Hi Father
It has been a while since I have written here. I have been reading through the book of Kings in the last couple of weeks and really enjoying that. This morning I have felt so weary I've just enjoyed sittting and listening to music that just lifts me towards You. Right now I am hearing "Sitting at the Feet of Jesus" and just loving the sense of peace that is washing over me just by hearing it.
School is so busy at the moment and I am finding it extremely challenging to hang in there and get everything done. "He is all my righteousness..." so very true! Father please go with me, help me to sense your presence that is always with me. Open my eyes to the opportunities that come my way. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of those around me.
Plese let me experience Your power in my life today. Lord I am full of sin, and judgmentalism for my fellow peers. Please give me a spirit of love and compassion for them, let me see them through Your Eyes and Your Heart!
As we travel as a family to Jimmi's party tonight I pray that you will again help me to see other through Your eyes, if an opportunity comes my way to share You, please give me the courage to do it.
I love You Lord! Thank you for the fullness and completeness in my life only because of YOU!
Meli
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
2 Kings 5 - Story of Naaman & Gehazi - November 11
2 Kings 5:
Love this story, the witness of the maid, the faith of Naaman's wife, Naaman going to Elisha and getting offended by being asked to do a simple act. The encouragement of Naaman's servants, Naaman's acceptance of God as HIS God and taking back the soil as a symbol of worshipping the God of Israel and asking for forgiveness about helping his King into his temple to worship the idol, even though he bowed down he let God know it was only to assist the King, not as an act of worship but as an act of kindness to his master.
Prayer:
Prayer for Natalie today (Royce coming to watch her this morning)
Love this story, the witness of the maid, the faith of Naaman's wife, Naaman going to Elisha and getting offended by being asked to do a simple act. The encouragement of Naaman's servants, Naaman's acceptance of God as HIS God and taking back the soil as a symbol of worshipping the God of Israel and asking for forgiveness about helping his King into his temple to worship the idol, even though he bowed down he let God know it was only to assist the King, not as an act of worship but as an act of kindness to his master.
Prayer:
Prayer for Natalie today (Royce coming to watch her this morning)
Monday, November 9, 2009
2 Kings, Chapters 1 and 2, Monday 9th November
Chapter 1
What an amazing collection of stories. There highlighted for me is the faithfulness of Elijah and Elisha to the calling of God compared with the unbelieving, unfaithfulness of King Ahaziah, 100 Captains and soldiers and mockers of Elisha and Elijah. Ahaziah falls from a window and sends a delegation to a medium to find out of he will recover or not. God mobilises Elijah and intercepts the delegation to ask Ahaziah why he is doing such a thing and to let him know that he wil never recover because of the way he insulted the Lord. So Ahaziah reacts by sending out a delegation of 50 soldiers to arrest him. They mocked and taunted Elijah and fire came down and destroyed them. Ditto for group no. 2. Thankfully the third delegation had a wise captain (v13). This time Elijah went down with them to see King Ahaziah. Elijah told the king himself o how he had insulted God and his soon to be death. Very shortly later Ahazia died.
Chapter 2:
Elijah is taken up to Heaven. Before goin gup he tests Elisha's committment. Elisha sticks by his side and receives what he had asked for, a double portion of the Holy Spirit. So when a mob of young ruffians come to mock Elisha, he leaves revenge to the Lord - along comes a couple of mother bears and mauled them all. No ruffians ever bothered Elisha again!!
So what?
Elijah and Elisha lived faithfully as servants of God. They allowed the Lord to direct their paths completely and to reveal his sovereign will for them every day. The listened to His Spirit. Please Lord help me to live as your faithful daughter today!
The everyday:
Only a few more weeks of school to go. All teachers under pressure and you can feel it around the school. Everyone has been doing DRA2 testing, plus assessments with kids so can get reports done. I feel tired.
Prayer:
Lord please help me today to listen to your stil small voice and to live as your faithful daughter. Help me please to remember to seek to do your will and have courage to follow through!
