Jesus Confronts Us

On Sunday we spoke about the way in which Jesus confronts our needs (Mark 3:1-6.

The awesome thing about this passage is the way in which Jesus lays the groundwork for the importance and timing of needs being met.

1. Jesus realises the importance of meeting needs as they arise.

2. Once Jesus meets our needs it is impossible for us to ignore the need of others to know Jesus and receive the healing only He can give.

Awesome!

You may have a need right now as you are reading: Jesus wants to deal with your need right this moment. Pray with me:

Lord Jesus thank you for meeting my need. I know you as my Lord and Saviour and in You nothing is impossible. I receive Your healing right now. Please help me further to help others in their need. Amen.

Longevity...

On Sunday I was invited to be part of a colleagues 25th anniversary in the Ministry service in Pietermaritzburg.

Michael was the person who opened the door for me to accept Jesus and was instrumental in helping me with my calling to the ministry.

Above all, we are friends.

As the service took place, I became very aware that when we become Christians and join a church, we always have people who remain life-long friends but also ones we are going to spend eternity with!

Absolutely awesome!!!

If you are not part of God's family or are but don't belong to a church, I want to encourage you do so. God in His wisdom gives us people along our path who are there to uplift, challenge and encourage us.

Opening the Scriptures

On Sunday we spoke about our desire to have the Scriptures opened to us.

It may be fair to say that most of us desire to find revelation from the Word.

In order to do so there are a few important things to take note of:

- We need to understand the place and time of the text we are reading

- If there are references to other parts of the Bible, we need to find them and study them

- We need to allow the Spirit to open our spiritual eyes so we can gain understanding of what we are reading

When we do these things and we make time daily to read the Scriptures, God is revealed to us.

Awesome!

My prayer is that will allow God to reveal Himself to you through the Word.

Love For Enemies

On Sunday we spoke about Jesus'encouragement to walk in The Way:

In terms of Luke 6:27-31 this means loving our enemies, blessing those that curse us and giving of ourselves to others.

Tough, but every much part of a comprehensive way in which we are healed, transformed and fulfilled as human beings.

One way in which we can come to the place where can do these things Jesus asks, is to remind ourselves: (1) we are all made in the image of God, (2) we also hurt others sometimes without knowing it, (3) if we take the time to stand in someones shoes, then we might react differently to their interaction with us.

All of this is summed by Jesus as He says:'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'

My prayer for you is that, right now, you would allow Jesus make you aware of the places in your life where you harbour anger, resentment and unforgiveness and to heal you from these things. In that way, you enter a new Way of living.

Bless you, have a good one!

Moving Closer To God!

On Sunday we spoke about fasting.

For someone like me who likes food, not an easy subject!

Fasting in the Bible has three implications:

- As a sign of mourning for our spiritual poverty
- As a sign of mourning a loved one
- To move us closer to God

Let's look at the last one.

Fasting can move us closer to God but it needs to done with care:
- If we are going to fast, we need to get advice from people with medical expertise
- Fasting should not be done whilst we still have to go to work etc
- Fasting should centre on the Cross

There are other ways to get closer to God as well. Reading our Bibles and setting aside time with God will also be helpful.

Bless you as you move closer to God!

History or a living reality

I am almost tempted to start with the words: Another year another Easter!

Whilst this may be true, it sounds rather blase! At least to me.

Easter, whilst celebrated every year by most Christians, is also a reminder that we serve a Living God. In other words, God is active in our lives and in the world around us. Jesus died and rose again two thousand years ago or the very purpose of being active in the world and in our lives.

Awesome!

My prayer is that you would allow Jesus to be active in your day to day life.

Don't just leave Him for Sundays!

God Calls Ordinary People...

At NR we had members of the Christian Motorcycle Association sharing with us.

The testimonies were very powerful and it's amazing how God calls ordinary people like you and me to do extra-ordinary things.

Awesome!

God can use your story to draw someone closer. God can use your faithfulness to witness to others in their times of trial. God can use your life and experiences to move others to know that no matter where we are, He wants to forgive and prosper us!

I can't say more that that: GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!