Monday 31 August 2009

Matthew 7:24-27

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

From the outside, these two houses look the same, but it’s what you can’t see that makes all the difference. Someone may appear to have their life together and be doing really well, but the real test comes in adversity, the driving winds and the lashing rain. The storm will reveal what your life is built on and how real your faith is. It’s not a question of if the storm comes, but merely when. There is no substitute for strong character and a life of righteousness and integrity. They’re not flashy but they’re enduring. I think it’s interesting that Jesus only gave two possible scenarios. I was thinking what if the storm just did some damage, knocked off some of the roof and smashed a few windows? With the scenario Jesus gives, it’s an all or nothing, and I think that’s the way it is. Either you have a life based on solid core values or you don’t. That’s not to say that a person of good character never messes up, but it is contrary to the values he or she holds dear and aspires to attain.

There’s a bit of ‘free-styling’ towards the end of this song, which is a just little summation of the situation the foolish man is in. You’ll hear what I mean. Enjoy!

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Friday 28 August 2009

1 Peter 2:11-12

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV

I love the line ‘aliens and strangers in the world’. It sounds so ‘other-worldly’! Being an ‘alien’ means that we think and live differently from those in this world. Our real life is in heaven with Jesus and our desire is to please Him and receive the reward He has for us. Notice also the destructive nature of sin, which attacks our very souls, hence the need for vigilance and abstinence. Have a great weekend and see you on Monday!


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Wednesday 26 August 2009

Matthew 5:3-10

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10 NIV

This is definitely the longest text I’ve sung! There is so much to explore and gather from the beatitudes. It gives us a wonderful overview of the values and qualities that are important to God. Not only are these qualities important, but there is a reward for each one, and the reward fits to the quality attained.

By the way ‘poor in spirit’ doesn’t mean someone who thinks poorly of themselves but rather someone who recognises that they are not complete in themselves or self-sufficient.

I can’t help thinking that if all the films and movies currently in existence were measured against these qualities, over 90% would fail the test. The world has a different mantra that goes something like blessed are those who use force and violence, blessed are those who can do wrong and get away with it … I think the beatitudes are just as radical as when they were first written and definitely counter-cultural. One of the biggest challenges they present to us, is that if we follow through on them and someone else doesn’t, we could be seriously taken advantage of. That’s why it’s so important we learn to lay our rights. No one can take what you choose to give freely. It’s a new way to live - radical stuff!!

To listen click here!

Monday 24 August 2009

2 Chronicles 15:4

But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, and He was found by them. 2 Chronicles 15:4 NIV

Originally I was going to sing another verse to lengthen it out, but I really wanted to let this one thought go deep. When we seek God, we’ll find Him, but we don’t have to wait til we’re in distress to seek Him. God responds to our initiatives. He’s not a distant unreachable God, but a God that is as near as the words of our mouth.

To listen click here!

Friday 21 August 2009

1 Peter 1:17-19

Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:17-19 NIV

Singing verses from Peter is always a challenge. He seems to delight in using as many connecting words as he can to create incredibly long and complex sentences!


A reoccurring theme in 1 Peter is the difference between things that will perish and things that will endure. Peter wants us to have a paradigm shift in the way we view life. Gold and silver are very valuable commodities, but not when you’re on a ship called Titantic that’s about to sink. In that case, a life boat is of far greater worth. We need to live in the present but keep the eternal in view. Is what we’re investing our time and effort into going to withstand the Father’s judgement?


Another ‘paradigm shift’ Peter presents to us is the concept of thinking of ourselves as strangers here on planet earth. This is not our final destination. We’re in transit and that also makes a big difference to the way we think and act.


To listen click here!

Wednesday 19 August 2009

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Lets do a quick break down of this verse. What does God require of us, the people called by His name, which in this verse is referring to the Israelites but also applies to those that bear the name Christian?


Firstly to humble ourselves, ie admit that’s it’s too big for us, that we can’t do it on our own and that we need God’s help.


Secondly to seek His face and that’s something we need to do on a consistent basis, ie every day.


Thirdly turn from wickedness i.e sin. It sounds so strong when it’s put like that, but that’s how God views sin. We can’t expect God to listen and respond to us when we’re doing what we know is wrong.


God in turn will listen, forgive and if there is a corporate level of confession, which is the context of this verse, He will heal the land i.e make it productive and bless it.

To listen click here!

