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.

God knows all about you

June 3, 2023

Psalm 139:1-6 TPT
[1] Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. [2] You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. [3-4] You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence! You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. [5] You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me. [6] This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible! Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength.

God knows you intimately. He knows everything about you. He knows your words before you speak them. He knows the journey before you take a step. You are an open book to Him. He knows you inside out and He loves you inside out. You are precious in His eyes and He never takes His eyes off you. You are deeply, deeply loved by Him.

Prayer for you

Dear God, I pray these words will sink deep in to the hearts and minds of everyone who reads this today. I pray they will permeate every fibre of their beings – spirit, soul and body. I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you practice religion?

May 31, 2023

Do you practice religion?

Today’s question asks if I practice religion. I hope that from this website you can tell I do!

Although I would call it practicing my faith in Christ. My whole world revolves around Him. He is my Lord and Saviour and My King. He is my provider, my comforter and my best friend. He is my all in all.

So yes I do practice religion. I have since 1989. It is the best thing by far I have ever done. Following Jesus is the key to life.

Life before the internet?

May 30, 2023

Do you remember life before the internet?

Todays WordPress question was “Do we remember life before the internet”. I am old enough to say yes, but I have to admit only vaguely.

The main thing that comes to mind is doing studies before the internet. You had to go to a library and use books lol! I can remember getting an assignment for Bible college and then rushing to the library to get the best books.

The other things about times before the internet is actually going to see people to ask questions, to pay bills or to stay in contact with them. These days we can do all this online and we can do it from our couch.

So do I prefer life now with the internet or then without it? I guess both have there positives or negatives, but I have to say I enjoy the connection to people and information the internet gives us today.

How about you? Do you remember life before the internet? And if you do, which do you prefer?

Wait on the Spirit

May 28, 2023

Today’s Our Daily Bread talks about waiting on the Spirit and not relying on our own efforts…

During the discussion of a book on the Holy Spirit written by a ninety-four-year-old German theologian named Jürgen Moltmann, an interviewer asked him: “How do you activate the Holy Spirit? Can you take a pill? Do the pharmaceutical companies [deliver the Spirit]?” Moltmann’s bushy eyebrows shot up. Shaking his head, he grinned, answering in accented English. “What can I do? Don’t do anything. Wait on the Spirit, and the Spirit will come.”

Moltmann highlighted our mistaken belief that our energy and expertise make things happen. Acts reveals that God makes things happen. At the start of the church, it had nothing to do with human strategy or impressive leadership. Rather, the Spirit arrived “like the blowing of a violent wind” into a room of frightened, helpless, and bewildered disciples (2:2). Next, the Spirit shattered all ethnic superiorities by gathering people who were at odds into one new community. The disciples were as shocked as anyone to see what God was doing within them. They didn’t make anything happen; “the Spirit enabled them” (v. 4).

The church—and our shared work in the world—isn’t defined by what we can do. We’re entirely dependent on what only the Spirit can do. This allows us to be both bold and restful. On this day—the day we celebrate Pentecost—may we wait for the Spirit and respond.

Prayer

God, I’ve exhausted myself by believing that I must make things happen. Holy Spirit, come and help me. In Jesus name, Amen