Numbers 13:30-33: “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
10 spies saw the problems - the walls are too big, the people are too big - 2 saw the promise.
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (2 Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (1 Peter 5:7)
You say: "I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
Behold God's perspective! Believe God's promises! Be like the 2 spies!
9 November 2009
11 October 2009
Why Pray?
I’ve been reading R.A. Torrey’s book ‘How to Pray’. This is a powerful book. I thought I would share some text extracted from the first chapter on 'The Importance of Prayer'. A couple of my thoughts are added in italics.
"But why is this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer so needful?’
1. First of all, because there is a devil. He is cunning, he is mighty, he never rests, he is ever plotting the downfall of the child of God; and if the child of God relaxes in prayer, the devil will succeed in ensnaring him…
2. Prayer is God’s appointed way for obtaining things, and the great secret of all lack in our experience, in our life and in our work is neglect of prayer…
3. Those men whom God set forth as a pattern of what he expected Christians to be – the Apostles – regarded prayer as the most important business of their lives…Read Acts to see how prayer and Holy Spirit empowered ministry went hand in hand
4. Prayer occupied a very prominent place and played a very important part in the earthly life of our Lord…If so important for Jesus, how much more should it be for us
5. Prayer is the most important part of the present ministry of our risen Lord…He intercedes for us now
6. Prayer is the means that God has appointed for our receiving mercy, and obtaining grace to help in time of need…
7. Prayer in the name of Jesus Christ is the way Jesus Christ himself has appointed for his disciples to obtain fullness of joy…
8. Prayer, in every care an anxiety and need of life, with thanksgiving, is the means that God has appointed for obtaining freedom from all anxiety, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding…
9. Prayer is the method that God himself has appointed for our obtaining the Holy Spirit…
10. Prayer is the means that Christ has appointed whereby our hearts shall not become overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so the day of Christ’s return come upon us suddenly as a snare…
11. Because of what prayer accomplishes…
- Prayer promotes our spiritual growth as almost nothing else…
- Prayer brings power into our work…
- Prayer avails for the conversion of others…
- Prayer brings blessings to the church…"
I hope this has informed, refreshed and blessed you.
How is your prayer life?
"But why is this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer so needful?’
1. First of all, because there is a devil. He is cunning, he is mighty, he never rests, he is ever plotting the downfall of the child of God; and if the child of God relaxes in prayer, the devil will succeed in ensnaring him…
2. Prayer is God’s appointed way for obtaining things, and the great secret of all lack in our experience, in our life and in our work is neglect of prayer…
3. Those men whom God set forth as a pattern of what he expected Christians to be – the Apostles – regarded prayer as the most important business of their lives…Read Acts to see how prayer and Holy Spirit empowered ministry went hand in hand
4. Prayer occupied a very prominent place and played a very important part in the earthly life of our Lord…If so important for Jesus, how much more should it be for us
5. Prayer is the most important part of the present ministry of our risen Lord…He intercedes for us now
6. Prayer is the means that God has appointed for our receiving mercy, and obtaining grace to help in time of need…
7. Prayer in the name of Jesus Christ is the way Jesus Christ himself has appointed for his disciples to obtain fullness of joy…
8. Prayer, in every care an anxiety and need of life, with thanksgiving, is the means that God has appointed for obtaining freedom from all anxiety, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding…
9. Prayer is the method that God himself has appointed for our obtaining the Holy Spirit…
10. Prayer is the means that Christ has appointed whereby our hearts shall not become overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so the day of Christ’s return come upon us suddenly as a snare…
11. Because of what prayer accomplishes…
- Prayer promotes our spiritual growth as almost nothing else…
- Prayer brings power into our work…
- Prayer avails for the conversion of others…
- Prayer brings blessings to the church…"
I hope this has informed, refreshed and blessed you.
How is your prayer life?
12 September 2009
MEMO FROM GOD
I can't remember where I read this, but it's quite powerful...
MEMO FROM GOD:
As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear.
MEMO FROM GOD:
As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear.
When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait, fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long.
With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet.
You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me.
Bedtime - I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay.
I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.
Well, you are getting up once again. And once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time.
Have a nice day! Your friend, GOD
18 August 2009
Forgiveness - The Healthy Option
Job 18: 4: "You who tear yourselves to pieces in anger..."
Scanning through some old work I came across this article I had saved on forgiveness:
The Times - January 3, 2008 - To err is human, to forgive good for your health by Rebecca Newman
"What could you never bring yourself to forgive – some transgression so heinous that the very idea of forgiving the treacherous toad responsible makes your blood boil? But what if forgiveness were good for your health? Forgiveness is, of course, a tenet central to most religions. Every Christian knows by heart the lines “forgive those who trespass against us . . .”
