We have been looking in our summer worship services at reoccurring themes that flow through the Scriptures. This past Sunday we spoke about covenanting. A sermon on that very topic can be found here.
One of the things we touch on in the sermon is the idea that to covenant with God means agreeing that God knows best! How can we build that notion into our daily lives? (This may well be an exercise in ‘back to basics’ but it is good to remind our selves of simple things!)
Seek God through prayer. Prayer is not about getting God to do what we want, but getting ourselves to do what God wants. Spending some time each day with God in prayer is therefore an important part of keeping covenant with God.
Seek God through Scripture. We see throughout scripture people who both disagree and agree with Gods actions in their lives. It goes without saying that things usually turn out best for the ones who agree with God. Scripture informs our faith journey in so many ways!
Seek God through worship. Being part of a community of faith is important. Christianity has little room for lone rangers. God does not want us to go it alone. We can do so much more together than we can ever accomplish on our own.
Prayer. "Lord; help us to be people of new covenant faith, who know Your ways because of time spent in Your presence. Help us to live lives that show they agree that Your way is the best way! Amen."
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Creating
A reoccurring theme that flows through the 66 books of the Bible is that of ‘Creating’. Such was our meditation during Sunday worship this past weekend. The sermon can be found here.
One of the verses we reflected upon was 2 Corinthians 5:17 ”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Note the following things.
Creating is in Christ. The biblical notion of creating involves the work of God. Sometimes people ‘take a break’ or try and ‘get away from it all’ in their quest for renewal. Christian renewal is not getting away from anything, but immersing our selves deeper into the love of Christ. Without the action of the Holy Spirit the creating process is incomplete.
Creating brings change. Paul simply says that ‘the old is gone’. So often we put up with the same old ways. The creating work Paul has in mind is of a different level altogether. It involves a break with our past. We can struggle with that because we resist change! We must bear in mind then that this a change that we are called to make ‘In Christ’. That Christ died to set us free from sin and bring about a change in us!
Creating is in the here and now. ‘The New has come’. The work of creating is happening. We don’t have to wait to for the program to start. Rather we are called to cooperate with the action of God in the now! In practice that means prayerfully seeking where the Holy Spirit is at work within us and around us.
Prayer: Lord God, You are the creator of all that it is good. In Christ You have created the way for us to be free from sin and live creative lives. Renew us through the work of Your Holy Spirit and help us to discover new ways of being faithful. Amen.
One of the verses we reflected upon was 2 Corinthians 5:17 ”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Note the following things.
Creating is in Christ. The biblical notion of creating involves the work of God. Sometimes people ‘take a break’ or try and ‘get away from it all’ in their quest for renewal. Christian renewal is not getting away from anything, but immersing our selves deeper into the love of Christ. Without the action of the Holy Spirit the creating process is incomplete.
Creating brings change. Paul simply says that ‘the old is gone’. So often we put up with the same old ways. The creating work Paul has in mind is of a different level altogether. It involves a break with our past. We can struggle with that because we resist change! We must bear in mind then that this a change that we are called to make ‘In Christ’. That Christ died to set us free from sin and bring about a change in us!
Creating is in the here and now. ‘The New has come’. The work of creating is happening. We don’t have to wait to for the program to start. Rather we are called to cooperate with the action of God in the now! In practice that means prayerfully seeking where the Holy Spirit is at work within us and around us.
Prayer: Lord God, You are the creator of all that it is good. In Christ You have created the way for us to be free from sin and live creative lives. Renew us through the work of Your Holy Spirit and help us to discover new ways of being faithful. Amen.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Now… about the Bible
Our worship service this past Sunday focused on the central documents of the Christian faith contained within the Bible. The sermon can be found here.
Here are some helpful hints to guide our scripture reading.
Pray. If there is a God, and that God inspired the people who wrote down their experiences in the pages of scripture, then it is going to be helpful to tune into that God as we approach a time of reading and contemplating!
Be methodical. In order to get a view of the overall message of such a huge collection of writings then a little organization is required. There are things such as reading plans and ‘Through the Bible’ resources available all over the internet. There may even be one in the back of your bible.
Be random. The many books of the Bible make awesome material just to dive into and read whatever you find. And if you are involved in prayerful diving it may even be that the Holy Spirit will guide you to exactly what you need to be hearing right now!
Be serious. Seriously! Intentional application always brings awesome results.
Move on. If you are bogged down in a particular section… then don’t be. Move on. It’s O.K not to understand the relationship between Aaron’s priestly robes and some random verse from a book you find it hard to pronounce! If you make your bible reading a life long journey… you’ll get there one day.
Enjoy. Scripture is meant to give us life not a headache. Meditation should offer joy not frustration. It’s only when we admit we’re floundering that we start to float. And swimming is better than sinking.
