Hi.
Praise the Lord that the Israelites have now been freed from Egypt! Exodus 12 in today's reading shares about how Pharaoh finally gives in to Moses' and Aaron's request to free their people and let them out of Egypt. A few things struck me here...
1 - Persistence leads to results! Keep on even when its tough! Surely Moses and Aaron could have given up when they saw Pharaoh's heart getting harder and harder and the plagues becoming more intense and more severe. But they did not. They clung to what God said and went for it until God had fulfilled His promise. Are there things in life you need to persist in?
2 - Speak out! Moses was worried about his words so God provided Aaron to help him. However, after some encouragement he repeatedly went and spoke to Pharaoh about freeing the Israelites. How scary - speaking to someone so powerful and great, and not just once or twice, but a whole bunch of times! Often there are times when we have to do things God tells us to. We may not want to. We may be scared to. We may not know what to say. We may be worried about the outcome. This is not dissimilar to a situation I am facing at the moment. But why worry? If God says something, DO IT! If God tells you to speak, speak. If God tells you to jump, jump. Don't worry about what to say - God will give you the words. Don't be scared - God goes with you. Don't worry about the outcome - that is all in God's hands.
3 - Keep the end in sight - God had promised freedom for Moses and the Israelites. He was not going to settle until that promise had been fulfilled. He did not lose sight of the goal but pressed on until it was reached. Let us not lose sight of our goals, of what God has promised or of what we are hoping for.
Monday, 27 February 2012
Friday, 24 February 2012
why? I don't get it!
So far this year I have understood most of the things I have read in the Bible which has been amazing as I feel God has really given me insight into things which were previously hard to fathom. But this bit about plagues we are currently reading in Exodus I just don't understand.
Essentially...
Why do things so often have to get worse before they get better?
Surly the Israelites suffered because of the plaques to some extent? I know some plagues did not touch or harm them, such as the one that killed livestock, however if there are frogs and water is turned to blood and so on, and trade is affected because of it and so on, not only are the Israelites suffering because of their slavery but also because of these plagues.
Why so often in life do we suffer, and just when we think it can't get any worse, it does?
Answers on a postcard... or just write in the comments box below or on facebook.
Essentially...
Why do things so often have to get worse before they get better?
Surly the Israelites suffered because of the plaques to some extent? I know some plagues did not touch or harm them, such as the one that killed livestock, however if there are frogs and water is turned to blood and so on, and trade is affected because of it and so on, not only are the Israelites suffering because of their slavery but also because of these plagues.
Why so often in life do we suffer, and just when we think it can't get any worse, it does?
Answers on a postcard... or just write in the comments box below or on facebook.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Ridiculously faithful
So Exodus 6 and 7 once again sees ridiculous faithfulness. Moses is asked by God to talk to Pharoah in order that he might release the Israelites from slavery. Despite Moses' ineloquent speech, his age and the fact that Pharoah's heart is hardened, Moses still obeys God and goes to talk to Pharoah, not once but several times until something is done.
Moses could have laughed in God's face and refused to obey. He could have used his old age as an excuse to not do what God wanted. He could have got scared and run away. He could have looked at the extent of the situation and thought - 'no chance, this won't do any good'. He could have even looked at Pharoah and thought him too big and powerful. He even tried to use his poor speech as an excuse (excellent how God does't just call, He equips, seen through the use of Aaron as the spokesman). But no, eventually he 'did just as the Lord commanded' (Ex7v6). Beautiful.
What would have happened if Moses hadn't have spoken to Pharoah and obeyed God? Would the Israelites still have been in slavery? What would have happened to God's promise? Would it have been delayed?
Right now I'm faced with a difficult situation. Do I do the right thing, even though it seems ridiculous, or do I go with what I want, love, hope for, long for and have been fighting for most of my life even though it is wrong? Decisions, decisions. What about you? Is God telling you to do something that is seemingly ridiculous? Do you need ridiculous faith right now? Whatever the circumstances or situation, let's be a people who obey God against all the odds, who follow God's lead, who trust in Him, who believe that He knows best. Even when it is ridiculous. I mean let's face it. God is ridiculously faithful to us!
Moses could have laughed in God's face and refused to obey. He could have used his old age as an excuse to not do what God wanted. He could have got scared and run away. He could have looked at the extent of the situation and thought - 'no chance, this won't do any good'. He could have even looked at Pharoah and thought him too big and powerful. He even tried to use his poor speech as an excuse (excellent how God does't just call, He equips, seen through the use of Aaron as the spokesman). But no, eventually he 'did just as the Lord commanded' (Ex7v6). Beautiful.
What would have happened if Moses hadn't have spoken to Pharoah and obeyed God? Would the Israelites still have been in slavery? What would have happened to God's promise? Would it have been delayed?
Right now I'm faced with a difficult situation. Do I do the right thing, even though it seems ridiculous, or do I go with what I want, love, hope for, long for and have been fighting for most of my life even though it is wrong? Decisions, decisions. What about you? Is God telling you to do something that is seemingly ridiculous? Do you need ridiculous faith right now? Whatever the circumstances or situation, let's be a people who obey God against all the odds, who follow God's lead, who trust in Him, who believe that He knows best. Even when it is ridiculous. I mean let's face it. God is ridiculously faithful to us!
Monday, 20 February 2012
Bumps in the road
So it's been a few days of ups and downs and highs and lows! I've been so busy that I've hardly had time to write! And, if I'm really honest my journey really has reached some difficult parts. Once again, I don't write about this for sympathy, I am literally writing my journey to hopefully encourage and inspire, and even look back upon and praise God for how He has been with me throughout the whole lot!
So basically I have definitely hit a few major bumps in the road. I am tired. I am fed up. I am miserable. I am unmotivated. I am exhausted from fighting. I have given up in places. I have made bad decisions. I have taken a couple of wrong turnings and I have sat down in protest on the path! I know this is all part of life. I know some of it could be avoided. I know other bits are a learning curve and part of God building my character. I know some bits are silly and the consequences of some poor decisions and actions on my part. But I also know that God is with me, that He will never leave me or forsake me, (Joshua 1v9), that I can cry out to Him and He will hear my cry and deliver me from all my troubles (Psalm 34v17), that He has good plans for me and plans to prosper me (Jeremiah 29v11), that if I hope in the Lord I will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49v23). And I know that no matter how hard the battle gets, the Lord will fight for me (Exodus 14v14). I am determined in this. I will get over these hurdles with God's help. I will overcome because in Christ I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8v37).
What about you? What do you do when you hit a bump in the road? What happens when things get tough and when you feel like you have lost your way? Who do you turn to? I am not perfect. Often times I have turned to the wrong things, looked for immediate satisfaction rather than long term benefit. Settled for second best. Made wrong decisions. But at the end of the day we must pick ourselves up and keep on fighting, knowing that God is also fighting for us and with us and in us and through us. He will keep us strong till the end (1Corinthians 1v8).
Now I know that sounds a bit blasé and a bit, 'yeh well, that doesn't apply to my situation or to what I'm going through'. But pause a minute. God loves you so much, He sent His one and only son to die for you. Do you not think He is concerned for you, or that your situation matters to Him? He loves you so much, with such a deep, unending, unconditional love that He will go to any length, depth, breadth and width to help you out. Just cling fast, and don't let go.
On a practical level, if you are hitting some tough times, what can you do? Now, I am not a counsellor, or a professional so don't want to ill-advise, but here are some things I've done which may inspire you:
- Pray! Pray, pray, pray! I talk to God about how I feel. I tell Him the ups and downs. I get angry at Him. He understands. He loves. He supports. Exodus 4v31 says that God is 'concerned' about His people. That includes you! I will not stop praying until I have an answer and know the way out. Even if it means folding my arms, sticking my nose in the air and refusing to listen for a time, or calming down before I speak to God, or whatever. Pray. God understands.
- Talk to a friend, someone you trust! If my friends are struggling, I want to encourage them, to carry them, to cheer them on. Talking helps. I know my friends want me to do the same. So I do.
- Refuse to believe satan's lies. Stand on the truth. Stand on the Word of God which is living and active and sharper than a double edged sword (Hebrews 4v12). What did Jesus do when He was tempted in the desert? He threw scripture back at the devil. Why do you think that Ephesians 6 describes the Word of God as a sword? Because you can fight back with it! Even if a verse a day is all you can manage. Even if you just have to say one memorised verse over and over. The Word is LIVING. That means it can act now, in your situation, it can change things, break things, move things, it is ALIVE!