Jethro Kingston passed away last Thursday, please be with his family and the kids at TVC
What an amazing collection of stories. There highlighted for me is the faithfulness of Elijah and Elisha to the calling of God compared with the unbelieving, unfaithfulness of King Ahaziah, 100 Captains and soldiers and mockers of Elisha and Elijah. Ahaziah falls from a window and sends a delegation to a medium to find out of he will recover or not. God mobilises Elijah and intercepts the delegation to ask Ahaziah why he is doing such a thing and to let him know that he wil never recover because of the way he insulted the Lord. So Ahaziah reacts by sending out a delegation of 50 soldiers to arrest him. They mocked and taunted Elijah and fire came down and destroyed them. Ditto for group no. 2. Thankfully the third delegation had a wise captain (v13). This time Elijah went down with them to see King Ahaziah. Elijah told the king himself o how he had insulted God and his soon to be death. Very shortly later Ahazia died.
Chapter 2:
Elijah is taken up to Heaven. Before goin gup he tests Elisha's committment. Elisha sticks by his side and receives what he had asked for, a double portion of the Holy Spirit. So when a mob of young ruffians come to mock Elisha, he leaves revenge to the Lord - along comes a couple of mother bears and mauled them all. No ruffians ever bothered Elisha again!!
So what?
Elijah and Elisha lived faithfully as servants of God. They allowed the Lord to direct their paths completely and to reveal his sovereign will for them every day. The listened to His Spirit. Please Lord help me to live as your faithful daughter today!
The everyday:
Only a few more weeks of school to go. All teachers under pressure and you can feel it around the school. Everyone has been doing DRA2 testing, plus assessments with kids so can get reports done. I feel tired.
Prayer:
Lord please help me today to listen to your stil small voice and to live as your faithful daughter. Help me please to remember to seek to do your will and have courage to follow through!
Jethro Kingston passed away last Thursday, please be with his family and the kids at TVC
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tuesday, October 13
Morning Lord!
Here I am up at 3 am on Tuesday morning with the need to get some school stuff done! And without thinking I got straight into the school work. Thank you for bringing my thoughts to You!
You know what I am like Father. I am sitting here with a battle going on. My work mind is constantly wanting to take over and my thoughts stray back there all the time
Here are some verses that touched me from 1 Thessalonians:
1:5 "... our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."
Paul is talking about he cared for the new believers in Thess.
2:7,8 "...Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
Prayer:
Father God, please help me to live my life like that. Please help me to really love and care for people. I particularly think of Liza as I work next to her, please help me to develop a caring relationship with her. Please help me to show her Your love. Please help me to do that with my own family as well, so often when I am with my children, I am just so tired and cranky. Please give me your patience and your wisdom.
Now as I prepare this DRA stuff for this afternoon, please help me to have a clear mind, to be able to discern what is important for the teachers and what I need to leave out. This is just such a small thing in the scheme of the world and all its woes - which are many - tsunamis, floods, drought, typhoons and the daily list goes on.....Father I feel so overwhelmed by all this death and destruction...
Please today Lord make John 14:27 real in my life. I want YOUR peace
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Thank you Lord!
Here I am up at 3 am on Tuesday morning with the need to get some school stuff done! And without thinking I got straight into the school work. Thank you for bringing my thoughts to You!
You know what I am like Father. I am sitting here with a battle going on. My work mind is constantly wanting to take over and my thoughts stray back there all the time
Here are some verses that touched me from 1 Thessalonians:
1:5 "... our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."
Paul is talking about he cared for the new believers in Thess.
2:7,8 "...Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
Prayer:
Father God, please help me to live my life like that. Please help me to really love and care for people. I particularly think of Liza as I work next to her, please help me to develop a caring relationship with her. Please help me to show her Your love. Please help me to do that with my own family as well, so often when I am with my children, I am just so tired and cranky. Please give me your patience and your wisdom.
Now as I prepare this DRA stuff for this afternoon, please help me to have a clear mind, to be able to discern what is important for the teachers and what I need to leave out. This is just such a small thing in the scheme of the world and all its woes - which are many - tsunamis, floods, drought, typhoons and the daily list goes on.....Father I feel so overwhelmed by all this death and destruction...
Please today Lord make John 14:27 real in my life. I want YOUR peace
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Thank you Lord!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday, October 12
It has been a few days since I have been in this place, but I have been enjoying reading Philippians, Colossians and 1 Thessalonians.
I found the end of last week really stressful and struggled to hang in there through all the stuff that I needed to do. I had a really tight, anxious feeling in my chest which I know is not healthy. I struggled to gain a sense of calm.
Last Tuesday, almost immediately after finishing the presentation to the teachers on the Reading Project, my ears went really funny and felt blocked like I had been on a plane. I don't know where that came from? It was weird.
