberately orchestrate conflict between Catholics and Protestants?
Life is complex and decision making isn't always black and white in spite of our Christian values and beliefs. There are many shades of grey as seen in Paul's circumstances and choices in just 3 chapters of Acts.
Having people in your life whose wisdom you trust is important. But it's also vitally important to be close enough to God to recognise his voice when complex decision making is required.
"The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can't you see that?"" Acts 21:13
So, who was correct - the believers in Tyre who claimed insight from the Spirit, or Paul who saw the visit to Jerusalem as obedience to the Master? Surely they can't both be right.
When Paul got to Jerusalem it appeared to me that he compromised the Christian message a bit by buying peace with the locals rather than being strong on the view that Christians were no longer slaves to the law and the old Jewish ways.
Later still, when the Roman captain, determined to get to the bottom of the riot involving Paul ordered a meeting with Paul and the Jewish leaders. Paul, knowing the hatred that existed between the Pharisees & Sadducees, deliberately and somewhat mischievously, drew them into a factional argument which ended up with them at each others' throats. Was that a Christian thing to do? Would we see it as right for someone today to deliberately orchestrate conflict between Catholics and Protestants?
Life is complex and decision making isn't always black and white in spite of our Christian values and beliefs. There are many shades of grey as seen in Paul's circumstances and choices in just 3 chapters of Acts.
Having people in your life whose wisdom you trust is important. But it's also vitally important to be close enough to God to recognise his voice when complex decision making is required.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Ridiculing without mercy
""I'm ridiculed by my friends:
'So that's the man who had conversations with God!'
Ridiculed without mercy:
'Look at the man who never did wrong!'" Job 12:4
In these chapters of Job it's often easy to agree with Zophar and others who came to Job and offered their wisdom. They spoke truth. It made sense. Sam Kekovich would tell us that we know it makes sense! But there is something not quite right here.
Job responded by saying that he was ridiculed by his friends; ridiculed without mercy. We could question whether these people were actually his friends in the first place. But the phrase 'without mercy' jumps out at me. How often do we make judgement on people when we haven't walked a mile or two in their moccasins? Do we then ridicule them without mercy by telling them what they don't need to hear from us instead of trying to understand their pain in some way?
Lord help me not to be too legalistic in my judgement of people; to have more patience and compassion, and most of all, not to ridicule people without mercy.
'So that's the man who had conversations with God!'
Ridiculed without mercy:
'Look at the man who never did wrong!'" Job 12:4
In these chapters of Job it's often easy to agree with Zophar and others who came to Job and offered their wisdom. They spoke truth. It made sense. Sam Kekovich would tell us that we know it makes sense! But there is something not quite right here.
Job responded by saying that he was ridiculed by his friends; ridiculed without mercy. We could question whether these people were actually his friends in the first place. But the phrase 'without mercy' jumps out at me. How often do we make judgement on people when we haven't walked a mile or two in their moccasins? Do we then ridicule them without mercy by telling them what they don't need to hear from us instead of trying to understand their pain in some way?
Lord help me not to be too legalistic in my judgement of people; to have more patience and compassion, and most of all, not to ridicule people without mercy.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Environment = Attitude
I have just had an interesting reminder about how important it is to develop a positive and affirming workplace/church. I wandered up the street to a shop where a couple of items had arrived that I had had on order. Behind the counter was a young lady that I recognised from another shop just across the road. Apparently she works at both places.
The interesting thing was that the lady I met today was bright, happy, vivacious, engaging etc. The lady I see at the other establishment is surly, unhappy and detached. It's almost a Jekyll & Hyde situation.
The bright, happy version works in a shop that has a history of great, personal service. The surly, unhappy version works at a place that isn't known for the quality of its service or the value it places on its customers.
It isn't often that you get to see such a comparison because the same person doesn't work in two different places. In this instance there was an opportunity to compare apples with apples so to speak. And what a difference. I would suggest it all comes down to the difference between the two work environments.