- Have hope, even if it takes all of your strength to cling on to. Psalm 63 talks about 'clinging' on to God. Cling to Him! And in that know that God is not going to give you any more than you can bear (1Corinthians 10v13). Refuse to let your situation get the better of you! God is bigger!
- Know grace. Without excusing sin, we are all human. We make mistakes. We mess up. We go through hardships. We have difficulties. We face problems. God understands and God is FULL OF GRACE, 'slow to anger' and 'abounding in love' (Psalm 103v8). Allow room to make mistakes. Take it to God in repentence. Receive His grace and forgiveness. Do not spend hours beating yourself up. It only makes things worse. I really feel that many churches are lacking in grace. 'We are sinners and mess up, we need a saviour' is what we hear far too often. YES, that is true! But that is not the end!!! GOD IS OUR SAVIOUR, our help, our rescue, our ever-present help in times of trouble, our rock, our fortress, our strength, our comforter, our FATHER. He is full of grace. He understands! He is 'abounding in love', not ready to shout at you for messing up under pressure! We are NOT slaves to sin, we are free from it. 'It is for FREEDOM that you have been set free' (Galatians 5v1), not so that you can beat yourselves up and wear the weight of your muck ups around your neck like medals! LIVE IN YOUR FREEDOM. Yes we mess up, but yes we mess up in GRACE! Did I make my point clear.....!
Anyways, this was nothing like what I planned to write!
Be blessed.
Even in your hardships.
And read Psalm 18. It rocks!
So basically I have definitely hit a few major bumps in the road. I am tired. I am fed up. I am miserable. I am unmotivated. I am exhausted from fighting. I have given up in places. I have made bad decisions. I have taken a couple of wrong turnings and I have sat down in protest on the path! I know this is all part of life. I know some of it could be avoided. I know other bits are a learning curve and part of God building my character. I know some bits are silly and the consequences of some poor decisions and actions on my part. But I also know that God is with me, that He will never leave me or forsake me, (Joshua 1v9), that I can cry out to Him and He will hear my cry and deliver me from all my troubles (Psalm 34v17), that He has good plans for me and plans to prosper me (Jeremiah 29v11), that if I hope in the Lord I will not be disappointed (Isaiah 49v23). And I know that no matter how hard the battle gets, the Lord will fight for me (Exodus 14v14). I am determined in this. I will get over these hurdles with God's help. I will overcome because in Christ I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8v37).
What about you? What do you do when you hit a bump in the road? What happens when things get tough and when you feel like you have lost your way? Who do you turn to? I am not perfect. Often times I have turned to the wrong things, looked for immediate satisfaction rather than long term benefit. Settled for second best. Made wrong decisions. But at the end of the day we must pick ourselves up and keep on fighting, knowing that God is also fighting for us and with us and in us and through us. He will keep us strong till the end (1Corinthians 1v8).
Now I know that sounds a bit blasé and a bit, 'yeh well, that doesn't apply to my situation or to what I'm going through'. But pause a minute. God loves you so much, He sent His one and only son to die for you. Do you not think He is concerned for you, or that your situation matters to Him? He loves you so much, with such a deep, unending, unconditional love that He will go to any length, depth, breadth and width to help you out. Just cling fast, and don't let go.
On a practical level, if you are hitting some tough times, what can you do? Now, I am not a counsellor, or a professional so don't want to ill-advise, but here are some things I've done which may inspire you:
- Pray! Pray, pray, pray! I talk to God about how I feel. I tell Him the ups and downs. I get angry at Him. He understands. He loves. He supports. Exodus 4v31 says that God is 'concerned' about His people. That includes you! I will not stop praying until I have an answer and know the way out. Even if it means folding my arms, sticking my nose in the air and refusing to listen for a time, or calming down before I speak to God, or whatever. Pray. God understands.
- Talk to a friend, someone you trust! If my friends are struggling, I want to encourage them, to carry them, to cheer them on. Talking helps. I know my friends want me to do the same. So I do.
- Refuse to believe satan's lies. Stand on the truth. Stand on the Word of God which is living and active and sharper than a double edged sword (Hebrews 4v12). What did Jesus do when He was tempted in the desert? He threw scripture back at the devil. Why do you think that Ephesians 6 describes the Word of God as a sword? Because you can fight back with it! Even if a verse a day is all you can manage. Even if you just have to say one memorised verse over and over. The Word is LIVING. That means it can act now, in your situation, it can change things, break things, move things, it is ALIVE!
- Have hope, even if it takes all of your strength to cling on to. Psalm 63 talks about 'clinging' on to God. Cling to Him! And in that know that God is not going to give you any more than you can bear (1Corinthians 10v13). Refuse to let your situation get the better of you! God is bigger!
- Know grace. Without excusing sin, we are all human. We make mistakes. We mess up. We go through hardships. We have difficulties. We face problems. God understands and God is FULL OF GRACE, 'slow to anger' and 'abounding in love' (Psalm 103v8). Allow room to make mistakes. Take it to God in repentence. Receive His grace and forgiveness. Do not spend hours beating yourself up. It only makes things worse. I really feel that many churches are lacking in grace. 'We are sinners and mess up, we need a saviour' is what we hear far too often. YES, that is true! But that is not the end!!! GOD IS OUR SAVIOUR, our help, our rescue, our ever-present help in times of trouble, our rock, our fortress, our strength, our comforter, our FATHER. He is full of grace. He understands! He is 'abounding in love', not ready to shout at you for messing up under pressure! We are NOT slaves to sin, we are free from it. 'It is for FREEDOM that you have been set free' (Galatians 5v1), not so that you can beat yourselves up and wear the weight of your muck ups around your neck like medals! LIVE IN YOUR FREEDOM. Yes we mess up, but yes we mess up in GRACE! Did I make my point clear.....!
Anyways, this was nothing like what I planned to write!
Be blessed.
Even in your hardships.
And read Psalm 18. It rocks!
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
I AM - not I'm not
Just a quick thought that entered my head, in Exodus 3v14 God talks to Moses and calls Himself 'I AM'. Now I've read countless pieces (all very true) stating things like...
Do you need a healer?
God says 'I Am'
Do you need a friend?
God says 'I Am'
Do you need a comforter?
God says 'I Am'...
And so on. I was thinking upon this and I love it. Whatever you need - God can be (provided it is for your own good!) There is so much depth to God! However, not only this, but, do you notice that whenever God or Jesus (not getting into a trinity debate here, by the way) talk about themselves, they always say what they ARE, and not what they're NOT! I Am the Vine, I Am the Way, Truth and Life, I Am the shepherd, I Am the Son of Man..... How awesome is that? Neither do they talk about who they are in an ego boosting tone, 'yes, well I am the Way and I Am also amazing, wonderful, created the universe and look how great I am'. NO! They recognise and ackowledge and accept who they are, not who they are not!
Far too often we look at ourselves, and then to other people and think, 'wow, I'm totally not good at this, or I am never going to be as pretty as that, or I am not a fighter or I am not intelligent....' etc. Some of us may go as far as even saying 'well yes I am in charge of this in my job and I'm pretty amazing really, everyone loves me, I am this, this, this, that, and some more this'. We need to follow God's example in recognising and acknowledging WHO WE ARE, not who we aren't. And also accept it without ego. A fine balance I know, but an interesting concept to aim for.
No more looking at what and who you aren't and what you wish you were but aren't good enough to be... no let's start recognising, acknowledging and accepting who we are in Christ. Here are some useful starting points...
Romans 8v1-2 I am free from condemnation
Romans 8v28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances
1 John 5v18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me
John 1v12 I am God's child
Psalm 139v14 I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Isaiah 43:4 I am precious and honoured
Wow, two blogs in one day... aren't you lucky... perhaps the previous blog stating my lack of inspiration has been cured... perhaps God heard me! xxx
Do you need a healer?
God says 'I Am'
Do you need a friend?
God says 'I Am'
Do you need a comforter?
God says 'I Am'...
And so on. I was thinking upon this and I love it. Whatever you need - God can be (provided it is for your own good!) There is so much depth to God! However, not only this, but, do you notice that whenever God or Jesus (not getting into a trinity debate here, by the way) talk about themselves, they always say what they ARE, and not what they're NOT! I Am the Vine, I Am the Way, Truth and Life, I Am the shepherd, I Am the Son of Man..... How awesome is that? Neither do they talk about who they are in an ego boosting tone, 'yes, well I am the Way and I Am also amazing, wonderful, created the universe and look how great I am'. NO! They recognise and ackowledge and accept who they are, not who they are not!
