My Sweetheart

 

Scripture:

Proverbs 7:4

‘Love wisdom like a sweetheart, make her a beloved member of your family’.

 

 

Observation:

It’s a romance!  That’s what it is!  It’s the wooing process and wisdom is the ‘catch’.  Ever had the look from someone that says hmmm!  Have you seen someone that your mind says – ‘he’s easy on the eyes?  The heart palpitates and it is in the intention to watch every move they make with the hope of a causal approach to introduce yourself.

 

Wisdom – love wisdom like a sweetheart – like someone you care for, watch out for, put them first before yourself.   For in a relationship, it is a 2-way love – each caring for the other. 

 

Wisdom would not let you down.

Wisdom would get you through the tough times.

Wisdom is always there beside you all the way through thick and thin.

Wisdom grows as the relationship grows.  Hand in hand the bonding is so noticeable to others, it’s obvious.  The external reveals what wisdom has given on the inside.

 

 

Application:

I have a sweetheart – he’s a member of my family.  Sometimes I leave him behind as I walk out the door.  We had an argument and I left.  My heart and actions reveal that I left him home – shut him out, and it’s all my fault not his. He wants the best for me and I don’t want his flowers! 

 

I need to ensure I hold his hand and beckon him to be with me wherever I go, so in the end he overshadows me and I am full of him.

His wisdom . . . . . my beloved wisdom.

 

 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving me your beloved wisdom.  I receive your wisdom by faith as I know that if I ask for wisdom – your scripture said that I will receive it.

 

My courtship with wisdom – love it!

 

 

T. Bugden

 

 

 

 

 

Pick Me Lord

Scripture:

Romans 9:16, So receiving God’s promise is not up to us. We can’t get it by choosing it or working hard for it. God will show mercy to anyone he chooses.

Observation:

Yes, God being my creator, He can choose what, when and where he pleases, it is not up to his creation to tell him what to do. God can choose to mould or destroy and show mercy at His own discretion. I can’t work for it or choose it, I’m totally in the hands of my Father the Creator.

Application:

I can’t tell God what to do, but I can ask! Through prayer I can ask for favour, mercy, understanding, blessing etc. My Creator sees my heart, my growth, my attitude & my motivations. But God will bless me as He chooses. I don’t want to be a rebellious creation but one of honour, worthy for the master’s use. Through my asking, through my seeking through my obedience of heart I can receive God’s promises as He chooses. It’s not up to my effort, but up to who I am as a son of God that will bring God’s favour & blessings in my life. At the end of my life my life’s headlines should read, “It was not what he did that we loved, but it was who he was we loved the most” I think that’s what God wants of me…..

Prayer:

Father help me always have the right heart, I pray that you choose me to show mercy and compassion, that you will see my heart and bless me accordingly. Amen

Stephen

Done & Dusted!

Scripture: Romans 8:2, 6  “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death...So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.  But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life & peace”

 

Observation:  Wow!!  It’s been done!! As Jesus said on the cross: “It is finished”.   I have already been freed from the power of sin.  That’s past tense!!  From the second I said “yes” to the Father through Jesus, I was freed!!  Have I always walked in that freedom? No, unfortunately....but it has always been available.  It’s up to me  to avail myself of that which I already have.

 

Application:  I’m the gatekeeper of my thoughts.  I am going to give something control – my choice! – so, moment by moment, what will it be?? If it’s the Spirit of God, my deeds following from my thoughts will be Spirit-led & filled with life.  If the sinful nature, the result will be death.   It’s quite scary, really!  The fact is that the Spirit of God does live in me, but He won’t “control” me without my express permission.  The sinful nature, however – which, from years of being the “leader” (pre-Christ) - can still be my default!  The battle is that of my mind – of my belief in the One who has already set me free to walk in freedom, versus the idea that I simply can’t overcome my sinful nature.  Bottom line – I can’t!!  But Jesus already has!!  That’s what I need to remind myself of – and the enemy –when I think I can’t resist the temptation to return to my “old ways”.  It’s already done & dusted!! 

 

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, thankyou that You sent your Son to do for me what I could never do for myself – free me from the power of sin that I might walk in Your life!!  Forgive me that I don’t always believe that, and act out of my sinful old nature, rather than your Spirit-led nature.  Thankyou that You always forgive me when I have those lapses and return to you in repentance!  Lord, I long to have less & less “lapses”!!  I long to continually be pleasing to You in all that I think, say & do.  I commit myself  to allow Your Spirit increasing reign in my life as each moment & each day passes.

 

In Jesus’ name,   Amen.

 

Sue Otto

Do I have any Secrets?

S – Romans 2: 16

 

‘This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ – as my gospel declares’

 

O – I observe in this verse the need to understand there can be no secrets before the Lord. There can be no contradiction between what is proclaimed on the outer compared with what is proclaimed on the inner. There is the constant mystery that the human heart believes that it can hide from being searched by the Lord. This seems to be the blindness and the deception that is being addressed in this verse. So much I can do in action and word – yet it is in the heart that the transgression and judgment takes place. I think that’s why Righteous government goes past the actions and into the motives of the heart. We can think that our secrets from God are safe – because others don’t know my heart – then neither does God. How easy we find to humanize God.

