God Speaking

Posted by: Jo | December 25, 2014

Do Not Be Afraid

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”

(Psalm 34:4)

The world seems to have become a much scarier place since I was a child. Perhaps it might seem that way because news, horrible news, spreads so quickly due to the internet and how everybody is glued to some sort of device that allows immediate access to any breaking news. These last few weeks have been filled with horrific stories of terrorism and killings of innocent people and even though we have just experienced the beautiful season of Christmas, with its message of peace and good will, perhaps we are approaching the beginning of a New Year with an uneasy feeling about what lies ahead for us. This is when we need to stop and remember that we who follow the Lord have the assurance of the Creator of the universe that he is at hand, that any sort of anxiety, fear of the future or trepidation cannot take over us.

Our Heavenly Father knew what power fear has for us mortals and over and over again he assures his children that we do not need to be afraid. His words to Abraham became a familiar greeting when God wished to impart his intent to his beloved children

“…Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

What an incredible mental picture is produced by these words. Who could possibly be afraid with the Lord God Almighty standing in front of us shielding us from anything that might harm us?

The beautiful foretelling of the Saviour’s birth also begins with those calming words;

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name, Jesus” (Luke 1:30 – 31)

We can all imagine what was racing through Mary’s mind at those words, but that all important phrase, “Do not be afraid” was sufficient for Mary to accept what the Lord had told her was to happen and then she was able to praise the Almighty God with that amazing song, The Magnificent. (Luke 1:46 – 55)

And when the Saviour is born we hear again those reassuring words coming from Heaven;

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” (Luke 2:10)

So when the terrors of the night consume us and ugly fear overcomes us, this powerful verse is a wonderful one to recite loudly to ourselves, to remind us of who stands in front of us shielding us.

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you, In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Psalm 56:3 – 4)

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Posted in Comfort, Encourage, Genesis, Luke, Psalms | Tags: Christian Living, Christianity, Courage, Footprints in the Sand, Jesus

Posted by: Jo | December 20, 2014

The Christmas Message Will Not Be Silenced

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire”

(Isaiah 55:11)

As I was walking through a busy shopping mall this week I was over whelmed by how the shops had been transformed by glitter, gaudy decorations, and Christmas trees loaded with toys, fake snow and at one corner a huge chair with Santa Clause waiting to greet a long line of little children. I was quite saddened by this display and was thinking of the simplicity of that first Christmas, and who was the reason that the angels sang so gloriously, and shepherds fell to their knees, had He been forgotten in this crazy shopping frenzy? But suddenly as I was still feeling downcast I suddenly realised what was playing over the mall loud speaker system, that beautiful Christmas carol, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. My mood lifted immediately as I realised that nothing can ever silence that incredible good news and I too sang along with the mall music rejoicing;

Hark the herald angels sing,

Glory to the new born king.

Since then I have started to listen more carefully and over and over again I hear the familiar carols, written so lovingly by devoted Christians proclaiming the good news for all mankind. Then I began to notice the other gentle reminders that far outshine the loud cries of the secular world, “come and buy, eat, drink and be merry’” these gentle reminders came in all different ways. I watched as the local church erected the life size figures of Joseph and Mary and how lovingly they were placing the animals and the angels, the crib remaining empty until Christmas day. I shared a special moment with another shopper looking for Christian-based Christmas cards as we both noticed each other searching for those special ones when she pressed into my hand a beautiful box of cards and said, “These have beautiful scripture verses inside.” and we both smiled at each other recognising we were both believers in that true meaning of Christmas.

I was then reminded how God spoke through the prophet, Isaiah proclaiming that his word would accomplish all that he desired.

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire…” (Isaiah 55:11)

We know that little Christ Child became that Word.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Jesus himself has promised that any opposition to the wonderful message that a Saviour who is Christ, has been born, will never succeed.