Far too often we look at ourselves, and then to other people and think, 'wow, I'm totally not good at this, or I am never going to be as pretty as that, or I am not a fighter or I am not intelligent....' etc. Some of us may go as far as even saying 'well yes I am in charge of this in my job and I'm pretty amazing really, everyone loves me, I am this, this, this, that, and some more this'. We need to follow God's example in recognising and acknowledging WHO WE ARE, not who we aren't. And also accept it without ego. A fine balance I know, but an interesting concept to aim for.
No more looking at what and who you aren't and what you wish you were but aren't good enough to be... no let's start recognising, acknowledging and accepting who we are in Christ. Here are some useful starting points...
Romans 8v1-2 I am free from condemnation
Romans 8v28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances
1 John 5v18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me
John 1v12 I am God's child
Psalm 139v14 I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Isaiah 43:4 I am precious and honoured
Wow, two blogs in one day... aren't you lucky... perhaps the previous blog stating my lack of inspiration has been cured... perhaps God heard me! xxx
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Forgiveness, and other things!
Ok, several things to write today which are on my mind.
The first one is this. I've hit a bit of a crossroads in my journey at the moment. Do you ever get those times - there are roads leading off in all directions and you don't know which one to take? Then you think you know but you aren't sure. Or better still the one you know you should go down seems so much more dull and boring than the others. What do you do? Which way do you go? How do you know? How long have you got to decide? What happens if you take the wrong route - will you get back on the right path? Hmmmm. Any advice?
Secondly, nothing like a bit of attack to hinder your journey. I'm currently a bit uninspired and lethargic about my journey, and even the blog. Not that I don't want to do it or anything, but I think the 'novelty' is wearing off a bit and the excitement is fading. I know this is attack because it hit straight after I wrote the MOT blog in which I was quite open and honest. Then there are certain things which have gotten in the way of my relationship with God at the moment and which are trying to throw me off course. I know there are quite a few of you out there who read this, and who perhaps feel the same and/or have been through similar, so perhaps you would like to offer your advice to anyone feeling like this, or to share your thoughts, tips and testimonies to spur others on who might be experiencing similar. Let's be quick to 'mutually encourage eachother' in our faith here (Romans 1v12). There is a comments box below or you can write under the link on Facebook. (And please note, this is not intended as a search for sympathy for myself, it is so we can hopefully encourage eachother. Your thoughts and voice and opinions matter too.)
Thirdly, I LOVE today's passage in the journey with God journal Genesis 49v29 - 50v26. What a lovely story of forgiveness and love and grace...
50v15 'When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrong things we did to him?"'....... v19-21 'But Joseph said to them "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid, I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.'
HOW COOL IS THIS! After all that Joseph's brothers had done to him; beaten him, sold him as a slave, lied about it all to their father..., here is Joseph completely ready to forgive and love them. Joseph didn't say, well I'll only give you a little of what I have, and on condition that you kiss my feet and pamper me day and night. NO. Joseph whole heartedly forgave them and was free from any bitterness and anger. How many times do we hold grudges against people? How often do we forgive people on the condition that they do X, Y or Z? This is probably one of the most wonderful yet most difficult concepts in life - forgiveness. People hurt us, others hurt us REAL bad. We often don't want to forgive and live happily ever after until we see justice. Yet sometimes we need to for give our selves, our pride, our bitterness and our anger and just love and get on with it. I believe that praying for someone who has caused us a grievance can help too. The other day I was really angry at something and told God just how angry I was. I took a lot of my frustration and anger to Him in prayer, even telling him how much I was not going to back down and forgive this. The following day I got a text from the person who had annoyed me, and in an instant my bitterness melted and I even apologised for any grievance I had caused them. I haven't even thought about it since.
Sometimes the more we love and forgive, the more free we are, and the more we even provoke others to repent and seek forgiveness. Joseph's loving kindness to his brothers in giving them grain and looking after them during the famine led them to seek his forgiveness personally. What an excellent picture.
Finally, what struck me about this was the process that was involved. Can you imagine if Joseph had by chance bumped into his brothers a few days or months after they had sold him to slavery? I'm sure the story would be completely different. He probably would want to kill them or punch them or something. I know I definitely would. However, despite forgiveness often being a choice, I also think there is a process involved. Joseph needed to go through the process of time away, prison, promotion, service, responsibility and so on before he forgave. He probably needed to work things out in his own head and mature in character and faith until he was stronger in himself. Even when he first encountered them he didn't forgive them straight away. He sent them away with grain and a plot for their return. Who's to say that this wasn't all part of him buying time to reason with himself and the Lord and bring himself to a suitable position to forgive? Perhaps I am wrong, this is just a thought. So I think it's ok to recognise the process and the journey to forgiveness.
I'd like to finish with a link to this amazing video and song by Underoath which really inspires me to forgive and to seek forgiveness. Hope it works!
Chorus
Hey unfaithful I will teach you
To be stronger,
To be stronger
Hey ungraceful I will teach you
To forgive one another
Any thoughts, comments?
The first one is this. I've hit a bit of a crossroads in my journey at the moment. Do you ever get those times - there are roads leading off in all directions and you don't know which one to take? Then you think you know but you aren't sure. Or better still the one you know you should go down seems so much more dull and boring than the others. What do you do? Which way do you go? How do you know? How long have you got to decide? What happens if you take the wrong route - will you get back on the right path? Hmmmm. Any advice?
Secondly, nothing like a bit of attack to hinder your journey. I'm currently a bit uninspired and lethargic about my journey, and even the blog. Not that I don't want to do it or anything, but I think the 'novelty' is wearing off a bit and the excitement is fading. I know this is attack because it hit straight after I wrote the MOT blog in which I was quite open and honest. Then there are certain things which have gotten in the way of my relationship with God at the moment and which are trying to throw me off course. I know there are quite a few of you out there who read this, and who perhaps feel the same and/or have been through similar, so perhaps you would like to offer your advice to anyone feeling like this, or to share your thoughts, tips and testimonies to spur others on who might be experiencing similar. Let's be quick to 'mutually encourage eachother' in our faith here (Romans 1v12). There is a comments box below or you can write under the link on Facebook. (And please note, this is not intended as a search for sympathy for myself, it is so we can hopefully encourage eachother. Your thoughts and voice and opinions matter too.)
Thirdly, I LOVE today's passage in the journey with God journal Genesis 49v29 - 50v26. What a lovely story of forgiveness and love and grace...
50v15 'When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrong things we did to him?"'....... v19-21 'But Joseph said to them "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid, I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.'
HOW COOL IS THIS! After all that Joseph's brothers had done to him; beaten him, sold him as a slave, lied about it all to their father..., here is Joseph completely ready to forgive and love them. Joseph didn't say, well I'll only give you a little of what I have, and on condition that you kiss my feet and pamper me day and night. NO. Joseph whole heartedly forgave them and was free from any bitterness and anger. How many times do we hold grudges against people? How often do we forgive people on the condition that they do X, Y or Z? This is probably one of the most wonderful yet most difficult concepts in life - forgiveness. People hurt us, others hurt us REAL bad. We often don't want to forgive and live happily ever after until we see justice. Yet sometimes we need to for give our selves, our pride, our bitterness and our anger and just love and get on with it. I believe that praying for someone who has caused us a grievance can help too. The other day I was really angry at something and told God just how angry I was. I took a lot of my frustration and anger to Him in prayer, even telling him how much I was not going to back down and forgive this. The following day I got a text from the person who had annoyed me, and in an instant my bitterness melted and I even apologised for any grievance I had caused them. I haven't even thought about it since.
Sometimes the more we love and forgive, the more free we are, and the more we even provoke others to repent and seek forgiveness. Joseph's loving kindness to his brothers in giving them grain and looking after them during the famine led them to seek his forgiveness personally. What an excellent picture.
