Day 36 – Spirit living

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25)

 

Sounds easy, right?  So why do we still have problems, and try to live by the old ways?

I think the problem is that the sinful nature, you know the one we crucified, well it has a tendency to get down off the cross while we’re not looking.  Or while we are.

So each day we need to focus on bringing it back to the cross, and leaving it there.  It might not stay, but each day we’ll leave a little more of it behind.

Take care today.

Day 35 - Work

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23)

I heard a story of Mother Theresa once.  It is told that a young man came to her, and told her that he wanted to serve people.  She replied, “You cannot, you will never have the strength to serve everyone who needs it.  Instead, serve GOD, and he will strengthen you.”

I don’t know if that is true, but it is a good reminder that we are not saved because GOD needs us to help him, but because serving others is our way of thanking him for our salvation. 

What simple thing can I do today, as if for GOD? 

PALM SUNDAY

The start of Holy Week.  Less than a week left.

 

Today we celebrate.  We celebrate the fact that Jesus came to us, not just into the world, but right into our lives.  AS we commemorate the triumphant entry into Jerusalem we can shout with the crowds : “Hosanna”  “Praise to the son of David”

He didn’t just come into the world, but moved right into the city where we lived.

Day 34 - Peace

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. (Romans 14:19-20)

Lent is a very personal thing.  It is about our own relationship with our Lord.  Do you judge other people for their observance, or lack thereof?

Do you eat food around those who are fasting, or loudly refuse food at a meal when you are fasting? 

Do you silently condemn others for doing less than you, or nothing at all, or for their pride in their discipline?

Lent is about drawing closer to GOD, but don’t let us let it be a time for drawing further away from our brothers and sisters and fellow FISH.

Day 33 - Generosity

Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8b)

So what is it that we have received so freely?

• Salvation
• Freedom
• Knowledge of forgiveness
• Eternal life

If we had a cure for Cancer, and chose not to share it with others, what would that make us?  How could we live with ourselves?  Who do we think we are benefiting by keeping it to ourselves?

In the same way, we have been given the Truth, and we have gratefully received it.

Let us generously share it.

Day 32 - Authority

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19)

We have an amazing salvation; bought for us with a price we can never fully understand.  But it goes further than that.  We were given not only our freedom from sin, but the authority over sin and the natural world, but being co-inheritors with Christ.

To put it simply, we were saved to do mighty things.

Jesus told us that if we have faith, we can move mountains.  He also tells us that because we have the Spirit, we can do greater things than even he did.

Greater things.  Than Jesus.  Who raised the dead and healed the dying. 

So why don’t we?

Because we forget the promise to us that we have the authority.

Because we let things, like sin and fear, rule our lives, instead of claiming the victory that was won for us.

What do we need to claim today?  What area of our life do we need to take authority over? 

Let’s go do it now.

Because, we can!

Day 31 - Restoration

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives  and release from darkness for the prisoners,  to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God,     to comfort all who mourn. (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Does any of this sound familiar?  If you remember, when Jesus read this reading in the temple, he completed it by saying “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)

But just because it is fulfilled, doesn’t mean it isn’t still a command to us today.  How are we taking the opportunity to preach the good news, and to proclaim the year of His favour?

Are we doing enough, or are we just sitting back and thinking: “Jesus did it, it’s all over.”?

We need to get in the game, and start sharing what has been given to us.  Joy of salvation.

Day 30 - Unity

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
(1 Corinthians 1:10)

Oooh.  Tough one!

‘that all of you agree with one another.’  Yeah, well that would be a lot easier if you all agreed with me you know, because I am always right. 

So how are we supposed to achieve this the?

I think the key is in “that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”  To me, this means that we need to actively seek to have the mind of Christ, so that we can be sure we are all in one accord.

And to do this, we need to be immersing ourselves in the word, and praying for the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to what it has to say to us.  That way, we can all be of one mind – the mind of Christ, and ensure there are no divisions.

Simple.  But not easy.

So I am off to start right now.  Care to join me?

Day 29 - Meekness

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

 

I think meekness gets a bad rap.  We talk about meekness as if it means weakness.  But here we see it explained properly: Being obedient to authority, and peaceful and humble.

Note that all these are decisions, not something that just happens.  We have to choose to submit, and we have to choose to be meek.  Because that means placing our trust in someone elses strength.

Fifth Sunday

Wow.  Nearly there.  Just two more weeks until Easter.

Twelve more days of Lent.

Take a moment to think back over the last four weeks, and ask yourself what you have learned.  Have we drawn closer to GOD, or has it just been a time to weep and wail and complain about our lot in life.

I hope it is the former.

 

Whichever experience has characterised your Lenten journey, let’s take a moment to commit ourselves to focusing on HIM over the last stretch.  It won’t be easy, but we are nearly there.

 

Ready, set, GOD

Day 28 - Submission

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21)

 

Okay, am I the only one who finds this hard?  Submitting is a tough one.  And if submitting to GOD is hard, how much harder to submit to men?

But we are commanded to do it, and to do it “out of reverence for Christ.” We need to choose to yield, because that is what he has commanded us to do, and what he has shown us how to do.

