Over the years I am being graciously taught how I live my life in the presence of an all powerful, all knowing, fully capable, fully sufficient God. For many years I felt like I needed to do things for God because he needed it - over time I came to the conclusion that God does not need anything from, he is always fully satisfied and never does need. Having now recently moved to a new country, and we are busy adjusting to living in a new place and setting up our new lives, I have had to surrender so much more to God - because there is so much which is inherently out of my control.
However we need to balance this thinking. God does call us to do things (e.g. great commission) - however in my mind this is clearly because it is something we need, as he has no need. So why do we need this? What purpose does it serve us to partner with God in our lives, giving him our life and all? Here are my thoughts.
Living life for God, fully surrendered to him, obedient to his will and purpose, is simply awesome. Now I am not in that place, not by a long shot - I don't I will ever be 100% there. But every time I surrender something to him, every time I give him space to work in my life, it is awesome. The peace which passes all understanding is with me in those situations where peace does not logically make sense - in a worldly sense I should be stressed and afraid - but I am at peace (Philipians 4:6-7). Every time I give it to him, he blesses the sacrifice - as in the old testament fire fell on sacrifice. I also believe as Jesus said, he came to give us life and life in abundance (John 10:10) - and having had experiences being in that situation, just blessing people, loving them naturally, getting to know them and encouraging them, building them up and releasing hope, I feel alive! I think that is what God intended for each of us!?
I still stupidly often choose to live my way, but I am learning that that simply leads to disappointment... God does not need my gift, my life, my time... but He wants it from me as in His infinite wisdom He knows it will be most fulfilling life I get to live!
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Preach 11-Nov : what mark?
So below are my notes from a sermon I attended this week. The focus was what impact does our lives have on this earth, and for me the essence of the challenge was what vision do I have - is it just for the next few years, or is it for the generations not even born yet. Am I investing into that which will release blessing and hope in generations to come?
Where is your focus?
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Christ the King, Snohomish
- What mark will I leave in this earth?
- "Are we so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good?"
- Think of the next world, so that I remain effective in this.
- Living for ourselves leads to isolation.
Deuteronomy 34
1) You will be mourned, but not forever v7-8.
2) Devote yourself to a vision which will out live you v1-4. Failures and mistakes will limit what we accomplish in this life... [although God can redeem all things]
3) Invest in those who will come after you v9.
- Are we servers or consumers?
Where is your focus?
========================================
Christ the King, Snohomish
- What mark will I leave in this earth?
- "Are we so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good?"
- Think of the next world, so that I remain effective in this.
- Living for ourselves leads to isolation.
Deuteronomy 34
1) You will be mourned, but not forever v7-8.
2) Devote yourself to a vision which will out live you v1-4. Failures and mistakes will limit what we accomplish in this life... [although God can redeem all things]
3) Invest in those who will come after you v9.
- Are we servers or consumers?
Wednesday 7 November 2012
Gabe Murfitt
I was at a business men's bible study & lunch in Bellevue this Tuesday, and we had the privilege to hear a guy called Gabe Murfitt speak to us during the lunch.
The summary of Gabe is that he is a 22 year old man, who was born with a defect, where his legs didn't grow properly and his arms are almost non existent, so he is limited to getting around on a wheel chair. He has an incredible testimony of living life to the fullest in the midst of these circumstances, including playing basketball with ordinary kids during his time at high school. He has an incredible relationship with Jesus, and has been speaking at different places to give encouragement to all people, and has even been recognised by Oprah and was invited onto her show.
Below is Gabe's simple message... CLEAR:
- Courage. Have courage. Deuteronomy 31 - "know that your God is with you".
- Leadership. Jesus is a sufficient friend, and he will lead you through all uncertainty. Be somebody who does the same - stick a hand out to those who need it and effect them in a positive way.
- Endurance. Cannot do myself. Philippians 4:13 - do all things through Christ...
- Attitude. Frame the situation, don't let it frame you. You are the weather.
- Respect. Respect others, but also respect yourself. You are a child of God, created in his image, with incredible value and unique purpose.
To close I wanted to mention a story Gabe shared which happened to him when in a restaurant. A 4 year old boy had come in with his parents, and had just stared wide-eyed and Gabe for many minutes. After a while he said to his mother "That boy over there looks funny - he looks like a T-Rex". Gabe chuckled, and said it was funny, he could even understand why the boy said that... the possible pain/frustration it might have caused him, bounced right off him because of the knowledge of who we was, the understanding of his identity and value. Is my identity & self worth as strong as his?
The summary of Gabe is that he is a 22 year old man, who was born with a defect, where his legs didn't grow properly and his arms are almost non existent, so he is limited to getting around on a wheel chair. He has an incredible testimony of living life to the fullest in the midst of these circumstances, including playing basketball with ordinary kids during his time at high school. He has an incredible relationship with Jesus, and has been speaking at different places to give encouragement to all people, and has even been recognised by Oprah and was invited onto her show.
Below is Gabe's simple message... CLEAR:
- Courage. Have courage. Deuteronomy 31 - "know that your God is with you".
- Leadership. Jesus is a sufficient friend, and he will lead you through all uncertainty. Be somebody who does the same - stick a hand out to those who need it and effect them in a positive way.
- Endurance. Cannot do myself. Philippians 4:13 - do all things through Christ...
- Attitude. Frame the situation, don't let it frame you. You are the weather.
- Respect. Respect others, but also respect yourself. You are a child of God, created in his image, with incredible value and unique purpose.
To close I wanted to mention a story Gabe shared which happened to him when in a restaurant. A 4 year old boy had come in with his parents, and had just stared wide-eyed and Gabe for many minutes. After a while he said to his mother "That boy over there looks funny - he looks like a T-Rex". Gabe chuckled, and said it was funny, he could even understand why the boy said that... the possible pain/frustration it might have caused him, bounced right off him because of the knowledge of who we was, the understanding of his identity and value. Is my identity & self worth as strong as his?
Saturday 3 November 2012
Preach : Bill Johnson, 28-Oct
So I captured some of the key points from a great sermon I heard when I was in Redding, California, at Bethel Church. If you like it go and check out the free weekly sermon's available on podcast.
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- Nehemiah 8
- When moving redemptively, there is no "us and them", just us - as "all have sinned". The Lord doesn't entrust the breakthrough to those who separate themselves from the need.
- Nehemiah 8:9-12. "Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
- Rejoicing takes faith in Gods grace. We have joy because we rejoice. The greatest demonstration of faith is to rejoice when it is the last thing we want to do.
- Nehemiah 9:1
- There were 7 days celebration for 1 day of repentance. Sometimes God takes us through a season of joy and blessing, and then through that allows us to become convicted of things in our life which are not of him.
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What I felt most challenged about in the sermon was that when we partner with God and seek his redemptive power for people or situations, we must not seperate ourselves from the need. We need to recognise it and carry that need to the Lord. When we cry out to him, we stand with those people, in that need, and intercede for that with God.
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