Lord, please help me to maintain a calm spirit, to trust you more, to take one day at a time and just do the best I can. Please forgive me for not being able to let things go and give them to you. I need to be able to 'hand over' and leave it with You.
Jimmi has WOSE for the teachers this week. Which means we need to be at school by 8 am every day (stressful in and of itself with the kids). Please help us in our parenting too.
It has been a short few minutes Lord, but please go with me today, help me to maintain Your calm spirit.
I found the end of last week really stressful and struggled to hang in there through all the stuff that I needed to do. I had a really tight, anxious feeling in my chest which I know is not healthy. I struggled to gain a sense of calm.
Last Tuesday, almost immediately after finishing the presentation to the teachers on the Reading Project, my ears went really funny and felt blocked like I had been on a plane. I don't know where that came from? It was weird.
Lord, please help me to maintain a calm spirit, to trust you more, to take one day at a time and just do the best I can. Please forgive me for not being able to let things go and give them to you. I need to be able to 'hand over' and leave it with You.
Jimmi has WOSE for the teachers this week. Which means we need to be at school by 8 am every day (stressful in and of itself with the kids). Please help us in our parenting too.
It has been a short few minutes Lord, but please go with me today, help me to maintain Your calm spirit.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Philippians 2: Sunday, October 4
Philippians 2:
Paul talks about imitating Christ by being a humble servant like He demonstrated on a daily basis. I need to have the eyes of Jesus so that I can see the needs of others. Jesus left the exultation work up to God the Father, He never exalted himself.
I look forward to the day when verses 9-11 will be a reality:
Paul talks about imitating Christ by being a humble servant like He demonstrated on a daily basis. I need to have the eyes of Jesus so that I can see the needs of others. Jesus left the exultation work up to God the Father, He never exalted himself.
I look forward to the day when verses 9-11 will be a reality:
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I need to do God's will without grumbling and complaining (and arguing with others)
(v15) "....Then you wil shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life."
Well Lord, this morning is my opportunity to put all that into practise, to do everything without grumbling and complaining. I have a busy morning ahead with Justin's birthday party, Talia going off to a party etc. Please help me to be calm and warm to my family!
(v15) "....Then you wil shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life."
Well Lord, this morning is my opportunity to put all that into practise, to do everything without grumbling and complaining. I have a busy morning ahead with Justin's birthday party, Talia going off to a party etc. Please help me to be calm and warm to my family!
Yesterday, Sabbath we all enjoyed a family sabbath. We went for a drive, walk, paddle down at Snapper Rocks - it was a windy, but very warm day. Because it was low tide we were able to go right out on Snapper Rocks and wander around. We had a snack and tried to see the whales that we later found out about on the news - the baby was caught in a net and they had quite a team of people in extremely rough swell trying to free it. They had success at last. Then we came home and had lunch and played a few board games with the kids. By then it was a hot 37 degrees. The kids had a late afternoon swim. We then listened to a couple more of Uncle Dan and Aunt Sue's stories (we had listened to Orphan Arthur in the car on the way to Snapper Rocks - what a powerful story). Of course I have awesome memories of that story from when I was about Kieran's age. It was nice to have a real family Sabbath, as the next 6-8 weeks are going to be extremely busy!
Sabbath is such a healthy blessing. Stress falls away and we are able to really spend time together as a family. I am sure our children don't realise how truly special the Sabbath is...it probably won't be until they are grown that they appreciate Sabbaths like yesterday.
Sabbath is such a healthy blessing. Stress falls away and we are able to really spend time together as a family. I am sure our children don't realise how truly special the Sabbath is...it probably won't be until they are grown that they appreciate Sabbaths like yesterday.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Philippians 1 - Friday, October 2
It is all smoky outside this morning. We haven't had rain for week and between dust and fires we are desparately in need of some good rain. We are having a birthday party for Talia at "Bubble it Up" this afternoon (all I have to do is take along a cake). I have some cleaning and ironing (while watching DRA DVD) to do today. Yesterday I spent hours doing shopping and looking for presents for Talia and Justin for their birthdays - I feel a bit 'stressed' about the amount of money that has been spent on them and parties.....
