Sharper

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As we read God’s word it apprehends us, challenges us, directs us. It challenges our behaviour, our thoughts, our intentions.

At present I am challenged with the way Jesus handled Judas, His betrayer. The only time we see Judas speak up is when Mary pours expensive nard over a Jesus’ feet and wipes his feet with her hair. Judas. A money-lover, was offended at the presumed waste. ‘Why this could be sold and the money given to the poor’. He did not care for the poor, as he was a thief. Jesus did not remonstrate with him about his greed, or theft. Jesus knew Juda would betray Him and therefore was essential. However, He did defend Mary’s actions and told Judas to ‘leave her alone’ as she was preparing Him for His burial.

When we are faced with a person who is antognistic to us, how do we behave? At this time I am compelled to seek a better way. Amen!

God’s word

“For the word of God will never fail.””Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse is a part of the word that the angel Gabriel brought to Mary. Gabriel had told Mary that she was chosen by God to bear His Son, but that her elder cousin Elizabeth was pregnant. This verse follows.

How did this verse apply to Elizabeth? Gabriel had appeared to Zechariah whilst he was on duty in the temple and told him his wife would bear a son. Zechariah had doubted Gabriel’s words and so was struck dumb for the time of Elizabeth’s pregnancy right up until John was born. As Gabriel had told Zechariah his son would be called John, this is what Zechariah insisted he be called, even though no one in his family had been called that before. As he wrote the name for those who asked, his mouth was opened.

When God speaks to us, He keeps His word. We can delay His word or refuse it entrance. This is our choice, to walk in unbelief or faith. Zechariah’s problem was his lack of faith. Silence prevented him from speaking unbelief. We need to guard our lips, and speak God’s word over our lives. Amen!

The Word

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

John tells us that Jesus is the Word of God. He was the voice that spoke creation into being. We may not have thought about who did the creation, I used to think the Father did, but this tells us it was Jesus.

Jesus told John in Revelation 22:13-15: ‘I am the Alpha and a omega, the first and last, the beginning and end’. He is everything!

It is preposterous for us to claim God is not real or powerful. Satan would have us deluded and believing we are all we need. This is foolishness at best damning deception at worst.

Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father but through me’ (John 14:6). His voice echoes through eternity, destroying all our flimsy walls. Only truth will prevail. Amen!

A life in the spirit

“From now on, worshiping the Father will not be a matter of the right place but with a right heart. For God is a Spirit, and he longs to have sincere worshipers who adore him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth.”John‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Coming to God is not a formality, a duty but rather a glorious joyful encounter. Yesterday morning I prayed that the Lord would give me an opportunity to share Him with my neighbours. Before going to Bible study last night I went to the store to buy some snacks to share. When I returned an elderly Nepali woman was making her way up the steep road beside our flat. I cheered her on. She showed me blood results which I could read and see she had an infection. In Nepali I asked if I could pray for her, she responded in the affirmative, and so I did, right there. When I entered my flat my flatmates were sitting on the couch and I told them what had happened. I asked them to pray for the woman with me, and we did. At Bible study we also prayed for her. This morning I saw her on her rooftop sweeping. God will keep her in my prayers.

Our beautiful saviour longs to touch hearts and minds. If we ask Him He will use us for His glory. Amen!

Who is at the door?

““Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This scripture is often quoted in relation to the unsaved, however, on the contrary, it was spoken by Jesus to the church at Laodecia. If we read the full message to the church we discover that they thought they were doing well because they were rich, however Jesus said, ‘you are neither hot or cold, but you are lukewarm, I wish you were hot or cold but because you are lukewarm I will spit you from my mouth’ (Rev 3:15,16).The city of Laodecia was destroyed in an earthquake in 60AD. 

The church in Laodecia sounds like many of the churches today, particularly in the West. We can learn from this lesson. Jesus is not only saviour, He is Lprd and will give justice (sometimes that justice is judgement).

Love your neighbour

“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.””

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus was approached by a religious leader who asked Him, ‘what must I do to obtain eternal life?’ “Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!””

‭‭the man then asked, ‘who is my neighbour?’ Jesus answered with a parable we call ‘The Ggod Samaratin’. Jesus showed the man that anybody needing our help is our neighbour. It is a good dialogue to read, Luke 10:25-37.

We generally will help friends, family and possibly church people and work colleagues. These are all known to us. However the parables speaks about the unknown. Social media often shows clips of such people. We all applaud them. However, our Heavenly Father is looking for the unknown achievers, He will repay them. Amen!

Freedom looks like…

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When Jesus was asked what the greatest law was, He said:

‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Loving God first will cause us to love others. Loving others as we love ourselves cannot come out of a carnal nature, it must come from a heart that is filled with the Holy Spirit. As we abide in Jesus, we are transformed into His image, and we are filled with His love with which we can love others.

How do we abide in Him? A close connection is developed through prayer, reading the scriptures and fellowship. Try it! Amen!