thoughts & encouragements about life & faith
[John 11:33-35 NLT] When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.
"Where have you put him?" he asked them. They told him, "Lord, come and see."
Then Jesus wept.
Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus in compassion for the grief that his sisters and friends were experiencing. I believe His anger was not at the people around Him, but at the things in life that cause those whom He made and loved to be caused to grieve
Mark 1:9-11: One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy." Other translations say, “In whom I am well pleased”.
Why was The Father so pleased with Jesus? Was it because of His obedient life? or because of His willingness to fulfil His mission to rescue lost souls? I would suggest that Jesus pleased His Father in every way but that God loved Jesus so dearly simply because He is His Son
Mark 1:17-18 NLT
Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!"
And they left their nets at once and followed him.
Do you remember that moment when Jesus called you to follow Him? What did he call you away from? What change did He bring to your life? What was your change of direction
“Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, "Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are; the Holy One of God!"
Jesus cut him short. "Be quiet! Come out of the man," he ordered.
At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!" Mark 1:23-27 NLT
John 14:6 – Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no-one comes to The Father, but through me.”
This verse helped me to understand the gospel and led me to ask Jesus as my Saviour; The One who died in my place, who brought me new life and a home in heaven
“Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3 v 24
Last year my wife and I made a will. While we've no intention of shaking off this mortal coil for a while yet, it seemed like a sensible idea to get this item dealt with so there would be no complications in the future
"Jesus wept"John 11 vs 35
When I was young and in Sunday school, this verse was a favourite amongst my friends. Why? Well, when we were ever challenged by the teacher to recite a verse, inevitably someone would proudly stand up and say "Jesus wept”! Cue giggles all round
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
If you have ever driven a car when abroad on holiday you'll know it requires some extra patience and care navigating your way around a foreign country that you're not familiar with
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12 - v2
One of the big criticisms levelled at politicians and leaders from the press and public is when they shift their position on an issue that they had previously held. Leadership can look weak when this happens and yet we also want our politicians and leaders to be able to compromise and work with others and adapt to changing situations.
My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 4:20-22 (NKJV)
As I get older I realise more and more the sound advice my dad shared with me over the years. Whether it was regarding relationships or work or running a home, his advice and wisdom over the years has been invaluable as he has many years of experience to draw upon, and I know he has my best interest at heart.
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out “Abba, Father.”” Rom 8:15
We’ve all seen it in the playground and some of us have said it… ”My dad’s better than your dad!”. Paul reminds us here that as followers of Jesus, our dad trumps everything else and as such we no longer have to live our lives in fear.
It is good to remind ourselves who we are in God. There are so many things that can make us fearful; the threat of terrorism, the safety of our children, the fear of rejection and judgement. When you fear something, it is like a chain that wraps around your hands and feet.
Fear can have a profound effect on how you view the world and how you chose to live your life. Making decision from a place of fear is never a good idea. Someone once said, ‘fear has killed more dreams than failure ever did’.
What decisions face you today or over the next week? You do not need to make these from a place of fear but God wants you to make them as His child who He loves perfectly.
You are God’s child, He loves you intimately and remember, your dad is bigger than all things!
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance wIn him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 7-8athat he lavished on us.” Eph 1:8
The forgiveness of your sins is given to you by God in accordance with the riches of His grace. Just think about that for a moment…your forgiveness is not given in accordance with your faith, your good works or your ability to live up to some gold standard.
"Yo are no longer a slave but a son and if a son then an heir of God through Christ!" (Gal 4:7)
Our identity as children of God is our defining feature; it affects how we view everything. As a child of God your relationship to your Father is not based on your efforts or your ability but on the love of your Dad.
ou shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” John 8:32 (NKJV)
Have you ever been on holiday and upon your return thought to yourself ‘Here we go, back to the real world’? There is something nice about the ability to have a break and get away from the normal routine of things but we also realise that living like we do when we are on holiday is not the real world.
“He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us!”Eph2:5-6 (MSG)
The phenomenal position in which we find ourselves –honoured by God, loved and accepted by Him, is nothing to do with how good we are. It’s the same for everyone; the powerful, the imprisoned, the rich and famous, the obscure and destitute, poets, artists, slaves and vagabonds, priests, prostitutes, diplomats and drug-dealers…everyone of us accepted not because of what we have done or who we are but because God is love
[Rev 19:16 NLT] on his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Have you ever wondered what this phrase, King of Kings, means? It means exactly what it says; Jesus is the King of Kings. Who are these kings He rules over? You and me are kings; yes you and me. We run ourselves down and think little of ourselves. Yet Jesus has made us royalty
“The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” Numbers 6:24-26
This blessing, which God told Moses to instruct the Levite priests to speak over the Children of Israel paints the picture of God turning His face to look at His people and bless them. The idea of a personal God not some distant deity was central to their identity as the chosen people of God. The idea here is of God lifting them in His arms much in the same way as a delighted Father might pick up his child and looking at them with joy.
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Have you ever had to deal with someone who has told you one thing to your face and done something else when they are not with you? It can be hard deal with. Doing what is right is one thing but doing what is right for the right reason is another
“But to those who embraced Him and took hold of His name were given the authority to become who they really are – the sons of God!” John 1:12 (Passion Translation)
We were made to be part of God’s family, created by God to have relationship with Him. This verse reminds us that when we embrace the person of Jesus and we take hold of His name then we have authority to be who we really are