 

A – There can be no secrets in my life from God. I must have integrity of heart that is always open to His searching and convicting. How often I put this off, tolerate issues and thoughts that are not right. It is then only as I continually repent before him that I keep my heart open and soft. His Righteous laws can only be written and applied to my heart. When I allow this then His Righteousness becomes powerful as a reforming and transforming power in my life. No secrets before the Lord, more confession and repentance of sin and wrong attitudes. Less focus on the outer behavior, more focus and attention to the inner life and responses.

 

P – Lord how powerful is your righteousness. Forgive me for when I think I can tolerate secrets in my heart from you. Forgive me when I do not allow your truth to come and search and forgive. I don’t want to be deceived into living that what is on the outer is more important than the inner of my heart. Thank you for your Righteous government, I want it to come and bring a clean transparency before you.

Last But Not Least

Scripture:

1 Chronicles 23: 4 & 5

‘24,000 will supervise the work at the Temple David instructed,  6,000 are to be bailiffs and judges, 4,000 will the Temple guards and 4,000 will praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have made.’

 

Observation:

The tribe of Levi were the people appointed by God to help Aaron and Moses and their descendants in looking after the Tabernacle and Temple – assisting Aaron and Moses – the priests in their duties.  And now as the planning for the Temple to be built by Solomon was being organised, the Tribe of Levi were appointed to supervise, judge, guard and praise.

 

Even whilst the people of Israel were doing manual work  - cutting, sawing, measuring, working out logistics to build the temple, praise was permeating the whole construction site.  Doing ‘Stuff’ FOR the Lord was never done without praise.  

 

The busyness of day to day work still needs to have room for God, to thank, honour and acknowledge our Lord.  Praise did not have a ‘mute button’ or ‘pause button’ whilst the task of building FOR the Lord was being done, but it was part of the essential ingredient – so much so that 4,000 Levi’s praised God continually.

 

Application:

What an example to not forget.  Keep praising God in ALL things.  Bang the drums, clap the hands, raise the voice over and above even the loudest hammer being banged.  It must also be my torch to carry too!  Praise God above all the busyness of life.  It is one of the essential ingredients to building God’s house.

 

Prayer:

Lord, may my praise for you be loud and clear above all my circumstances and busyness of life.

 

Last but not least – I Praise you.

 

 

 

Staying strong

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:7 “So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers & sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith”

 

Observation:  Staying the course.  Running the race.  Remaining strong in the midst of trials.  Finishing well.  How important it is in the Christian life!  David exhorts Solomon to “be strong and courageous: do not be afraid or lose heart!” (1 Chronicles 22:13).  Joshua was told the same at the start of his time as leader of Israel.  Paul’s satisfaction towards the end of his life was that he had run the race well – he hadn’t dropped out.  The parable of the Sower & the various soils the seeds grow in is another illustration.  The Christian life will, without doubt, hold its difficulties, its challenges – some will even come because of faith, & not just because we are doing life in a sin-sick world.  But everywhere in the Word is the encouragement: stand firm.  Persevere.  Remain strong in your faith.  Let the seeds of faith grow strong roots deep into fertile soil.  Be strong & courageous – not of yourself, but of your faith in the Strong & Courageous One who carries you.  It is the only way!

 

Application:  What causes me to lose heart?  To stumble in my faith walk?  To feel that being “strong & courageous” is beyond me?  It’s believing the lies of the enemy of my soul who tells me it’s all too hard – but my Lord says “Be strong & courageous in Me”  “Allow My strength to rise up when you are weak”  Courage & perseverance in the midst of trials doesn’t mean pretending the trials don’t matter or don’t exist.  But it does mean growing my roots deeper into Him and hanging on that much tighter!!  Hanging on to faith in Christ is the only way to really survive –to more than survive – to live the abundant life – in the midst- that Jesus promised me!!

 

Prayer:  Dear Lord, forgive me for those times I have been on the verge of losing heart & giving up – on people, situations, & faith!!  May I remember that You exhort me to be strong & courageous, especially in the midst of trials – because You are and You live in me!!!  May this be one of Your marks on my life.   

 

Sue Otto

 

Time to ponder

Thursday 8^th May 2008

 

Scripture

Psalm 32: 1-2 “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of son, whose lives are lived in complete honesty”.

 

Observation

This Psalm is a contemplative moment for David. He reflects how good the grace and mercy is of his God. He understands that the ones who have had the courage to confess their sin have received a pardon, and realises that those who have stubbornly soldiered on in their pride have suffered greatly.

 

Application

I need to be quick to confess my sin and be ready to depart from the ways of wickedness. I have a choice to either hide my wrongs or bring them into the light and allow Christ to deal with them. I wan to constantly be experiencing the joy of the Lord as I live transparently and honestly for the Lord.

 

Prayer

Father thank you for this moment of contemplation. May I be often found quietly before you in repentance, grateful for your mercy.

 

Jim Jung

Hope to all

 

Scripture

2 Samuel 14:14

Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die.

 But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him

Observation

As we will all die in the natural, God can and does give us natural life.