We don't always have an opportunity to signficantly influence the culture of the place where we work or worship and that can be frustrating. But, nevertheless, we can do our part to be a positive, affirming type of person who makes a difference to those around us.
If we happen to be in a leadership position we have a huge opportunity (and responsibility) to build a great culture that makes people feel valued and makes our environment a really attractive one to be a part of. And for a church that is crucial.
The interesting thing was that the lady I met today was bright, happy, vivacious, engaging etc. The lady I see at the other establishment is surly, unhappy and detached. It's almost a Jekyll & Hyde situation.
The bright, happy version works in a shop that has a history of great, personal service. The surly, unhappy version works at a place that isn't known for the quality of its service or the value it places on its customers.
It isn't often that you get to see such a comparison because the same person doesn't work in two different places. In this instance there was an opportunity to compare apples with apples so to speak. And what a difference. I would suggest it all comes down to the difference between the two work environments.
We don't always have an opportunity to signficantly influence the culture of the place where we work or worship and that can be frustrating. But, nevertheless, we can do our part to be a positive, affirming type of person who makes a difference to those around us.
If we happen to be in a leadership position we have a huge opportunity (and responsibility) to build a great culture that makes people feel valued and makes our environment a really attractive one to be a part of. And for a church that is crucial.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Being handpicked
"Not everyone saw him—he wasn't put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us!" Acts 10:41
Peter was talking about the resurrected Christ. Not everyone saw him - only those who had been handpicked by God.
I suppose it's entirely up to God to choose whoever he wants for whatever task has to be done. And only God really knows why he does it and how those people will react. Why did God choose Saul? Why didn't he choose Stalin, after all he persecuted believers too?
As far as the resurrection was concerned I wonder what the criteria was for those handpicked. Maybe they were the ones who were most loyal to Jesus. Maybe they were those who deep down still believed. Maybe they were chosen because they were open to God and willing to do what God wanted to do through them.
And what about those who were not handpicked? Could it have been that they were cynical and negative people, maybe openly antagonistic to God? Were they the type to jump ship at the first sign of trouble?
The wonderful thing about Acts is seeing what can happen when people are open to the Holy Spirit in their lives - not allowing generations of rules and negativism ruin their relationship with God.
God, may your Holy Spirit work miracles through me. May I be open to what you want to do through me and if that happens to be something which challenges my world view please help me to have the courage to plough ahead anyway.
Peter was talking about the resurrected Christ. Not everyone saw him - only those who had been handpicked by God.
I suppose it's entirely up to God to choose whoever he wants for whatever task has to be done. And only God really knows why he does it and how those people will react. Why did God choose Saul? Why didn't he choose Stalin, after all he persecuted believers too?
As far as the resurrection was concerned I wonder what the criteria was for those handpicked. Maybe they were the ones who were most loyal to Jesus. Maybe they were those who deep down still believed. Maybe they were chosen because they were open to God and willing to do what God wanted to do through them.
And what about those who were not handpicked? Could it have been that they were cynical and negative people, maybe openly antagonistic to God? Were they the type to jump ship at the first sign of trouble?
The wonderful thing about Acts is seeing what can happen when people are open to the Holy Spirit in their lives - not allowing generations of rules and negativism ruin their relationship with God.
God, may your Holy Spirit work miracles through me. May I be open to what you want to do through me and if that happens to be something which challenges my world view please help me to have the courage to plough ahead anyway.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Grace & forgiveness
"So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, "Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."" Acts 9:17
Ananias called Saul, 'Brother'. That is amazing. Saul had wreaked havoc on the church and persecuted so many souls that, for Ananias to called him 'Brother', is remarkable.
Yes, Jesus had given him the 'Don't argue', but it is still one thing for Ananias to go and lay hands on Saul as commanded, but another thing altogether to call him a brother.
When we are in the business of serving Jesus we are brothers and sisters irrespective of our past. There are few more pointed examples in history of this than that of Ananias and Saul. It called for Ananias to forgive immediately, without having any evidence of contrition from Saul, the sins that Saul had committed against the church, as heinous as they had been.
