12/8/09                  GOD’S PEACE                

 Scripture – John 14:27  “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

 Observation – Jesus gives us a different type of peace than the world gives. The world’s peace depends on circumstances, agreements and threats. The peace – that all is in God’s hands and that we are safe in His hands - is not dependant on other people or circumstances. This is peace that we have via the Holy Spirit. We can allow (let) this peace be disturbed. Jesus says don’t let this happen. It is fear and anxiety that takes away our sense of peace.

 Application – We need to live from a place of knowing we have peace – God’s peace – and that we are responsible for not letting other things block it. We need to let the peace reign in our hearts and not let our heart be troubled or afraid. I find that if I get my confession right that my thoughts will follow.

 Prayer – Please show me Lord how to live and enjoy this peace that you give us. Show me what to do when my heart is starting to be troubled and fear is trying to encroach upon my life. Help me to be quick to respond and to get my words and thoughts in order – according to Your word. Thank You Lord for the peace that You have placed within me. You have not given me a spirit of fear but the Spirit of love, and power and a sound mind.

  WASHING ONE ANOTHER’S FEET   11/8/09         

 Scripture – John 13:14 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

 Observation – If Jesus, the Lord of Lords, has humbled himself and loved his disciples enough to serve them, how much more we should do the same to others. Position should amplify our responsibility to love others (the great commandment verse 34) and demonstrate love. In the world position has always meant privilege rather than responsibility. Verse 35 “by this all shall know you are my disciples”. Such love will stand out as a light in the dark.

 Application – We as leaders (all Christians are leaders) should remember that our positions and title give us an added responsibility to love others. The most humble people should be the leaders, but often the leaders are the most proud. We can all become very self-absorbed and concerned above ourselves too easily. As Christ’s followers we should be the most selfless people. If this worked as it was meant to, we would all be serving one another and no one would miss out on feeling served and blessed.

 Prayer – Lord, I can so easily be self-absorbed and concerned about myself. Help me to recognise the foolishness of this. Help me to serve like you served. Help me to love as you loved. Help me to be a willing part of Your community.

BELIEF AND CONFESSION 10/8/09

Scripture – John 12:42-43 “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

Observations – The Lord is looking for more than belief in Him. He sees confession of Him as proving the genuiness of faith. They were fearful of the opinion of others. Of course in Jewish life, to be put out of the synagogue was a very scary thing. It had all to do with their position and recognition in society. The enemy always brings the fear of man in to the attack. The fear of man is a snare.

Application – It is extremely important that we confess our faith. Words are extremely powerful and therefore important. Our confession of faith or fear has a great impact upon our life. I know that the sooner I correct my confession the better it is for me and those aroubd me.

Prayer – Lord I pray that I would keep your praise in my mouth. You are great and your words are truth. I will confess you and speak of your wondrous works. You are truly awesome.

Richard

WALK IN THE LIGHT  9/8/09

Scripture – John 11:8-9 “The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.”

Observations – Jesus’ words have a double meaning. There is the natural meaning with the sun giving light and then the spiritual with the Son giving the light.

Applications – We will not stumble if the light is in us and we walk in that light – that is being led by His Spirit and His words. No matter where we are it is dangerous if we live our life in darkness – without the presence of the Light. Whether it is literally day or night is not what is so important. What is important is walking in God’s Light.

Prayer – Lord, I really need to walk in the light of your words. Your word is a lamp to my fight and a light to my path. Help me to hear you and see you! This world is a kingdom of darkness. There is a great need for You to reveal the stumbling blocks and dangers that are everywhere.

   GODS WORKS ATTRACT     8/8/09  

 Scripture – John 10:37 “If I do not the works of my Father, do not believe me.”

 Observations – Jesus went about doing good and healing, loving and doing miracles. He was doing the works of His Father. He makes this amazing statement indicating that He doesn’t expect people to believe Him if He isn’t doing the works of the Father. Whether it is the supernatural or the love and kindness or a combination, it is our fruit that demonstrates what type of tree we are. If we are a tree of righteousness we will have righteous fruit.

 Applications – It is not just talk and argument that wins people to Christ; it is our example and demonstration of His power and love that does it. A person may have the truth, but because of their hardness, people are not attracted. They reject us, not the message. Miracles, healing, love, forgiveness, grace etc. are God-like. We should be ambassadors of Christ. The demonstration of the power and love of God draws people to the Lord. They are then in a position and have an attitude that is more likely to receive what we have to share.