Finally, what struck me about this was the process that was involved. Can you imagine if Joseph had by chance bumped into his brothers a few days or months after they had sold him to slavery? I'm sure the story would be completely different. He probably would want to kill them or punch them or something. I know I definitely would. However, despite forgiveness often being a choice, I also think there is a process involved. Joseph needed to go through the process of time away, prison, promotion, service, responsibility and so on before he forgave. He probably needed to work things out in his own head and mature in character and faith until he was stronger in himself. Even when he first encountered them he didn't forgive them straight away. He sent them away with grain and a plot for their return. Who's to say that this wasn't all part of him buying time to reason with himself and the Lord and bring himself to a suitable position to forgive? Perhaps I am wrong, this is just a thought. So I think it's ok to recognise the process and the journey to forgiveness.
I'd like to finish with a link to this amazing video and song by Underoath which really inspires me to forgive and to seek forgiveness. Hope it works!
Chorus
Hey unfaithful I will teach you
To be stronger,
To be stronger
Hey ungraceful I will teach you
To forgive one another
Any thoughts, comments?
Monday, 13 February 2012
Never too unusable to be used by God
A quickie today - and a cheat but I loved my Bible footnotes this morning from which I quote...
Genesis 48v8-20
'Jacob gave Ephraim, instead of his older brother Manasseh the greater blessing. When Joseph objected, Jacob refused to listen because God had told him that Ephraim would become greater. God often works in unexpected ways. When He chooses people to fulfil His plans, He goes deeper than appearance, tradition or position. He sometimes surprises us by choosing the less obvious person, at least by human reasoning. God can use you to carry out His plans, even if you don't have all the qualificationd.'
And to add, you are never too old - Jacob was still carrying out God's plans on his death bed! Keep being used by God and keep being open to Him using you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Genesis 48v8-20
'Jacob gave Ephraim, instead of his older brother Manasseh the greater blessing. When Joseph objected, Jacob refused to listen because God had told him that Ephraim would become greater. God often works in unexpected ways. When He chooses people to fulfil His plans, He goes deeper than appearance, tradition or position. He sometimes surprises us by choosing the less obvious person, at least by human reasoning. God can use you to carry out His plans, even if you don't have all the qualificationd.'
And to add, you are never too old - Jacob was still carrying out God's plans on his death bed! Keep being used by God and keep being open to Him using you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Not conforming!
It's been a few days since I've written anything - and to be honest I've had a bit of a crazy few days - mixed emotions over certain things, anger at others, growth in other areas... It has been a bumpy ride! Sometimes I think that's the journey that God can take you on, or life in general really. So here are a few snippets from the journey this week!
So Thursday saw me very angry. Yup. I'm not perfect. I get angry. Not that anger is always a bad thing, but this time it was. So I got a bit angry at certain things and probably had a few thoughts and maybe even said a few things I shouldn't have which I'm in the process of sorting out with God, but at the time I was mad at God, and some people.
Basically to cut a long story short, (and please note, in illustrating this I am not trying to offend, I have thought long and hard about this and have waited to blog, so that it is not written in anger but in love and self control), I got annoyed at some of my closest Christian friends for making me feel a bit unloved and forgotten about. I know this wasn't their intention, and it was as much me being tired and reading into something in a bad way, but I felt a bit let down. However, it made me think... Sometimes I let people down and forget about people. Sometimes I get so busy and so focussed on what I am doing that I forget to answer messages, call people up, spend time with people and check how they are doing. I am all for 'love your neighbour as yourself' but do I always do this? I guarantee that there are plenty of people in my lifetime who I have let down.
Further to this, (and please note I am talking about myself and not referring to anyone else), sometimes I get so focussed on my world and what is happening to me currently in my circumstances that I forget to 'think outside of the box' and remember those who aren't currently about. I forget people who I care about. I forget about important friendships I have up north because I'm now down here. I forget to ask after my friends in London because I am based in Watford. I know this is perhaps a little out of context but Romans 12v1-2 says 'Do not conform to the pattern of this world'. Now I know usually we rightly take this to mean that we shouldn't conform to 'the world' in terms of its love of money, views on sexual 'freedom', dog eat dog, getting drunk every weekend, etc. However is it possible to read this verse in terms of 'don't get so conformed to and ruled by and blinded by your own personal world and your own personal friendship groups and your own personal circumstances that you forget everyone who isn't inside that world right now'? We need to remember those people who we love, even if they are 100's of miles away. We need to build people up and make them feel loved and valued, even if they don't feature in our day to day activity. So come on, let's make an extra effort to love people today. Send someone a message you haven't spoken to in a while. Ask how someone is doing. Single people, ask your married friends out on a night out - it might be what they need and miss. Married people, don't just hang out with other married people, include us singletons too. Christians, stop hanging out in your Christian cliques and start asking your non-Christian friends out too.....! (Again, no offense meant to anyone - I'm voicing the sometimes left unspoken and just bringing some of these potential stumbling blocks to the surface... bear with me!)
Further to this, my thoughts went on like this... 'are we sometimes so busy doing Christian that we forget to be Christian?' I know I definitely fall into the former category at times. Leading a community group last year at times meant that I was so tired after a Wednesday night, that on a Thursday night I would rather be on my own and shut away from my non-christian housemates whom I love dearly. I was snappy with them, didn't have time to socialise with them and was sometimes rude to them. What kind of example and demonstration of love was this? No no no! I was so busy doing Christian stuff and thinking I was Christian, that I forgot to be Christian and live out my life as a Christian. Yes we all have bad days, yes we are human, YES do all of the amazing things you do at church or for the Kingdom - but don't forsake people because of it.
And finally. Today I read in Genesis 45 that Joseph, despite having been bullied, sold into slavery and forgotten by his brothers, upon meeting them again and finally revealing his identity, he was so grateful to have them back in his life that he wept, embraced them and provided everything for them and their families. Joseph could have been so angry, and he had every right to be! He was next to Pharaoh in terms of power. He could have had his brothers killed, imprisoned, tortured... but no he left aside his anger and loved. Caroline, despite not even having any real reason to be angry about, you've been told!
So Thursday saw me very angry. Yup. I'm not perfect. I get angry. Not that anger is always a bad thing, but this time it was. So I got a bit angry at certain things and probably had a few thoughts and maybe even said a few things I shouldn't have which I'm in the process of sorting out with God, but at the time I was mad at God, and some people.
Basically to cut a long story short, (and please note, in illustrating this I am not trying to offend, I have thought long and hard about this and have waited to blog, so that it is not written in anger but in love and self control), I got annoyed at some of my closest Christian friends for making me feel a bit unloved and forgotten about. I know this wasn't their intention, and it was as much me being tired and reading into something in a bad way, but I felt a bit let down. However, it made me think... Sometimes I let people down and forget about people. Sometimes I get so busy and so focussed on what I am doing that I forget to answer messages, call people up, spend time with people and check how they are doing. I am all for 'love your neighbour as yourself' but do I always do this? I guarantee that there are plenty of people in my lifetime who I have let down.
Further to this, (and please note I am talking about myself and not referring to anyone else), sometimes I get so focussed on my world and what is happening to me currently in my circumstances that I forget to 'think outside of the box' and remember those who aren't currently about. I forget people who I care about. I forget about important friendships I have up north because I'm now down here. I forget to ask after my friends in London because I am based in Watford. I know this is perhaps a little out of context but Romans 12v1-2 says 'Do not conform to the pattern of this world'. Now I know usually we rightly take this to mean that we shouldn't conform to 'the world' in terms of its love of money, views on sexual 'freedom', dog eat dog, getting drunk every weekend, etc. However is it possible to read this verse in terms of 'don't get so conformed to and ruled by and blinded by your own personal world and your own personal friendship groups and your own personal circumstances that you forget everyone who isn't inside that world right now'? We need to remember those people who we love, even if they are 100's of miles away. We need to build people up and make them feel loved and valued, even if they don't feature in our day to day activity. So come on, let's make an extra effort to love people today. Send someone a message you haven't spoken to in a while. Ask how someone is doing. Single people, ask your married friends out on a night out - it might be what they need and miss. Married people, don't just hang out with other married people, include us singletons too. Christians, stop hanging out in your Christian cliques and start asking your non-Christian friends out too.....! (Again, no offense meant to anyone - I'm voicing the sometimes left unspoken and just bringing some of these potential stumbling blocks to the surface... bear with me!)
Further to this, my thoughts went on like this... 'are we sometimes so busy doing Christian that we forget to be Christian?' I know I definitely fall into the former category at times. Leading a community group last year at times meant that I was so tired after a Wednesday night, that on a Thursday night I would rather be on my own and shut away from my non-christian housemates whom I love dearly. I was snappy with them, didn't have time to socialise with them and was sometimes rude to them. What kind of example and demonstration of love was this? No no no! I was so busy doing Christian stuff and thinking I was Christian, that I forgot to be Christian and live out my life as a Christian. Yes we all have bad days, yes we are human, YES do all of the amazing things you do at church or for the Kingdom - but don't forsake people because of it.