Forgiveness is not hard until a great crime has been committed against us. Under those circumstances forgiveness really becomes evidence of God's grace.
Lord, help me to have a forgiving heart, one that is an example of the power of your grace.
Ananias called Saul, 'Brother'. That is amazing. Saul had wreaked havoc on the church and persecuted so many souls that, for Ananias to called him 'Brother', is remarkable.
Yes, Jesus had given him the 'Don't argue', but it is still one thing for Ananias to go and lay hands on Saul as commanded, but another thing altogether to call him a brother.
When we are in the business of serving Jesus we are brothers and sisters irrespective of our past. There are few more pointed examples in history of this than that of Ananias and Saul. It called for Ananias to forgive immediately, without having any evidence of contrition from Saul, the sins that Saul had committed against the church, as heinous as they had been.
Forgiveness is not hard until a great crime has been committed against us. Under those circumstances forgiveness really becomes evidence of God's grace.
Lord, help me to have a forgiving heart, one that is an example of the power of your grace.
Friday, October 15, 2010
The joys of leadership...
"Some time before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of The Temple of God. He was close to Tobiah and had made available to him a large storeroom that had been used to store Grain-Offerings, incense, worship vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil for the Levites, singers, and security guards, and the offerings for the priests." Neh 13:4-5
Nehemiah must have thought that life would now be all good. The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt. The leaders and other families had moved in. There were great celebrations as people turned back to God. Mission accomplished. But, when he returned to Jerusalem following a trip to Babylon he found a heap of problems:
- Eliahsib had given a room in the Temple of God to his mate Tobiah
- The Levites hadn't been given their food allotment and had gone back to their farms
- A whole lot of stuff was being sold on the Sabbath
- Jews were marrying foreigners
Whether I agree with what Nehemiah believed was right or wrong is another story. But what I see in this passage (for me at least) is the fact that, when you are in leadership the story is never over. It doesn't matter what century or millennium you live in. There are periods when all is well - times of celebration when people are getting on and doing the right thing. But, inevitably it will go pear shaped.
Leaders have to expect that life as a leader won't always be easy. We need to enjoy and celebrate the good times but not be lulled into a false sense of security because the next drama will be waiting just around the corner.
Nehemiah must have thought that life would now be all good. The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt. The leaders and other families had moved in. There were great celebrations as people turned back to God. Mission accomplished. But, when he returned to Jerusalem following a trip to Babylon he found a heap of problems:
- Eliahsib had given a room in the Temple of God to his mate Tobiah
- The Levites hadn't been given their food allotment and had gone back to their farms
- A whole lot of stuff was being sold on the Sabbath
- Jews were marrying foreigners
Whether I agree with what Nehemiah believed was right or wrong is another story. But what I see in this passage (for me at least) is the fact that, when you are in leadership the story is never over. It doesn't matter what century or millennium you live in. There are periods when all is well - times of celebration when people are getting on and doing the right thing. But, inevitably it will go pear shaped.
Leaders have to expect that life as a leader won't always be easy. We need to enjoy and celebrate the good times but not be lulled into a false sense of security because the next drama will be waiting just around the corner.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Feels so good
Today is the day when the majority of Salvation Army Officer (ministers) moves are announced. Just a few weeks ago we learnt that our associate officer, Christine, was being moved. Today we find out that our senior officers, Daryl & Sandy are also being moved. I am frustrated and disillusioned and probably many things in between but that is probably all that I should write about it today! (Having said that, my frustration is with the 'system'. Michael & another Christine are our new officers and I am absolutely looking forward to working with them!!)
When we have days that leave us feeling down it's sometimes not a bad thing to listen to some music that reminds us of good times. I think most of us would have those songs where, from the very first bar we are transported back to those happy times. For me, as a young adult, a guy by the name of Chuck Mangione, a jazz flugal horn player, released an album called Feels So Good. Even now, 30 years on it still reminds me of good times, carefree summer holidays at the beach or wherever.
