I have done something this week I hardly ever do...
I have just said "no".
It is not part of my nature and even my training as a leader. I want to say "yes". Maybe not as fanatically as Jim Careys Yes Man movie (and not recommending it to view), but pretty close.
My agenda, if I have one has been simple, I have simply always wanted to serve. Whether it is the needs of others, my Church, and even further a field.
Due to the circumstances I and my family have been navigating, saying yes to everyone has caused me a few issues.
So with much embarrassment, regret, guilt and other assorted emotions I said "no" to an event I promised I could help with less than 24 hours before I was supposed to be there.
The organiser wasn't very happy with me. I get that.
It was a call I don't ever make. Don't think they understood that.
Maybe I need to learn to say "no"?
God says no not because He doesn't like us, but because He loves us.
There is His divine timing.
He sometimes even better just around the corner.
If God says no and that is good and even spiritual, maybe I could learn something from that?
Sometimes no is a safe place.
No helps you avoid burning yourself out.
Avoids letting others down when you can't keep up with all your yes's.
Scripture tells us that both yes and no are ok. Just let them be clear which one you mean.
All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37 niv
If you are person who by nature says no, then this simple thought might not be exactly for you except to ask if God would like you to say yes more?
If you recognise you are a bit like me, maybe a tad bit a 'people pleaser', maybe you need to let the Holy Spirit guide you when to use that special word "no" a little more often?
Something to think about...
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Are you just holding on?
Over a lifetime you will have good and not so good times.
The not so good times will probably test your faith.
They will maybe get you to question where your hope and trust are truly placed?
David wrote these interesting words obviously after a lifetime of observation.
I was young and now I am old,
Yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
Or their children begging bread
Psalm 37:25 NIV
He wasn't saying that they never faced trial on their journey.
Or wasn't saying that there weren't moments where things seemed impossible.
He was saying that in spite of all - God was faithful for His people, even the children under their care.
My family and I can relate to this sentiment right now!
As we face a minor crisis of not having a home to move to with a looming deadline in a few days to move, we are hanging on as best we can to the promises of God.
I am personally hanging onto what David observed. That God doesn't leave the righteous forsaken.
Are you just hanging on this week?
Let's encourage each other with these words...
Something to think about...
The not so good times will probably test your faith.
They will maybe get you to question where your hope and trust are truly placed?
David wrote these interesting words obviously after a lifetime of observation.
I was young and now I am old,
Yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
Or their children begging bread
Psalm 37:25 NIV
He wasn't saying that they never faced trial on their journey.
Or wasn't saying that there weren't moments where things seemed impossible.
He was saying that in spite of all - God was faithful for His people, even the children under their care.
My family and I can relate to this sentiment right now!
As we face a minor crisis of not having a home to move to with a looming deadline in a few days to move, we are hanging on as best we can to the promises of God.
I am personally hanging onto what David observed. That God doesn't leave the righteous forsaken.
Are you just hanging on this week?
Let's encourage each other with these words...
Something to think about...
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Holy Spirit & ______ Part 2
I was recently struck by something...
It seemed to me that every time the Holy Spirit was mentioned in scripture there was always 'an and' to accompany His mention.
After doing my own study I was surprised by the scope of it.
Not only is the Holy Spirit here to give us power, to minister to us and through us, He does even more. Kind of like one of those old tv infomercials - "but wait there is more..."
Maybe that is the point or revelation I have been having, there is indeed more with the Holy Spirit added to your faith? And there is always more!
For a number of weeks I have been preaching at our fantastic Church around this concept.
You can catch some of it if you like on our podcasts?
Today I wanted to encourage you with more!
Here are a sample of Holy Spirit and can you experience right now...
Faith always accompanies a person filled with the power of God.
So if you perceive to be lacking in faith, maybe more of the Holy Spirit will actually change you perspective on your faith levels?
I believe the Holy Spirit opens you eyes to the possibilities that faith will bring and the courage to step out into it. Remember you only need a mustard seed size faith to move a mountain in your life!
It should be the expectation that miracles both large and small follow someone living under the power and anointing of the Spirit. That is the normal for any follower of Christ.
In the last week I have had small miracle after miracle and I am believing for more!
In fact I have a healthy expectation of it in the middle of all that seems impossible.
I find the Holy Spirit prompting to me please believe and expect.
There is not one person on this earth that I have met that doesn't want to hear directly from God.
