In My Fight For Joy Pt 2

J. Campbell White, secretary of the Laymen’s Missionary Movement, said in 1909:

Most men are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within his followers except the adoption of Christ’s purpose toward the world he came to redeem. Fame, pleasure and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfillment of his eternal plans. The men who are putting everything into Christ’s undertaking are getting out of life its sweetest and most priceless rewards.

Am I involved so much in maintaining and servicing the things of my life that I have little or no time for the 'BIG' schemes of God. Am I consumed with mediocrity that I am not taking risks for the 'BIG' kingdom picture. Am I so busy pursuing the husks and ashes of life that the 'BIG' kingdom picture is faded and dim.

The answer to all the above is, 'Yes!' and my Lord, I am so sorry. I have been more concerned about a shiny new exterior than checking that the oil level is high enough to prevent the engine from seizing. I am a fool and I repent!

I will live to glorify Jesus this day through my words, actions and thoughts! My Joy comes from being involved in the 'BIG' picture and not the petty!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

In Love

We have Just started a new teaching series in the book of Ephesians. Yesterday we looked at Ephesians 1:4b-5

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will

I love that it reads 'in love...' God's motivation for choosing us was and is love. Love is just! Love is always self sacrificing. He chose us not because we deserved it but because he loved us. His will is motivated by love

He predestined me for adoption as a son according to the purpose of his will and he was totally motivated by love. Because his motivation was and is love then I trust the fact that all his choices are love
motivated.

His ultimate desire is salvation for all, the reality is that not all will choose to glorify him and as I understand it he doesn't step in and over ride our will. He knows who will and will not glorify him and this knowledge has been with him from the beginning. Therefore in love and in his fore knowledge, he predestined us to adoption as sons according to the purpose of his will.

Lynn and I had a discussion about God's sovereignty.... He is sovereign but we decided that knowing he is sovereign isn't enough for us. We could not not follow him just because he is sovereign. We love, trust, follow and glorify him because he is sovereign and he is also love; he does all things for ultimate good.

Our role is not to decide what is ultimate good but to trust his love motivated sovereignty. We do not choose what is fair. We trust him to be fair even if we don't perceive his decisions as fair.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Home

In My Fight For Joy

For the second time I am reading John Piper's book, 'When the Darkness Will Not Lift'. It's a brilliant encouragement to fight for joy in the midst of dark seasons in life.

One of the greatest remedies to relieve seasons of depression is sharing our faith with others. I have included a segment from the book below.

Millions of Christians live with a low-grade feeling of guilt for not openly commending Christ by their words. They try to persuade themselves that keeping their noses morally clean is a witness to Christ. The problem with this notion is that millions of unbelievers keep their noses morally clean. Christians will and should continue to feel bad for not sharing their faith.

Christ is the most glorious person in the world. His salvation is infinitely valuable. Everyone in the world needs it. Horrific consequences await those who do not believe on Jesus.

Not to speak of Christ to unbelievers, and not to care about our city or the unreached peoples of the world is so contradictory to Christ’s worth, people’s plight, and our joy that it sends the quiet message to our souls day after day: This Savior and this salvation do not mean to you what you say they do. To maintain great joy in Christ in the face of that persistent message is impossible.

Sharing my faith in Jesus in both my actions and my words is vital in my fight for joy.

My Lord and Saviour, I want to overflow with joy in you this day. As we go and join with other Christians at the Big Church Day Out, may be celebrate together your amazing joy, but may it also overflow to others who do not know you

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Home

Prophecy to King's Worship Team

At the 'Knowing His Presence' Conference in Sidcup, on Saturday 7^th May, 2011 


  Knowing His Presence - Seminar Links

Dave Holden Knowing His Presence - Seminar Sessionsstarted by introducing King's Church to the people at the conference, saying that we had a real sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and had experienced rapid growth recently, seeing hundreds added to the church.  He then went on to say......

This is really important; you should know it’s not all about numbers, but individual hearts. 

People will come into your church, even unsaved people, and when they walk into the building, the first thing they will see is your team worshipping.

As you worship, God will come in and really surprise you; it won't be what you were expecting. 

You will be like lightning rods, conduits of God’s power.  You may not be aware of what is happening but you will hear whispers of stories of wonderful things happening in peoples lives.

I am absolutely sure of this – it is going to happen.