The original has been re-recorded and the link below now includes vocals. Given some of the lyrics you would never be able to pass it off as a Christian song but if you remove a couple of lines it could go close to being a love song to God!
http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzIpFvU1NP0&feature=related
And, Christian song or not, it reminds me that it still 'feels so good' to be a follower of Jesus.
When we have days that leave us feeling down it's sometimes not a bad thing to listen to some music that reminds us of good times. I think most of us would have those songs where, from the very first bar we are transported back to those happy times. For me, as a young adult, a guy by the name of Chuck Mangione, a jazz flugal horn player, released an album called Feels So Good. Even now, 30 years on it still reminds me of good times, carefree summer holidays at the beach or wherever.
The original has been re-recorded and the link below now includes vocals. Given some of the lyrics you would never be able to pass it off as a Christian song but if you remove a couple of lines it could go close to being a love song to God!
http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzIpFvU1NP0&feature=related
And, Christian song or not, it reminds me that it still 'feels so good' to be a follower of Jesus.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Holy Spirit poll results
"Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them." Acts 2:3-4
For those of us who have been Christians for a while, or were brought up in the church and therefore thoroughly indoctrinated, it is difficult to divorce ourselves from this knowledge and look at Pentecost through 21st century, unbelieving eyes. I wonder what people today, who know nothing about Christianity, would expect the results of the Holy Spirit's arrival to look like.
I suspect that if there were an online poll the list of options would be as long as your arm but most responses would be a mirror of our own individual values not those that match God's character.
So, from this chapter of Acts there are two things that I see which, I think, reflect God's priorities. Because, if there is this massive event where God's Spirit suddenly fills a room and the people in it, you would expect that what follows would reflect who God is.
Firstly, as soon as the Holy Spirit came upon the people in the room their first instinct was not to talk amongst themselves about what had happened but was actually to tell others about God. And, in fact, the giving of different languages would be a totally useless skill to have within their group. The first thing that God did was give something that was only of value if used for others outside of the fellowship. The languages were given so that the message could be conveyed to all people, not just a select few.
And secondly, people started selling their possessions, pooling the resources and helping the poor.
This combination of making God known through the spiritual redemption and the practical, hands on outworking of God's values, to me at least, shows the priorities of God and gives me a framework for my life.
I guess the challenge is to try and order my life in a way that does justice to that mission.
For those of us who have been Christians for a while, or were brought up in the church and therefore thoroughly indoctrinated, it is difficult to divorce ourselves from this knowledge and look at Pentecost through 21st century, unbelieving eyes. I wonder what people today, who know nothing about Christianity, would expect the results of the Holy Spirit's arrival to look like.
I suspect that if there were an online poll the list of options would be as long as your arm but most responses would be a mirror of our own individual values not those that match God's character.
So, from this chapter of Acts there are two things that I see which, I think, reflect God's priorities. Because, if there is this massive event where God's Spirit suddenly fills a room and the people in it, you would expect that what follows would reflect who God is.
Firstly, as soon as the Holy Spirit came upon the people in the room their first instinct was not to talk amongst themselves about what had happened but was actually to tell others about God. And, in fact, the giving of different languages would be a totally useless skill to have within their group. The first thing that God did was give something that was only of value if used for others outside of the fellowship. The languages were given so that the message could be conveyed to all people, not just a select few.
And secondly, people started selling their possessions, pooling the resources and helping the poor.
This combination of making God known through the spiritual redemption and the practical, hands on outworking of God's values, to me at least, shows the priorities of God and gives me a framework for my life.
I guess the challenge is to try and order my life in a way that does justice to that mission.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
God will look after me
"I was embarrassed to ask the king for a cavalry bodyguard to protect us from bandits on the road. We had just told the king, "Our God lovingly looks after all those who seek him, but turns away in disgust from those who leave him."" Ezra 8:22
The king had been incredibly generous to Ezra giving silver & gold to beautify the temple in Jerusalem. The trouble was they had to trek through dangerous territory to get there; territory inhabited by bandits. With vast amounts of precious metals they were bound to be a target. Yet, Ezra had confidently told the king of God's protection so he couldn't really then ask for cavalry bodyguards.