Philippians 1:
A great promise: (1:6) "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work (I find great freedom in that phrase, it is not what I do but what Jesus does in me) in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Paul's prayer: "...that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled witht he fruit of righteousness tht comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." (1:9-11)
It is interesting that often adversity and hardship bring out the best and worst in variant people. e.g. bushfires - people show great courage to rescue and help each other and on the other hand looters come and start stealing, same in all sorts of natural disasters...
Why do some show incredible courage and confidence and others are more like vultures praying on the vulnerable??
Similar experience for Paul:
(v14-17) "And because of mychains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to prolaim the gospel without fear. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach, Christ out of selfsih ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
Paul goes on....
(v18) But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or ture, chrit is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Whatever happens.....
"...as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the goespel of Christ....you stan firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you."
Prayer:
Talia's birthday - fun, happy and safe time
Rain - so many people in the country that must be stressed without rain and fires raging in various places
Samoa - Tsunami victims and families
Indonesia -earthquake
Enid - as we interact with her and love her (maybe invite her over for cake next Thursday night)
Me - plesee forgive me for all I do that lets you down, my lack of patience, my lack of love in action for my hubby. Please help me to be a walking example for you.
My children - there has been some fights yesterday over little things, "it''s mine". Please give Jimmi and I the wisdom to work through those issues with our children.
Most of all Lord, I just want to enjoy being in Your presence each morning, soaking up your love and compassion that is new to me everyday. Please help me to get beyond just the prayer list thing and just be with You.
I have to present a 6 minute talk on "Supernatural" at church in a few weeks, please help me and provide wisdom and discernment on what You want me to say.
Philippians 1:
A great promise: (1:6) "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work (I find great freedom in that phrase, it is not what I do but what Jesus does in me) in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Paul's prayer: "...that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled witht he fruit of righteousness tht comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." (1:9-11)
It is interesting that often adversity and hardship bring out the best and worst in variant people. e.g. bushfires - people show great courage to rescue and help each other and on the other hand looters come and start stealing, same in all sorts of natural disasters...
Why do some show incredible courage and confidence and others are more like vultures praying on the vulnerable??
Similar experience for Paul:
(v14-17) "And because of mychains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to prolaim the gospel without fear. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach, Christ out of selfsih ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
Paul goes on....
(v18) But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or ture, chrit is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Whatever happens.....
"...as citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the goespel of Christ....you stan firm in the one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you."
Prayer:
Talia's birthday - fun, happy and safe time
Rain - so many people in the country that must be stressed without rain and fires raging in various places
Samoa - Tsunami victims and families
Indonesia -earthquake
Enid - as we interact with her and love her (maybe invite her over for cake next Thursday night)
Me - plesee forgive me for all I do that lets you down, my lack of patience, my lack of love in action for my hubby. Please help me to be a walking example for you.
My children - there has been some fights yesterday over little things, "it''s mine". Please give Jimmi and I the wisdom to work through those issues with our children.
Most of all Lord, I just want to enjoy being in Your presence each morning, soaking up your love and compassion that is new to me everyday. Please help me to get beyond just the prayer list thing and just be with You.
I have to present a 6 minute talk on "Supernatural" at church in a few weeks, please help me and provide wisdom and discernment on what You want me to say.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Ephesians 3- 6, October 1 2009
There is so much stuff in these chapters, lot of advice on the way to behave as a Christian:
3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach god with freedom and confidence.
3:16 I (Paul) pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I need to pray for this!
3:18 "...may have power, together with all the Lord's people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Ephesians 4:
(v2) Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.
(v23) "to be made new int he attiutde of your minds..."
Ephesians 6: The Supernatural Spiritual Battle
6:11-18
Put on the full armor of god - Why - so that you can take your stand agaisnt the devil's schemes
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, butagainst the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly relams.
Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of eveil comes, you may be able to stand your ground
3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach god with freedom and confidence.
3:16 I (Paul) pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I need to pray for this!
3:18 "...may have power, together with all the Lord's people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Ephesians 4:
(v2) Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.
(v23) "to be made new int he attiutde of your minds..."
Ephesians 6: The Supernatural Spiritual Battle
6:11-18
Put on the full armor of god - Why - so that you can take your stand agaisnt the devil's schemes
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, butagainst the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly relams.
Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of eveil comes, you may be able to stand your ground
Belt of truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
Shield of fatih - why- to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit - which is the word of God
Pray pray pray
Breastplate of righteousness
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
Shield of fatih - why- to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit - which is the word of God
Pray pray pray
Ephesians 2, September 30 2009
Some of the verses that stood out for me while I read this yesterday were:
(v4) But because of his great love for us, God, who is reich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were ead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.