 Prayer – Lord, help me to hear you and see what you are doing; that my works will be your works.

DOING GOD’S WORKS TODAY - 7/8/09  

 Scripture – John 9:4 “I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

Observation – Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with Him. That is the work of the Father that Jesus had to do, the Lord had 3 ½ years to do what God called Him to do. He needed to redeem the time.

 Application – We need to make the most of the time we have on Earth to do what God calls us to do. When we die or when this age is over we will no longer be able to do these works. We need to make the most of everyday. Every day is important. Today is the day of salvation; today we can change a life, bring a word; heal the sick. We need to make the most of the opportunities we have each day. They may not come again. This means we need to be listening, hearing and obeying the word and therefore will of the Lord.

 Prayer – Father, I commit this day to You, lead me, guide me in your paths; help me to be sensitive. The past is gone and the future is unknown, but today is a great day to serve You and live to do your works.

NO MATTER WHAT I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD

Scripture – Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls – yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

 Observation – No matter what is happening and how the outward circumstances are we should continue to rejoice in the God of our salvation. The knowledge that I am saved gives me plenty to rejoice and be glad about.

 Application – Whether we are seeing fruit in our life or ministry or not, we should keep our eyes on the Lord and rejoice in all He has done for us. While our faith is in Him, there is nothing to worry about.

 Prayer – I rejoice in You Lord. At times I see little fruit but I know I am saved. Thank You. You are in control! You are my God, my Redeemer, my Healer and my Provider. I know if I keep my eyes on You I will be alright.

LISTEN TO GOD       5/8/09

 Scripture – 2 Chronicles 35:22 “Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself so he might fight with him and did not heed the words of Necho from the mouth of God. So he came to fight in the valley of Megiddo”

 Observation – Josiah was probably the greatest king of all the kings (apart from perhaps David). He followed the Lord with all His heart and led to whole of Judah to turn and follow God’s ways. Yet in spite of this he died prematurely. It appears his desire to fight overruled him and although warned by God not to do it (through Necho) he went and suffered the dire consequences. It is interesting that David got into trouble because he should have been fighting in the battle; and here Josiah got into trouble for fighting a battle that God never ordered.

 Application – This is a great lesson about listening to the Lord – our life may depend on it! Perhaps Josiah was so use to victory in battle he could not believe that he could be killed. No matter how successfully we are serving God and living in victory, the Holy Spirit is always there to lead us each day in the big and little things of life.

 Prayer – Help me to hear all the You are saying. This is a good lesson to learn Lord. Anoint my eyes to see what You are seeing and open my ears to hear what you are saying and help me to obey Your directions.

SEE THE MIRACLE WORKER – John 6:36

Scripture –  “But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe”

Observation – Jesus notices that everyone is wanting to see a miracle – such as multiplying the bread and fishes. They want Him to prove Himself by a natural miracle, however they miss seeing that the greatest miracle, the bread of true life is right in their midst.

Application – It is very easy for us to be so set on seeing a miracle that we miss the miracle worker – the Lord Himself. Signs and miracles are a normal part of God’s Kingdom however their purpose is to direct people’s attention to the Lord Himself. Some reject miracles and therefore miss the point. Signs point to some where. The supernatural works of God point to the supernatural God!

Prayer – Lord please help us not to miss seeing you in the midst of your miracles.

Richard K

THE AMAZING GRACE OF GOD - 2 Chron 33:12-13

Scripture –  “Now when he was afflicted, he humbled himself greatly before God and implored the Lord, the God of his fathers and prayed to His and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication and brought him back to Jerusalem with his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.

Observation – Manasseh had done a great deal of evil – one of the very worst! Yet as God promised if we cry to Him in our affliction he will deliver us. This is a story of God’s amazing mercy. As a result of repentance and God’s mercy, Manasseh ended reinstating worship of God and dismantling the idol worship and other evil things.

Application – The wisest thing we can do no matter how far we have fallen, is to cry out to the Lord in our time of distress. God hates sin, but He loves a person who will repent and turn back to Him. This is a great story for the backslider to read. IT is not a story that should make people think that it gives them an excuse to keep on sinning. We can die before we repent or our heart can be as hardened we do not want to repent.

Prayer – Help me Lord to be quick to repent and cry out to You in the beginnings of trouble. You are such a merciful God. I am amazed at Your love and mercy.

Richard K