Prayer “Lord, Thank You for the books of the Bible. Help me to discover each day truth that will guide me and words that inspire me. Amen”
Here are some helpful hints to guide our scripture reading.
Pray. If there is a God, and that God inspired the people who wrote down their experiences in the pages of scripture, then it is going to be helpful to tune into that God as we approach a time of reading and contemplating!
Be methodical. In order to get a view of the overall message of such a huge collection of writings then a little organization is required. There are things such as reading plans and ‘Through the Bible’ resources available all over the internet. There may even be one in the back of your bible.
Be random. The many books of the Bible make awesome material just to dive into and read whatever you find. And if you are involved in prayerful diving it may even be that the Holy Spirit will guide you to exactly what you need to be hearing right now!
Be serious. Seriously! Intentional application always brings awesome results.
Move on. If you are bogged down in a particular section… then don’t be. Move on. It’s O.K not to understand the relationship between Aaron’s priestly robes and some random verse from a book you find it hard to pronounce! If you make your bible reading a life long journey… you’ll get there one day.
Enjoy. Scripture is meant to give us life not a headache. Meditation should offer joy not frustration. It’s only when we admit we’re floundering that we start to float. And swimming is better than sinking.
Prayer “Lord, Thank You for the books of the Bible. Help me to discover each day truth that will guide me and words that inspire me. Amen”
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Real Thing
In John 6:55 we hear Jesus saying “For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.” Last Sunday’s sermon focused on this verse and can be found here.
The sixth chapter of John is a meaty theological discourse. It begins with Jesus miraculously feeding the crowds with literal bread before walking on water, moves onto Him speaking of Himself as ‘Bread from heaven’ and concludes with words about who will betray Him. There are so many images and themes interwoven into the narrative that one could pursue an endless series of reflections. Hence the need to isolate a verse.
So I am sticking with the flesh as ‘true food’ and the blood as ‘true drink’. And whilst images of communion naturally spring to mind maybe there are other ways to consider this verse.
True Food
Good food is the sort of food that truly brings us nourishment and growth. There are endless amounts of folk who tell us what we should and shouldn’t be eating. Sometimes we take notice. Other times we go our own way.
Likewise in our spiritual journeys. There are practices that help us grow. There are many advisers offering us their insights, and some of it works for us and some of it leaves us cold.
By speaking of Himself as true food the implication is that to truly grow spiritually we must feast on the teachings that Jesus came (in the flesh) to offer us. Putting it ever so simply … Jesus offers good teaching that can make us whole.
True Drink
Connoisseurs of fine wine know the difference between a mature full-bodied vintage and a bottle of cheap plonk from the supermarket. That difference will be reflected in the price tag.
Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation, the shedding of His blood on the Cross of Calvary that we may live free and forgiven! To truly drink in what God has done for us in Christ is a life-changing experience. As we come to appreciate the significance of what God has done, so we seek to be channels of God’s love to others.
Prayer: “Lord, help us to feast our lives upon the love You offer to us through the Holy Spirit. May we know Your teaching as the authentic pattern by which to order our lives. May we carry with us the awareness that Jesus died for us so as we can live for others. Amen.”
The sixth chapter of John is a meaty theological discourse. It begins with Jesus miraculously feeding the crowds with literal bread before walking on water, moves onto Him speaking of Himself as ‘Bread from heaven’ and concludes with words about who will betray Him. There are so many images and themes interwoven into the narrative that one could pursue an endless series of reflections. Hence the need to isolate a verse.
So I am sticking with the flesh as ‘true food’ and the blood as ‘true drink’. And whilst images of communion naturally spring to mind maybe there are other ways to consider this verse.
True Food
Good food is the sort of food that truly brings us nourishment and growth. There are endless amounts of folk who tell us what we should and shouldn’t be eating. Sometimes we take notice. Other times we go our own way.
Likewise in our spiritual journeys. There are practices that help us grow. There are many advisers offering us their insights, and some of it works for us and some of it leaves us cold.
By speaking of Himself as true food the implication is that to truly grow spiritually we must feast on the teachings that Jesus came (in the flesh) to offer us. Putting it ever so simply … Jesus offers good teaching that can make us whole.
True Drink
Connoisseurs of fine wine know the difference between a mature full-bodied vintage and a bottle of cheap plonk from the supermarket. That difference will be reflected in the price tag.
Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation, the shedding of His blood on the Cross of Calvary that we may live free and forgiven! To truly drink in what God has done for us in Christ is a life-changing experience. As we come to appreciate the significance of what God has done, so we seek to be channels of God’s love to others.
Prayer: “Lord, help us to feast our lives upon the love You offer to us through the Holy Spirit. May we know Your teaching as the authentic pattern by which to order our lives. May we carry with us the awareness that Jesus died for us so as we can live for others. Amen.”
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