(v8-10) For it is by grace you have been saved, throough faith-an this is not from yoursleves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do
(v19-22) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apsotles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are beign built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.
(v4) But because of his great love for us, God, who is reich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were ead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.
(v8-10) For it is by grace you have been saved, throough faith-an this is not from yoursleves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do
(v19-22) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apsotles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are beign built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Learning by Imitation
Over the last few days as I have come out early in the morning to do my devotional time and read my Bible, my children have all filtered out one by one as they have woken up. Yesterday all three were out on the floor in the lounge room with their Bibles in hand. Kieran was reading Revelation (which he is really interested in at the moment) and Talia and Justin brought out their Bibles and were reading various stories as they were able. Justin asked me to do a Bible study with him and he as asked again this morning....
I could talk till I am blue in the face about spending time with Jesus every day, but really....A LOT MORE IS CAUGHT THAN TAUGHT!!!
What a responsibility I have to my children to model an authentic walk with you Lord. I have failed miserably at this in the past, please help me everyday to lead my children to you!
Wow! I just enjoyed a rare privilege - I got to have 5 minutes praying with Jimmi before he left for work. Thank you Lord!
Ephesians 1:
(v4,5) "for He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
That is so cool. You had a plan Lord for us to be 'bought back', 'redeemed', adopted back into Your "FAMILY" - to be reinstated as a daughter of the King!
(v7) "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on .."
(v13,14) And you also were included inChrist when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your slavation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory."
Father I want the following verses to be real in my life:
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted whe he rasied Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.
Father, please help me to remember the power that you have to make a difference in my life and the lives of people I come in contact with.....it is limitless.
Finally, Ephesians 1: 22,23 says that God appointed Jesus as "head over everything for the churh, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everthing in every way."
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Galatians 3 - 6 - 29th September, 2009
I have really enjoyed reading these chapters this morning....Thank you Father for your Holy Spirit that has helped me understand what I have read.
Galatians 3:
Simply, salvation is a GIFT and so is the Holy Spirit! There is NOTHING I can do to earn and get them EXCEPT accept what Jesus did for me on Calvary with a grateful heart!
So often I attempt Galatians 3:3, "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?"
Anyone who has accepted Jesus by faith are children of Abraham. Israel as a nation is meaningless. Seventh-day Adventists as a church won't save me. My salvation is totally dependent on my ACCEPTANCE of Jesus by faith!
Galatians 3:24 "So the law was put in charge of us until Christ came that we might be justified by faith."
Two verses that make it all very clear:
Galatians 3: 26-29
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are al one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise."
Galatians 4:
As one who relies on the law to save me, I am like a slave...
Galatians 4:4,7 "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship...(7) So you are no longer slaves, but God's children; and since you are his children, he has made you also heirs.
In Galatians 4:10 the people had gone back to observing special days and months and seasons that were part of the ceremonial law. Paul in observing this says, (11)"I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you."
Further on Paul compares Hagar and Sarah as to the law and faith. Hagar represents a child born by human effort/intervention and Sarah represents a child born by faith, a child of promise. Hagar is like the earthly city of Jerusalem, caught in slavery. But "...the Jerusalem that is above is free" (v26). v31 "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman."
Galatians 5:
Love this verse: (v1) "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
(v4,5) "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
(6) "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
(v13) You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather serve one another humbly in love.
(v16) So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
My commission today is to live the fruits of the Spirit to others:
(v22,23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 6:
(v3) If any of you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourselves.
v14 "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven
As I've read these chapters of Galatians I have felt an increasing sense of peace as it has dawned on me again that JESUS is everything! I am nothing! Please Jesus come into my heart anew today, I accept you as my Saviour by faith. Your death on the cross for me is my way to freedom. Holy Spirit please live in me today so that I can show your fruits to my family and to others. !!
Enid for tea tonight
Guiding and disciplining my children (please give me wisdom)
Julie Oliver (Leukemia)
Sarah (jaw)
Hayley & Randall Oliver ( dealing with grief over loss of their baby)
GCCC - Guy, buildings, numbers, council issues
Galatians 3:
Simply, salvation is a GIFT and so is the Holy Spirit! There is NOTHING I can do to earn and get them EXCEPT accept what Jesus did for me on Calvary with a grateful heart!
