One thing is missing in our Christian lives!

John 15:5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing...when you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

Many Western evangelical Christians know their Bible well, particularly the older generations and on the whole they have heard and have had opportunity to read good sound teaching and yet most churches have stagnated or only grown at the expense of other churches. What is the problem? I suggest it is a failure to obey. I knew basically how to live a good ‘Christian’ life when I was 21 my fundamental need was not more Bible teaching but strong encouragement to put what I knew to be right into practice. God has been speaking to me recently about pride, about fasting and about living more simply amongst other things. My biggest need is to focus on how to apply what God is saying to my life without neglecting to feed on the word. In this way we can produce much fruit –Jesus here is primarily referring to fruit in terms of unbelievers being impacted through us.

Father help me to live according to your word.

What is the point of Going to Church? (Heb 10:24)

Hebrews  10:24  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.(NLT) or   let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (ESV) or consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds (NRSV).

Why do we meet together as a church? What is the point of our Sunday services? Of course we come together to worship God but we should be worshipping Him all day, every day. It’s great to sing with others, to hear an inspiring message, to be part of a loving community, to pray with and for others. There is a dynamic when we meet with others for a holy and communal reason which isn’t there when we are on our own. The purpose of meeting as a church should be to motivate, inspire, encourage and energise us to reach out together in mission. Our gatherings should equip us to live lives of love and good deeds when we are scattered. I must confess in the last few years I have rarely felt motivated, equipped or encouraged in fact I have often felt frustrated, angry and upset. Sometimes this is probably due to my own personal failings. Sometimes I believe my anger is from God who is unimpressed with some gatherings which are little more than conscience easing, comfort seeking, people pleasing performances for those who frankly don’t care about those outside their community. Meeting together should be about a real and dynamic interaction with the Living God. If we meet together, and through each other truly meet with the Holy One, our lives cannot remain the same. 

Father help me to be and do what I can to allow your people to meet with you.

Our Life Purpose :Learning to be Jesus Missionaries

Life Purpose – Prayer and Mission

Luke 6:12-13  One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.  At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.

Before Jesus chose the 12 he spent the night in prayer. He called his disciples to himself by name and chose them and called them apostles. The word disciple means learner and implies following, the word apostle has to do with being sent as a messenger, the word missionary is an equivalent. Jesus after a night with the Father called the 12 to be with him, to learn from him, to follow him and be missionaries for him. In Mark we read that his disciples are specifically sent out to preach and drive out demons at this stage. In other words, to speak the ‘Good News’ about Jesus and also to expel evil with Jesus authority. We are all called to be both ‘disciples’ and ‘apostles’ throughout our lives. This means we are life-long learners not in the sense of academic study but in the sense of constantly growing in our relationship with God and discovering how to be more faithful and obedient. We are called to be with Jesus constantly and are sent to others by him, to be his representative in word and deed. Jesus has prayed for us, chosen us by name, and called us to be learners and missionaries. He promises to be with us, to teach us and show us how to live. Let us follow his example and prayerfully seek those who need help to encounter Jesus and encouragement on their journey with Him.

Father thanks Jesus, help me to follow your example.

The 7 'Words' of Jesus on the Cross, 2

 " I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

         Jesus here illustrated the extravagant generosity that the cross represents, he blesses a sinner, by promising literally a garden of pleasure to share with Him. Jesus is responding to one of the crucified criminals who rebukes the other for his bitter cursing against Jesus. This guilty man who knows his sin appeals to Jesus in faith to remember him when he enters his kingdom. The agony of crucifixion has enabled this man to have very clear spiritual insight. He understands more than anyone around him that Jesus death is not the end. There will be justice, there will be a kingdom where Jesus has authority. 

     

      Jesus as he did throughout his life nurtures such an expression of faith. Everyone would have condemned this man as a guilty criminal deserving death for his crimes. Jesus saw him as a man of faith in need of forgiveness and assurance. This man would not have to wait long to receive eternal blessings, today you will be with me in paradise. The robber only asks in desperation to be remembered hoping perhaps for some kind of blessing, Jesus in his extravagant mercy assures him of  paradise with Him that very day. 

      Are we ready to nurture the faith of those who are far from God? Are we spending our lives preparing to be with Jesus forever?