Knock Knock

Scripture: Luke 11: 9-10

And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.  Keep on looking and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks recieves. Everyone who seeks, finds.  And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

 

Observation:

This is a command from Jesus, “Keep at it”  he say’s.  “Don’t give up”!  Jesus uses the word “everyone” 3 times here, so I guess this means everyone!  The Father does not want me to be half hearted in the things I ask for.  He wants me to be passionate and deliberate about what I’m asking God for.  He wants me to have considered thoughts about what I’m wanting to receive, a conviction about my need, so he see’s the passion and determination that shows him that this is not a whime, but a true request.

 

Application:

It’s so simple, I just must never give up!  The things that are important to me I must continue to bring my requests to God.  He does want to bless me, but how serious am I about what I want?  God says “You will be given what you ask for”  now that’s a promise……….

 

Prayer:

Father help me to keep pressing in with the things that are important in my life, let me never give up as I continue to journey forward in life.  Let me see answers to my prayers as I persisit in my requests to see things happen and change in my life.  God let me encouraged and be bless as I watch your hand and grace work through my life.

 

Amen

 

Stephen Hutchison

Distractions

Scripture:  Ezra 4:4  “Then the local residents tried to discourage & frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work”

 

Observation:  The people of Judah were getting on with the job they had been called to do – rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.  But their enemies weren’t going to sit idly by & see God’s people succeed.  They would try all they could to prevent it.  Any work of God is going to meet with opposition!  There will be times when discouragement & fear will come knocking at the door.  The important thing to realise is that these are ploys of the enemy to keep God’s people from His work!!

 

Application:  How often have I allowed discouragement & fear entrance to my life when they have come knocking at my door?  How often have I allowed them to keep me from my work – work that I know God has called me to do?  How important it is for me to be aware of the wiles of the enemy – of his tactics & strategies which are clearly designed to keep me from my work!!  Simply recognising them for what they are must surely help me to ignore that knock at the door – no matter how persistent!  Furthermore, knowing that the Lord has called me to a particular task should encourage me to realise that He would never call me to something without enabling me to complete it for His glory – which means that, no matter how bleak & discouraging things may appear, the Lord will ensure all things work together for my good, for His plans are to give me a hope & a future.  As Jesus says in Luke 9 today, “ Anyone who puts a hand to the plough & then looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God”  To allow discouragement & fear to dictate is like looking back when ploughing – the furrows won’t be straight & the work will be ineffective!  The Lord’s word to me today is to keep looking forward, with my hand on the plough, focussed on God’s work, on His directions & purposes, and refuse to allow discouragement & fear a foothold lest the work He has called me to do be rendered ineffective!

 

Prayer;  Dear Heavenly Father,  thankyou for Your Word that shows me so clearly how the enemy would try to distract me & keep me from the work You have called me to do.  Forgive me for the times I have opened the door to discouragement & fear in the past.  When these things come knocking again - & I know they will, Lord – help me to recognise them for what they really are – distractions of the enemy – that I might keep the door closed, keep my hand to the plough, my face forward focussed on You, completing the work You have given me to do for Your glory.  I long to hear You say to me: “Well done, good & faithful servant”    

In Jesus’ Name

Amen    

 

Sue Otto

 

The Voice of One crying

Scripture:

 

Luke 3:4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming! Make a straight road for him!”

 

Observation:

 

It’s interesting to me to note that John was the only one doing the type of thing that he was doing at the time. No one else was crying out to the general population to repent and be baptized to show fruit of their repentance. Later on in verse 8 he said, “Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. His mission from God was a specific mission and John was obedient to that call. It  doesn’t mention it in the scriptures, but I wonder how may people were offended by what John said and carried on living their lives, when they could have heeded the call and their lives would have been forever changed.

 

Application:

 

The call still goes out today, to those who have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. The call to prepare the way, make the path straight. When we fulfill this mandate then the last verse which says, “And then all people will see the salvation sent from God,” will come to pass!

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, you prepared the way for me and the call to declare that the way needs to be made for you still burns in my heart today. Draw us in by your Spirit Lord, draw us in and take us on with you. Help us to remain in you and to heed your call to come up higher to where you are. The call to live separated to you. So that when we are thrown in with the lions, we will come out unscathed and the decree will be made as by King Darius in Daniel, “That our God is the one and only true God to be worshipped by all men.”

