Continue reading “Stations of the Cross – Keeping Jesus at the Centre”
Category: Jesus
Thoughts on Worship and God
Zac spoke about worship on Tuesday night and about how when we worship NO ONE misses out on Jesus and who He is.
I had some thoughts that came to me after hearing his word. So, enjoy my thoughts.
It makes me sad the number of people who do not know the joys of a relationship with God, through Jesus.
It is the greatest relationship anyone could ever hope to have. He heals all the hurts in our lives and has promised us joy and life on the other side of physical death. He has promised no more sickness, no more pain, no more suffering, no more poverty.
Who would want to reject that?
By the same token, we who are already saved have a mandate, a responsibility and mission to be lights to the world. Shining God’s love into the world.
We are called to love.
To be God’s hands and feet in a broken world.
To those who say, why doesn’t God intervene in the world’s suffering?
Well here’s the answer: where God does not intervene is where humans are turning a blind eye. WE are the ones who are responsible for doing God’s work here on earth. And if nothing is happening to help those who are oppressed, it’s because WE aren’t doing enough.
Do not blame God. He has called US to work good in the lives of His people and if we do not, we are at fault.
Not God. Never God.
So, remember. When we worship, live lives of worship, NO ONE misses out on Jesus.
Resurrection Sunday
He is risen.
He is risen indeed.
Hallelujah.
Today over all the nation, followers of that itinerant preacher, Jesus of Nazareth, will gather to praise God for the salvation that was wrought on the Cross. Today we come together to thank Him for conquering death. And today we claim once again that He is risen indeed, the Lamb of God, His only begotten Son.
Thank You, Jesus for laying Your life down for mine and raising once more, King over all.
You are better than anything in this world. Your one life is the one that matters the most.
Amen.
My Story
Why do I follow Jesus?
I follow Jesus because He is my life. He is my Lord and Saviour and He gives me strength and courage to do life. I know He is always there for me, even when people aren’t.
When did I start to follow Him?
I don’t really have an exact time that I can definitely pin down. For me it’s an ongoing journey. I’m sure there was a point that I decided for myself that He is real and for me, but Jesus has always been a part of my life.
What have I done, as a result of following Him, lately?
Lately, I find myself being challenged to serve in my everyday. At work especially. I work in childcare and it is so easy to get frustrated and to want to just walk away, but setting my heart on Jesus helps to centre me, and remind me that life is not all about me. And that He is bigger than all my cares and worries.
Conversations about God
This is the last full week of work before the Passover/Easter break. My thoughts have continued to be turned to God and what He did for me on the Cross. I’ve also had some fun watching the kids at work learning about Passover and again I think about how Jesus is the ultimate Passover Lamb.
For me and, I know, many Christians, the period of Easter is the most important in our walk with the Lord. The fact that He gave His life for us is humbling. Even more so is the fact that He conquered death. We do not need to fear Hell if we put our trust in Jesus and accept Him in our lives.
I pray that this Easter more of God’s people will accept the call of He who Created us.
On an interesting aside, I was talking to my friend and she told me that at her church the Pastor was explaining the meaning of Eve and Adam eating of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. The Pastor explained that it was sign of their disobedience and wanting to be separate from God, a metaphor of them rejecting God in their lives. This is sin.
That encouraged me, because it was like a light going off in my mind. I realised this could be the one thing that vindicates my views on evolution. If eating of the fruit is a metaphor, then it doesn’t necessarily negate human evolution.
Humans at some stage in their evolution could figure out God existed then decide that they didn’t want God to rule them, and this would be where sin entered into the world.
It doesn’t negate the severity and importance of sin, but at the same time evolution within the human species could be accepted.
Amazing. God is amazing.
Though, that’s all just minor in comparison to what He did for us on the Cross. This is what matters to the people of this world.
And I am forever grateful to God for what He has done for me.
Thank You Lord for sending Your Son to die for me on the Cross. Thank You Lord for defeating death. For death is what we deserve, but You so loved us that You sent Your only begotten Son. For You did not send Him to condemn us, but to be our Saviour.
Commitment
The word that strikes fear in many a person’s heart. It seems such an uncomplicated word, yet it holds a huge amount of responsibility.
There are so many things we must commit to in our lives. From the mundane everyday things to the big commitments that come our way. We have to commit to the decisions we make; to our jobs; to the people in our lives. It’s a crazy thing, commitment.
These thoughts circle my mind as I think of my faith journey. Early this season of Lent, I made a decision to commit my thoughts and time to God and hence give up something that was taking me away from Him. However, I now realise that I don’t need to do that so restrictively to keep my focus on Him.
I think I am safe, with God’s approval, to relax a little. God knows that my heart will ever be for Him.
My commitment to God is a lifelong decision I’ve made. It may ebb and flow with the tides of life, but, nothing else really matters. I love, Jesus, God, more than any other and He will always be First for me.
My appreciation and commitment as a fan of my favourite band is something that helps me enjoy moments in my life. And, really, in the long run, all music comes from God.
(Except maybe death metal….)
Sunday’s. The Lord’s Day
This is the day
This is the day
That the Lord has made
That the Lord has made
We will rejoice
We will rejoice
And be glad in it
And be glad in it
For this is the day
That the Lord has made
And we will rejoice
And be glad in it
This is the day
This is the day
That the Lord has made.
I love when there are baby dedications at church. It really makes me have more faith when parents want to dedicate their children to God. I think it is so important that a child is brought up in the church. I am also an advocate of choice. Once the child is old enough they should be enabled to make their own decisions about their faith and beliefs.
For me, growing up in churches has really enriched my life and opened my eyes to the importance of a servant heart and that life isn’t just about me.
Sometimes, I wonder what my life may have become if I hadn’t grown in the church. And, it’s hard to fathom. It has been a defining part of my life and I think I’d be a completely different person. And in fact, that makes sense. Being a Christian means dying to oneself and taking up the cross of Christ. It’s not an easy journey. It can be exhausting. But, the wonder of how awesome God is makes it entirely worth it in the long run.
And this is what I want to impart to any child I may have. Of course that’s a future prospect as I have no children, yet. I have no husband yet, either.
My parents keep trying to get me to look for someone. I mean sure, I turn 30 next year but marriage isn’t the ultimate goal of life. Yes, God has created us for relationship and marriage is a good thing, but marriage isn’t something to strive for. Relationship with God through Jesus is.
Of course, I want to get married one day. And I want children. I admit I’m getting clucky, and my biological clock is ticking. However, I’m first concentrating on refocusing my heart on Jesus and serving from a position of humility and love.
Amen.
Marly's World 