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...

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

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...

where I show you...

Many have a glimpse of where they want to go, even before they get there...

Abram was told by God to go to a land He would show him.
Later after he become Abraham and life had continued its due course, God showed him the land his descendants would inherit.

Throughout scripture are recorded people who saw something from God and then went. It was like they had a vision or a glimpse, and that vision or glimpse gave them direction, gave them the necessary motivation to take steps forward.

Maybe it should be no surprise to us that our journey is similar?
Both as individuals and as a Church.
We are moving as a Church family into a new facility (new to us) that is ironically shaped like a tent. Something many of these people all had in common was their journey involved tents. They didn't all live in palaces and permanent locales. They were people on the move.
They were people like us looking in faith to the future God has for us.
Over the last 2 years we used this new location as a temporary meeting place when our normal facilities weren't available. We had a glimpse of what God might be bringing us into and now we are there.

Can I take this even further?
After Sunday night and the huge Easter celebration that ensued, many close to me actually said the same thing. Along the lines of "this may be one night, but we are looking forward to this every week". It was like they had a glimpse of the future and God was drawing them excitedly towards it?

What has God maybe shown you about yours and our future?
Have you had a vision or a glimpse?
Abram was simply being faithful to God when He got his. He wasn't stressing and straining over it!

We are going where God shows us - for us there simply is no other way...

Something to think about...

Festival

Why Festivals?
Like what is the point?
Why spend the money and take the time?

Here is a few quick thoughts for ya...

Reminder - Festival cycles are a great reminder of the foundation to what you hopefully believe.
The Israelites had quite a few throughout their calendar, all set to remind them again about God's love and provision.
We have set several in our time as well.
Easter and Christmas are just a few. Some follow something called Lent.
Others do an annual pilgrimage to special conferences and events.
If it reminds of God's love and provision, then that is a good reason to attend!

Groups - God likes to do things with individuals and groups, not just one or the other.
Scripture paints a pretty clear picture of powerful God moments for individuals and groups. From angelic visitation in the quite of night to clouds of glory when the masses are worshipping with everything they have.
We are encouraged to meet together and to remember Him as much and as best we can.
Festival promotes that on an even larger level. It is an opportunity for God to meet en-mass with the people He truly loves!

Highlights - Festival creates specials times, special memories that become part of your 'highlight reel of faith'.
I remember distinctly many festival moments that have been special to me and indeed helped shape me. From my first Christmas as a follower of Christ. My first Easters getting to sing different things as items. To the different major events I have attended or even served it.
You have an opportunity even this Easter to create some highlights for yourself by being at and/or participating!

Notice - Mass attracts attention. God wants to get the worlds attention, that is why is He doesn't always do things in a corner or on the quiet. When God's people get together en-mass it attracts the attention of those outside of faith. And that attention draws some curious to see what all the fuss is about!

So after all that from me can I encourage you to get on board with this season of festival?
Where ever you are join in the Easter Festival. If you have the time make sure you do all you can and participate in every aspect you can. Go to all your Churches Services and activities.
It will make a huge difference to your life and faith!

Something to think about...

If you here in Taupo this weekend - we do festival!
Check out what we have on offer here...