God does not take away life but gives us freedom to live life.

God does not give up; he does not turn his back and does not ignore us.

He devises ways to have him connect to him.

Unlike people he is not set on avenging, he shows mercy and love.

Application

This shows so much hope to all, to all that have been hurt, all who have strayed. This gives hope to us for the lost, for our families and friends.

We need to remember he devises a way; we need to listen and be obedient. We don’t push our own agendas, but to obey him. Listen from His

Heart and allow his wisdom to speak through us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Thank- you for your mercy and grace. Lord help me to wait for you to put plans in action and to be obedient when told.

In Jesus name Amen  

 

Candice Pleiter

Walk the talk

 

Scripture:  Matthew 23:3 “So practice & obey whatever they [the Pharisees & teachers of the law] tell you, but don’t follow their example.  For they don’t practice what they teach”

 

Observation:  Thus begins one of Jesus’ strongest, if not THE strongest, indictments of the religious leaders – or anyone -  recorded in the New Testament.  He roundly denounced the Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses as hypocrites who lead the people away from the Lord by burdening them with rules & regulations that were designed by the Lord Himself to draw the people of Israel TO Him!!  How we can twist what the Lord has designed for good into the very opposite!!  But the key here is that the Pharisees didn’t “walk the talk” – their hearts were far away from the Lord whilst they “obeyed” the Law to the nth degree!  Had their hearts been towards the Lord, they would have recognised Jesus for who He was, their long-awaited Messiah, and not seen Him as they did – a huge threat to their power base!!  Jesus, however, was the supreme example of “walking the talk”.  He constantly demonstrated what it was to obey the Father & walk in His ways.  That’s what He requires of those who come after Him.   “If you love Me, you will obey what I command”.  Here is a call to heart obedience.  To love.  To purity. To integrity.  He gives the power to do it by His Spirit, and He forgives when we fail.  But it’s still ultimately my moment-by moment choice to walk the talk as well as talk the talk.  If I don’t, I will be labelled a hypocrite by anyone observing me, bringing displeasure to my Lord (as David did over Bathsheba & Uriah)& disgrace to His name!!  If I do, though, I will bring pleasure to my Lord, & Glory to his name!!

 

Application:  I know which I’d rather do – give my Lord pleasure & bring glory to His name!!  But I still have to make the choice!!  And it’s not always going to be easy (Uriah made the right choice - & it cost him his life!!).  The solution?  It’s been said before, but bears saying again – keep my heart soft towards the Lord, ever listening for His voice, keeping short accounts with Him when I fail, that I can be restored to Him quickly!!  Recognising that He DOES give me the power to overcome, by His grace & His Spirit, but that I have a part to play in surrendering my will to His!!  It should actually get easier as time goes on & I mature in Him, but, again, like David, I cannot afford to let down my guard, for that has the potential to be a disaster waiting to happen!!  The enemy of my soul does NOT “play fair”!! And how easy can it be to just “talk the talk” as my “Christianese” gets better with practice!!    I have the potential to fool everyone ….except the Lord!!  So…today – and all the days to come – I need to determine that I will “Walk the Talk”, not just “talk the talk”

 

Prayer:  Thankyou, Lord, for Your Word which continually challenges me to Walk the Talk as Your Son did.  I long to please You & bring glory to Your Name.  Help me to be vigilant, to quickly recognise when I am starting to stray  from You and correct any  mis-alignment immediately!  Thankyou that You don’t put me under pressure to “perform”, but that You give me Your power, through Your Spirit living within me, to enable me to walk Your way.

 

In Jesus’ name

 

Amen.

 

 

Sue Otto

 

 

 

 

 

A different 'Help'

S – Psalm 20; 2

 

            ‘May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion”

 

 

O - I see that David knew where his help came from. So many times in the psalms that he writes he directs us to God himself. I think David knew there were so many sources that he could look to. No doubt he had tried all of them but somehow all were inadequate. There were his friends, his counselors, his followers, even his own perspectives and wisdom. Yet David was a man who needed help far beyond and above these sources. His point of focus was the very presence and connection with God Himself. He knew that his help would come from his intimacy with God from His place into David’s life. I see that David was a man who knew how to connect into this filling and strength that can only come from God as a source and presence.

 

A – I need to fresh this reality continually in my life. Help seems to be redefined in our contemporary society. I only seek it when all my own natural resources and strategies have failed. I go or call for help as the last resource. Yet David wants me to learn that there is a constant flow of help and support that comes from God. This help and support comes as a result of my connection time and my communicating with Him, drawing strength from him, not just as a last minute run to him. This help for my life then is different; I must learn and put great value on going to God to receive a continuous strength into my life. I need more than just some creative ideas or strategies or suggestions. I need to go to that place that Jesus has made for me into that relationship with God as my Father and counselor.

 

P – Lord how often have I relied on my own strength and counsel when I need to go to you for the help and support that I need so continuously in my life. Forgive me when I make you the last reference point when all the time you want me to make you the first. I thank you that there is now more than a place to go; there is the closeness of our relationship of intimacy and sharing. Lord I need your help and support that can only come from you.