Blog

Wrinkled Shirts

2013-06-19T13:01:18Z

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9:16

A white shirt in my basement laughed at my iron and me. Each of the shirt’s embedded wrinkles seemed to mock us. “Can’t you do any better than that?” they hissed. “You may as well be using a banana!” Some of those creases had never seen the light of day. They were large enough to hide coins, bottle caps, and other foreign matter. While I stood there dumbfounded, my silver iron begged and pleaded for help. Being a good iron-owner, I eventually listened. I unplugged the miserable iron and gave it a refreshing drink of cold water. The iron smiled. I plugged it back in and turned the dial toward steam. Voila! Steam burst through the holes and charged forward. The shirt stopped laughing. The wrinkles ran for cover, and something else wonderful happened. I discovered an amazing thing about God.

His Spirit can move through us like steam through an iron and take the wrinkles out of our lives. He longs to do it. But it won’t happen, if we do not allow Him to pour Himself into us. And even if we’re full of holes and incompetent, like the iron, we can turn on our faith and let Him work things out through us.

Lord as You come into my life
To pour Your water in,
My heart begins to bubble up
My faith begins to spin.

Like steam moves through an iron
Your spirit soars through me,
And I am able to enjoy
The grace that sets me free.

And now my heart is able
To do what it must do,
To touch the people in my life
And give them more of You.

For one by one the wrinkles
That ripped my life apart
Are yielding to the power
That is working in my heart.

Amen.

By Sharon (Maryland, USA)

Just Think Of Jesus

2013-06-12T13:02:57Z

Hebrews 12:3 Just think of Him (Jesus) Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. AMP

As a child, whenever I was distraughtly sobbing over something ugly that captured my mind, my mother whispered softly, “Think of something nice.” It always worked! My father did it this way: we siblings would often be cranky-tired and tetchy, but His bedtime stories were so upbeat, exciting, loaded with exotic holidays in strange countries; filled with adventures, discoveries, and magical happenings; a bit of a dreamer, my father. But it worked! After prayers, we’d go off to sleep feeling loved and happy because of the life he longed to give us.

Of course, as adults we all have to face and deal with the fact that life does not always offer us charmed pleasantness and gloriously fulfilling happenings to keep us upbeat. The reality of Christian life is that intermittently it hands us tests, trials, and such unforeseen ungodly negative circumstances, that we can easily become weary in our attempts to do well, our attempts to stay strong, positive, determined and faithful in close relationship with our Lord.

However, if we don’t want to keep going in that downward, negative, weary spiral like yo-yos; as believers we have the wonderful instructive Word of God, and prayer, to turn to anytime; especially if we want the best help and wisest counsel that there is, our Lord Jesus Himself.

Hebrews 12:3 Just think of Him (Jesus) Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. AMP

In talking to Jesus, reading about Jesus, thinking about Jesus, His suffering on the cross, as well as His great love, many blessings and His available truth, it is amazing how our weariness, hurt, negative, depressing thoughts and emotions become calmed and peaceful, especially as we call on His all-powerful Name.

This is an exceedingly, positively effectual habit to form. For in His Name, is not only the power we need against every adversity, but His lovely Name is as a gentle soothing ointment with the power to dispel all antagonizing, opposing disharmony within ourselves about anything or anyone, “Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; (Song of Solomon 1:3a NKJV)

A favourite chorus:

It’s a lovely, lovely Name,

The Name of Jesus.

It’s a lovely lovely Name.

From heaven above.

Dispelling all clouds of doubt and fear.

Filling each saddened heart with cheer.

It’s a lovely lovely Name,

The Name I love.

nstead of dwelling on the wearying, distressing, tormenting, unsettling circumstances by us pecking in the negative dirt like sparrows do for their food; through speaking, calling, or singing Jesus’ all-powerful healing name, we can, if willing, soon be peacefully soaring high as eagles; taken up to heavenly heights to feed on the nutritious heavenly belief food of Jesus’ loving advice, which is tailor-made for His beloved children.

Only our lovely Jesus will constantly satisfy us, “with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]! (Psalms 103:5b AMP)

Thank you Lord, that You are ever our successful solution to everything that comes our way in life. Thank You that always, “in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9b NKJV) We love You Jesus Lord.
Amen and Amen!

