spiritual gifts - a revelation

Being a 5 minute Christian - when I read the Bible I learn something new most times. But today I learnt something BIG! We are studying "spiritual gifts" and Tali and I were reading passages from the Bible...when I realised that 1 Corinthians 12 (about spiritual gifts) leads into 1 Corinthians 13. Now that may sound obvious!

But I had read both chapters but always seperately! The beauty of seeing them flow together is that it just reinforces that LOVE is the key. The one key sentence that ties the two is:

First, however, let me tell you about something that is better than any of them! (1 Corinthians 13:1)

So we move from 1 Cor 12 (spiritual gifts) to 1 Cor 13 (love). And he tells us that LOVE is better than any gifts. Although people have different gifts, love is available to everyone! Well it just blew me away - again!

Jesus is tough - Love your enemies

I love this cartoon. It says it simply that we need to follow Jesus even when we don't like the standards he puts onto us.

To put it not so simply - I read about his standard of "Love your enemies!" It means LOVE and your ENEMIES. Nothing less. This is not a standard to be compromised. I can't reduce its claims on me...to make it easier on me. If I do the result and the irony is that I lose the offence of Jesus' radical claims. I lose his appeal. I can be affronted and intimidated by Jesus yet intrigued and drawn for the same reasons. The paradox remains that the more uncompromising he is the more appeal he has. I like the fact he was a counter-cultural radical who knew who he was, what he stood for and did not compromise...and expects us to be and do the same!

FOR THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE!

I have been instructed by my husband to write down our tasks for the next 40 days gathering.

1. Our study is going to focus on the 1st letter of shape. S: our spiritual gifts. So study what the word says about spiritual gifts and reread the section on S in our purpose driven life book.
2. Evaluate yourself and then everyone else in our group on spiritual gifts.
3. Ask other people our strengths and weaknesses: 1) family member 2) friend 3) a casual acquaintance.
4. Pray whenever you are driving, sitting on the train, walking to work for 1) Our three flatmates and Eddie 2) Watoto 3) Each Other 4) Church building.
5. Zella is going to bring us a word in our next meeting. So we do a bible study together. She will also put it in our blog so we can refer to it during the week.
6. Fill out our health assessments that Myles printed out.

I can't wait till our next meeting! It's vital that we know who we are in Christ not only so we can serve the LORD best but also so we can come up with strategies against Satan who loves attacking our weaknesses. We can say to him...you're not telling me something I don't know...I know who I am and there is no condemnation because I know who I am IN CHRIST and my hope is in him!

Lets not be afraid to face who we really are - it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us. He loves these imperfect people that we are and each day he sets us free from something else that is holding us back. Don't worry the LORD is not like us - HE IS THE KING OF PATIENCE. He will never give up on us!

So if today has not turned out the way you were hoping. Don't worry the LORD will still be there tomorrow to cheer you up and remind you of who you are - his beloved child not his perfect child but his most loved child. He thinks that way about each of us.

I picture him sitting by our bed side waiting for us to wake up and he doesn't come alone but he brings boxes of presents that he can't wait for you to open. So don't walk around with your eyes closed stuck in yesterday but see yourself as the LORD sees you with a new day ahead on your Father's shoulders.

God loves us so much it blows my mind away! God bless whoever reads this and if you don't know the LORD than don't wait another moment. Write us a comment good or bad.

ENJOY THIS AWESOME DAY THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN EACH OF US! For this is the day that the LORD has made and I WILL be glad and rejoice in it!!

ITS A NEW DAY

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever troubles comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your Faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.


James 1 : 2 - 4

We are all walking a tough road at the moment. But God has chosen and called us to work and use our lives for Him. It is going to be a tough and rough road, as my faith is now being tested everyday, but as James said, it will develope and will be strong in character to do anything for the Lord.
Everyday is a new day now, because now we have chosen to live our days for the Lord..

Lets work hard and continue to work together because we dont have time, As Philippian 1 : 6 says
And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you,
will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when
Christ Jesus comes back again..

God Bless Everyone..

L

Prayer for the nation

Lord,
with all the talk about bomb threats and terrorist acts on australia, we pray that your promises of divine protection and delivrance from evil will be our banner.Be our shield and our rampart, and may we always find solace under your mighty wings.Let us not fall into fear and doubt of your love for your creation and we plead your blood Jesus over all our families and friends, colleagues, acquaintances and this nation!

Lord we will not forget your blessings nor will be give in to the evil manipulation of the enemy, for we are confindent in who we believe and that is You.Awesome, loving and merciful father.
You are our refuge, you are our God in whom we trust.No weapon forged against us shall prevail in your mighty name Jesus.Speak to us all Lord, and remind us in our weaknesses who is in control, and Greater, so much greater are you who dwells in us, than who lives and roams in this world.

We lift up to you this nation Lord, and we ask that you Bless it with your love and protection, that no evil shall prevail in your name Jesus. We also pray for those who are attemtpting these evil acts and we bring them to you and ask that you have mercy on them, renew them and change their hearts so they will turn to you and receive your peace and salvation.
We praise your holy name for you alone are worthy of our praises and our utmost reverence.To you Lord be all the glory, from now on and forever. Protect us according to your perfect love and may we live to proclaim your mighty name to all generations until you come again.
In your name Jesus we pray
Amen