But what does it actually mean?

Jesus submitted.  He submitted to his Father, he submitted to the authorities, he submitted to a horrifying death for our sakes.  But that didn’t mean he was weak, or that he always did what other people wanted him to do.  We see many times that he did exactly what they did not want.

But he chose to do it for their sake; for our sake.  He yielded to what needed to be done in order to serve others.  Even if it wasn’t what they wanted him to do.

Lent is a perfect time to practise submission.  Isn’t the entire month about learning to put our own desires second to our commitment to GOD?  Denying our own bodies and minds to focus on seeking him.  Submitting to him, in hopes of finding him.

Day 27 - Trust

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,  which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
(Psalm 125:1)

 

We need a spirit of fearless reliance.  To learn to lean entirely on GOD, and to trust in his promises.

So how do we do that?  One step at a time I think.

Day 26 - Repentance

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. (Luke 3:8)

 

Lent is about many things, but 0ne of these things for me is reminding myself that I need to change.  No matter how “good” I think I am, I have a long way to go.

It is a reminder for me not to take my salvation for granted.  Not to lean on the seed that has been sown in my life, but to work out my salvation, and work on bearing fruits in keeping with repentance.

Turn, and believe.

What do I need to turn away from today?

Technical hitch days 23-25

Oops.

Failure to post for three days. 

Situation will be rectified shortly.

Stay tuned

FOURTH SUNDAY

As you read this, I am away for the weekend.  I left on Friday to go camping with some Christian friends.  Tonight I will be coming back to church to preach at the 6PM service.  Let’s hope by the time this post publishes I know what I am going to say. :-)

One of the things I like about the campsite where we are going (already are when you read this) is the fact that it is so quiet.  We are miles from anywhere, and it is just so peaceful.  In the past I have gotten a lot of writing done there, and this year I hope to get some journaling done. 

GOD speaks to us in the silences I think.  But only if we open our ears.  He has so much to say to us, and Lent is an ideal time to open ourselves up to hear it, yet we often spend the whole time making noise. 

So be still, and know that he is GOD.

And let him talk to you today.

Day 22 - Integrity

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
(Romans 12:17)

There’s a lot to this one.

 

Be careful….

It’s not just going to happen.  We need to take care, and make it our purpose to do what is right.

Do what is right…

Simple, but not easy.  Not right-ish.  Not right appearing.  Not almost right.  Do what IS RIGHT!

 

In the eyes…

1. Don’t just do what you think is right.  Do what everyone thinks is right. 

2. Let others see.  I know we are told to do our good works in secret, so that we can be rewarded.  But if we are going to let people see us do anything, let it rather be good works than bad.  Let them judge us all by these actions, not just us.

 

… of everybody.

They are all watching you.  Don’t be afraid to stand by your belief, and do what is right – even if it isn’t popular.

Day 21 - Confidence

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Really?

So what are we worried about?

 

What are we saying “I can’t do that.” about today?

 

Because it’s time to stop leaning on our own strength and understanding, and JUST DO IT. 

Day 20 : Denial

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

So much for prosperity Gospel.

Jesus never promised us Heaven on Earth – why would he?  We have the real thing waiting for us.  Instead he warned us that life would be hard.

Today we are on day 20 of our 40 days of lent – assuming you are counting the same way I am – and are half-way through.  20 down, 20 to go. 

We have spent the last three weeks focused on denying ourselves, so I thought today would be a good time to remind ourselves why. 

Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, and take up our cross daily.  He didn’t say we need to seek out crosses, but the world will provide us with more than enough.  During lent particularly, we deny ourselves, not for our own sake or glory, but so that we can follow in his way.  The way of the cross.

Day 19 - Revelation

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

 

Open the eyes of our heart Lord!

Day 18 - Reliability

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

Can I be trusted?  Completely?

It is a hard spirit to develop, because we cannot develop it until we are faced with the temptation not to be faithful.  And we see every day how people fail when tested.  The news is full of it.

But it all starts with the little things.

It’s easier to avoid the temptation to cheat on your taxes, or your spouse, if you make sure you never cheat at cards.

It’s easier to never steal money from your work if you make sure you never steal paperclips.

It’s easier to always obey the law if you’ve never gone through a red robot.

 

So today, I will start at the bottom, and work my way up.

Day 17 – Holiness

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16)

Probably one of the simplest ideas we will be looking at this month, but also one of the hardest.  To have a spirit of Holiness, to become Christ-like.

“Be holy, because I am holy.”

How??????

Does He really know how HARD that is?  I mean, really?

Of course.  HE knows exactly how hard it is.  And He also knows we can do it.

It tells us not to conform any longer to our old ways, so I guess it also means we need to be finding new ways to conform to.  If we want to be holy, we need to look at our behaviour, and try to make it more Christ-like. 

What Would Jesus Do?

A useful sentiment, but I think a way to apply it today would be to stop every so often, and ask: “What would I be doing if Jesus were here with me?”

Would I be watching this movie?  Would I be having this conversation?  Would I be watching TV while my wife washed up?

We might not know what Jesus would do, but I think we can guess what he would want us to do.