Rosemary Renninson

Victoria Australia

rosemary396@dodo.com.au

Out On The Limb

2013-06-05T13:02:37Z

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

My wife and I used to pick apples in the orchard on the McCurdy High School campus a number of years ago. Of course, many of the best-looking apples, with no holes from worms or birds, were located in precarious positions high up in the tree since all the ones close to the ground had already been picked. The trunk of the tree was quite sturdy and easy to climb, but I had to go out on a limb to get the good apples.

As I was jockeying for the safest position on the tiny branches to reach the good apples, one thought that crossed my mind (other than falling) was that Jesus demonstrated His love for you and me when He was laid out on a limb: the cross. I am thankful that Jesus did not choose the safe position, nor did He die just for what you and I consider to be the "good" apples.

Are you willing to go out on a limb so that others know that God loves them?

Father, please give us courage to dangle ourselves on your limbs in order to reach out to others. Graft us into your sturdy trunk so that we are not easily fallen. Amen.

By Todd (California, USA)

Light

2013-05-29T13:02:08Z

1 John 1:5b God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. KJV

One night, during an electricity cut, I became absolutely captivated as I looked directly into my torchlight. Minute effervescent fountain sprays of light appeared to shoot up and outward from the centre light in the pitch darkness. Over the years, whenever I have envisioned myself entering God's heavenly courts to worship and pray before His throne, I've imagined that God's holy light was exactly as this light appeared to be: fascinating and totally dazzling! Over the next hour, in God's presence, as I continued to keep my eyes on the light, some precious thoughts and Scriptures about His light, as well as further, even more wonderful imaginings came to me -- a lovely way to spend a power cut!

The Bible reveals that God saw, in creation, that the light was good (Genesis 1:4). We also see that "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5b KJV), and that "Jesus is the light of the world" (John 8:12).

Seeing that light is pure, it is amaz ing that God pays attention to us, because "people love darkness instead of light, for our deeds are evil" (John 3:19). The good news is that God offers us a way out:

2 Corinthians 4:6 - "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ". (KJV)

When God draws us to Himself, so that we believe in and receive His Son Jesus, He places His light within us.

That night, as these Scriptures came to me, I imagined God's light within us as having the same function as the light I was seeing in my torchlight: minute effervescent fountain sprays of light shooting upward from within us, and outward into the pitch darkness of this world.

1 John 1:7 - "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light ... the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin". (NIV)

When we receive God's light -- the Spirit of Jesus and His forgiveness -- we can take such joy and pleasure in the knowledge that God looks on that light in us with special zealousness. Yes, God's eye is so very tenderly and tenaciously observant of that work of grace He has begun in us through that light. We, and His light within us, are never out of the sight of our most attentive Father God. He is ever watchful of His children as the earthly vessels of His light. The Lord ever knows who are His.

We may at times sigh, groan, or grieve over sin and darkness in our souls, yet God sees His light, which He placed there as He drew us to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. He not only sees His Light in us, but by His protective grace, He ever preserves it.

Prayer: Blessed Light of the world, thank You that we can walk in Your gracious Light that brings us to salvation and grows a desire within us to share the Light, Your Light, with those still in darkness. Thank You that as we follow You, we "will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life" (John 8:12b NIV). Amen and Amen!

Rosemary Renninson

Victoria, Australia

rosemary396@dodo.com.au

By Rosemary Renninson Victoria, Australia rosemary396@dodo.com.au

Comfort Zone

2013-05-22T13:04:44Z

This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6v16a, (NIV)

One summer I was on a travelling theatre troupe throughout the UK. At one point we were near my hometown, Paisley, Scotland, and I decided to take the weekend break to sleep in my own bed and do my laundry. However, when I got home, I realized that I had neither food, nor money, nor laundry detergent. I sat down in the middle of my bedroom floor, and just said to God, "Father, you've never seen the righteous forsaken, or begging for bread. It will be interesting to see how you get me out of this one."

There was a knock on my door. When I opened, the friend was surprised to see me! He said, "This is very odd! I thought you were away all summer, but as I was walking down the high street, God pushed me into a shop and said, 'Here, buy this for Stephanie'; you wouldn't happen to need this, would you?" He held up laundry detergent.

The meals I had that weekend were with friends who spontaneously invited me for lunches and dinners; not once did I go without a meal, and laundry was done, and yet I still had no money in the bank. I didn't need it.

You don't have to be a full-time missionary to live God's way; He has placed us in the lives of work colleagues, neighbours and family for a purpose; all we have to do is find out on a day-to-day basis what that purpose is, and pursue it. That's where leaving our comfort zone comes in; it's standing at the crossroads - not on the sidelines. So sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride

Father, help us to learn to rely on you, and to recognize your provision and plan for our lives. Give us the courage to step out of our comfort zone, and show us what that means in our daily lives.

By Stephanie (Zurich, Switzerland) |

Let Jesus' Love Flow

2013-05-15T13:02:52Z

John 13:34 - I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. (AMP)

Initially in my early church life, I'd be most uncomfortable when anyone preached on the above Scripture. I didn't believe that I could attain to Jesus' love for every Christian in and outside my church. No, not me!

Oh my, was I right! Acts 4:12b says, "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (AMP)

In the same vein, there is no other love by which we can obey Jesus' commandments to love and forgive one another as He loves and forgives us -- continually.

But Jesus came to renew my life, to give me His resurrection life and nature. Even though He knew of my heart's unbelieving condition at that time, He came into my heart just the same. Such grace! Only He and I know how very much I needed His love and forgiveness.

So for me, it has been this initial revelation truth: His amazing, forgiving love, grace, mercy, and compassion, which kept filling my heart and soul. This gradually softened, set tled, and expanded within me a strong belief in the possibilities and desires of His love. Then came a new willingness to open up enough to allow a trickle of Jesus' loving, forgiving nature out to others.

God's Word gradually becomes His nature in us. Then we have the spiritual energy to overrule our flesh and let His love flow.

1 John 5:3 - For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous). (AMP)

As the desire increased to obey Him, so the tiny trickling of love graduated to an easy flow, which amazed and delighted me. Gradually, week by week, I found myself more comfortably conforming to and agreeing with the Lord's commandments. My reticence began to change into tentative confidence with people; standing back turned into approaching; a mere smile extended to a touch, a hug, listenin g, interacting, inquiring, helping, inviting, empathy, caring, overlooking, forbearing, and forgiving in Jesus' love.

I so thoroughly enjoyed this effect on others and myself that I persistently nagged in prayer to be an open, free-flowing channel of Jesus' love, and these days, I'm still persistently nagging to become a consistently gushing, overflowing "river" of Jesus' gracious forgiveness and love, as He ever is to me and to us all.

Romans 5:5 - Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (AMP)

As we commit willingly to Jesus' love filling our hearts, we'll ever have sufficient supply to flow out to others, and we will accomplish His every intended purpose in His Church and His created world. We will!

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus Lord, that You have so honoured and commissioned us to love in Your name. Thank You for Your exceedingly abundant love, grace, and holy nature. We ever need this love to obey Your Word and to accomplish Your kingdom purposes during our lives in such a time as this. We do not have to "miss it". In Your victorious name, thank You. Amen and Amen!

Rosemary Renninson

Victoria, Australia

rosemary396@dodo.com.au

By Rosemary Renninson Victoria, Australia rosemary396@dodo.com.au

NO STRINGS ATTACHED

2013-05-08T13:02:41Z

"When his father saw him, his heart was filled with pity and he ran, threw his arms around his son and kissed him" Luke 15:20b

Few of us have not heard the story of Pinocchio. Until Geppetto, the wood carver, was given his hearts desire to have a son, Pinocchio was merely a puppet controlled by strings. Then -- miracle of miracles -- Pinocchio became a real live boy and was free to make choices and decisions on his own. Then off he went, as far from his father as he could get -- until he realized what separation from his father was like. How like the prodigal son. And how like us.

Free will. A scary thing. And yet, like Geppetto, God did not want a world full of puppets. He wanted sons and daughters so He gave us free will, hoping we would cherish a father-son relationship.

The good news for Pinocchio was that Geppetto was there with open arms when he learned how hard life could be separated from his father. And the good news for us is that no matter how far afield we wander, no matter how many foolish choices we make, our Father is always there to welcome us back home .

Loving, forgiving, welcoming Father, forgive us for ever thinking we can survive without you. Thank you for loving us enough to welcome us back when we stray. Amen.

