People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond, "In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven."
Rick Warren
I think Christianity is sometimes overlooked, unfortunately. It's a very realistic faith.
Cliff Richard
'I think if Jesus were alive today he'd be a really together person; he'd have street cred. He would go and sit in Soho, like he did in Bible times, and get talking to the people.
Bobby Ball
He who is filled with love is filled with God himself.
St Augustine
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing
Edmund Burke
The Devil is not afraid of a dust-covered Bible.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Satnav or Road Map?
'By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going' (Hebrews 11:8)
I find myself becoming more and dependent on my Satnav. Once upon a time a journey often meant poring over a map, plotting each stage and then trying to make sense of it while on the move. Making a mistake usually led to self-aggravation or a lively debate with the passenger-navigator about who was to blame for getting us so hopelessly lost.
Not any more! I tap in the destination postcode and then leave it all to the screen on the dashboard and its voice 'Jane' who, I have to say, has the patience and sweet nature of a saint. I just know 'she' will be with me all the way, keeping me on track and gently redirecting me if I take a wrong turning.
So what about spiritual guidance? It seems to me that it is more like a Satnav than a road map. Sure, we would like God to show us every twist and turn of our lives in advance, but it's usually more a matter of 'one step at a time'. He tells enough for the moment, but then we just have to get on the road and trust Him to take us on the best route to our destination.
It always surprises me that although Abraham knew he was heading for the Promised Land he didn't know, or need to know, the exact route in advance or what would happen on the way. He simply obeyed God's Instructions each day; which is probably a good definition of 'living by faith'.
I have to admit that 'Jane' is not infallible: she once took me into the Channel Tunnel terminal instead of nearby Capel-le-Ferne (maybe she got it confused with Calais). But God makes no mistakes, and if we follow the heavenly Satnav – the leading of His Spirit - He will take us on the right way to the right place. Here's a great promise: ‛I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you' (Psalm 32:8, RSV).
Are you willing to listen to His voice and trust Him for the next stage of your journey?
Andrew Parfitt (AoG Regional Leader – South East)
The rescue in ‘restriction’
And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar…Genesis 19:30
This passage in Genesis outlines the angelic mission to rescue Lot and his family from the destruction that is about to devastate the city called Sodom, their city. Lot has made his wealth in that city, and now loses all he has worked, as well as his home, and even his wife! We find him pleading with the angel to let him escape to a nearby city, the angel agrees and waits for him to make the journey there (19:21-22). This city is called Zoar, and it means 'small'.
How many times has God had to rescue us from the folly of our own decisions! When we should have exercised greater caution and insight but did not. I am sure that you, like me, can recall both the loss and regret of moments like that. But God in His wisdom has a place to hide us during such seasons; it's called 'Zoar' a place of restriction and limitation. A good place to recalibrate, review and refocus our priorities. There is no need to be anxious in 'Zoar', embrace your restrictions and live peacefully with the limitation, until God resets your course.
That is the ideal…. but Lot was afraid of 'Zoar' and settled for a cave! Running from Zoar only led to more problems and they were huge. The alcohol could never really remove the pain of his loss, and the confusion of incest that overshadowed his family, led to the production of the Ammonites and Moabites. The wickedness of these people cast some of the darkest moral shadows in biblical history. Zoar had to be better than this!
If you are in the season of recovery and restoration, rest deeply in the limitations of recuperation that are designed to secure you a better future. Are you facing the challenge of lost opportunity? Don't become a cave dweller, but focus on the mercy and favor of God (19:19; 21) and be grateful that the loss of some things does not mean the loss of everything!
Doug Williams (AoG Leadership Team)
This passage in Genesis outlines the angelic mission to rescue Lot and his family from the destruction that is about to devastate the city called Sodom, their city. Lot has made his wealth in that city, and now loses all he has worked, as well as his home, and even his wife! We find him pleading with the angel to let him escape to a nearby city, the angel agrees and waits for him to make the journey there (19:21-22). This city is called Zoar, and it means 'small'.
How many times has God had to rescue us from the folly of our own decisions! When we should have exercised greater caution and insight but did not. I am sure that you, like me, can recall both the loss and regret of moments like that. But God in His wisdom has a place to hide us during such seasons; it's called 'Zoar' a place of restriction and limitation. A good place to recalibrate, review and refocus our priorities. There is no need to be anxious in 'Zoar', embrace your restrictions and live peacefully with the limitation, until God resets your course.
That is the ideal…. but Lot was afraid of 'Zoar' and settled for a cave! Running from Zoar only led to more problems and they were huge. The alcohol could never really remove the pain of his loss, and the confusion of incest that overshadowed his family, led to the production of the Ammonites and Moabites. The wickedness of these people cast some of the darkest moral shadows in biblical history. Zoar had to be better than this!
If you are in the season of recovery and restoration, rest deeply in the limitations of recuperation that are designed to secure you a better future. Are you facing the challenge of lost opportunity? Don't become a cave dweller, but focus on the mercy and favor of God (19:19; 21) and be grateful that the loss of some things does not mean the loss of everything!
Doug Williams (AoG Leadership Team)
Instruments of God
For years my husband and I enjoyed our daily walks together. Sometimes we talked quietly other times we were just together in silence.
But our walks lost their glow when, after an illness, I had to walk as therapy. It changed our gait, our buoyancy. Moreover, it was changing my attitude. What's the use, I thought. It's doing no good.
Then one day a little note arrived in the mail. It said: "Keep it you two lovebirds! You make my day as you pass my window every afternoon. Looking so fit and happy. I am a shut-in and don't know what I would do without the inspiration you give. 'Things will get better' your presence seems to say..."
Each of us is an instrument of God, sometimes inspiring one another without knowing it. This week, let someone know what they secretly give you.
But our walks lost their glow when, after an illness, I had to walk as therapy. It changed our gait, our buoyancy. Moreover, it was changing my attitude. What's the use, I thought. It's doing no good.
Then one day a little note arrived in the mail. It said: "Keep it you two lovebirds! You make my day as you pass my window every afternoon. Looking so fit and happy. I am a shut-in and don't know what I would do without the inspiration you give. 'Things will get better' your presence seems to say..."
Each of us is an instrument of God, sometimes inspiring one another without knowing it. This week, let someone know what they secretly give you.
June Masters Bacher
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