You Can!

Each morning I spend a few moments reading through articles relating to our faith to learn, to be challenged and to be encouraged.

Something struck me that I wanted to share about for a few moments...

I have been 'wrestling' with quoting the Bible 'in context' lately.

I am a huge fan of being biblically correct whatever that means. The last thing I want to do is teach rubbish that harms anyone elses faith. The very thought makes me feel nauseous!!!

I am also a huge fan on God's Word being what we call Rhema. Where it is highlighted in places, even out of context sometimes, as God is speaking directly to you about something.

A writer was commenting on misquoted Bible verses. 

One in a particular is seen on a few sports persons arms, either via tattoo or bandage. 

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength".

They were saying it is not in context. Simple as that. 

That God wasn't meaning sport and physical endeavour when Paul penned it.

This is what I think. I think it is both.

It is what it needs to be for you, in that moment, for you to grow in your faith and relationship with God.

You just need to recognise which one it is and be honest about your approach.

In Context...

If you read the verses leading up to the statement, it becomes more clear what the context of what Paul was sharing is.

10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13

Paul was talking about the fact he can do all things because God can help him through all things.

For Paul it was all about his faith journey.

To quote Brian Orme - "This verse is a tribute to a man who learned to follow God in any circumstance. Whatever came Paul’s way, he handled with faith. It could be stoning, prison, shipwreck, beatings, etc." "A beautiful reminder to pursue faith and trust God in the midst of the ups and downs of a life given fully to the cause of Christ."

In context God wants you to know you can!

You can make it. You can get through whatever you are facing as you follow Christ.

If it is hard right now, keep going! God is going to get your through!

Rhema time...

God may be saying to you today..."You Can"!

You are going to achieve _____ because He is with you.

You Can.

You Can.

You Can.

Whatever God has placed in front you to do...

Don't give up my friend. You can do this!

Something to think about...

Gold on the ground

As I opened the door this morning seeing one of my kids off to school, we were greeted with the sight of gold powder on the ground.
Sorry to tell you that it wasn't real gold!
It was actually the first signs of pollen and the first real sign of spring not being that far away now!

It gave me hope that a new season was indeed not that far away. Hope that enables me to hang on through maybe a few more wintery days and experiences because I now have had a glimpse of something better.

Hope is so powerful and something you probably need just as much, or maybe even more than me today?
Can I encourage you to hold on to hope a little longer?
And as you hold on, look for signs along the way that can build your hope...

Here are a couple of scriptures to feed on today...

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. 
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:5 NLT

We must hold tightly to the hope that we say is ours. 
After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. Hebrews 10:23 CEV

Hang on to hope my friend.
Your new season is coming.
Our God is faithful...

Something to think about...

The Chart of my Life

I have two charts for you...

The first is what I think my life should look like.

The second is probably a little more realistic...

I am continuing to discover that being 'good at being a Christian' is not about continual growth, continual increase, continual building and continual success. It is actually a lot deeper than that!

Following Jesus doesn't mean smooth sailing, but it does give you a reason to keep on sailing.

You have a destination for your life. A reason. A purpose.

The Apostle Paul was arguably one of the best at being a Christian. What he says is actually quite interesting in light of all this... 

He said he knew what it was to be in plenty and to be in want. To know comfort and distress.

He experienced amazing success in ministry and many times of shear frustration.

He preached to plenty but also spent time locked up and in chains.

Check this out...

Philippians 4:12-13 niv

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

If you take your eyes off Jesus, even for just a moment, all the ups and downs, the waves of life will distract you.

All that matters really is Jesus. If I am living to please him I can not fail! It matters less if my life goes up or it goes down because it is all for Him.

My view of life and the world it exists in can not match my view of Him and who He has called me to be!

Here is a promise to help wrap this all up I hope for you...

Psalm 34:19 niv

The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;

Can I encourage you to not focus on whether you are up or down in the course of your journey?
Rather, let's simply focus on Jesus, He will keep us from sinking and get us through!

Something to think about...

Man I love food!!!

I really like food...in fact I love it. I love eating, eating, eating!

My own personal kryptonite is good stuff like caramel slice, veal scallopini, chocolate biscuit cake, apple crumble...the list goes on.
In fact I now feel hungry!
When I was younger, the way to my heart was to take me to a smorgasbord restaurant. All you can eat good times! Yes you know there would be pain afterward, but it was all so worth it.

After a few days of studying my way through a particular book of the Bible, I was thinking about how the Bible describes itself as food.
It made some sense to me because I actually felt like I was feeding on something spiritual. It was 'getting in' some how. Stirring my thinking. Challenging me.

Jesus mentioned about living on the words that God speaks, that it was bread (food) to Him. He asked the disciples to feed His people with the Word of God after He was gone.
Jeremiah, one of the main Old Testament prophets, describes how he choose to eat God's Word when it came to him.

You get the hint that maybe we can see the Word of God, the Bible as food? For me there are so many parallels between the Bible and food!

First of all you need to eat it.
Windows shopping it or looking it as a menu won't have the same impact as actually chowing down on it.

Eat what you need to and eat what makes you happy.
Sometimes when I am getting bogged down in a part like genealogies I dive as well into a part I do like maybe even more. I find some of it is like broccoli and other parts chocolate cake. I need some cake sometimes while I work my way through the veggies I am not as big of a fan about.

You need to eat all of it.
All of the Word of God is good for you!
Eat as much variety as you can. In all sorts of way and times of the day. It is a smorgasbord just waiting for you to try a piece here and a piece there.

Finally don't starve yourself spiritually by ignoring it.
It has spiritual nutrients you might not see, but will nourish you in your soul.

Something to think about...

I need this more and more!

I am even more convinced I need this more and more!
With all that is happening in my life, to those around me, and the world in general. With all the opportunities and distractions. Events and adventures. I keep coming back to something I have quoted maybe more than any other scripture in the 20 plus years of trying to follow Jesus...

"Fix your eyes on Jesus..." Hebrews 12:2

Why?

You won't get distracted.
We are blessed and 'cursed' with so many options these days! Different forms of entertainment, Churches, books, clothing styles, sports to play or watch...the list is endless.
If you aren't careful you can feel overwhelmed and totally distracted.
When you look to Jesus and keep looking to Jesus it takes away the confusion and simplifies life.

You won't be as susceptible to deception and all the other methods the devils uses to try and trip you up.
Kind of flowing on from the above, Jesus is all you need to navigate life well.
His Word is a path to our feet to keep us on track.
His face is the direction we should maintain no mater the terrain.
Think of Peter walking on water. He was good at it when he was looking at Jesus. Not so good when he looked around at the wind and the waves. All that changed that day was where he was looking. Nothing else!

You are more able to make great choices on your journey.
I find that when I am looking to Jesus, making Him my true focus, it helps me make better calls on life.
In a sense I think it helps me filter through what is good, right or even better for me.

Here is a sobering thought to consider...

If you find yourself having to look away from Jesus to do something...then most likely it is something you shouldn't really do?

So why not join me this week in making sure Jesus stays the centre of our vision? That He is the direction we head in.
Let's fix our eyes on our King!

Something to think about...