By Madeline, Hastings, NE

Thinking God’s Thoughts

2013-05-01T13:02:43Z

The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (II Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

At nine years of age, my father took me into his office and explained a better way. After all, I was a sinner who needed saving. “Have you ever lied to your mom or me?” Or his infamous one, “You know when you sass (his favorite word) us? That’s a sin too.”
From a sordid introduction, he scurried to a respectable solution…“God sent his Son to die for your sins…” then to the sinner’s prayer. The prayer worked well until the cringing fingers of peer pressure began clawing at my otherwise moral fiber. For nine years, lying and sassing were among my tamer sins. Questions penetrated the hard shell of my rebellion. Was I an alcoholic, or just someone who drank? An addict or merely someone who used occasionally? A criminal or simply someone who sporadically broke a few laws? More importantly, a rebellious child of God or not one at all? Was I defined by what I did or whose I was?
I chose to believe what God whispered instead of what I felt. Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. Defining ourselves by past failures and mistakes, by filthy and unkind words spoken by or about us, or even by our failed attempts to live up to other’s expectations ensures misery. Freedom grows when we think God’s thoughts about us. Yes, I was only nine when I accepted Christ-and sure I’ve made numerous blunders, but Christ’s payment on the cross was enough to cover past, present, and future sins. Faith in Him makes us His children and ensures complete redemption. We no longer suffocate under condemnation but breathe under forgiveness’ freedom. Don’t let other’s thoughts about you because of your present or past mistakes define your identity. Think God’s thoughts.

Prayer: Thank You merciful Father for covering all our sins by the blood of Your Son. Enable us to live in the freedom of forgiveness rather than in the chains of other’s opinions of us.

By Martin, Greenwood SC

Who'd pick me?

2013-04-24T15:37:52Z

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.
John 15: 16a (NIV)

When I was at school I used to dread PE lessons. The worst was when teachers left it to the team captains to choose who they wanted on their side. Unsurprisingly, it was always the kids who were sporty and popular who got picked first. Being shy and studious, I was usually last in the line.

That sense of being unwanted is something I’ve struggled with over the years – and not just on the sports pitch. When I’m excluded - either deliberately or accidentally - I feel rejected and unloved. Fear of being left out causes me to withdraw from others, reinforcing my feelings of isolation. From there it’s a downward spiral: I lose sight of who I am in Jesus, and my thinking is clouded by self-pity.

That’s why this verse speaks to me so powerfully. In church, we often talk about seeking Jesus, whereas the amazing truth is that He sought us first. Understanding that God has chosen me – not because of my achievements, but simply because He loves me – transforms how I feel about myself. Unlike my school captain, He will not change His mind or abandon me for someone else. God’s choosing gives me security. I know that I am accepted and included in His family, and that He has an eternal purpose for my life.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that You have chosen me to be part of Your family. Thank You that in Jesus I am accepted and loved. Please show me how I can become more fruitful for You.

Amen.

By Fiona, Leeds UK

You've Got Mail

2013-04-17T13:01:40Z

The apostle Paul prayed that the Philippians would grow in “discernment to know what really matters so that they will be presented as pure and blameless on the day of Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-10 HCSB)

My husband spent the last several weeks unsubscribing from mailing lists so that he would stop receiving spam emails.

Me? I spend the first couple minutes at my computer deleting the long list of junk messages. It’s not like they really affect my life. So what if I have 50 emails Monday morning simply because I didn’t check all weekend?

Kevin’s inbox is almost completely free from random solicitations. Mine, however, overflows and floods my computer screen.

When Kevin receives an email, he knows its contents have a purpose and directly relate to him. It took him time and effort to delete his email from the accounts, but the results were worthwhile because he de-cluttered his life.

If we don’t take the time to remove the things from our lives that distract us, we never gain traction to a pure life.

The apostle Paul prayed that the Philippians would grow in “discernment to know what really matters so that they will be presented as pure and blameless on the day of Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-10)

I’m not speaking specifically toward emails here. It’s just an example to get us thinking. Television shows empty of truth dirty my life. Music idealizing worldly possessions revert my attention away from Christ.

I wonder, what else clutters our life and disguises itself as important?

Almighty Father, please show me the areas where the clutter of life is distracting me from living a pure and blameless life for Your glory.

By Renae, Tennessee