I spent yesterday reflecting on my year as a 23 year old. It's been a year of highs and lows, but one thing has remained constant, and that's God. I've experienced Him in so many different ways this past year, but particularly in the area of provision.
It led me to read again Matt 6:25-34. This is the well known passage from Jesus' sermon on the mount, where He tells us not to worry about our own needs in life, but to put the Kingdom first. For many, they interpret this to say that we don't need to work, because God will supply, for others it becomes another burden as they worry about not worrying. Here is the key to this passage;
'Seek first the Kingdom of God', or as the Message translation puts it, 'Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God provisions.' Our main priority in life should be to love God and love each other, in order that God's Kingdom would advance, but we get so caught up in our own lives, that we don't have the time and energy for anyone else!
How much of your prayer time is spent praying about yourself?
What happens when we put the Kingdom first in our lives? Well, Jesus says our needs will be met. I've experienced this recently. Money has been a pressing concern over this year as I have no regular income, and my outgoings well outweigh anything that's coming in. So I've prayed (and worried) about it for some time and not much has really changed. So in the last month or so, I've been travelling around, visiting and supporting friends in different parts of the World. I've been so busy, I haven't had time to pray (or worry) about money, yet it's been the time where I've received the most.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that God deals with us on a commission basis or that we shouldn't ask God for things, but what it does say to me is that if we stop worrying about ourselves and live a life of wild abandonment for others in obedience to Him, which doesn't always make sense, God will provide our needs, whatever they may be.
As we put the Kingdom first, our problems seem very small in comparison to an almighty God. As we care for the poor, the abused, the lonely, the hurting, the dieing, it puts our problems into perspective.
In a society that tells us we need more, we need to stop and ask why!
Jesus said in Matt 10:39, that those who let go of their life will gain it, but those who try to keep it will lose it. As we let go of ourselves and our worries and embrace the goodness of God and live in obedience to him, we will find this life to the full, as we have been promised. It may not be a life that Hollywood sells, but it's the life I want. A life that brings freedom and liberty. A life with no constraints, totally connected between mind, body and soul. A life led by the spirit, not by the world. A life of adventure and mystery. A life of learning and discovery. A life of pain, but also of healing.
Are you putting the Kingdom first today? If not, why not? What is distracting you? What are you worried about? Give it to God.
Ask Him how he wants to further the Kingdom through you today and let Him worry about the details!
Tuesday 22 May 2007
Friday 18 May 2007
Warfare
I've really been aware of the reality of spiritual warfare this week. We've just launched another week of prayer here in Guildford, with the focus being on the nations and the lost, and it really has been hard work. It was hard work to set up, it's been hard to fill up the slots and many have talked about a heaviness when trying to pray. It strikes me that this isn't normal. Or maybe it is? Maybe we should expect it to be hard when we are praying that God's kingdom would advance. Maybe we should expect opposition? Yet when it comes, it's so easy to cave in.
I've just been reminded of how important it is that we stand up and fight. We are in a battle. A battle for our hearts, minds and soul. The ultimate victory has been won, but we are in a battle to believe that. The battle is between truth and lies. We are told that Jesus is truth and that the Holy Spirit is the bringer of truth, and we are also told that the enemy is the chief of all liars. So this is the battle. Our opinion of God, ourselves and the world are constantly under attack from the lies of the enemy and we must stand on the truth.
So, we MUST fight. We MUST fight through the doubts that bring us down and focus on Jesus.
We MUST pray, asking God to reveal us the truth and also speak it out. There is power in our words.
We MUST read our bibles. There is so much truth in these pages, yet so many of us don't read them.
Finally, we MUST do this together. It's important that we stand, support and encourage each other. That we speak truth to each other, otherwise we will be picked off one by one.
My prayer for you is that you step up to the plate. That you take your place in the ranks, and stand on truth. If your not part of a community that loves and supports you, challenging and encouraging you in truth then find one.
Most importantly, don't give up. If you are struggling, speak to some one. Don't get isolated.
Don't lose your voice!
I've just been reminded of how important it is that we stand up and fight. We are in a battle. A battle for our hearts, minds and soul. The ultimate victory has been won, but we are in a battle to believe that. The battle is between truth and lies. We are told that Jesus is truth and that the Holy Spirit is the bringer of truth, and we are also told that the enemy is the chief of all liars. So this is the battle. Our opinion of God, ourselves and the world are constantly under attack from the lies of the enemy and we must stand on the truth.
So, we MUST fight. We MUST fight through the doubts that bring us down and focus on Jesus.
We MUST pray, asking God to reveal us the truth and also speak it out. There is power in our words.
We MUST read our bibles. There is so much truth in these pages, yet so many of us don't read them.
Finally, we MUST do this together. It's important that we stand, support and encourage each other. That we speak truth to each other, otherwise we will be picked off one by one.
