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Friday 30 July 2010
Friday 11 June 2010
Open your eyes and see the wonderful mystery of love ♪
I don't really know what to write today, I just feel like writing. I thought seeing as I had time, and not much else to do, I would write to this. Because we dedicate time to the things we love. And I thought, I should do this more. I love blogging, because I love hearing from God. But then, the less I blog, the less I listen to hear. I feel that I should definitely use this more. God doesn't want anyone to be "lukewarm", and I do tell people that as advice, but I needed to remind myself. It's not that I've ignored Him, or stopped talking to Him, it's just that I know I'm supposed to be doing this, it's something He wants me to do to learn and grow, and I need to do it more often.
John 15:4 - Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
There is no denying that even if I do nothing, I am still a vine. But vines don't grow unless they are watered, so I need to be watered more to grow more!!! :)
John 15:4 - Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
There is no denying that even if I do nothing, I am still a vine. But vines don't grow unless they are watered, so I need to be watered more to grow more!!! :)
Friday 28 May 2010
Heads or Tails?
I want to show you something revolutionary, something that will (or should) change your life and the way you think. In the word's of Switchfoot "Life is not what I thought it was 24 hours ago ♪"
Mark 9:33-35 - They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
When you make an approach to anything, you should think about this. Are you making the choice you are making, or doing what you are doing, knowing that it's going to make someone else come out of it bad, and possibly as well that you will come out of it good?!
Then you're thinking upside-down.I can't judge, we've all done it, I'm just addressing something that I think could change the world if we change the way we think.
I think it's human nature to want to be liked. It's human nature to want people to admire you or say nice things about you. It's human nature to want recognition for things you achieve. But that's not what you should be thinking. Don't think you should have the credit, allow others to take it. Not in a "walk-all-over you" way, but step back and allow the glory to be passed to others :) And be happy for them, and proud of them!
To be the best, you need to put yourself below everyone else. That's not just under a few people, with a few people below you who you "know" are worse people than you are. No, he means everyone.
I believe there are two reasons why God wants us to think like this:
Firstly, you feel better about yourself, and see everyone in a more positive light. You see the best in people, and so get the best out of people, and in return the best is shown in you.
Secondly, you need to practice serving. Serving is not easy, it is inconvenient. If it wasn't it wouldn't be serving it would be entertainment. God rewards those who serve others, and he will reward them in Heaven. That may not seem relevant or good enough for you NOW, at this point in time, but I've noticed a reward the second I do anything so much as compliment someone. I feel a sense of happiness that I've made someone else happy. Not in a boastful way, but in a way where I feel proud of myself that I've been nice to that person :)
There's also a third, but I feel seperate reason. Read this:
Deuteronomy 28:13 - The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
Ok, so the "commands of the LORD your God" are as the previous passage explains - putting others before yourself. So tick that off. Once you've done that God says He will make you above others. I think he does this as a reward in heaven. Also NOW. People are impatient, especially me! But there are rewards NOW. Think of someone you admire, someone you think a lot of, and think they are a really nice person. Ok, now how do they treat other people? Do they help people? Make nice comments to people? Or do they talk about people behind their backs, or be really horrible to people? I'm guessing they're a lovely and kind person, yes? People admire nice people.
And the person being admired will most likely be very humble too, that comes with the practicing of putting others before yourself.
So, heads or tails - what's it gonna be?
Friday 14 May 2010
Step It Up and Step Out!
It's all very well saying you have faith, but sometimes there's something you need to do... Step Out.
Sometimes it's hard to step out in faith, because you need to have more faith!
So step it up!
But it's not just about faith. Sometimes I don't think we realise there's more to it than belief. There's a little thing in the way called "acceptance"... you may know it as "willingness"... ring any bells for you?
I hope so, it should.
There are things you don't want to do sometimes. There are things you think "I'm not sure if that's definitely God (even if you are pretty sure it is) so I'll wait". Well I'll tell you something, God has an answer to that one too...
This is what David says in Psalm 119:60
"I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands."
And look what God did for David! If you don't know, then look it up or ask! Because it's amazing how much he did for him!
DON'T think that God will just "pick someone else to do it" because although He can, he is all-knowing, so he has chosen you for a reason. He knows these things:
How it will advance His kingdom for His glory
How it will test you, and allow your relationship with Him to build and grow
How you will benefit from it, and how others will too
He knows your attitudes, how you think, act towards people, and in different situations, and how you will do this job for Him.
He knows you are right for it. So you should know you are right for it too!
He also knows how much faith you have. He will still ask you to do things when you have little faith.