THIRD SUNDAY

Ah, Sunday.  The day of rest. 

We’ve gone through a heavy path this week, and I think we need to take a rest.  To just be still, and be aware of GOD.

Lent, I think, is not about making ourselves suffer, but about using our self-denial to keep us focused on GOD.  Fasting and self-denial must never be our end in itself; we need to remember that the only reason we are even trying to be good is so that we can come closer to GOD. 

If we spend our whole day with a long face, bemoaning the grumbling in our tummy and the lack of sugar/chocolate/sleep we will never do anyone any good.  More importantly, we will fall into bed at the end of the day, having tried so hard to ‘be good’ that we forget who we are being good for. 

So let’s take a moment, and rest in is presence.

You know you want to, and so does He.

Day 16 : Maturity

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14)

We have a simple faith, but that doesn’t give us an excuse to be stupid.  GOD never told anyone to be stupid.  (I know, I looked it up.)

When we first pick up the Bible, we probably won’t understand it.  I’ve been reading it for 25 years and it still tells me a new story every time I listen.  It was given to us as a gift, and failing to understand it is to reject that gift.

We won’t all be scholars, we might take our entire lives to to get to the same place that someone else starts at.

But the willingness to grow is what is important.  To seek to learn more.  The writer to the Hebrews says “by constant use [they] have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil”  It doesn’t say they are smarter than anyone else, or more gifted.  It says they have “trained themselves” by “constant use.”

Am I willing to grow, or am I just wanting to rest on my salvation and let others do my thinking for me?

Day 15 : Tenderness

 

Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. (2 Kings 22:19)

 

Not everyone was so lucky.  This verse comes out of a larger prophecy, presented to the King of Judah, where GOD warns that he will destroy the people.  He does however promise that he will not do so until the King is dead, because the King showed a willingness to weep.

TENDERNESS

What does being tender mean?  In this context, it doesn’t mean being soft, or weak.  It means being willing to hurt over things that have gone wrong.  The King felt pain for the sin his people had brought upon themselves, and he humbled himself and wept for it.

I think this is something we lose today, especially men.  We think we have to be tough, and hard.  But we still need to be tender.  To have a place where we allow GOD to touch us, and hurt us.  We spoke earlier this week about letting GOD break our hearts for others, well I think this is the same thing.  We need to be open to his (painful) touch as much as his healing touch. 

Be a man (or woman) of GOD today, and be tender. 
Be open, and willing.

Day 14: Compassion

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance." (Luke 8:1-3)

I think we all know how this story ends: Jesus takes loaves and fishes, and feeds the multitude.

But it all started with a spirit of…

COMPASSION

With some love in action, Jesus showed where his heart was.  Yesterday we asked GOD to give us hearts for others, and to break them when his heart is breaking.  Now today we need to pray for compassion.  Compassion goes beyond feeling for others, to actually doing for them.

It’s not just love, it’s love with skin on it.

What can I do for others today?  Where can I show compassion?

 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
(1 Corinthians 13:1)

Day 13 : Sensitivity

Luke 10:30-37 tells us the story of the Good Samaritan.  It ends with the verse “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."  Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

SENSITIVITY

What we sometimes struggle with each day, and by we I mean me of course, is that there is so much to do in the world.  Do we feed starving children, or starving adults?  Is it better to volunteer at the hospital or the soup kitchen?  If I send my money to mission, am I neglecting those closer to home?

The world is full of needs, and there are just too many to meet.

I think though, that GOD gives us a spirit of openness of heart, a sort of sensitivity to what he wants to place on our hearts.  We need to look for it each day.  To ask him to give us a part of his heart, a heart for certain people, or places.  Then when we feel our hearts breaking for that person or peoples, we know we need to do something about it.

So today, I am going to try and follow my heart, and see where, or to whom, it leads me.

Day 12 : Loyalty

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." (Ruth 1:16-17)

 

I love the book of Ruth.  I think it is like the entire story of the Bible cut down to four chapters.  And running through it all is the spirit of…

LOYALTY

 

Ruth was loyal to the relationship she had built with Naomi, despite the fact that it was not easy for her.  She didn’t just follow her when she could do something for her, but when Naomi lost everything, and went back to her own people, Ruth risked danger and suffering to follow her.

Are we loyal to people, and GOD, because of what they can do for us, or because it is the right thing to do?

Loyalty I think means we need to be honest with them, and ourselves, and that we need to think of them all the time.

How can I work on being loyal today? 

Day 11 : Availability

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

 

I think we are all familiar with this verse, when Isaiah shows a willingness to go; a spirit of …

AVAILABILITY

Are we available?  Are we willing to go?

Have we told him that?

 

I know that GOD knows everything, even what is on our heart before we do, but this is not about being ready to go where we are sent, it is about being ready to go, before we are called.   Isaiah received the call, and he was ready; he didn’t have to think about it, because he wanted to do what GOD wanted of him.  He had the right spirit.

Today, I will be focusing on making sure that I am available for whatever GOD calls me to do; whether it is a mission to Ethiopia, or to put money into a beggars tin.  I will say to him “Here I am, send me.” And mean it!