My prayer for you is that you step up to the plate. That you take your place in the ranks, and stand on truth. If your not part of a community that loves and supports you, challenging and encouraging you in truth then find one.
Most importantly, don't give up. If you are struggling, speak to some one. Don't get isolated.
Don't lose your voice!
Friday 11 May 2007
Is this the way to Auchderarder?
I've just returned from spending a week in a small community just outside Perth in Scotland. Myself and two others went up as representatives of 24-7 prayer to assist them as they embarked on their first ever week of prayer.
After helping to set up the room (the usual stuff- paint, sand, map of world etc), we helped lead their Sunday service, which was great fun and attended a baptism, which was even better! There was such a vibrancy and hunger about this group of believers that was both infectious and challenging.
As the week started, we weren't sure if the slots would fill up. Some people seemed nervous and apprehensive, but after a rousing opening hour, the slots continued to fill until nearly the whole week was full. The people who signed in ranged from young children, to families, to old ladies. It was beautiful to see the diversity in the way people connected with God, many for the first time. God was really moving! There is so much brokenness in the community and just being in God's presence brought both release (through tears) and peace as God began to heal hearts. It was wonderful to just step back and see God at work, knowing it had nothing to do with how cool or interactive the prayer room was.
My favourite story from the week comes from one lady who was praying in the shift before us one morning. As we chatted about her time, she slipped in the fact that she thought she had started praying in tongues! We asked her what she meant and so she explained how when she was praying on the Monday (this was Wednesday), she suddenly noticed that she was no longer speaking in English, but another language, yet her heart felt alive. WOW! So natural. The other cool thing was that she was one of the people who was baptised on the Sunday. Two baptisms in two days. You have to bear in mind that this is the Church of Scotland, where this sort of behaviour is sometimes frowned upon and not really promoted, unlike a pentecostal church. This lady had just met with God in her own time in her own way. I love it!
During the week, we also found time to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside (for pics, check out my buddy Aaron's blog), which involved long walks and castle exploring. There is something quite mystical about Scotland. If you've never been, I definitely encourage you to go.
It's been such a crazy month or so. Swansea to Ibiza to Windsor to Kansas City to Guildford to Auchderarder. Climate, cultures, people, time zones. They all change. But God doesn't. In all the places I've been, it's been the same God I've prayed to, the same God I've talked about and the same God who's answered my prayers.
It hurts my head!
After helping to set up the room (the usual stuff- paint, sand, map of world etc), we helped lead their Sunday service, which was great fun and attended a baptism, which was even better! There was such a vibrancy and hunger about this group of believers that was both infectious and challenging.
As the week started, we weren't sure if the slots would fill up. Some people seemed nervous and apprehensive, but after a rousing opening hour, the slots continued to fill until nearly the whole week was full. The people who signed in ranged from young children, to families, to old ladies. It was beautiful to see the diversity in the way people connected with God, many for the first time. God was really moving! There is so much brokenness in the community and just being in God's presence brought both release (through tears) and peace as God began to heal hearts. It was wonderful to just step back and see God at work, knowing it had nothing to do with how cool or interactive the prayer room was.
My favourite story from the week comes from one lady who was praying in the shift before us one morning. As we chatted about her time, she slipped in the fact that she thought she had started praying in tongues! We asked her what she meant and so she explained how when she was praying on the Monday (this was Wednesday), she suddenly noticed that she was no longer speaking in English, but another language, yet her heart felt alive. WOW! So natural. The other cool thing was that she was one of the people who was baptised on the Sunday. Two baptisms in two days. You have to bear in mind that this is the Church of Scotland, where this sort of behaviour is sometimes frowned upon and not really promoted, unlike a pentecostal church. This lady had just met with God in her own time in her own way. I love it!
During the week, we also found time to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside (for pics, check out my buddy Aaron's blog), which involved long walks and castle exploring. There is something quite mystical about Scotland. If you've never been, I definitely encourage you to go.
It's been such a crazy month or so. Swansea to Ibiza to Windsor to Kansas City to Guildford to Auchderarder. Climate, cultures, people, time zones. They all change. But God doesn't. In all the places I've been, it's been the same God I've prayed to, the same God I've talked about and the same God who's answered my prayers.
It hurts my head!
Tuesday 1 May 2007
Birthday list
Hey guys,
As many of you know, my birthday is on the horizon (May 22nd) and I'm sure many of you would like to get me a gift. Well, you can! I've made a gift list with living generously where you can purchase a gift for me that will actually go to someone who really needs it.
As many of you know, my birthday is on the horizon (May 22nd) and I'm sure many of you would like to get me a gift. Well, you can! I've made a gift list with living generously where you can purchase a gift for me that will actually go to someone who really needs it.
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