They are just sometimes wondering what God might say to them...
When the Holy Spirit is around, prophecy is active.
It is where God uses you or someone around you to speak something from the heart and throne room of God. The majority of the time is to all about our encouragement. Sometimes it is about helping us stay or get on track with the best plan God has for us.
People thought Saul was a prophet when he came into contact with the Spirit and he wasn't a great king. If you come into contact with the Spirit just what might God say to you or through you? Exciting!
It seemed to me that every time the Holy Spirit was mentioned in scripture there was always 'an and' to accompany His mention.
After doing my own study I was surprised by the scope of it.
Not only is the Holy Spirit here to give us power, to minister to us and through us, He does even more. Kind of like one of those old tv infomercials - "but wait there is more..."
Maybe that is the point or revelation I have been having, there is indeed more with the Holy Spirit added to your faith? And there is always more!
For a number of weeks I have been preaching at our fantastic Church around this concept.
You can catch some of it if you like on our podcasts?
Today I wanted to encourage you with more!
Here are a sample of Holy Spirit and can you experience right now...
Holy Spirit and Faith
He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:24 NIV
Faith always accompanies a person filled with the power of God.
So if you perceive to be lacking in faith, maybe more of the Holy Spirit will actually change you perspective on your faith levels?
I believe the Holy Spirit opens you eyes to the possibilities that faith will bring and the courage to step out into it. Remember you only need a mustard seed size faith to move a mountain in your life!
Holy Spirit and Miracles
I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.
Galatians 3:5 NLT
It should be the expectation that miracles both large and small follow someone living under the power and anointing of the Spirit. That is the normal for any follower of Christ.
In the last week I have had small miracle after miracle and I am believing for more!
In fact I have a healthy expectation of it in the middle of all that seems impossible.
I find the Holy Spirit prompting to me please believe and expect.
Holy Spirit and Prophecy
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. Luke 1:67 NIV
There is not one person on this earth that I have met that doesn't want to hear directly from God.
They are just sometimes wondering what God might say to them...
When the Holy Spirit is around, prophecy is active.
It is where God uses you or someone around you to speak something from the heart and throne room of God. The majority of the time is to all about our encouragement. Sometimes it is about helping us stay or get on track with the best plan God has for us.
People thought Saul was a prophet when he came into contact with the Spirit and he wasn't a great king. If you come into contact with the Spirit just what might God say to you or through you? Exciting!
Did you catch Part 1 of this Blog Series? Click here
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Holy Spirit & ______ Part 1
I was recently struck by something...
It seemed to me that every time the Holy Spirit was mentioned in scripture there was always 'an and' to accompany His mention.
After doing my own study I was surprised by the scope of it.
Not only is the Holy Spirit here to give us power, to minister to us and through us, He does even more. Kind of like one of those old tv infomercials - "but wait there is more..."
Maybe that is the point or revelation I have been having, there is indeed more with the Holy Spirit added to your faith? And there is always more!
For a number of weeks I have been preaching at our fantastic Church around this concept.
You can catch some of it if you like on our podcasts?
Today I wanted to encourage you with more!
Here are a sample of Holy Spirit and can you experience right now...
Many of us can be forgiven for having an impression that being a Jesus follower is serious business, and therefore requires a serious demeanour. Joy is actually one of the definition characteristics of being like Jesus. Joy in all things, whether good or bad.
The cool thing is you don't have to generate your own joy. Invite the Holy Spirt to bring joy to your life and faith. Let the Joy of the Lord be your strength. The thing that stirs your heart to action and your continence to express your hope.
That is the light that world is looking from your faith...
Let the Holy Spirit bring you reassurance today.
Reassurance you doing the right thing serving where you are and that He will lead when things might need to change.
Let Him reassure you of your salvation and that your home is indeed in heaven. He is a seal guaranteeing your inheritance. You can rest in your future being certain right now!
Everyone of us wants to make good decisions. Maybe even decisions that go above and beyond our own skills and gifting?
The Holy Spirit wants to come along side you and make you wise. Doesn't the Word of God say that He gives wisdom to all without finding fault? Let Him help you today with wisdom to not make life more complicated than it needs to be.
It seemed to me that every time the Holy Spirit was mentioned in scripture there was always 'an and' to accompany His mention.
After doing my own study I was surprised by the scope of it.
Not only is the Holy Spirit here to give us power, to minister to us and through us, He does even more. Kind of like one of those old tv infomercials - "but wait there is more..."