Life tosses up this these tests of faith to us. We Christians are conditioned to say the right things that sound good and pious, but much of the time we aren't then placed in a position where we have to actually trust God for the things we have blithely mouthed about.
Every now and then we will find ourselves in a situation where faith will have to be displayed or else we will discredit God by not walking the talk.
The king had been incredibly generous to Ezra giving silver & gold to beautify the temple in Jerusalem. The trouble was they had to trek through dangerous territory to get there; territory inhabited by bandits. With vast amounts of precious metals they were bound to be a target. Yet, Ezra had confidently told the king of God's protection so he couldn't really then ask for cavalry bodyguards.
Life tosses up this these tests of faith to us. We Christians are conditioned to say the right things that sound good and pious, but much of the time we aren't then placed in a position where we have to actually trust God for the things we have blithely mouthed about.
Every now and then we will find ourselves in a situation where faith will have to be displayed or else we will discredit God by not walking the talk.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Uncomfortable with this idea of revenge
"On the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, they killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them but did not take any plunder." Esther 9:17
That's ok then. So long as they didn't take any plunder. There were only 75000 people slaughtered. No worries.
Excuse my sarcasm but I sometimes struggle with the barbarity of the Old Testament. I love the book of Esther but it ends on a sour note for me. This probably isn't a particularly uplifting blog today but a mere observation.
Ok. So the entire Jewish race was going to be wiped out until the king realised that Mordecai had once warned of an assassination attempt against him. So the king repealed the law that Haman had petitioned for, the extermination of the Jews, and instead allowed Mordecai & Esther to order the slaughter of those who hated them.
Where is the justice in this? I'm afraid I can't see it. They weren't protecting themselves as such as the king had already repealed his original order. This was just revenge for revenge's sake. Bloodthirsty, barbaric, and I suspect indiscriminate killing. I would be staggered if there weren't at least several thousand completely innocent people butchered amongst the 75000 killed in the frenzy that a government sanctioned ethnic cleansing created.
I would like to think that I would have acted differently but history tells us that humanity has a habit of committing inhumane acts. Revenge & justice are two different things. Whilst the indiscriminate killing of people is something that isn't a part of our culture in Australia, thank goodness, revenge in its different forms is.
Justice - yes, fight for it. Revenge - no.
That's ok then. So long as they didn't take any plunder. There were only 75000 people slaughtered. No worries.
Excuse my sarcasm but I sometimes struggle with the barbarity of the Old Testament. I love the book of Esther but it ends on a sour note for me. This probably isn't a particularly uplifting blog today but a mere observation.
Ok. So the entire Jewish race was going to be wiped out until the king realised that Mordecai had once warned of an assassination attempt against him. So the king repealed the law that Haman had petitioned for, the extermination of the Jews, and instead allowed Mordecai & Esther to order the slaughter of those who hated them.
Where is the justice in this? I'm afraid I can't see it. They weren't protecting themselves as such as the king had already repealed his original order. This was just revenge for revenge's sake. Bloodthirsty, barbaric, and I suspect indiscriminate killing. I would be staggered if there weren't at least several thousand completely innocent people butchered amongst the 75000 killed in the frenzy that a government sanctioned ethnic cleansing created.
I would like to think that I would have acted differently but history tells us that humanity has a habit of committing inhumane acts. Revenge & justice are two different things. Whilst the indiscriminate killing of people is something that isn't a part of our culture in Australia, thank goodness, revenge in its different forms is.
Justice - yes, fight for it. Revenge - no.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Religious bouncers
"He yelled, "Jesus! Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!"
Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, "Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!"" Luke 18:38-39
I wonder how many people fail to get access to Jesus as a result of church body guards. There are people in the church who try to protect 'things', maybe tradition or heritage or they may support an unbiblical doctrine, and in the process stop people from getting to Jesus. Those people aren't always making a deliberate attempt to stop people. Often their misplaced zeal inadvertantly becomes a road block.