Amen

 

Tracey Bence J

 

A watchman for God

 

Scripture:  Ezekiel 33:6

‘But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm and warn his people, he is responsible for their deaths.’

 

Observation:

The security man at the ground floor of a tall building is – to some – but a man in uniform whom you dare not look at him sideways lest he may think you have something too hide.  The train driver in peak hour seems just the man at the wheel steering the heavy laiden carriages to their destination.

 

Both have seemingly a quiet unassuming occupation until their eyes pick up on a situation that needs their attention.  Trained to look out ahead for obstacles and situations that need a quick response,  is what makes these men rise up with such authority, there’s no doubt their response needs to be adhered to.  It’s up to the individual to ‘Stop’ ‘Duck & Cover’ ‘Don’t Go There’ when the call is heard.

 

When the watchman has that authority it must be used or it is of no effect.  Lives could be lost.  Danger could be avoided  - but the alarm must be clear and loud.

 

Application:

How loud should I ring that bell?  The danger ahead of eternal hell is foreseeable!  When do I push the red button – is it too soon or too late? 

 

My character needs to be like Ezekiel’s.  God gave him a hard and stubborn character in order to stand against the hard and stubborn people of Israel.  The watchman of Israel was told by God that his people will not listen – but it is still God’s requirement to ring the bell, push the red button and sound the alarm of their forthcoming destruction should they proceed along their present path.

 

If but one person adheres to the call - it is one life saved.  The commission has been fulfilled – it’s up to whoever listens to act.

 

Prayer:

Lord, the warning signs are there and your commissioning of me to be a watchman, I take up with the sobriety of the call.  The bell is in my hand, my eyes are alert.  Give me the strength and wisdom I pray to carry out this call.

 

A watchman for God.

 

 

Terry B

 

AMAZEMENT

AMAZEMENT

Anita May

Daniel 3:24

 

S. 

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?"  They replied "certainly, O'King."

 

O.

Do I have the trust and faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  Would I back down and worship a foreign god rather than face a furnace of fire seven times hotter than normal.  If I am to be what God is calling me to be I must trust in Him with all my heart, and soul.  I must believe that God can get me through any battle. 

 

A.

Since surrendering my life to God, I have faced many a time when the heat has been turned up to boiling.  With the amazing grace of God I have been able to keep smiling and walk through the heat.  The greatest thing is seeing the reaction of my friends and family who do not have a relationship with Jesus, they look at me and say "how much more can you handle",  I smile and say "with God, nothing is impossible". 

 

Isn't God AMAZING how He will carry my burdens, take away my pain, whisper in my ear and watch over me day and night.  How blessed am I that I have an awesome amazing living God that loves me so much.  No other god or idol can save me.  My Jesus is a mighty, mighty God.  He truly is AMAZING. 

 

P.

Father God,  you have walked with me and carried me through many really hot times.  It is so true that your love endures forever.  No one could love me like you.  I pray Lord that I have the trust and faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that no matter where you send me I will be obedient and go.  I thank you Lord Jesus that you live in me, that you have placed me in a home of unity, trust and respect and that I am encouraged to be all that you have called me to be.  You God are the only Lord for me.     Amen

 

 

Daniel's Diet

Scripture: Daniel 1: 15  “At the end of 10 days, Daniel & his 3 friends looked healthier & better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king”

 

Observation: Daniel & his friends had been taken from their lives in Judah and brought to Babylon with the other exiles.  As members of the nobility, they were to be set apart to serve the king of their enemies.  But a period of “re-programming” was required – 3 years of it!  The re-programming involved teaching all the wisdom & knowledge of the Babylonian culture – in an attempt to “overwhelm” anything of the ways of Judah that might be in them!  The re-programming even went as far as changing their names to more culturally “acceptable” ones.  Here was a concerted attempt to make God’s people just like everyone else around them!  But Daniel’s response is to do what he can to prevent this - & that meant watching his diet!!!  He was willing to learn the ways of this new culture – that he might use that knowledge for God’s glory.  But he was not prepared to take into himself anything that would defile him in God’s sight…..he would not compromise.  And the Lord made the way for the “world” to assist him in that endeavour by giving these 4 young men greater health then those who were in the same situation but who had decided to “eat the food assigned by the king”.