So often I attempt Galatians 3:3, "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?"
Anyone who has accepted Jesus by faith are children of Abraham. Israel as a nation is meaningless. Seventh-day Adventists as a church won't save me. My salvation is totally dependent on my ACCEPTANCE of Jesus by faith!
Galatians 3:24 "So the law was put in charge of us until Christ came that we might be justified by faith."
Two verses that make it all very clear:
Galatians 3: 26-29
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are al one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise."
Galatians 4:
As one who relies on the law to save me, I am like a slave...
Galatians 4:4,7 "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship...(7) So you are no longer slaves, but God's children; and since you are his children, he has made you also heirs.
In Galatians 4:10 the people had gone back to observing special days and months and seasons that were part of the ceremonial law. Paul in observing this says, (11)"I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you."
Further on Paul compares Hagar and Sarah as to the law and faith. Hagar represents a child born by human effort/intervention and Sarah represents a child born by faith, a child of promise. Hagar is like the earthly city of Jerusalem, caught in slavery. But "...the Jerusalem that is above is free" (v26). v31 "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman."
Galatians 5:
Love this verse: (v1) "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
(v4,5) "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
(6) "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
(v13) You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather serve one another humbly in love.
(v16) So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
My commission today is to live the fruits of the Spirit to others:
(v22,23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 6:
(v3) If any of you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourselves.
v14 "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven
As I've read these chapters of Galatians I have felt an increasing sense of peace as it has dawned on me again that JESUS is everything! I am nothing! Please Jesus come into my heart anew today, I accept you as my Saviour by faith. Your death on the cross for me is my way to freedom. Holy Spirit please live in me today so that I can show your fruits to my family and to others. !!
Enid for tea tonight
Guiding and disciplining my children (please give me wisdom)
Julie Oliver (Leukemia)
Sarah (jaw)
Hayley & Randall Oliver ( dealing with grief over loss of their baby)
GCCC - Guy, buildings, numbers, council issues
Monday, September 28, 2009
Galatians 1
Galatians 1 starts out by Paul clearly stating who his employer is! "...sent not with a human commission, nor by human authority, but by Jesus christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead..."
This is not about me! Telling others the gospel is God given and God driven! A vital part of being a Christian is the commission to tell others (see Matthew 28: 18-20)
??? Find out what was going on for Paul to write the letter....he alludes to the possibility that the people had thought he was trying to win human approval, maybe it was about when he opposed Peter (Gal 2: 11 -16). Maybe the people thought he was abandoning the ten commandment law? Maybe the people were trying to earn their salvation by DOING the law and making null and void the death of Jesus on the cross? Maybe the people thought that Peter a 'more qualified' follower of Jesus and did not like that Paul had opposed him?
My thoughts:
Brought up in a church that placed a lot of emphasis on the Sabbath and the 'laws' (not necessarily God given) I think maybe I am similar to the people of Galatia. In vain, I try and work my way to God by doing all the 'right' things. NOTHING I can do will ever earn me salvation! IT IS A GIFT! Please Lord help me to always remember to accept Your gift to me and thank you for it every day!
For Today:
Help me to live this verse today: Galatians 2: 20,21 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Prayer:
Sarah's infected jaw
Energy to clean up after Big Camp
Gold Coast Christian College - building program, numbers,
Julie Oliver - Leukemia
Our family - making the time for worship every day
Justin and Kieran prayed a 'popcorn' prayer with me today.
This is not about me! Telling others the gospel is God given and God driven! A vital part of being a Christian is the commission to tell others (see Matthew 28: 18-20)
??? Find out what was going on for Paul to write the letter....he alludes to the possibility that the people had thought he was trying to win human approval, maybe it was about when he opposed Peter (Gal 2: 11 -16). Maybe the people thought he was abandoning the ten commandment law? Maybe the people were trying to earn their salvation by DOING the law and making null and void the death of Jesus on the cross? Maybe the people thought that Peter a 'more qualified' follower of Jesus and did not like that Paul had opposed him?
My thoughts:
Brought up in a church that placed a lot of emphasis on the Sabbath and the 'laws' (not necessarily God given) I think maybe I am similar to the people of Galatia. In vain, I try and work my way to God by doing all the 'right' things. NOTHING I can do will ever earn me salvation! IT IS A GIFT! Please Lord help me to always remember to accept Your gift to me and thank you for it every day!
For Today:
Help me to live this verse today: Galatians 2: 20,21 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Prayer:
Sarah's infected jaw
Energy to clean up after Big Camp
Gold Coast Christian College - building program, numbers,
Julie Oliver - Leukemia
Our family - making the time for worship every day
Justin and Kieran prayed a 'popcorn' prayer with me today.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
B3 Bible Readings for September 7,8
Last Wednesday was my first meeting with Sonya andFiona as a B3 group. There are assigned Bible readings each day which I have been reading (not always fully understanding)....
2 Chronicles 36: 22, 23. "the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia..." Cyrus says: "The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you - may the Lord their God be with them, and let them go up."
Thoughts: If the Lord can 'move the heart' of a Persian king to build a temple - then surely He can move my heart!!
Psalm 48: maybe about the beautiful temple, the dwelling place of God, it must have been an awesome sight! I wonder how people look at me as His temple, the dwelling place of God (is there a difference between me and Jo Bloe on the street?) Is it obvious that God lives in me? Do I make God attractive?
Dear Father,
Please help me today to 'shine' for you. Please let the words and actions that I use and do today represent you and your love. As Your 'temple', please come and be my eyes and my heart today, I want to live for You! Amen!
2 Chronicles 36: 22, 23. "the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia..." Cyrus says: "The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you - may the Lord their God be with them, and let them go up."
Thoughts: If the Lord can 'move the heart' of a Persian king to build a temple - then surely He can move my heart!!
Psalm 48: maybe about the beautiful temple, the dwelling place of God, it must have been an awesome sight! I wonder how people look at me as His temple, the dwelling place of God (is there a difference between me and Jo Bloe on the street?) Is it obvious that God lives in me? Do I make God attractive?
Dear Father,
Please help me today to 'shine' for you. Please let the words and actions that I use and do today represent you and your love. As Your 'temple', please come and be my eyes and my heart today, I want to live for You! Amen!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Micah 6;8
This is one of my favourite verses in your Word Father. I get caught up in judging other people everyday for something they did or didn't do. I become so criticial and conceited. Please forgive me. Please help me to put these verses into action!
He has shown all you people what is good.
and what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God
Micah 6:8
and what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God
Micah 6:8
Lord please help me to live these verses today!
Prayer:
Julie Oliver and Judy Vysma (sister) as Judy goes through process of giving bone marrrow to Julie
Sarah's Jaw
Prayer:
Julie Oliver and Judy Vysma (sister) as Judy goes through process of giving bone marrrow to Julie
Sarah's Jaw
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The Reason for the Name
In My Tent....
Almost two years ago Allan Walshe took a final closing Sabbath talk at Big Camp (2007 Brisbane). He invited my family to sit on the lounges up on stage to create the 'family atmosphere' for the closing Sabbath experience.
There he talked about the importance of spending time in your own tent everyday to connect with God in a purely personal way. While my spirit has been willing, indeed my flesh is weak! So many days in the last 2 years I have neglected to be 'in my tent'. I want to change that!
Dear God
I want to be found 'Sitting at the Feet of Jesus' IN MY TENT on a regular daily basis. This blog spot will be my personal journal of my experience with You - a combined love letter between You and me. A new start 9th August, 2009! While there is nothing special about this date, I do not want to put off for another day a relationship that I have been neglecting for just way to long.
Love Meli
Sitting at the Feet of Jesus - where I want to be:
Almost two years ago Allan Walshe took a final closing Sabbath talk at Big Camp (2007 Brisbane). He invited my family to sit on the lounges up on stage to create the 'family atmosphere' for the closing Sabbath experience.
There he talked about the importance of spending time in your own tent everyday to connect with God in a purely personal way. While my spirit has been willing, indeed my flesh is weak! So many days in the last 2 years I have neglected to be 'in my tent'. I want to change that!
Dear God
I want to be found 'Sitting at the Feet of Jesus' IN MY TENT on a regular daily basis. This blog spot will be my personal journal of my experience with You - a combined love letter between You and me. A new start 9th August, 2009! While there is nothing special about this date, I do not want to put off for another day a relationship that I have been neglecting for just way to long.
Love Meli
Sitting at the Feet of Jesus - where I want to be:
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