“…and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)

So this Christmas we can be sure that above any clamour the world can produce, joyous out pouring of the good news for all mankind will be heard, and we can rejoice with the angels and sing loudly and clearly the true message of Christmas.

“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

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Posted in Encourage, Inspiration, Isaiah, John, Luke, Matthew | Tags: Christian Living, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas day, Isaiah, Jesus

Posted by: Jo | December 12, 2014

Come Just As You Are

“Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

(Matthew 11:28)

When I was a young girl, the expression, “come just as you are” was a common one for impromptu get-togethers and was often used when the one invited had multiple excuses for not accepting the invitation to a spontaneous fun time. The excuses were varied and ranged from, “my hair is a mess” to “I haven’t a thing to wear” etc. The one inviting was insisting that between friends, outward appearances didn’t matter, but the friend’s company did. I was thinking back on that teenage angst of always worrying about how we appeared to others, when I remembered a momentous invitation that was made to a group of probably dirty, possibly smelly group of people, who didn’t rate anywhere on the social scale, and were looked down upon because of their lowly job of minding sheep and yet were allowed to come into the presence of the new born King of kings.

On that incredible night, those shepherds had no thoughts about quickly combing their hair, had no clean cloak to pull out of the cupboard, didn’t check their finger nails, just hurried as quickly as they could, to see and to kneel before the Christ child and they were welcomed just as they were!

Later when Jesus extends the same loving invitation to his disciples, there are no conditions to observe in regards to suitability, he doesn’t ask for references from previous employers, no police checks, just these loving words, “Come and see” He accepts them just as they are.

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see” (John 1:39)

It is very difficult for many of us to believe that our Saviour accepts us just as we are. Nobody who accepts his invitation to be with him, will be turned away because they don’t measure up to some set of strict rules, but still we feel he will only love us if can prove to him how good we really are. How foolish of us not to welcome his all-embracing unconditional love that only expects us to believe in him and to be willing to follow in his footsteps.

One of my favourite encounters Jesus had with someone, was his summoning Zacchaeus down from the tree and announcing that he was coming to dinner and staying the night. Zacchaeus’ response is heart-warming. He doesn’t worry about whether Jesus knows he is a dreaded tax collector or the state of his house or what he will give Jesus to eat, he realises the Saviour is loving him just as he is and there is no longer any need for pretense.

“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus , come down immediately . I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.” (Luke 19:5 – 6)

When we grasp there is no longer any need for pretense in front of the Lord, we are liberated from that dreadful feeling of always having to measure up. This liberating feeling then spills over into our personal lives. We allow others around us to just be who they are. Not insisting that they conform to our pattern of living.

The beautiful words, “just as I am” became famous in 1835 when Charlotte Elliot incorporated them into a beautiful hymn which became world known as the hymn Billy Graham used in his altar call at the end of his crusade message. These words were to give millions the freedom to leave behind whatever was holding them back from embracing that unconditional love so freely offered by the Lord. So too we can answer that call and come just as we are.

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Posted in Comfort, Encourage, John, Luke, Matthew | Tags: Christian Living, Christianity, Faith, Trust, Unconditional love

Posted by: Jo | December 5, 2014

The Season of Hope

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31)

The beautiful arrival of Advent, the heralding of Christmas approaching, is often described as a waiting time, a time of waiting expectantly, a time of waiting totally bathed in the spirit of hope. The word HOPE, is used in so many different ways it seems to have lost a lot of its deeper meaning in today’s world. We use it casually, “Hope you have a great day!” “Hope to see you soon” “Hope you get that job” etc. The dictionary has this definition;

desire combined with expectation

When we use it tempered with doubt, it loses its strength and becomes a meaningless word. “I hope I will be able to make it.” We can also use it in a derogatory way, “He is a hopeless case” We can also lose our goals and ambitions by “giving up hope”

Scripture uses this powerful word in an entirely different way. Paul describes it as one of the three Heavenly Graces, bestowed upon us by the love of Jesus Christ, a force to keep us close and in touch with him

“And now these three remain; faith, hope and love….” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

One of the greatest examples of the power of hope is found in Lamentations. Jeremiah, the prophet, probably could have been excused for giving up hope as he had struggled against all sorts of attacks and derision and scorn as he tried to bring the Word of God to a nation who was turning away from God, but yet despite all his afflictions, he never gave up hope in a loving God.

