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It is time to refreshen our own spirit in the secret place that we may be prepared to serve and demonstrate the power and love and grace of God where we go. It is a time for no reservations and relentless pursuit of the presence of God. ONE THING! ONE THING! ONE THING do I desire. One thing does God desire that we rise up and be people who know our God. That we may know him and be strong and do exploits!
Are we an Esther generation, “created and ready for such a time as this”; or are we an Ephraim generation, “equipped…yet they turned back in the day of battle”? Time will tell. And so will history, because we’re writing it on this one!
[Verse 1:]
The skies lay low where You are
On the earth You rest Your feet
Yet the hands that cradle the stars
Are the hands that bled for me
[Chorus 1:]
In a moment of glorious surrender
You were broken for all the world to see
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath
[Verse 2:]
Freedom found in Your scars
In Your grace my life redeemed
For You chose to take the sinner’s crown
As You placed Your crown on me
[Chorus 2 :]
In that moment of glorious surrender
Was the moment You broke the chains in me
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath
And in that moment You opened up the heavens
To the broken the beggar and the thief
Lifted out of the wreckage
I find hope in the aftermath
[Bridge:]
And I know that You’re with me
Yes I know that You’re with me here
And I know Your love will light the way
[Chorus 3:]
Now all I have I count it all as loss
But to know You and to carry the cross
Knowing I’m found
In the light of the aftermath
totally love that my son and hubby had the best times at school camp. caleb is 10 and it is the first camp he’s been on and the longest we’ve been apart. not to mention lots of other firsts. abseiling. kayaking. river rafting. crating. rock climbing. archery. shooting. plus food firsts. tony went as a parent help and out of the 8 activities he led, 5 were in the water. webbed feet anyone. they left monday, on the bus, with us parents all waving them off with a mixture of excitement and some nervousness. it was awesome though – the camp had a blog which was updated regularly so i got to see photos and read journal entries about all the fun they were having. me and evangeline had girls week here at home. she thought we might have french toast and dessert all week. bless her. we did have some fun girl movies and yummy treats and baked together and had a sleepover in my room which was cute. nice to have the boys arrive home last night around dinner time and awesome to hear of all the things caleb did and how he has grown in confidence. so love my boy!
and as always. i love Jesus with all i am and all my heart and all my soul and all my days. For His glory and the building of His kingdom and the rescue of the lost.
so what are you totally loving this week?
… check out what other peeps are loving whatever day of the week it is over at MNM’s BLOG
And you He made alive, when you were dead and slain by your trespasses and sins in which at one time you walked habitually. You were following the course and fashion of this world were under the sway of the tendency of this present age, following the prince of the power of the air. You were obedient to and under the control of the demon spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behaviour governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind, our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings. We were then by nature children of God’s wrath and heirs of His indignation, like the rest of mankind.
But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead and slain by our own shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for it is by grace (His favour and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved and delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation.
And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable, limitless, surpassing riches of His free grace (His unmerited favour) in His kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.
For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favour) that you are saved and delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation through your faith. And this salvation is not of yourselves or of your own doing, it came not through your own striving, but it is the gift of God; not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.
For we are God’s own handiwork, His workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined and planned beforehand for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 3:1-10 AMP
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. William James
what kind of things make a difference…. a smile… taking a packet of chocolate biscuits into work for morning tea… a friendly email to say, hi, i was thinking of you… a card in the mail to a friend… a hug… a cup of tea after a long day… a compliment… a kind word… soup for an unwell friend… a saved seat at church… helping wash up after dinner… lending a book… lending a cd…
we would call it random acts of kindness nowdays… but these random acts can have a ripple effect in someone’s life
you get my drift… little things… simple things… but they can make a real difference to someone’s day. we don’t know what is going on behind closed doors, and the smile we see may just be for “appearances sake” (not to be rude… i know i do it… cos i also like being with people etc…) and so even the smallest kindness can make a difference. we do not see the loneliness of someone’s heart, or their fears and insecurities. people do not often project their hurts and worries to others… they hide them.
but God sees.
he sees all.
and so we, his children. can make a difference. we can share the love.
simple things. but they make a difference.
act now.
Jesus is our model.
As He lived, so we should live.
As He was obedient, so we should be obedient.
As He prayed, so we should pray.
As He loved, so we should love.
He has called us to follow Him, just as He called His disciples to come follow Him and learn ministry.
Jesus sets the example of what it is to know the Father, love the Father and serve the Father.
He sets the example of how we should relate to one another – love, service, truth, compassion.
He is our model.
He demonstrates what normal Christianity is – knowing God and making Him known.
there’s a popular movement with some real cred – WWJD – its a good question to ask – what would Jesus do? how would Jesus relate to that person? how would Jesus show love? what would Jesus say in this situation? what would Jesus do next? would Jesus do that? what wouldn’t Jesus do? you get the picture…
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 peter 2:21
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 john 2:6
The one who says he belongs to Christ should live the same kind of life Christ lived. 1 John 2:6 NL
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." John 8:28-29
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29
THE BIG QUESTION:
what are the most significant things that jesus said and did that personally impacted you?
what about jesus’ life challenges you the most?
so this year i found out i am allergic to wheat.
potentially celiacs disease.
along with my other allergies, notably egg and soy and nuts (and other things that i don’t really count because we never eat them like shellfish)
conflicting with my daughters allergies of dairy and nuts
so i’ve been going through a food thing throughout the year.
i’ve had to change completely what i eat, and what we eat as a family, how i prepare meals and all that
i’ve connected to a new community and asked a trillion questions
i’ve read more about food in the last 3 months than in a whole lifetime
and tried out more recipes than ever before, getting out of my comfort zone and into the foodie zone
i’ve gone bonkers wanting my favourite kind of chips (kettle fries bbq flavour)
and been delighted to discover that my 2 favourite lollies in the whole world, pineapple lumps and jaffas, are wheat free
and i’ve learnt about life too
discipline
what’s good for you and what’s not good for you
and more discipline again
and my big ah-ha moment last night was if only we could apply the same rules and rigor with how i apply to food to actions and thoughts and SIN
i don’t eat anything with wheat in it.
i cant.
so i am not usually then tempted by food with the *bad stuff* in it.
but when i am tempted i tell myself how sick it will make me and how it just isn’t worth it.
totally kills that crave.
i can now sit in a room filled with people eating yummy wheat full food and not feel deprived or like i am missing out
because i know that for me there is a better way and my choices effect my health
if only we saw our lives like that
that some of the choices we make for things are not wise choices
we’re choosing things that are harmful for us
things with consequences and ramifications
things that hurt us
it would make life simpler, sweeter, saner…
live according to convictions. not feelings.
live according to the rules of God, rules not to restrain us but protect us
just as i live according to my food rules, my food convictions
and you know what…
9 weeks down the track i’m feeling better
healthier
more energised
more me
those symptoms i read about as a result of my allergy and other stuff going on in my body are lessening and the health benefits are making me bounce
and just like in life
you feel better when you walk closely with God, when you make good choices
so go on… make life friendly choices… be sin free
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