And finally. Today I read in Genesis 45 that Joseph, despite having been bullied, sold into slavery and forgotten by his brothers, upon meeting them again and finally revealing his identity, he was so grateful to have them back in his life that he wept, embraced them and provided everything for them and their families. Joseph could have been so angry, and he had every right to be! He was next to Pharaoh in terms of power. He could have had his brothers killed, imprisoned, tortured... but no he left aside his anger and loved. Caroline, despite not even having any real reason to be angry about, you've been told!
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
MOT - fit for the journey
So I was thinking and praying and can't get out of my head about writing what I'm about to write. Probs a bit personal but if it blesses or encourages one person, it's worth it.
So obviously we've been looking at Journeys - particularly Joseph's journey over the last few days. And I was thinking about my own journey and thinking about where I was at. (I do think it is right and important at times to give ourselves a spiritual MOT or check over once in a while to make sure we are in good working order for the journey ahead and for God to use us).
SO, where am I at? Where are you at? Where am I in the journey of life? Where are you in the journey of life? Are we sprinting forward, walking fast, slowing down, speeeding up, crawling, at a stand still, on the side-lines looking in, being carried, walking backwards, facing the opposite direction, having a nice cool off on the side....? I actually think there are seasons and periods when we face all of these positions. Let me share some more of my journey...
So at the moment I'm kinda running quite fast in my journey. I'm in a season of intense blessing and I feel I'm running the journey with enthusiasm. It's almost like I've reached a mountain top and am running on a plateau in awe at the view and raring to see more. (I guess when we are in seasons like this it is important we don't take too long to look at the view and lose our passion and pace.) But at the same time, I'm unsure as to what is around the corner. Where am I actually headed? Where is the path leading?
Yet, my journey has not always been like this. Infact a lot of my lifetime has been spent in seasons of drought, of dessert and of valleys. During my teenage years I particularly experienced a season of very high highs and very low lows. I'd reach the top of one mountain only to find myself plummetting down at record speed to the bottom of a deep valley. I remember days, months and even years at a time battling with severe depression - a kind that prevented me from even walking without my legs aching, a kind that led to self destruction and a self esteem that was so low I never thought I would learn to love myself. In fact I was so low and had such a dislike for myself that most of my latter teenage years were spent with my mirrors covered in towels so I didn't have to see my reflection, and make up that was so thick and black that it hid my true self. I felt so chained up and like there was no way out. Praise God that He reached His loving arm down into my deep pit and rescued me. Now I often stick Bible verses to my mirror and rejoice that I am me!
' Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save' Isaiah 59v1
'If I make my bed in the depths, you are there' Psalm 139v8
There have been other seasons where I have been so angry and frustrated about life and my lot. I've experienced and been through things that no one should ever have to face. I've been so caught up in sin that I was completely lost - even turning around and walking backwards. I have been so far from feeling the freedom that Christ offers that I have cried myself to sleep on numerous occasions and written pages and pages of painful poetry which has enabled me to pour my inmost feelings out. And yet a lot of this was brought on by things that weren't even my fault that I had no control over. I was literally rolling around on the path of life, doubled over with inner turmoil and pain, and wailing to a God I thought didn't hear me. Yet God's grace was enough. His grace was sufficient. His power was made perfect in my weakness, (2 corinthians 12v9).
Again there have been other seasons of intense blessing. In my gap year I was priviledged to work with the Message Trust in Manchester for 5 months on their gap year programme and then spent 2 years doing their Eden project. I worked alongside the World Wide Message Tribe, the Band With No Name, Andy Hawthorn and so on, we saw kids being saved on a daily basis, God was filling me daily through His Word and through the teaching I was receiving. It really was a time of major growth and spiritual maturity. Yet even though there were these seasons of spiritual highs, there came with it almost a sense of invincibility. I had to work through a lot also. I thought I had made it seeing as I was now working with such reknown people. I also battled with legalism and was actually so chained up in the legality of my faith and ticking all of the boxes that I often felt like a failure and definitely felt unfulfilled.
Then there have been times where I just have no idea what's going on. A bit like the last few years really. I mean I've never really discovered the real reason I'm in Watford. I sense there is something huge on the horizon but I have no idea what. But instead of becoming apathetic and withdrawn, I keep pressing onward, keep walking forward, keep striving towards the finish line and keep my head up, whilst trying to obey God and follow His leading. Sometimes we have to go through seasons of walking blindfolded when we have no idea of where we are going. And to be honest, even during this season, the most amazing things have happened. I've gained freedom in so many areas I never thought I would. I've gained wisdom and patience, understanding and insight like I never knew before. I've learnt perseverance. I've learnt about being all things to all men. And it's wonderful.
In 2003 a man I didn't know prophesied over me saying that I was like an acorn turning into an oak tree. Not long after this, another two people prophesied over me saying I was like a caterpillar turning into a beautiful butterfly (hence my writer's and artist's pseudonym Caroline Papillon - aka butterfly in French). Just on Sunday Tim Roberts had a picture of an oak tree with its branches reaching far and wide and bearing fruit right to the ends. How good is God. And how cool that the original prophecy is being fulfilled! Although my journey has been long and arduous in parts - God has been there all along. Although there have been many difficult processes that I've had to work through - I have worked through them through the grace of God and grown into a strong oak and a beautiful butterfly. Don't get me wrong - I'm not boasting or bigging myself up, neither have I 'made it' - no - these are just illustrations of how amazing God is, and how He is true to His word. No matter how dark or deep or painful your journey may be right now, keep holding on to God. He will carry you when you need carrying. He will encourage you when you need encouraging. He will hold you when you need holding. He will run with you when you are running. He will backtrack to meet you when you are walking in the other direction. He will run to find you when you are lost.
Sometimes there are highs, sometimes there are lows. Sometimes there are hurdles, sometimes there are battles but God is with you all along. Mountain top experiences are awesome, but nothing grows on mountain tops because the air is so thin. Sometimes we need to be taken to the valley because it is where things grow. Desserts can seem barren and dry, but it is often where God takes us in order to whisper to us in a place which is away from the hustle and bustle of life. Drought is a horrible thing, but isn't it in drought that we seek the water more intently and intensely?
So where am I headed? To be honest I don't know exactly. But I know there is more because God hasn't finished with me yet. What about you? Where are you headed? Perhaps you don't know either but keep hoping, keep dreaming, keep believing, keep walking with God. 'Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith' Hebrews 12v1-2. For surely 'he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion' Philippians 1v6.
God bless you all - don't give up - there is so much MORE to come!!!!!!!!!
So obviously we've been looking at Journeys - particularly Joseph's journey over the last few days. And I was thinking about my own journey and thinking about where I was at. (I do think it is right and important at times to give ourselves a spiritual MOT or check over once in a while to make sure we are in good working order for the journey ahead and for God to use us).
SO, where am I at? Where are you at? Where am I in the journey of life? Where are you in the journey of life? Are we sprinting forward, walking fast, slowing down, speeeding up, crawling, at a stand still, on the side-lines looking in, being carried, walking backwards, facing the opposite direction, having a nice cool off on the side....? I actually think there are seasons and periods when we face all of these positions. Let me share some more of my journey...
So at the moment I'm kinda running quite fast in my journey. I'm in a season of intense blessing and I feel I'm running the journey with enthusiasm. It's almost like I've reached a mountain top and am running on a plateau in awe at the view and raring to see more. (I guess when we are in seasons like this it is important we don't take too long to look at the view and lose our passion and pace.) But at the same time, I'm unsure as to what is around the corner. Where am I actually headed? Where is the path leading?
Yet, my journey has not always been like this. Infact a lot of my lifetime has been spent in seasons of drought, of dessert and of valleys. During my teenage years I particularly experienced a season of very high highs and very low lows. I'd reach the top of one mountain only to find myself plummetting down at record speed to the bottom of a deep valley. I remember days, months and even years at a time battling with severe depression - a kind that prevented me from even walking without my legs aching, a kind that led to self destruction and a self esteem that was so low I never thought I would learn to love myself. In fact I was so low and had such a dislike for myself that most of my latter teenage years were spent with my mirrors covered in towels so I didn't have to see my reflection, and make up that was so thick and black that it hid my true self. I felt so chained up and like there was no way out. Praise God that He reached His loving arm down into my deep pit and rescued me. Now I often stick Bible verses to my mirror and rejoice that I am me!
' Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save' Isaiah 59v1
'If I make my bed in the depths, you are there' Psalm 139v8
There have been other seasons where I have been so angry and frustrated about life and my lot. I've experienced and been through things that no one should ever have to face. I've been so caught up in sin that I was completely lost - even turning around and walking backwards. I have been so far from feeling the freedom that Christ offers that I have cried myself to sleep on numerous occasions and written pages and pages of painful poetry which has enabled me to pour my inmost feelings out. And yet a lot of this was brought on by things that weren't even my fault that I had no control over. I was literally rolling around on the path of life, doubled over with inner turmoil and pain, and wailing to a God I thought didn't hear me. Yet God's grace was enough. His grace was sufficient. His power was made perfect in my weakness, (2 corinthians 12v9).
Again there have been other seasons of intense blessing. In my gap year I was priviledged to work with the Message Trust in Manchester for 5 months on their gap year programme and then spent 2 years doing their Eden project. I worked alongside the World Wide Message Tribe, the Band With No Name, Andy Hawthorn and so on, we saw kids being saved on a daily basis, God was filling me daily through His Word and through the teaching I was receiving. It really was a time of major growth and spiritual maturity. Yet even though there were these seasons of spiritual highs, there came with it almost a sense of invincibility. I had to work through a lot also. I thought I had made it seeing as I was now working with such reknown people. I also battled with legalism and was actually so chained up in the legality of my faith and ticking all of the boxes that I often felt like a failure and definitely felt unfulfilled.
Then there have been times where I just have no idea what's going on. A bit like the last few years really. I mean I've never really discovered the real reason I'm in Watford. I sense there is something huge on the horizon but I have no idea what. But instead of becoming apathetic and withdrawn, I keep pressing onward, keep walking forward, keep striving towards the finish line and keep my head up, whilst trying to obey God and follow His leading. Sometimes we have to go through seasons of walking blindfolded when we have no idea of where we are going. And to be honest, even during this season, the most amazing things have happened. I've gained freedom in so many areas I never thought I would. I've gained wisdom and patience, understanding and insight like I never knew before. I've learnt perseverance. I've learnt about being all things to all men. And it's wonderful.
In 2003 a man I didn't know prophesied over me saying that I was like an acorn turning into an oak tree. Not long after this, another two people prophesied over me saying I was like a caterpillar turning into a beautiful butterfly (hence my writer's and artist's pseudonym Caroline Papillon - aka butterfly in French). Just on Sunday Tim Roberts had a picture of an oak tree with its branches reaching far and wide and bearing fruit right to the ends. How good is God. And how cool that the original prophecy is being fulfilled! Although my journey has been long and arduous in parts - God has been there all along. Although there have been many difficult processes that I've had to work through - I have worked through them through the grace of God and grown into a strong oak and a beautiful butterfly. Don't get me wrong - I'm not boasting or bigging myself up, neither have I 'made it' - no - these are just illustrations of how amazing God is, and how He is true to His word. No matter how dark or deep or painful your journey may be right now, keep holding on to God. He will carry you when you need carrying. He will encourage you when you need encouraging. He will hold you when you need holding. He will run with you when you are running. He will backtrack to meet you when you are walking in the other direction. He will run to find you when you are lost.
Sometimes there are highs, sometimes there are lows. Sometimes there are hurdles, sometimes there are battles but God is with you all along. Mountain top experiences are awesome, but nothing grows on mountain tops because the air is so thin. Sometimes we need to be taken to the valley because it is where things grow. Desserts can seem barren and dry, but it is often where God takes us in order to whisper to us in a place which is away from the hustle and bustle of life. Drought is a horrible thing, but isn't it in drought that we seek the water more intently and intensely?
So where am I headed? To be honest I don't know exactly. But I know there is more because God hasn't finished with me yet. What about you? Where are you headed? Perhaps you don't know either but keep hoping, keep dreaming, keep believing, keep walking with God. 'Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith' Hebrews 12v1-2. For surely 'he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion' Philippians 1v6.
God bless you all - don't give up - there is so much MORE to come!!!!!!!!!
Monday, 6 February 2012
God can
Mental how yesterday I was talking about not hearing from God, and then like literally He did not stop talking to me through people and through visions and pictures yesterday. SO cool.
Also amazing how Helen's talk at WCC was pretty much the same as my blog.... do you think God's saying something? Exciting times!
Anyways! Check out today's reading Genesis 41 - it is packed full of amazing stuff! Here are a few things that struck me..
1) Joseph didn't rush God or God's plan. I love how the Bible just says 'when two full years had passed'. Joseph was still in prison at this point, despite 2 years earlier, his hoping that the cupbearer who had been freed would talk to Pharaoh and get him released. It doesn't say anything about Joseph huffing and puffing and getting frustrated. He just seemed to live out his life to the full in the situation he found himself in. Do we do this? Further more there is no account of him pleading with the guard, trying to send letters to the Pharoah or begging for his own release. He knew God had a plan and he knew the wait was part of it. He just got on with it and waited on God.
It's easy for us to get impatient and to try and hurry things along when really we should just 'ride God's wave' and wait for Him to unfold and fulfil His plan. A premature baby often experiences life threatening difficulties at least in the first stages of life. A premature plan that has not been prepared and matured to it's fullness can often create problems. Let God carry you and unveil His plan as He does.
2) Joseph accredited everything to God. It probably could have been easy for him to say 'oh yes, it is ME who interprets dreams, come to ME and I will help you'. This was a God given gift that Joseph had. When Pharoah asks Joseph to interpret his dreams, Joseph replies in verse 16 'I cannot do it... but God will give Pharoah the answer'. How often do we take pride in our own capabilities rather than praising God for His giftings, and accrediting our abilities to God. This is where pride can set in. Now don't mistake me, there is a fine line between accrediting things to God and being joyful about it, and thinking you are worthless and incapable of doing anything. NO, we must give God praise for our giftings but also stand on the promises of who we are in Christ. I know I am fearfully and wonderfully made, but I also know that God is my Creator. I don't go around hanging my head in shame like a low self-esteemed cripple. Neither do I hold my nose in the air and think I'm better than everyone else. No, I hold my head up in praise and thanks to God because He made me who I am. I hope this makes sense!
3) To my knowledge Pharoah was not a believer in the same God as Joseph, yet God was still speaking to him through dreams. I strongly believe God can speak to people and use people despite their lack of faith or belief in him. I am a strong believer that we should use people's God-given giftings and talents before they are believers. Why waste what God has given people? SO yes, lets have non-christians in our worship bands, let's involve non-christians in our cell groups and let's give them a voice. I know this is a controversial subject, but what are we celebrating? Someone's ability to say yes I believe in you God and join the 'us and them club' or are we celebrating and utilising and recognising God's generous gifts and the fact that he loves people so much that even 'whilst they are sinners' He can use them? Thoughts and comments appreciated!
4) Joseph obeyed God. He remained faithful to Him even in prison. He could have said 'oh no I gave up interpreting dreams because God stuck me in prison'. But he didn't. He remained faithful and true and obedient. And because of this God gave him authority, power and dominion over the storehouses of Eygyt! How cool is that. Let's be obedient, even when it hurts, and let's see just what God can do!
5) Finally, it took Pharoah a lot of guts to believe Joseph's interpretation. There was no sign of a famine, so why should he save for one? It took faith to believe Joseph, and be obedient to God even when it seemed like a ridiculous idea. Storing up barnfulls of grain would have looked stupid during so many years of plentiful and abundant harvest. Yet I learn two things here. 1 - Trust God and remain faithful even in the most ridiculous situation. 2 - Let us be so faithful and true to God, that even 'non-believers' or our employers or our friends see this and trust our God too!
What amazing thoughts for today!
Also amazing how Helen's talk at WCC was pretty much the same as my blog.... do you think God's saying something? Exciting times!
Anyways! Check out today's reading Genesis 41 - it is packed full of amazing stuff! Here are a few things that struck me..
