Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Questions that GOD asks...(blog series part 4)

The Bible tells us that Elijah is a "man just like like us".
That means there is probably a lot we can potentially learn from his story and his interactions with God...

After what could arguably have been the most successful ministry moment in his life so far, Elijah has another type of moment. One where he forgets who God has made him to be and who God is to him.
He has just finished defeating the prophets of Baal. It is a crazy story you can read about in 1 Kings 18. Single handedly with God, he prevails against all the odds. Not long after he loses confidence in God and himself, then runs away.
That is where I pick up the story for us...
In 1 Kings 19 God ministers to him and sets him on a course again that leads to a new 'defining moment' in his life. Maybe you need a new 'defining moment' in your relationship with God today?

After a journey that takes 40 days he arrives at Mt Sinai, a pretty important place in Jewish history to say the least!
Here is where it gets even more interesting for me...
God asks him a question, not once, but twice!
“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

God didn't ask because He didn't know. It was His idea for Elijah to meet Him there in the first place.
God asks because He wanted to set him up for the next stage of his ministry.
God asks twice so that 2 distinct things would happen in Elijah's life:
1. He got to meet with God and experience His presence.
2. He got instructions from God about the 'next step' for his ministry.

I believe we all need defining moments like what Elijah had.
'Two fold' moments where we not only get to experience the goodness of God and His presence, but also discover the next step part.
I am firm believer that this is not only healthy, it is the right balance for any believer.
If you have all presence and no direction you don't go, you don't do.
If you are all go and do with no presence, you soon forget why you are going and doing.

If you are needing it right now, take some time out to be in God's presence today...
Enjoy His presence, discover your next step!

Something to think about...

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Questions that GOD asks...(blog series part 3)

I find it fascinating the questions that God asks people.
If He is so all powerful and all knowing and always present...why does He need to ask in the first place? The answer is quite simple and powerful at the same time...He asks because the answer is what we needed to hear.

One that is kind of interesting and powerful at the same is the question God asks Adam and Eve...
"Who told you that your were naked?" Genesis 3:11
The story goes that they had been living a fantastic existence without struggle, loss, shame, embarrassment, all until a serpent tempted them to eat from a tree they had been asked not to eat from.
The upshot of that temptation moment was they now looked at themselves and each other differently.
Before then they were happy to be themselves. Happy to be how God had made them and certainly happy with their lot in life. Now they aren't. They have lost something very special in a moment!

To put this into a more modern context for this moment, "who told you that you were naked?"
Who told you that you were not good enough?
God never tells people they aren't good enough for Him!
The devil does...
God never writes people off because of their failings or inadequacies!
The devil does...

God accepts you as you are right now.
He wants to relate to you, provide for you, heal you and more.

Something to think about...

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Questions that GOD asks...(blog series part 2)

Here is a famous little account that I hope will encourage you?

Abraham and Sarah have a pretty special 'God encounter' one day.
So special it takes a turn that Sarah especially didn't expect and struggled to get her head around.
She gets told by God (via what we think were angels) that she is going to get pregnant.

Genesis 18:11-14 niv
11Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Sarah has history.
Her history is telling her that even if God says it, she doesn't think it could happen.
Yes it would be nice, but can God really go against the natural order of things?
She has a life time of built up hopes and then dreams that have been dashed.

While she struggles with this news and yet another crazy promise, God asks a pretty important question. Is anything too hard for me?
Again God knows the answer, He always does!
He just wants to prove a point, teach a lesson, expand Sarah's faith...

When it comes to what you maybe facing right now...
...is anything too hard for the Lord?
Maybe you know someone facing a challenge...
...is anything too hard for the Lord?

What God is asking is a rhetorical.
He is not asking you to give Him a list of what He can not do.
There is no point. He can do it.
He is asking so that we are reminded of His ability to do anything under any circumstance.

Something to think about...

Friday, April 08, 2016

Questions that GOD asks...(blog series part 1)

God loves to ask us questions!
Never because He doesn't know the answer, but because His questions have the power to bring life changing revelation to our lives!

Check this one out with me for a minute...

Who Made Your Mouth?

Exodus 4:11 niv
The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?

No matter who you are there are times when we face that scary moment of having to say something. Having to respond to a situation.
Having to answer to an accusation thrown our way.
Having to give advice to someone who desperately needs some great advice.
Sometimes we have to say something when we least want to, feel less than qualified, or are simply feeling too empty to have something of value to share.

God asked Moses this question "who made your mouth?".
God already knew He had done it. He just needed Moses to have a revelation of that fact.
God designed your mouth to be used to bless and not curse.
Designed it to be filled with good things, life giving words, words of hope and love.
He put your mouth on your face to change the world around you.
And He takes responsibility to a huge degree on what you will use it for. All it takes is a willing heart to let Him use it for His purpose.

Whenever I am about to speak on His behalf...
Whenever I am walking toward a difficult discussion...
Whenever I know the next thing I say could influence someones life...
I pray. I ask God to fill my mouth with the words He would like me to say.

I can honestly say that after years of doing this I am still blown away by the words He gives me!
Such fun!!!

Something to think about...


Each Week at elim christian centre taupo we are teaching a series by the same name.
Everyone welcome to join us! Sunday 10am | Wednesday 7pm | Rotary House, 12 Story Place, Taupo

Wednesday, April 06, 2016

A little thought on faith...

I was thinking this morning about faith...
Specifically how you need to faith to make a decision.
Faith to keep going towards that decision.
And then sometimes faith to actually follow through on that decision.

I made a decision some weeks ago to offer to chop my hair off to raise funds for our Church.
The short version of the story on why is that I felt it was something I could do to help our Church Family. Felt it was something God wanted me to do.

As the weeks have gone by, I have certainly had moments of both dread and anticipation.
I have needed faith in God and the decision made, to keep me moving towards the decision.

And now I need to have faith to get me to follow through in the next few days.
Faith we get me there. Fear never will.

The cool thing about God is that He doesn't just give us faith to get us part way in anything.
Faith is available to not only help you make a decision, but also to see it completed.

So what is God asking you do in this season of your life?
Let faith help you resolve to do it and see it through...

Something to think about...