I am so concerned to show myself a responsible servant of Christ that I fail to receive the oil of joy which would give off the aroma of Christ, making His work plain to all. The fruit of God’s work is intended to produce joy. In the Bible joy is experienced at the conclusion of … Continue reading Wait to receive joy
Our culture tries to smear us with shame for following Christ. Atheism’s angry voice dominates. I want to fit in, yet that means concealing the majesty the Lord has clothed me in, covering it with the clothing of the world. It takes faith and courage to be clothed in righteousness. Psalm 45 expresses the Lord’s … Continue reading Christ in us – Majesty
When I am driven by a task I find myself clinging to the false hope that this next attempt will succeed. When it fails I jump immediately to the next attempt. There is no time for reflection and grappling with the big picture. All this time there is someone watching over my shoulder who has … Continue reading Driven
The oppression of our self-focused, secular rooted religion is crushing us. We need the freedom only Christ can bring. As Isaiah says, Isaiah 9:4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. It is not the Lord’s … Continue reading Surrender to the Light of a Child
When a person meets with God, the impact is not often in the spectacular, but in the fragrance. It is not often in miracles or recordable events, but in the tenderness of the love, the quietness of peace, the steadfastness in hope. This fragrance impacts those around us. They are qualities that are infectious, and … Continue reading Fragrance of Christ
What is the dividing line between presumption and faith. Some take God’s promise to protect us, and enter the lion’s den. Others know the Lord could protect, but will He choose to? They are unwilling to take the risk. God’s promise starts with our being with Him: Psalm 91:1 ‘He who dwells in the shelter … Continue reading God’s Protection
My struggle with hope is an indication of how hard I find it to keep my focus on Jesus without being overwhelmed by our spiritual climate. I look upon our situation in the Church and it seems to be without hope. Everywhere churches are closing and congregations shrinking. Yes there are notable exceptions, the mega … Continue reading Hope for the hopeless
Paul identifies himself as both a servant of Christ and one entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed (1 Corinthians 4:1). It is to the first part that we warm to; we know our place as servants. The challenge is the second part; that we have been given a sacred trust of the mysteries that … Continue reading Entrusted with mysteries
Sometimes we presume God will act. The Psalmist indicates that prayer is needed even when it seems God is sure to act. Psalm 119:169 May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. I can presume that if I spend time meditating on God’s word I will gain understanding since … Continue reading Not presuming on the Lord
A sense of horror overwhelmed me as I realised that it was only by the Lord holding me on a tight leash that I was kept from working for the destruction of His people. The Lord has given me a degree of wisdom. As I have watched a spiritual train wreck happening, I have been … Continue reading Wise foolishness
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