1) Joseph didn't rush God or God's plan. I love how the Bible just says 'when two full years had passed'. Joseph was still in prison at this point, despite 2 years earlier, his hoping that the cupbearer who had been freed would talk to Pharaoh and get him released. It doesn't say anything about Joseph huffing and puffing and getting frustrated. He just seemed to live out his life to the full in the situation he found himself in. Do we do this? Further more there is no account of him pleading with the guard, trying to send letters to the Pharoah or begging for his own release. He knew God had a plan and he knew the wait was part of it. He just got on with it and waited on God.
It's easy for us to get impatient and to try and hurry things along when really we should just 'ride God's wave' and wait for Him to unfold and fulfil His plan. A premature baby often experiences life threatening difficulties at least in the first stages of life. A premature plan that has not been prepared and matured to it's fullness can often create problems. Let God carry you and unveil His plan as He does.
2) Joseph accredited everything to God. It probably could have been easy for him to say 'oh yes, it is ME who interprets dreams, come to ME and I will help you'. This was a God given gift that Joseph had. When Pharoah asks Joseph to interpret his dreams, Joseph replies in verse 16 'I cannot do it... but God will give Pharoah the answer'. How often do we take pride in our own capabilities rather than praising God for His giftings, and accrediting our abilities to God. This is where pride can set in. Now don't mistake me, there is a fine line between accrediting things to God and being joyful about it, and thinking you are worthless and incapable of doing anything. NO, we must give God praise for our giftings but also stand on the promises of who we are in Christ. I know I am fearfully and wonderfully made, but I also know that God is my Creator. I don't go around hanging my head in shame like a low self-esteemed cripple. Neither do I hold my nose in the air and think I'm better than everyone else. No, I hold my head up in praise and thanks to God because He made me who I am. I hope this makes sense!
3) To my knowledge Pharoah was not a believer in the same God as Joseph, yet God was still speaking to him through dreams. I strongly believe God can speak to people and use people despite their lack of faith or belief in him. I am a strong believer that we should use people's God-given giftings and talents before they are believers. Why waste what God has given people? SO yes, lets have non-christians in our worship bands, let's involve non-christians in our cell groups and let's give them a voice. I know this is a controversial subject, but what are we celebrating? Someone's ability to say yes I believe in you God and join the 'us and them club' or are we celebrating and utilising and recognising God's generous gifts and the fact that he loves people so much that even 'whilst they are sinners' He can use them? Thoughts and comments appreciated!
4) Joseph obeyed God. He remained faithful to Him even in prison. He could have said 'oh no I gave up interpreting dreams because God stuck me in prison'. But he didn't. He remained faithful and true and obedient. And because of this God gave him authority, power and dominion over the storehouses of Eygyt! How cool is that. Let's be obedient, even when it hurts, and let's see just what God can do!
5) Finally, it took Pharoah a lot of guts to believe Joseph's interpretation. There was no sign of a famine, so why should he save for one? It took faith to believe Joseph, and be obedient to God even when it seemed like a ridiculous idea. Storing up barnfulls of grain would have looked stupid during so many years of plentiful and abundant harvest. Yet I learn two things here. 1 - Trust God and remain faithful even in the most ridiculous situation. 2 - Let us be so faithful and true to God, that even 'non-believers' or our employers or our friends see this and trust our God too!
What amazing thoughts for today!
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Bear with it like the cupbearer
Part 1
So today, I really felt like God hadn't spoke to me personally in a while. I felt somewhat sad and distant from God. Just because I write this blog, please don't think I'm there and I've made it and I am always hearing from God. I'm not. And this is my journey of that.
Anyways, I like to picture God as loving us so much that He is often bursting with things to tell us, if we would just sit down and listen. So I confessed any sin that might have been in the way of Him speaking and asked Him to talk to me. He showed me this:
I had just made a cafetiere jug of coffee and taken water out of my kettle to do so. (Stay with me on this, I know this is from God - especially seeing as my homepage was advertising a kettle as I opened up my laptop to write this). God said that often we can use up what is within us to bless or make something useful, productive and even better. I had used up water from the kettle to make a really nice cup of coffee. This is good and far tastier than boiled water. He then said that actually we can leak or use up what is within us for pointless purposes and for things that are not useful and which will just drain us. I will now go and refill my kettle to make another cup of coffee, however if I was to just pour the water over the floor, it would be pointless.
Let's use our giftings and our inner resources positively and for useful things and not waste them on meaningless things that are not beneficial to anyone. Hope that makes sense.
Part 2
So I've been very blessed by the story of Joseph so far in Genesis. I can't wait to hear more at WCC over the next few weeks, but here is what has struck me so far.
Joseph had a journey. He went through seasons. He went through seasons of having favour with his father and enjoying an amazing, intimate relationship with him. He went through horrific seasons of being bullied by his brothers. He was sold as a slave and put in prison. Yet all along, regardless of what seasons he was in, he kept on trusting in God and believing in God's way and God's purposes. He never gave up. Genesis 39:23 says 'The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.' Joseph followed God and trusted Him even through the hard times. And even in those hard times, Joseph was successful.
Do not think that all is lost and wasted because the season you are in is difficult. God is still with you, and God can still grant you success in these difficult places! Keep following God, keep trusting Him.
Neither did Joseph give up or let his past prevent his future. He kept on going, kept on trusting and kept on believing for more - even when the chief cupbearer who was reinstated forgot to remember Joseph to the Pharaoh. This was probably the biggest blow - Joseph sat waiting to be released, yet was forgotten about and left in prison for 2 more years! Did that stop him? Did that stop him trusting in God? No. It just made the story even more amazing, it meant that he was handpicked by Pharaoh, that Pharaoh chose to turn to him rather than just something based on heresay or word of mouth.
God is with you in the difficult seasons just as much as the joyful ones. Do not let your current situation prevent your future. Again, keep dreaming, keep expecting and praying for more. Keep truting and following God. Never give up. There is more.
So today, I really felt like God hadn't spoke to me personally in a while. I felt somewhat sad and distant from God. Just because I write this blog, please don't think I'm there and I've made it and I am always hearing from God. I'm not. And this is my journey of that.
Anyways, I like to picture God as loving us so much that He is often bursting with things to tell us, if we would just sit down and listen. So I confessed any sin that might have been in the way of Him speaking and asked Him to talk to me. He showed me this:
I had just made a cafetiere jug of coffee and taken water out of my kettle to do so. (Stay with me on this, I know this is from God - especially seeing as my homepage was advertising a kettle as I opened up my laptop to write this). God said that often we can use up what is within us to bless or make something useful, productive and even better. I had used up water from the kettle to make a really nice cup of coffee. This is good and far tastier than boiled water. He then said that actually we can leak or use up what is within us for pointless purposes and for things that are not useful and which will just drain us. I will now go and refill my kettle to make another cup of coffee, however if I was to just pour the water over the floor, it would be pointless.
Let's use our giftings and our inner resources positively and for useful things and not waste them on meaningless things that are not beneficial to anyone. Hope that makes sense.
Part 2
So I've been very blessed by the story of Joseph so far in Genesis. I can't wait to hear more at WCC over the next few weeks, but here is what has struck me so far.
Joseph had a journey. He went through seasons. He went through seasons of having favour with his father and enjoying an amazing, intimate relationship with him. He went through horrific seasons of being bullied by his brothers. He was sold as a slave and put in prison. Yet all along, regardless of what seasons he was in, he kept on trusting in God and believing in God's way and God's purposes. He never gave up. Genesis 39:23 says 'The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.' Joseph followed God and trusted Him even through the hard times. And even in those hard times, Joseph was successful.
Do not think that all is lost and wasted because the season you are in is difficult. God is still with you, and God can still grant you success in these difficult places! Keep following God, keep trusting Him.
Neither did Joseph give up or let his past prevent his future. He kept on going, kept on trusting and kept on believing for more - even when the chief cupbearer who was reinstated forgot to remember Joseph to the Pharaoh. This was probably the biggest blow - Joseph sat waiting to be released, yet was forgotten about and left in prison for 2 more years! Did that stop him? Did that stop him trusting in God? No. It just made the story even more amazing, it meant that he was handpicked by Pharaoh, that Pharaoh chose to turn to him rather than just something based on heresay or word of mouth.
God is with you in the difficult seasons just as much as the joyful ones. Do not let your current situation prevent your future. Again, keep dreaming, keep expecting and praying for more. Keep truting and following God. Never give up. There is more.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
In the net
Following Sunday's amazing vision night and thinking about the whole net illustration, and something Tim spoke about a few weeks ago I have been really thinking over the fact that 'the closer we are to God the closer are friends are to God'. This is something which has really impacted me and made me think.