Here are some times He did just that, He doesn't beat about the bush this God! Seriously!
1) Matthew 8:23-26 - Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
He expected them not to be afraid even though he said He knew they had little faith.
2) Matthew 14:30-32 - Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
He expected Peter to step out of the boat even though he said He knew Peter had little faith that it would work.
Sometimes it's hard to step out in faith, because you need to have more faith!
So step it up!
But it's not just about faith. Sometimes I don't think we realise there's more to it than belief. There's a little thing in the way called "acceptance"... you may know it as "willingness"... ring any bells for you?
I hope so, it should.
There are things you don't want to do sometimes. There are things you think "I'm not sure if that's definitely God (even if you are pretty sure it is) so I'll wait". Well I'll tell you something, God has an answer to that one too...
This is what David says in Psalm 119:60
"I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands."
And look what God did for David! If you don't know, then look it up or ask! Because it's amazing how much he did for him!
DON'T think that God will just "pick someone else to do it" because although He can, he is all-knowing, so he has chosen you for a reason. He knows these things:
How it will advance His kingdom for His glory
How it will test you, and allow your relationship with Him to build and grow
How you will benefit from it, and how others will too
He knows your attitudes, how you think, act towards people, and in different situations, and how you will do this job for Him.
He knows you are right for it. So you should know you are right for it too!
He also knows how much faith you have. He will still ask you to do things when you have little faith.
Here are some times He did just that, He doesn't beat about the bush this God! Seriously!
1) Matthew 8:23-26 - Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
He expected them not to be afraid even though he said He knew they had little faith.
2) Matthew 14:30-32 - Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
He expected Peter to step out of the boat even though he said He knew Peter had little faith that it would work.
Jesus then says:
Matthew 17:20 - He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
"Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you" ~ God (Genesis 27:8)
Friday 7 May 2010
We will shout for your glory
I love serving people. I'm still learning, but then again isn't everyone?
But I know that I of all people need to learn to do so more than I am doing already.
I need to not say things when it is really not necessary to say them - mainly things about people or to people that are forming a negative opinion. I need to get one thing clear, to you but also to myself - putting negative thoughts into words is just putting power behind them. And power behind them forms opinions in my own head and other people's heads that are negative, non-beneficial, and probably not true. God sees everyone in a good light, He chooses to see them at their best rather than pointing out their worst. I seriously need to remember to do this! That's what it's all about. I wonder if I saw some of the things people are going through, would I have the same opinion of them? Well, I know this is true. I have a story about this - ask me about it :)
I would recommened listening to these songs to get a deeper understanding of what I'm babbling on about ;)
Firstly, Beautiful Stranger by Rebecca St James
and With Everything by Hillsong
1 Samuel 12:24 - But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
But I know that I of all people need to learn to do so more than I am doing already.
I need to not say things when it is really not necessary to say them - mainly things about people or to people that are forming a negative opinion. I need to get one thing clear, to you but also to myself - putting negative thoughts into words is just putting power behind them. And power behind them forms opinions in my own head and other people's heads that are negative, non-beneficial, and probably not true. God sees everyone in a good light, He chooses to see them at their best rather than pointing out their worst. I seriously need to remember to do this! That's what it's all about. I wonder if I saw some of the things people are going through, would I have the same opinion of them? Well, I know this is true. I have a story about this - ask me about it :)
I would recommened listening to these songs to get a deeper understanding of what I'm babbling on about ;)
Firstly, Beautiful Stranger by Rebecca St James
and With Everything by Hillsong
1 Samuel 12:24 - But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
Tuesday 20 April 2010
I see the King of Glory... coming on the clouds with fire!
Only a quick blog, but I wanted to say, throw everything at God! And grab all the good things with both hands! Like Paul Field said at Sold Out on Saturday evening, don't mistake leaving everything at the cross as including your sense of humour! Christians aren't boring! If anything we have more reason to be happy and someone to fall back on when we're not! There is of course that verse about leaving your problems at the cross, but it's good not to leave who you are there! God loves you for who you are, so stay how you are! This is something I really love. It says in Exodus 13:21:
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
The cloud was to keep them comfortable from the heat during the day when it could cause them to suffer, and lead them in the right direction. The pillar of fire was to show them the way when they could not see it themselves, and to keep them warm and comforted.
See how thoughtful God is! They only had to follow Him! But I don't think I'm lying when I say they didn't have to do anything at all! God didn't mind, He had only offered them the best and safest option for them! Of course they were going to take it! Which is why I wonder sometimes why there are people who see that as a burden, or lack of freedom to choose how to live. God is not a burden, He is the best weapon you will ever have, because He is always right, and He cannot be defeated!