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope; Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21 – 23)

Hopelessness, on the other hand, can define us by negative attitudes, anger, bitterness and depression, but we can choose to banish these destructive forces and be filled with hope instead and when we exhibit this in our everyday life others are blessed by our positive attitude.

“May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word” (Psalm 119:74)

We all know how difficult it is to be with someone who is constantly negative about every proposed venture. We have heard it all, “It won’t work, you know” “Why waste your time on that”, but how willingly we welcome those who have the spirit of hope constantly filling them. When this hope is fired by love for the Lord, incredible things happen. How wonderful to feel our inner selves becoming stronger as we realise the Rock of Ages stands behind us. How liberating to soar above our troubles with wings like eagles, trusting the Lord to uphold us. How comforting to know that this hope will never fade or disappear.

Advent is a great time to renew our hope in the goodness and mercy of our loving Saviour, to spread this hope through our actions and our words to all we come across and to boldly claim his promises and if someone asks you why you appear to be so hopeful, this was how the Psalmists replied.

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:5 – 6)

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Posted in Challenge, Comfort, Corinthians, Encourage, Isaiah, Lamentations, Psalms | Tags: Christian Living, Christianity, Christmas, Faith, God, Hope, Love

Posted by: Jo | November 28, 2014

Show Me The Way

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long”

(Psalm 25:4 – 5)

When I was a child one of the fun games we all loved to play was. “Follow The Leader” It was a game to be played outside and the choosing of who would lead was an important part of ensuring that a wild, exciting adventure would transpire. The objective of the game was to follow closely the leader wherever he or she chose to go. It also involved copying body actions e.g. arm waving, hopping and most exciting, being ready to stop suddenly without notice. Crawling under obstacles/ climbing over others was all part of the fun. Looking back on those days I can see why parents suggested this game as by the time it ended all would be totally exhausted, too tired for any mischief, ready for a quiet time of reading. I was thinking back to those days this week after listening to our sermon in church this Sunday. We have been studying what it means be a true disciple of Jesus and what he meant by those all-important words, “Follow me”.

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matthew 4:19)

The staggering thing for me is the next verse in which we read that without any hesitation they both leave behind their valuable nets and allow Jesus to lead them they do not know where.

“At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:20)

They sensed in some special way that Jesus was worthy to leave everything behind, worthy to stay close behind, worthy to have his every word impressed upon their very beings. He would become their leader. They would walk in his footsteps.

Jesus still calls those who think him worthy, to follow him. What does that mean for us who long to be a true disciple of his? If we think back to my childhood game, we get a little glimpse of what following means. Firstly we have to trust the leader completely to lead us on the true path. We need to trust that what he asks us to do we will be able to accomplish, even though the path he chooses may not be always easy and following him may include obstacles to overcome and rough sections.

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant will also be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.” (John 12:26)

A wonderful way to start the day is to pray the words from Psalm 25:4 asking the Lord to make us aware of where he would lead us that day. Asking him to show us where we can be most effective in ushering in his kingdom.

Copying Jesus’ most beautiful characteristic, LOVE, becomes a part of our nature if we follow close behind our Saviour and all those around us will be aware we have “been with Jesus” and want to also join us in following him.

Peter and John were so on fire in their love for him that the crowd noted;

“…they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Following Jesus brings about incredible blessings for us. If we hold tightly to his teaching we will never be led astray by the world’s deceptive words. He has promised that sort of darkness will never overtake us if we stay firmly behind the light of his own presence.

“…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

A wonderful hymn to encourage and praise discipleship.

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus;