What are you wearing?

This is a queston which many of us do not want to be asked, as it's usually said in a derogatory manner!

Galatians 3:27 states; 'for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ'

Now, to me, that sounds kinda weird! to 'have put on Christ', it's not often you say, oooh, today i am going to wear Christ, how can you wear a person??

In responding lihe this I realise that I am probably responding how the world would - Being a christian doesn't make a whole lot of sense to many people. 

But, the Bible says that those who have been baptised, 'have put on Christ', so as someone who has been baptised i'd better try to understand what this means as it applies to me! 

The act of baptism is symbolising our uderstanding and faith that Jesus died for us because of all the things we have done wrong, and our recognition that if we want to be made right, we too need to lay down our selfish lives for God. 

In baptism, as we rise out of the water, we remember that we have chosen to live a new life, and aim to become more like the only perfect man to have ever walked the Earth, Jesus. This is when we choose to 'put on Christ', we are grateful that God sees us now as He sees Jesus, and we are more conscious that the way we live represents Him.

As we wear Jesus, he covers us, he covers over the inner workings of our hearts, as well as the shape/state/health of our bodies. This level of relationship is so intomate that we even look like Jesus. When God sees us, He sees Jesus, when others in our lives see us, they see Jesus. 

When people choose to put on Christ, they are more aware of different things. As we are aware when we get dressed that clothes are going to keep us warm/cool. This can work out in a many different ways, this may be an increased awareness of certain; people, needs, problems, solutions, words, behaviour, or places for example. God can give us a more acute awareness of what He sees in the world that He wishes us to have an influence in.

Through choosing a relationship with God, we are choosing to represent Him.

Like when we put on clothes, we are giving out an image of who we are. Eventhough I have been a christian for many years, I still need to be careful how i choose to represent Jesus, how am I going to respond to different situations? will I speak up so the vulnerable are heard? Can I spare a few minutes to visit someone who is sick/lonely/in need or even write them a card? How should I behave/respond to the one person (or maybe there are a few) who seem to make my life difficult? 

What should I wear today?

Hearing by Faith

I was reading Galatians:1-5 this morning, and I was struck by the repetition of the phrases, 'works of the law' and 'hearing by faith'. 

It got me thinking of the differences between these, and what these phrases actually mean. We hear them so often we can assume that we understand what they mean as they trip off our tongue. so, I spent a bit of time thinking about it and this is what I came up with;

'works of the law' - the hardwork of abiding by the instructions/rules without any context. This can be draining, confusing and boring! 

Thinking about it though, this is so easy to do, when we have busy lives (and who doesn't?!), it's so easy to go with the flow, carry on doing things naturally like we're on a default setting. 

I do it, you know when you pray and read the Bible, give, help out others because it's routine. It's like we are performing in a certain way because, 'it's the right thing to do'. 

{Sometimes, it's right to do this, i'm not saying stop doing those things because the reality is, life gets hard sometimes, and it is a struggle, and if we can keep feeding ourselves with what is good, then that can still change our hearts despite our attitude.}

  

'hearing with faith' - taking time to focus and concentrate in order to benefit through the strength of the trusting relationship that has been built.

Thinking about this this morning I have realised that this involves TIME. Time that is set apart to spend with God, reading the Word and praying. So, I have set time out in my diary to do that. If I don't, it wont happen. also, if I don't, I miss out on what God wants me to hear. 

After pondering on this I was led to draw, and the result is below:

I then thought about how living by works of the law can seem comfortable and safe, like being in the cage although it restricts what we are able to see and do. We are provided for and have the basics we need. Hearing with faith however allows us to experience the abundance of what God has for us. 

I was quite happy with this interpretation, until I thought about what happens when the storms come? the night sets in? the enemy attacks? being free and out in the open can then suddenly seem pretty lonely and terrifying! The cage is secure. 

I felt that God was reminding me that you have to have a bit of both. It is ok to rest and re-coop in His safety, we will ALWAYS need His word and prayer in order to fuel us for living by the Spirit. 

It is so easy to see the 'law' as old-fashioned, out-of-date, but it is actually foundational and revelatory. Each person who lives by faith has a place where their foundation was born. This probably originated, or has certainly grown strength in the Word of God, and speaking to Him. 

I know that this has challenged me, maybe because I recognise that although we can often sneer at those we read about in the Bible, thinking 'haven't they got it yet'? 'how many chances do they need?'

 

but I now see, I am one of those. 

I have often realised that I should spend more time with God, but I still slip into the 'works' of life, and trundle on. That is what it is, trundling, not getting very far, but it's hard work. 

I decide anew, now, to make an extra effort to 'hearing with faith' what God has to say to me, through His word and prayer. 

Devotion

I started reading Romans today, and, I confess I haven't got very far as I was struck by the first 5 words! 'Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus'!

The commentary I'm reading alongside it says that servant in this context is the same as the word slave. This implies Paul's complete and utter devotion to Jesus, Paul belongs to Christ without reservation. 

I was impacted by this as God seems to be speaking to me, and to those at Cornerstone City Church about being hungry for Him. I know that I have felt 'lukewarm' for a while and am desperate to be more impassioned with God. I admire Paul for his complete and utter devotion, and I want  my life to be about serving Christ Jesus without reservation.

As I was thinking about this I started playing some music, and what should start playing, but the song Devotion (great track by Jules Burt If you've not heard it) 

Here are some of the words that impacted me; 'I've come to be with you......you have my attention, you have my gaze, you will always be the one, you will always be my greatest love, here's my devotion, I am yours' 

 

I felt like I had to pray through this a few times as this is what I desire, it's not what I currently am/am doing in all honesty, but I want God to gave my attention I want Him to be THE ONE in my life, I want Him to be my GREATEST love.

I feel like I'm missing out on something, life's ok, but I know there's more out there and I want it! 

I am going to aim to put God as #1 in my life, starting from now, I don't wanna miss out anymore. I want to be a devoted, unreserved, servant of Christ do you?

I want to stand up and say, 'Jesus my passion is knowing you'. 

As it does so powerfully say in this song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzs3AE27_d8

Living in Lack

Romans 4:18-22

"In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."

'In hope he believed against hope'

Ever had that feeling that you KNOW something is gonna happen even though it looks unlikely/impossible? 

This is having faith, whether you realise it or not.

My husband and I are living through this even now. 

For years we have been trying to have children, but as with Abraham and Sarah, we have considered our bodies, and it doesn't seem like its possible.

Eventhough ever since I was 12 I have wanted to be a wife and a mother, this hasn't quite been fulfilled yet. 

I am halfway there - I am a wife, and I thank God for that joy, I appreciate so much that God has fulfilled this desire. 

Yet there is that hope, that desire (yet unfulfilled) to have children.

I often call to mind, and remind God that Psalm 113:9 states, "He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!" 

This is a promise at God has given, and He is no liar, He tells the truth, His words will come to be, so I hold on to this hope. 

It sometimes seems easier to try to forget the deep desires of our hearts, as the waiting process can be very long and very painful. Look at Abraham - he had to wait til he was about 100!

So, I reckon he must of found a place where he found inner peace although he didn't understand why his promise had not yet happened. He still held onto the hope as he, "grew strong in his faith". He didn't wander off in sorrow & despair, he held on to something greater.

My question is: How can I get there? 

I don't think it's by shoving my hopes, dreams and desires to the back of my mind, shoving them under the carpet to be hidden away to gather dust. They will still be there if I do that, still as painful, but tucked away slowly causing hope to wither away. Snatching away any other sources of joy as it becomes the enormous white elephant in the room.

So what shall I do? 

Here are five things I think will help me to continue this path;

1)  I shall continue to hold onto the promises that, "He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;" (psalm 145:19) and that "the barren woman.......joyous mother of children" and I will remind myself that God is able.

2) I shall continue to seek Him for the solution, not myself, my body or anything else as these things will let me down.

3) I will live for Him, not for myself.

4) I will talk to Him about how I feel, the frustrations, sadness and despair at hopes unfulfilled. 

5) I will trust God that He knows best and that I don't. 

I want to grow strong in my faith as Abraham is credited with doing. I do not want lack of children to become the main thing of my life - what a depressing life that would be. 

If that were my focus, each and every day thinking about the lack in my life, the sadness would be overwhelming. 

You may not be suffering the sting of childlessness, your journey may have other struggles, but i think the same still applies. I encourage you, if you are overwhelmed by a lack in your life, choose to make the main thing (God) your main thing, and see how this affects you. It could change your outlook, and even your life!

I want God to be my main thing, the one at I focus on, hope and trust in. 

Protection

Where do you search for your protection?

I have seen the hand wash below, "protect" it proudly states. But what can it really do to protect you? is it really an effective form of protection?

If someone tries to; steal something, hurt someone or commit fraud, what will you do? Squirt them in the eye with it?

                                   

Some people are fortunate enough to have body guards, those paid to protect you, but even they are not much match for fraud, health problems or natural disasters.

So, where can we get real protection?

Ephesians 6:14-18 is all about the armour God gives us.

This is REAL protection, available to all those who trust in God. 