And I would love to share just another thing which has struck me. Re-read the verse from Exodus above, then read this...
Isaiah 30:27 - See, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire.
If that isn't proof of God being with them with the cloud, and the fire, then ... I don't even know what to say! Wow, that has really actually struck me there. My goodness me, God is so good :)
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
The cloud was to keep them comfortable from the heat during the day when it could cause them to suffer, and lead them in the right direction. The pillar of fire was to show them the way when they could not see it themselves, and to keep them warm and comforted.
See how thoughtful God is! They only had to follow Him! But I don't think I'm lying when I say they didn't have to do anything at all! God didn't mind, He had only offered them the best and safest option for them! Of course they were going to take it! Which is why I wonder sometimes why there are people who see that as a burden, or lack of freedom to choose how to live. God is not a burden, He is the best weapon you will ever have, because He is always right, and He cannot be defeated!
And I would love to share just another thing which has struck me. Re-read the verse from Exodus above, then read this...
Isaiah 30:27 - See, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire.
If that isn't proof of God being with them with the cloud, and the fire, then ... I don't even know what to say! Wow, that has really actually struck me there. My goodness me, God is so good :)
Friday 9 April 2010
It's not about me!
I've had so many lessons on this lately! I think someone is trying to tell me something! I'm not afraid to admit it, it's helping me out by doing this! Here are some verses then I will explain:
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 15:3
The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
1 Peter 5:1
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Ok, so my point may be obvious. Be humble. I know what it means but I didn't understand. Let me explain. Even putting others higher than myself still left me waiting for recognition. Sometimes you sit there waiting for recognition. But even recognition doesn't last. Thing is, it is much better, and much more rewarding to let others take credit for things you have done (with the exception of being their doormat!). By encouraging others and showing them the good things in themselves in others, you are not only being a nicer person, but becoming a better person.
Like if I send someone a message that speaks to them, I would like them to reply so I know it was from God, and it encourages me. But I've learnt that sometimes I shouldn't get a reply. Sounds silly but it's not, because after a while you begin to subconciously focus on your successes. Even if it's God speaking to me, it's in our DNA to pull out the ME in the situation. Even if you don't mean to. It's just the way the brain works I think. Mine anyway. But if you don't go around being proud of yourself or showing everyone stuff you've done/ said, and let someone else, or let them find out themselves, then you get so much more out of it. You feel truly recognised and genuinely that the person actually cares. And you also let God do what HE wants which is awesome. And you get a real satisfaction out of it too. Trust me, I can think of an example of a situation a few months ago, I can't remember the exact details but I was waiting for recognition for something. But clearly what I had said to someone was satisfying enough for them to not need to say anything back to me. At the time I was like ok. Now I realise that was a lesson in the fact God was speaking through me TO them. He didn't need to reassure me, or give me any credit for it! So thanks to that person... God's noise is breaking through the airwaves!
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 15:3
The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
1 Peter 5:1
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Ok, so my point may be obvious. Be humble. I know what it means but I didn't understand. Let me explain. Even putting others higher than myself still left me waiting for recognition. Sometimes you sit there waiting for recognition. But even recognition doesn't last. Thing is, it is much better, and much more rewarding to let others take credit for things you have done (with the exception of being their doormat!). By encouraging others and showing them the good things in themselves in others, you are not only being a nicer person, but becoming a better person.
Like if I send someone a message that speaks to them, I would like them to reply so I know it was from God, and it encourages me. But I've learnt that sometimes I shouldn't get a reply. Sounds silly but it's not, because after a while you begin to subconciously focus on your successes. Even if it's God speaking to me, it's in our DNA to pull out the ME in the situation. Even if you don't mean to. It's just the way the brain works I think. Mine anyway. But if you don't go around being proud of yourself or showing everyone stuff you've done/ said, and let someone else, or let them find out themselves, then you get so much more out of it. You feel truly recognised and genuinely that the person actually cares. And you also let God do what HE wants which is awesome. And you get a real satisfaction out of it too. Trust me, I can think of an example of a situation a few months ago, I can't remember the exact details but I was waiting for recognition for something. But clearly what I had said to someone was satisfying enough for them to not need to say anything back to me. At the time I was like ok. Now I realise that was a lesson in the fact God was speaking through me TO them. He didn't need to reassure me, or give me any credit for it! So thanks to that person... God's noise is breaking through the airwaves!
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