Maybe that is the point or revelation I have been having, there is indeed more with the Holy Spirit added to your faith? And there is always more!
For a number of weeks I have been preaching at our fantastic Church around this concept.
You can catch some of it if you like on our podcasts?
Today I wanted to encourage you with more!
Here are a sample of Holy Spirit and can you experience right now...
Holy Spirit and Joy
At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever..." Luke 10:21 NLT
Many of us can be forgiven for having an impression that being a Jesus follower is serious business, and therefore requires a serious demeanour. Joy is actually one of the definition characteristics of being like Jesus. Joy in all things, whether good or bad.
The cool thing is you don't have to generate your own joy. Invite the Holy Spirt to bring joy to your life and faith. Let the Joy of the Lord be your strength. The thing that stirs your heart to action and your continence to express your hope.
That is the light that world is looking from your faith...
Holy Spirit and Assurance
...our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance... 1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV
Let the Holy Spirit bring you reassurance today.
Reassurance you doing the right thing serving where you are and that He will lead when things might need to change.
Let Him reassure you of your salvation and that your home is indeed in heaven. He is a seal guaranteeing your inheritance. You can rest in your future being certain right now!
Holy Spirit and Wisdom
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. Acts 15:28 NIV
Everyone of us wants to make good decisions. Maybe even decisions that go above and beyond our own skills and gifting?
The Holy Spirit wants to come along side you and make you wise. Doesn't the Word of God say that He gives wisdom to all without finding fault? Let Him help you today with wisdom to not make life more complicated than it needs to be.
Check back later for more...because there is always more!
Wednesday, November 08, 2017
Complete
I think I would be safe to say that all of us would like to be the best 'us' we can be...
We want to be the complete package if we can for God, for our family, for our friends, for those we come into contact with.
It is the idea of being "complete" as a person.
Maybe you are like me and have big hopes and dreams for your life?
Maybe you have even prayed asking God to mould and shape you into the complete person you would to be?
I am reminded today as I have been praying through and considering the season my wife and I are facing, that God has a process to answer that hearts cry.
Unfortunately the answer to my prayer involves equal amounts of adventure and uncertainly, equal amounts of excitement and trepidation.
I think James is right when he describes how things seem to work...
The very act of testing of your faith, is what grows your faith.
It shows you where it has room for growth.
Where your faith has possible holes in it.
It reveals what your heart is currently like and where there is room for maturity.
If you and I want to be complete in our faith, then we need to acknowledge that we are indeed like scripture says, clay on a potters wheel, being moulded, stretched and more to become something better. Even complete?
I can confess today that I am not totally thrilled by this process.
Dang it is uncomfortable!
I am simply hanging on by the "skin of my teeth" to my hope in Christ. Hanging onto His unfailing love and His faithfulness that is supposed to be new even every single morning.
If you are facing a huge faith hill to climb, where the odds seem against you, and the road is a bit uncomfortable and rocky, I am with you
Please know that I am with you, cheering you on, to let God finish the work He needs to in this season of your life.
On the journey with you...
We want to be the complete package if we can for God, for our family, for our friends, for those we come into contact with.
It is the idea of being "complete" as a person.
Maybe you are like me and have big hopes and dreams for your life?
Maybe you have even prayed asking God to mould and shape you into the complete person you would to be?
I am reminded today as I have been praying through and considering the season my wife and I are facing, that God has a process to answer that hearts cry.
Unfortunately the answer to my prayer involves equal amounts of adventure and uncertainly, equal amounts of excitement and trepidation.
I think James is right when he describes how things seem to work...
The very act of testing of your faith, is what grows your faith.
It shows you where it has room for growth.
Where your faith has possible holes in it.
It reveals what your heart is currently like and where there is room for maturity.
If you and I want to be complete in our faith, then we need to acknowledge that we are indeed like scripture says, clay on a potters wheel, being moulded, stretched and more to become something better. Even complete?
I can confess today that I am not totally thrilled by this process.
Dang it is uncomfortable!
I am simply hanging on by the "skin of my teeth" to my hope in Christ. Hanging onto His unfailing love and His faithfulness that is supposed to be new even every single morning.
If you are facing a huge faith hill to climb, where the odds seem against you, and the road is a bit uncomfortable and rocky, I am with you
Please know that I am with you, cheering you on, to let God finish the work He needs to in this season of your life.
On the journey with you...
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