But it is not just balm for the soul. A ten-year research project reveals that “forgiveness interventions”, where patients are guided into forgiving thoughts, benefit their well being. Even one or two “interventions” can improve cardiovascular function, diminish chronic pain, relieve depression and lower blood pressure.
At the same time, the study found that an inability to pardon can raise a person’s risk of heart disease and mental illness.
Happily, for those to whom forgiveness does not come so easily, the researchers assert that it is behaviour that can be learnt, like eating well and taking exercise."
We must forgive for our own physical and spiritual well-being.
Sometimes we as Christians can simply forgive others because the Bible teaches us we must. Other times we need to ask God to help us forgive others, and He does. God may give us someone to help us on the pathway to forgiving. Through whatever means - FORGIVE.
Who do you need to forgive?
Scanning through some old work I came across this article I had saved on forgiveness:
The Times - January 3, 2008 - To err is human, to forgive good for your health by Rebecca Newman
"What could you never bring yourself to forgive – some transgression so heinous that the very idea of forgiving the treacherous toad responsible makes your blood boil? But what if forgiveness were good for your health? Forgiveness is, of course, a tenet central to most religions. Every Christian knows by heart the lines “forgive those who trespass against us . . .”
But it is not just balm for the soul. A ten-year research project reveals that “forgiveness interventions”, where patients are guided into forgiving thoughts, benefit their well being. Even one or two “interventions” can improve cardiovascular function, diminish chronic pain, relieve depression and lower blood pressure.
At the same time, the study found that an inability to pardon can raise a person’s risk of heart disease and mental illness.
Happily, for those to whom forgiveness does not come so easily, the researchers assert that it is behaviour that can be learnt, like eating well and taking exercise."
We must forgive for our own physical and spiritual well-being.
Sometimes we as Christians can simply forgive others because the Bible teaches us we must. Other times we need to ask God to help us forgive others, and He does. God may give us someone to help us on the pathway to forgiving. Through whatever means - FORGIVE.
Who do you need to forgive?
7 August 2009
Eat This Book!
I love this quote I read recently in ‘Life With God’ by Richard Foster, taken from ‘Eat This Book’ by Eugene Peterson. I also love the title ‘Eat This Book’!
“Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don’t simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus’ name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son.”
Do we see the Bible in this light? I know when I spend time reading the word of God my spiritual heartbeat picks up, there is an alertness in me, I know what I need to do, how I need to live.
Hebrews 4:12 - “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
How often are you eating this great Book?
“Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don’t simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus’ name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son.”
Do we see the Bible in this light? I know when I spend time reading the word of God my spiritual heartbeat picks up, there is an alertness in me, I know what I need to do, how I need to live.
Hebrews 4:12 - “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
How often are you eating this great Book?
2 August 2009
Refreshment and Restoration
Acts 3:17-26 - Read about times of refreshing which we can access now (v.19) and a time of restoration which is to come (v.21).
Be Filled With The Holy Spirit
Acts 4:8 -10 - "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."
Acts 2:4 - "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Acts 4:31 - “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Points to remember:
1) Prayer can precede being filled with the Holy Spirit. . When we step out to witness we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Why only ‘can’? We have to have the knowledge of this and the desire to be filled. We need to ask. When we ask and we receive these times of prayer and witnessing are powerful.
2) We can be filled individually and we can be filled corporately. In Acts 2:4 and 4:31 the corporate infilling came after a time(s) of prayer.
3) Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit more than once. He was present in all three situations mentioned in the Bible verses above. Ephesians 6:18 tells us that we need to be continually filled: “…be filled with the Spirit.” It is not clear in the Bible as to why (unless someone can enlighten me), but many a great man and woman of God have said in the past that we ‘leak’ as we sin (light and darkness cannot dwell in the same place) or as we minister and witness to others.
Acts 2:4 - "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Acts 4:31 - “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Points to remember:
1) Prayer can precede being filled with the Holy Spirit. . When we step out to witness we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Why only ‘can’? We have to have the knowledge of this and the desire to be filled. We need to ask. When we ask and we receive these times of prayer and witnessing are powerful.
2) We can be filled individually and we can be filled corporately. In Acts 2:4 and 4:31 the corporate infilling came after a time(s) of prayer.
3) Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit more than once. He was present in all three situations mentioned in the Bible verses above. Ephesians 6:18 tells us that we need to be continually filled: “…be filled with the Spirit.” It is not clear in the Bible as to why (unless someone can enlighten me), but many a great man and woman of God have said in the past that we ‘leak’ as we sin (light and darkness cannot dwell in the same place) or as we minister and witness to others.
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