 

Application:  What a great picture this is for me in daily life.  Like Daniel, I am surrounded by this world’s culture and ways.   Like Daniel, I am in this world, but not of it – I am the citizen of another country!  Of necessity, I need to watch my “diet”, being vigilant about what passes through my eyes & ears into my heart.  Am I guarding my heart in the choices I make over what I watch on TV, at the movies, in print?  I must be aware of what is going on in this world, but I must guard what I allow to go into my heart, lest my heart be defiled – I cannot afford to compromise with this world & it’s standards!

 

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father,  Thankyou for Daniel’s example of how to successfully live in and interact with a world which operates in a manner so contrary to Your ways, without allowing Your ways to be overwhelmed by the world!  Thankyou for reminding me that, like Daniel, I must “watch my diet”, lest I compromise Your standards & become defiled by this world!  Lord, as I guard my heart, may my diet become increasingly the same as that of Your Son, whose nourishment was to Your will!! (John 4:24)  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

AHA-Gods' detergent needed

NEWSLETTER ARTICLE- 6^TH SEPTEMBER, 2007

 

“AHA- Gods’ detergent needed!”

 

SCRIPTURE:

Ezekiel 31:9  “I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God.”

 

OBSERVATION:

 

The Lord speaks through Ezekiel to Israel concerning power, authority and conquests given by God Himself. He even used other nations and gave authority  to overpower Israel, bring it to its’ knees, and destroy it, because of their disobedience to their covenant promises to have the sovereign Lord as God and live in His ways. Judgment and punishment were inevitable and completed. God also allowed these other great nations themselves to be destroyed This depicts the absolute sovereignty and authority of God over everything in existence. 

 

APPLICATION:

 

This speaks powerfully into my heart that God even concerns Himself with my welfare. There have been many things in my life that have distracted me from your purposes while I have focused on my own. The giants that I have exalted have been my golf, the vintage cars, my design superiority in textiles. These have all given me achievement and success, but are probably worthless to you. These have robbed me of my life relationship with you, Lord. I have listened to man far too much, and realize the world is in chaos, and thankfully, these giants are no longer the focus of my life. You are Lord, and I am determined to do what you want me to do.

 

PRAYER:

 

Father, thank you for the “Aha’s” that you have said into my life and changed my focus more and more to You and Your purposes for me. I know that the eyes of my heart need to be  cleansed by Your detergent( the Word , Holy Spirit, and truth) so that I can see the revelation of Your creation and not be distracted by the giants of this world, no matter how wonderful they appear to be. You have made the blue-print for my life, and I realize that Your Grace is sufficient for me. Amen

 

Ps.Lyal

The Fire Walk!

Scripture:

 

Ezekiel 28:14b You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire.

 

Observation:

 

This King of Tyre had it all. He had position, power, wealth and beauty but most of all he had access to the holy mountain of the Lord God Almighty. Isn’t it funny how he gave away the most valuable resource of his life to pursue the created rather than the creator? And so he took his eyes off the most valuable part of his existence for the pursuit of becoming the source himself. Pride led him astray into thinking that he was all he needed. Pride, greed, violence and lust for power saw him literally set on fire from the inside out. Sin had run it’s full course through to death.

 

Application:

 

Keeping my eyes on my creator is the only place I’m safe. My God created me to worship him alone. He gave me things to enjoy but the pursuit of anything created above pursuing the creator, will eventually end badly. His command to me is to love Him alone with ALL my heart ALL my mind, ALL my soul and ALL my strength, that doesn’t leave room for other pursuits. I want to reside on God’s holy mountain, under the protection of His jealous eyes watching me continually.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, this is where I can slide off the road of blessing, by taking my eyes off you and fixing them on anything or anyone else for too long. Whatever I behold will captivate me and I don’t want to be held captive by anything other than you. Please forgive me when I focus on earthly pursuits. Please help me to quickly recognize when I am found in that place and set me back on the right path. I want to live in your presence at ALL times. Amen.

 

Tracey Bence J