Category: Bible

Read it out loud and absorb it

July 12, 2023

At my last church I Pastored the Elders understood that some weeks as a Pastor you are really busy with people, extra training, planning or prayer.

In those weeks it was okay for me to just read a passage of Scripture and share a couple of brief thoughts. At first I found this hard, but slowly I realised that while preaching is a key part of a Pastors work, sometimes the best thing I can do is just read out Scripture and let it be absorbed by the people.

This is an example of a passage I might read on those weeks…

Psalm 103:8-18 NLT
[8] The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. [9] He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. [10] He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. [11] For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. [12] He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. [13] The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. [14] For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. [15] Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. [16] The wind blows, and we are gone- as though we had never been here. [17] But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children [18] of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!

Renewing our minds is so vital

July 5, 2023

Romans 12:2 NLT says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

I was just looking at some commentaries for Romans 12:2. I really like what the Vine’s Expository Dictionary says the Greek word for renewing in the original text of this verse…

“The Greek word translated “renewing” (Romans 12:2), anakainōsis, is used sparsely in the New Testament. It means “a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better.” Rather than surrendering to the normal patterns of this world—“the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16)—believers in Jesus are to constantly undergo “adjustment of moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God.” How so? By the Holy Spirit’s renewal (see Titus 3:5), which “is not a fresh bestowment of the Spirit but a revival of His power, developing the Christian life”.”

I like that the thought behind a renewing of our minds is more like a complete change or full renovation. It is not like a quick paint job one does to a car or house to tidy it up. It is a complete restoration rather than a makeover.

As I think of this I think of some of the car shows I watch. They take an old rusty car, cut out the rust and weld in new metal to make it like the rust was never there. They might also replace the engine, chassis and suspension. In the end a 50 year old car is actually often better than it was when it came from the factory.

I think this is type of renewing we need as Christians. Our minds are impacted so much by this world and culture we live in. Right and wrong becomes blurred and people have their own truths. What we need is God to renew our minds by His Word and His Spirit. We need to be lifted out of this worldly thinking and transplanted into His Kingdom way of thinking.

Renewing our minds is just so vital for us as Christians. We need it to fully understand what God wants us to do. It is a key foundation in being the people who God wants us to be.

Prayer

Dear God, help me to renew my mind. I pray that when I read the Bible the Holy Spirit will quicken the Words to my heart and mind. I want to be changed from the inside out. I want to walk in Your ways, love others the way You do and know Your good, pleasing and perfect will in my life. I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Imagine if Jesus came to our little town

June 29, 2023

This morning when I was doing my devotions the words, “Imagine if Jesus came to our town” popped into my mind.

Imagine if Jesus came to our small town. Wow that would be awesome! But then I started to think about the things He would do?

As my mind wandered I imagined Jesus starting His day on the Peak. It is a solitary place overlooking town where He could pray to His Father.

When He came down where would He go? I suspect to where the people were. My first thought was the main street where all of the shops are. I could see Him interacting with people. Preaching, teaching and healing like He did in the Bible.

Then I could see Him crossing over the railway line and going to Hospital and the Nursing Home. Praying for and encouraging people who were sick. Some would be miraculously healed and many would be set free.

After that I could see Him going to the western end of main Street where the bakery is found. I could see Him encouraging the people in the street and then sitting across from the bakery waiting for the lunchtime crowd.

As people came and went I could imagine Him talking about the Bread of Life and having spiritual food that never runs out. People would forget their physical hunger and crave the spiritual food He would give.

From there I could see Jesus going to the primary school and shooting hoops and kicking the footy with the kids. When He was tired I could see Him sitting with all of the pre-school kids on His lap and even more gathered around. He would be sharing the Parables.

As day turned to night I could see Him looking for a place to sleep. I could imagine that rather than staying in the best hotel in town, I could see Him curled up in a doorway with one of the homeless people who sleep rough every night.

The next day He would wake and do it all again in… or move on to some other town that His Father in heaven showed Him.

If Jesus came to town… I suspect it would be about people. It would be about blessing, encouraging, healing, loving and saving people – all people. It would be about showing God’s love and God’s Kingdom to everyone.

God Bless,
Dave

Befriend your enemies

June 27, 2023

I really like today’s Our Daily Bread…

Dan endured daily beatings from the same prison guard. He felt compelled by Jesus to love this man, so one morning, before the beating was about to begin, Dan said, “Sir, if I’m going to see you every day for the rest of my life, let’s become friends.” The guard said, “No sir. We can never be friends.” Dan insisted and reached out his hand.

The guard froze. He began to shake, then grabbed Dan’s hand and wouldn’t let go. Tears streamed down his face. He said, “Dan, my name is Rosoc. I would love to be your friend.” The guard didn’t beat Dan that day, or ever again.

Scripture tells us, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you” (Proverbs 25:21–22). The “coals” imagery may reflect an Egyptian ritual in which a guilty person showed his repentance by carrying a bowl of hot coals on his head. Similarly, our kindness may cause our enemies to become red in the face from embarrassment, which may lead them to repentance.

Who is your enemy? Whom do you dislike? Dan discovered that the kindness of Christ was strong enough to change any heart—his enemy’s and his own. We can too.

Dear Jesus, I praise You that Your kindness leads me to repentance and inspires me to be kind to my enemies. Amen.

The power at Jesus’ arrest

June 8, 2023

I have been listening to the Gospels on the way to and from work. As I listened to John 18 and the parallel passage from Luke 22, I saw some examples of Jesus’ power when He was arrested.

1. The power when He declared

When they came to arrest Jesus they asked which one Jesus was. Jesus said, “I am He” (John 18:5-6). Verse 6 tells us that at His words those around Him fell backwards to the ground. The power of His declaration knocked them over.

2. The power in His healing of the servant

The next display of His power is in the healing of the servants ear. Peter tried to stop the soldiers arresting Jesus by striking the servant with a sword and cutting off His ear. Jesus rebuked Peter and healed the man’s ear in front of everyone there (Luke 22:51).

3. The power of His love

The final display is the incredible love of Jesus. Moments before His arrest He was praying and drops of blood sweated from His forehead (Luke 22:41-44). He knew what was coming and His love kept Him on task – from arrest, to trial, to crucifixion.

Jesus displayed great power at His arrest and immediately afterwards. By His words of declaration, by His healing of the servant and by His great love for you and I – we see His great power.