Monday 28 November 2011

What is God calling us to do locally?

Today I listened to a really good talk on goals and sacrifice at church.

Do we have a big goal that we are working towards in our lives or our church.

The first part of Romans 12 could be Paul's.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God---this is your spiritual act of worship. [2] Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

His was radical because the sacrifice would be normally carried out on alters.

Sacrifice is important. We don't like things that cost.

What is cost all about? Is it the bad before the good. The cost and the value are both connected.

The cost is part of the journey and the prize itself.

What are we being called to?

Do we have a big goal that God is calling us to?

Some of us will be in the middle of what is God is calling us to at the moment. Some of us will not yet know where God is calling us.

If we are struggling knowing where God is calling us we can think through these areas:

What are my ...

Spiritual Gifts
Hopes
Abilities
Personality
Experiences

The answers can be really illuminating in clarifying where God is leading us.

But what is holding us back from being able to do more or realising God's plans for our lives.

We may have to move out of our own comfort zone and do something new or challenging.

But the cost may seem to high.

- tiredness
- our own busy lives of ferrying kids to school etc.
- time
- money
- time with friends

We may be called to use our time, bodies or intellect.

God does not leave us to do it on our own. Through prayer and in the body of Christ we are never on our own.

Sunday 27 November 2011

Advent

I love Advent, it is one of my favourite seasons in the church calendar. This is seen traditionally as a season of expectation and preparation.

Today we put together our Advent candles and light the first one.

Some verses to reflect on at the start of advent.

Romans 13:11 (NIV)
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Romans 13:12 (NIV)
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Psalm 24:7 (NIV)
Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Revelation 22:20 (NIV)
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Conflict of identities - Jonah

Listened to a really good talk today at church.

Jonah had a conflict of identity. He as a Jew didn't want to preach to the Gentiles.

Jonah 1:2-3 (NIV)
"Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." [3] But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish . He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

We do something similar when we have a conflict of identity.

The desert place can be a time where God can speak to us. When Jonah was inside the fish he was in a desert place.

It doesn't taken a lot to do mission but to take a step.

Jonah proclaims his identity

Jonah 1:9 (NIV)
He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land. "

But his action didn't reflect it.

Why did Jonah want someone else to throw him off?

Jonah 1:11-12 (NIV)
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?" [12] "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."

It is very easy to leave it (missionary) to someone else.

Jonah also had a conflict with what God wanted him to do.

Jonah 1:10 (NIV)
This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)

Mission starts with taking a step.

Eg. Peter walking on water.

Matthew 14:28-29 (NIV)
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." [29] "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

God calls to challenge our identity. Do we live as a Christian when we say we are.

Do people know who we are from our identity. Does our behaviour reflect who we really are?

God is amazing but we still need to do mission. We are all called to be missionaries.

God is working in our lives.

Sunday 20 November 2011

Living in loving relationships

Just listened to a really good talk on living the life described in Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:1,3-6,8-11 (NIV)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a man is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

We need to choose to live a new life, but also need to do it every day.

Imitate

Ephesians 5:1 (NIV)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

We need to live a life of love. We need to imitate Christ and follow Him.

We need to be honest in our thoughts and actions.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

We need to be vulnerable in our honesty with our friendships and relationships.

We need to admit what we struggle with.

Invest

The new life that is loving and faithful involves investment in relationships.

We are told not to be involved in specific things.

Ephesians 5:3-7 (NIV)
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a man is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them.

Is Paul trying to keep sexual temptation out of our thoughts and talks.

We need to live to a different standard.

Our society says that sexual immorality is ok.

If we truly want to love others we won't to get involved in sexual immorality.

No one is immune but imitating God is the starting point.

Ephesians 5:4 (NIV)
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

If we are talking thanksgiving there is no room for sexual immorality.

We should also invest with out expectation of return. We should love others rather than wanting to use them.

Illumination

Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

We are children of light and can live in the light.

This doesn't necessary mean trying to catch people out but shine the light on the path for others.

Ephesians 5:9 (NIV)
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

We will see ...

- goodness
- righteousness
- truth

We don't have to try and live in righteousness but will come as the fruit of living in the light.

Monday 7 November 2011

Can you write down prices in shops?

This article from the Guardian really interested me after a bad experience I had in Currys in Shirey (West Midlands).

Guardian journalist almost arrested for writing down prices in Tesco

Although after reading more about this Tesco have apparently not passed a new law prohibiting the writing down of prices in their stores.

So what was my experience ....

Recently I went into Currys to buy a piece of hardware for my son's computer. Wanting to get a good price I scanned it with my phone to use a comparison app. I was practically jumped on by a member of staff who said: quote "that is stealing". Forgive me for being thick but I really don't see how scanning a barcode can possibly be considered stealing!

Perhaps this is the new economic climate where you can't go into a shop, scan bar codes and then look elsewhere.

I really want to go to Tesco with a notepad.

Sunday 6 November 2011

How well do we support and encourage others?

Encouraging and affirming

Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Christian faith is about living better with God in God's world.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Be very careful with what you say that it will be encouraging.

To encourage, build up, support.

Ephesians 4:29,32 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

How does this apply to our lives?

Home - Look for situations where children are doing well and praise them for it. It doesn't help to pretend that a child's failure is not real but we can focus on the future and things that will go later. Don't just reserve praise for their success, because if it doesn't come they will feel it more when there is a lack of achievement. It also involves encouraging your friends and partners. This then becomes crucial with us. Do we praise and encourage the little things, the everyday stuff.

Workplace - praise lots and criticise less. Each member of a company contributes different strengths and these should be rewarded.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

What does this look like in the community? - Do we ever say a well done, thank you?

Church - do we do it at church? Do we encourage one and other in the church to develop the gifts and skills that each have.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

This will be discouraging world, we do need one and other to build each other up. It is a good way to live.

But is more than that ...

Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.