This man in the story wasn't going to be so easily silenced. He just yelled louder until he attracted Jesus' attention. People today who are determined enough will find a way around the religious bouncers too, but many won't. They will give up.
I wonder what the 'advance party' of Jesus thought when they saw the man healed. Were they excited? Did they realise that they should have been making a pathway to Jesus rather than setting up barricades to prevent desperate people from reaching him? Or, did they secretly promise to work harder next time to control the crowd.
People need to meet the Lord! I need to ensure that nothing I do hinders that, and whatever influence I have I need to use to make a clear, easy and compelling pathway for people to reach Jesus.
God, forgive me for the times that I make the road to you harder to traverse than it should be. Help me to see the blockages that I have created.
Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, "Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!"" Luke 18:38-39
I wonder how many people fail to get access to Jesus as a result of church body guards. There are people in the church who try to protect 'things', maybe tradition or heritage or they may support an unbiblical doctrine, and in the process stop people from getting to Jesus. Those people aren't always making a deliberate attempt to stop people. Often their misplaced zeal inadvertantly becomes a road block.
This man in the story wasn't going to be so easily silenced. He just yelled louder until he attracted Jesus' attention. People today who are determined enough will find a way around the religious bouncers too, but many won't. They will give up.
I wonder what the 'advance party' of Jesus thought when they saw the man healed. Were they excited? Did they realise that they should have been making a pathway to Jesus rather than setting up barricades to prevent desperate people from reaching him? Or, did they secretly promise to work harder next time to control the crowd.
People need to meet the Lord! I need to ensure that nothing I do hinders that, and whatever influence I have I need to use to make a clear, easy and compelling pathway for people to reach Jesus.
God, forgive me for the times that I make the road to you harder to traverse than it should be. Help me to see the blockages that I have created.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Don't forget God's generosity
"Jesus said "were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except the outsider?"" Luke 17:17-18
In the 11 1/2 years that I worked for NAB, not once did I get a free lunch out of the bank. On my very first day at Western Bulk Carriers we went out to lunch and the company paid. Many times over my 21 years at WBC & EBC the company has paid for lunch or the Christmas party, plus soft drinks, biscuits and fruit in the office....It's an incredibly generous company to work for.
The story in Luke 17 tells us that ten lepers called out to Jesus for help. He healed them all. Yet only one came back to thank Jesus and offer praise to God. And, as Jesus remarked, he was a Samaritan, an outsider.
It's sometimes easy for me to forget how fortunate I am at work. It's sometimes easy for Christians to take for granted all that God has done for us because we have become used to being on the receiving end of his generosity. I'm sure that quite often it is the 'outsiders' who recognise their blessings from God and praise him more than 'us Christians' who, if we are not careful, become blasé about receiving God's gifts.
Forgive me God for the times, probably regular times, that I just expect to receive from you and overlook your blessings or accept them without offering thanks and praise.
In the 11 1/2 years that I worked for NAB, not once did I get a free lunch out of the bank. On my very first day at Western Bulk Carriers we went out to lunch and the company paid. Many times over my 21 years at WBC & EBC the company has paid for lunch or the Christmas party, plus soft drinks, biscuits and fruit in the office....It's an incredibly generous company to work for.
The story in Luke 17 tells us that ten lepers called out to Jesus for help. He healed them all. Yet only one came back to thank Jesus and offer praise to God. And, as Jesus remarked, he was a Samaritan, an outsider.
It's sometimes easy for me to forget how fortunate I am at work. It's sometimes easy for Christians to take for granted all that God has done for us because we have become used to being on the receiving end of his generosity. I'm sure that quite often it is the 'outsiders' who recognise their blessings from God and praise him more than 'us Christians' who, if we are not careful, become blasé about receiving God's gifts.
Forgive me God for the times, probably regular times, that I just expect to receive from you and overlook your blessings or accept them without offering thanks and praise.
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