Let me share a couple of things (I REAALLY hope I don't offend anyone and am not mentioning names, but I hope these stories illustrate a few points)....
The last couple of weeks I have really been trying hard in my relationship with God. I've been attempting a quiet time every day and even making the effort to get up early to read my Bible and pray before work. The journal has really helped me to focus on this better. I have also been praying more about certain things and just generally tried to stop being so lazy and make more of an effort. I am trying to give God the start of my day rather than the last dregs of a busy day which consist of reading a Bible passage to tick the box and saying a quick one line prayer whilst turning the light off and going to sleep.
However since I have been focusing on praying more, spending more time with God and actually making an effort, some amazing things have happened. A close friend who I value a lot collapsed in work this week and was rushed to hospital with some sort of virus in his heart tubes (forgive my lack of technical vocab). He is not a Christian, however this incident and some amazing answers to prayer have been a real eye-opener to him. He came to church for the first time a few weeks ago and also, during his scare, even prayed himself.
Another friend emailed saying how much he had been blessed by this blog, and although he wasn't a Christian, he had really taken some positive stuff from it.
My work has massively improved and I was graded 'outstanding' after a lesson observation today. Praise God for my work and influence within this area, and the number of boys lives I am hopefully impacting merely through following God's calling for me to teach and for placing me in this area.
So I was thinking that perhaps, and in line with the 'net' illustration we were shown on Sunday, if we are on a higher level of intimacy with God, then perhaps this also influences our friends and in a way 'pulls' them up to higher intimacy and brings them into a closer place in relation to God. If we are linked to our friends, like the links in a net, and if we then pursue closeness with God, then does that mean that we bring our friends closer to God also? Not that they should live out their faith through us, but still, you get the idea. Some good thinking.
Secondly, I was reading about Jacob in Genesis 25 and how God renamed him Israel. Now, little did I know but Israel means 'he struggles with God'. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong but wasn't Jacob/Israel one of the biggest influential leaders of the Old Testament? Was the name Israel not given to a whole nation? And yet it denotes suffering? This absolutely made my heart leap for joy when I read this.
WE DO NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE USED BY GOD AND TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! It's ok to struggle. God can still use you. Your struggles do not prevent God from moving in your life, working through you and using you for His glory and in His plans! Just look at Jacob.
So, no more thinking you are too useless to be loved or used by God. NO. God uses the strugglers and the weak and the seemingly 'inferior' people to make massive differences just as much as anyone else. Let Him use you today!!!!!
Let me share a couple of things (I REAALLY hope I don't offend anyone and am not mentioning names, but I hope these stories illustrate a few points)....
The last couple of weeks I have really been trying hard in my relationship with God. I've been attempting a quiet time every day and even making the effort to get up early to read my Bible and pray before work. The journal has really helped me to focus on this better. I have also been praying more about certain things and just generally tried to stop being so lazy and make more of an effort. I am trying to give God the start of my day rather than the last dregs of a busy day which consist of reading a Bible passage to tick the box and saying a quick one line prayer whilst turning the light off and going to sleep.
However since I have been focusing on praying more, spending more time with God and actually making an effort, some amazing things have happened. A close friend who I value a lot collapsed in work this week and was rushed to hospital with some sort of virus in his heart tubes (forgive my lack of technical vocab). He is not a Christian, however this incident and some amazing answers to prayer have been a real eye-opener to him. He came to church for the first time a few weeks ago and also, during his scare, even prayed himself.
Another friend emailed saying how much he had been blessed by this blog, and although he wasn't a Christian, he had really taken some positive stuff from it.
My work has massively improved and I was graded 'outstanding' after a lesson observation today. Praise God for my work and influence within this area, and the number of boys lives I am hopefully impacting merely through following God's calling for me to teach and for placing me in this area.
So I was thinking that perhaps, and in line with the 'net' illustration we were shown on Sunday, if we are on a higher level of intimacy with God, then perhaps this also influences our friends and in a way 'pulls' them up to higher intimacy and brings them into a closer place in relation to God. If we are linked to our friends, like the links in a net, and if we then pursue closeness with God, then does that mean that we bring our friends closer to God also? Not that they should live out their faith through us, but still, you get the idea. Some good thinking.
Secondly, I was reading about Jacob in Genesis 25 and how God renamed him Israel. Now, little did I know but Israel means 'he struggles with God'. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong but wasn't Jacob/Israel one of the biggest influential leaders of the Old Testament? Was the name Israel not given to a whole nation? And yet it denotes suffering? This absolutely made my heart leap for joy when I read this.
WE DO NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE USED BY GOD AND TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! It's ok to struggle. God can still use you. Your struggles do not prevent God from moving in your life, working through you and using you for His glory and in His plans! Just look at Jacob.
So, no more thinking you are too useless to be loved or used by God. NO. God uses the strugglers and the weak and the seemingly 'inferior' people to make massive differences just as much as anyone else. Let Him use you today!!!!!
Orphans and widows
Ok this is a random blog - I wrote this some time ago, but I have not been able to think about blogging anything else until this has been posted. I hope it blesses someone!
'This is a thinking process in progress. It is only something I'm pondering over - not gospel truths necessarily so I don't mean to offend anyone in the process.
James 1:27
'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.'
What does this mean? Who are the orphans and widows we need to look after? I don't particularly know many of them, and I don't know where to start looking. Yet why this command? I don't get it.
For ages I have been pondering over this command. It has been on my heart for a while now. I have been praying and asking God to show me what He means by this. And then BAM, yesterday when reading 'I Am your Father' by Mark Stibbe I had a revelation.
So what is an orphan? An orphan is a child without a Father (and mother).
What is a widow? A woman bride without her husband.
Upon thinking this over, I came to realise that a person without God (i.e. a non-Christian for want of a better word), is a person without their Father - God. In other words we might consider them to be an orphan.
In addition, if Christians form the body of the bride of Christ, a non-Christian is therefore not a bride or part of the body of Christ that is referred to as the bride, and is without a husband i.e. God. So that makes them a widow.
Therefore, in stating we should look after orphans and widows, is this meaning we should look after anyone who is not a Christian?
How quick are we to judge? How unaccepting of others who do not believe what we believe are we? How many times do we criticise non-believers, or bully them into adopting our way of thinking. We are told to 'look after' them. When was the last time you looked after or looked out for a non-believer as opposed to only looking after Christians. When did you do something for a non believer - clean their house, wash their clothes, buy them coffee, listen to them, give them a call.
There is a dying world out there and it is up to us to do something about it.
Let's look after the orphans and widows of the spiritual world - the fatherless, the needy, those who do not know Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please help me to do the same!!!!!!!!!!
Just a few thoughts.'
'This is a thinking process in progress. It is only something I'm pondering over - not gospel truths necessarily so I don't mean to offend anyone in the process.
James 1:27
'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.'
What does this mean? Who are the orphans and widows we need to look after? I don't particularly know many of them, and I don't know where to start looking. Yet why this command? I don't get it.
For ages I have been pondering over this command. It has been on my heart for a while now. I have been praying and asking God to show me what He means by this. And then BAM, yesterday when reading 'I Am your Father' by Mark Stibbe I had a revelation.
So what is an orphan? An orphan is a child without a Father (and mother).
What is a widow? A woman bride without her husband.
Upon thinking this over, I came to realise that a person without God (i.e. a non-Christian for want of a better word), is a person without their Father - God. In other words we might consider them to be an orphan.
In addition, if Christians form the body of the bride of Christ, a non-Christian is therefore not a bride or part of the body of Christ that is referred to as the bride, and is without a husband i.e. God. So that makes them a widow.
Therefore, in stating we should look after orphans and widows, is this meaning we should look after anyone who is not a Christian?
How quick are we to judge? How unaccepting of others who do not believe what we believe are we? How many times do we criticise non-believers, or bully them into adopting our way of thinking. We are told to 'look after' them. When was the last time you looked after or looked out for a non-believer as opposed to only looking after Christians. When did you do something for a non believer - clean their house, wash their clothes, buy them coffee, listen to them, give them a call.
There is a dying world out there and it is up to us to do something about it.
Let's look after the orphans and widows of the spiritual world - the fatherless, the needy, those who do not know Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please help me to do the same!!!!!!!!!!
Just a few thoughts.'
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