Monday 17 August 2009

1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

I don’t know anyone volunteering to undergo difficult trials, yet in God’s plan these are important for the development and proving of our faith. You might ask why does our faith need to be proved? Doesn’t God know everything? Doesn’t He know what’s in our hearts? I think the point is that God knows, but we don’t always know what’s in our own hearts. When gold is heated, the impurities that were previously hidden come to the surface, and are skimmed off, and so it is with the purifying process of our faith.


It’s interesting to note also that even Jesus obedience had to be tested. Hebrews 5:8-9 says ‘Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him’. You could say that Jesus passed both His theory and practical tests.


It’s a bit like getting your drivers licence. You can pass the theory test with 100%, but you don’t get your licence until you’ve actually driven on the road. What you can do in theory is then proved and witnessed. Be encouraged, your trials are preparing you for promotion for the things God has in store for you.


To listen click here!

Friday 14 August 2009

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV

We live in world where so much of what we see on television or read or hear about, is either distasteful, of dubious moral value, or focuses on the negative. All of these things are like rust that will gradually erode and undermine our faith. Good health in the natural means having a good balance of wholesome and nutritious foods and the same is true for our spiritual health. The earth we live in truly is filled with the glory of God, and when our eyes are opened we see God in a child’s eyes, in a beautiful sunset or catch a glimpse of His grandeur in the wonders of space. What we choose to focus on defines us. Of course to ignore evil and pretend it doesn’t exist would be naïve, but we must see evil only with our peripheral vision and keep our focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. These are the glimpses of God that nourish our hearts and keep our faith strong and vibrant.


To listen click here!

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Psalm 84:11-12

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty,

blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:11-12 NIV


What strikes me about this verse is that God is the one who bestows favour and honor, and for that matter promotion. It doesn’t come from man but from God. If we honour God by walking in His ways He will honour us by giving us favour, honour and good things. God will not hold back anything that is good for us to have. We don’t always know what is best for us, like kids that would probably like to have a diet of chips and chocolate bars if they had their own way, but God always has our best interests at heart and we can always trust and depend fully on Him.


To listen click here!

Monday 10 August 2009

James 4:6-7

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7 NIV

Lets do a quick break down of this verse. The ‘then’ in verse 7 connects the humility talked about in verse 6 with submitting to God and His plan for our lives. Pride is thinking we can do everything in our own strength or according to our own plan. The humble receive grace (special favour and strength for whatever challenges they’re facing.) In that place of submission to God, we have the power to resist every attack of the enemy. Conversely if there are areas of our lives not submitted to God, those are the areas Satan has a right to exploit.

In summary then the humble, who submit themselves to God, receive grace and have the power to resist the devil. Notice also the power we have as Christians. The least saint can send the devil scampering. We just need to start believing in the power that God says we have.

To listen click here!

Friday 7 August 2009

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV


This is one of my favourite verses. It’s also a verse I put into practice every single day. Waiting on God and spending time in His presence really does literally renew your strength. Many times I’ve come to the end of myself, and simply said to God, God I need you, I have nothing left, and every time, God has given me what I needed for the situation I was facing. I think learning how to use and rely on God’s strength is one of the key things to learn as a Christian. Other wise we are in danger of becoming worn out and burnt out. Doing God’s work with God’s strength is the secret of longevity.


To listen click here!

Wednesday 5 August 2009

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV

The Christian life is not a short distance sprint but a long distance race, one that requires endurance and perseverance. And what a great prize awaits us – the crown of life. I don’t think this is just about receiving eternal life when we die. When Jesus said in John 10:10 “ I have come that they might have life and have it to the full” He was talking about the here and now. Winning our battles leads us into the fullness of blessing and life that God desires for us. Notice the real motivation for persevering, which is not to receive a prize but our love for God. I think receiving a ‘well done good and faithful servant’ from God is the best prize of all.

To listen click here!

Monday 3 August 2009

Psalm 37:23-24

If the LORD delights in a man's way,
He makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,

for the LORD upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24


This is such a reassuring verse. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we have to do everything exactly right in order to secure God’s support and backing and that somehow if we make a mistake God backs off and says “well you’re on your own now buddy!”. There is room for us to make mistakes, just like normal kids. Their parents don’t love or support them any less because they got it wrong or make a mistake.


Joyce Meyers talks in her book ‘How to Hear from God’ about how God redeems us from our mistakes if our hearts are right. She recalls an incident where she said to God “Lord what if I miss You? Oh I’m so scared, what if I miss You?” God answered simply “Joyce don’t worry; if you miss me I will find you.

It’s nice to know God has your back and if you keep your conscience clear before God you can step out with confidence knowing that God is holding you securely in His hand.

To listen click here!