Ephesians 6:14 - 18; 'Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,'

You have truth - your mind will be no longer deceived, you are wearing the truth. Protecting your mind from the lies that tell us we are no good, unworthy and bad. We can combat those things with the knowledge that we are right before God.

You have righteousness - not the ability to always be right, but being free from wrongs, from your sin. This reminder can protect our hearts from the fear that we are not good enough, we don't match up.

You have readiness and peace - it's great to be ready, but I hate being in a rush. I forget things, drop things, and panic, so I definitely don't feel the peace in those moments. So being ready with peace sounds quite appealing to me, it protects us from the madness of rushing about! It makes our bodies ready for action so we can act calmly.

You have Faith - certainty, knowledge, assurance that God is with you and for you, no matter what. It doesn't matter what comes at you, you are protected by the shield. Look after it, keep it strong, and it will withstand, 'the flaming darts of the evil one'. 

You have Salvation - let your mind be made up through the knowledge that you are saved, you are in the family of God, and that cannot change. Jesus died for you, if you believe and accept that, you are saved. 

You have the Spirit/ word of God - God will guide you with His Spirit, be open to listen (that means taking some time out to listen, and being aware that God is with you every and any where). Let the Spirit guide you. One way He does this is through 'the word'. The word is the Bible. Read it. Think about it. Make your mind up by it and follow it. 

If you miss this out, how are you going to fight? This is your sword! The other parts are defensive protection, whereas this is an offensive weapon!

What I have noticed about this passage is that we are the ones responsible for wearing this armour. We are responsible for protecting ourselves. 

God provides the armour, but we must, 'take up', 'put on' and fasten these things to ourselves. 

God provides the protection, it's our responsibility to accept it. Like someone with a bodyguar, it's the persons choice whether they go through a mob without the bodyguard or not, if they go alone, they are at risk. If you don't put on this armour, you're at risk. 

The attack will happen whether you are wearing your armour or not. 

The question is are you going into the everyday battle with it? 

Joy in trials

This reminded me that a wise man, named James once wrote, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

For me, i am struck firstly by the first half of the first sentence! Does anyone have joy in trials? During the testing times every fibre of our being desires to be empathised with, to cry, shout, moan, hide or rage about it when things are not going well. But during those trials, are there also good things happening to? are there things that are wonderful and that can give us joy? 

And why would we want to consider difficult times with joy?

Consider this; what does reacting by; crying, shouting, moaning, hiding or raging do for us?

My experience is that it can build; anger, resentment, worry or distress. These things can lead to strain on relationships and health -mental & physical. So responding like this doesn't do us a whole lot of good. 

Maybe a different response would.

If we have hopes and dreams dashed, go through times of debt, depression or despair what would it be like if we were able to smile? 

How can we look at these times with joy?

I don't know about you, but I have found that I always learn something through the tough times, more than I do through the 'ok' times. Now, I try to concentrate on what it may be that I am learning, rather than feeling sorry for myself. It's by no means easy, I am a work in progress, but I am going to try a different response so hopefully they'll be a different outcome. 

Joy in trials? Let's give it a go! 

Blessings of life

A friend recently commented to me, "I know i could do with some wonderful things this year", a simple statement that got me thinking.

I know that life offers it's challenges, but I wonder, do we sometimes miss some of the wonderful things because we're concentrating on the trials? Can we be too focused on the difficulties and disappointments to see that wonderful things have indeed happened right under our noses?

Life can be challenging, disappointing and despairing at times but i know that i don't wanna miss out on the great, exciting, wonderful things that are going on because I'm distracted.

One spring i remember walking past a wood. I hadn't really looked, but I noticed the big bare trees. They looked quite austere, frightening and strong. This reminded me that life can have some huge boundaries in our lives (like the trees) that we don't know how to tackle or overcome as they are so huge. I didn't really take a close look as the bare trees weren't very pleasant to look at to be honest.
But as I carried on walking, I glanced over at the woods and suddenly noticed these beautiful bright bluebells springing up. This really surprised me. There were hundreds of them.

How had i missed them?

I realised then that we can sometimes be overwhelmed/blinded by the few big obstacles in life, failing to see the hundreds of beautiful, bright blessings.

I was so surprised that I'd missed appreciating those gorgeous little flowers.

I don't want to miss the wonderful blessings in my life.

So, no matter what huge obstacles come my way i will endeavour to search for those beautiful, wonderful things that enrich life,

So, if this year you are hoping for a some wonderful things, try taking a closer look at your life and see what is already there that gives you joy. I challenge you to take a close look, inspect your life and recognise the wonderful things that are already blossoming in it.

"whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."