Preist den Herrn, und ruft seinen Namen aus, verkündet seine großen Taten allen Völkern! Singt und musizert zu seiner Ehre, macht alle seine Wunder bekannt! 1 Chronik 16: 8-9 Hoffung Für Alles
This is my second German podcast. Our God is worthy of all praise and our commission is to make His name famous in this world. Preist den Herrn!
Click here to listen!
Tuesday 30 June 2009
Monday 29 June 2009
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse our guilty consciences and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22 NIV
This is a call from the heart of God, our personal invitation to draw near and in case we have any hesitations about approaching someone so holy and pure, God reminds us of our status in Christ and how Jesus has cleansed us from all sin. God will welcome us with open arms because of our standing in Christ.
The second ‘Let us’ is a call to keep on keeping on – to go the distance. I like the word ‘unswervingly’ – no veering to the left or right. This verse is rich in content and as you meditate on it, you will gain a new assurance of your faith and relationship to God.
Click here to listen!
This is a call from the heart of God, our personal invitation to draw near and in case we have any hesitations about approaching someone so holy and pure, God reminds us of our status in Christ and how Jesus has cleansed us from all sin. God will welcome us with open arms because of our standing in Christ.
The second ‘Let us’ is a call to keep on keeping on – to go the distance. I like the word ‘unswervingly’ – no veering to the left or right. This verse is rich in content and as you meditate on it, you will gain a new assurance of your faith and relationship to God.
Click here to listen!
Friday 26 June 2009
John 10:27
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27 (NIV)
The picture here is of the Palestine shepherd calling his sheep and going ahead of them to lead the way. Jesus is our shepherd leading the way, but we need to listen to his voice to find that way. The second part of the verse gives us a wonderful assurance of out salvation. God has a firm grip on us, and He’s not about to let us go. He holds us securely in the palm of His hand.
Click here to listen!
The picture here is of the Palestine shepherd calling his sheep and going ahead of them to lead the way. Jesus is our shepherd leading the way, but we need to listen to his voice to find that way. The second part of the verse gives us a wonderful assurance of out salvation. God has a firm grip on us, and He’s not about to let us go. He holds us securely in the palm of His hand.
Click here to listen!
Thursday 25 June 2009
Psalm 139:1-6
O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in behind and before. You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, to lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:1-6 (NIV)
We have a God that knows every intimate detail of our lives, our hurts, fears, our deepest secrets, our failures and who loves us with a passion. Everyone desires to be understood and we hate being misunderstood, but with God we can relax in the knowledge that He not only has in His possession every small detail of our lives, but He understands us and feels what we feel. He’s not a God that sympathises He’s a God that empathises.
Click here to listen!
We have a God that knows every intimate detail of our lives, our hurts, fears, our deepest secrets, our failures and who loves us with a passion. Everyone desires to be understood and we hate being misunderstood, but with God we can relax in the knowledge that He not only has in His possession every small detail of our lives, but He understands us and feels what we feel. He’s not a God that sympathises He’s a God that empathises.
Click here to listen!
Wednesday 24 June 2009
Hebrews 9:27-28
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)
This is one of these verses that helps me to remember ‘the big picture’. There IS more to life than just the here and now. Jesus will return to those who are waiting for Him and this time not as a babe in a manger but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I know this isn’t exactly a new revelation, but in the business of everyday life, this is something most of us think about very seldom. Every person will face the judgement both Christian and non Christian. The Christian will be judged according to what they have done with the talents and abilities God has given them and the non Christian will be judged and sentenced to hell for not believing in Jesus God’s Son. This should cause us to serve God in reverent fear – not fear as in being afraid, but with the knowledge that God has no special favourites and that he will carefully evaluate our life’s work.
Click here to listen!
This is one of these verses that helps me to remember ‘the big picture’. There IS more to life than just the here and now. Jesus will return to those who are waiting for Him and this time not as a babe in a manger but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I know this isn’t exactly a new revelation, but in the business of everyday life, this is something most of us think about very seldom. Every person will face the judgement both Christian and non Christian. The Christian will be judged according to what they have done with the talents and abilities God has given them and the non Christian will be judged and sentenced to hell for not believing in Jesus God’s Son. This should cause us to serve God in reverent fear – not fear as in being afraid, but with the knowledge that God has no special favourites and that he will carefully evaluate our life’s work.
Click here to listen!
Tuesday 23 June 2009
1 Chronicles 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain” And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
I was ploughing my way though the genealogy lists at the start of 1 Chronicles when I came across this little gem. It immediately brought to mind a great little booklet I read a number of years ago called ‘The Prayer of Jabez’ by Bruce Wilkinson.
Let me quote you an extract from his book from page 10 and 11:
‘What exactly did Jabez do to rise above the rest? Why did God answer his prayer? I wondered. For that matter why did God even include Jabez’s miniprofile in the Bible? .. I picked up the Bible and read verse 10 – the prayer of Jabez. Something in his prayer would explain the mystery. It had to. Pulling a chair up to the yellow counter, I bent over my Bible, and reading the prayer over and over, I searched with all my heart for the future God had for someone as ordinary as I.
The next morning, I prayed Jabez’s prayer word for word. And the next. And the next. Thirty years later, I haven’t stopped. If you were to ask me what sentence - other than my prayer for salvation - has revolutionized my life and ministry the most, I would tell you that it was the cry of gimper named Jabez, who is still remembered not for what he did, bur for what he prayed – and for what happened next.”
Click here to listen.
I was ploughing my way though the genealogy lists at the start of 1 Chronicles when I came across this little gem. It immediately brought to mind a great little booklet I read a number of years ago called ‘The Prayer of Jabez’ by Bruce Wilkinson.
Let me quote you an extract from his book from page 10 and 11:
‘What exactly did Jabez do to rise above the rest? Why did God answer his prayer? I wondered. For that matter why did God even include Jabez’s miniprofile in the Bible? .. I picked up the Bible and read verse 10 – the prayer of Jabez. Something in his prayer would explain the mystery. It had to. Pulling a chair up to the yellow counter, I bent over my Bible, and reading the prayer over and over, I searched with all my heart for the future God had for someone as ordinary as I.
The next morning, I prayed Jabez’s prayer word for word. And the next. And the next. Thirty years later, I haven’t stopped. If you were to ask me what sentence - other than my prayer for salvation - has revolutionized my life and ministry the most, I would tell you that it was the cry of gimper named Jabez, who is still remembered not for what he did, bur for what he prayed – and for what happened next.”
Click here to listen.
Monday 22 June 2009
Phil 3:13-14
No dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing; Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us up to heaven. Phil 3:13-14
There is something very powerful, a real energy, focus and determination that rings through these verses. He’s focusing on ONE THING! He’s not distracted – he’s got his priorities sorted out and he’s not about to let past failures slow him down.
You can’t help but feel the hope and promise that Paul has for the future as he runs his race and he is so determined! He’s not out for a Sunday walk in the park – he has his eyes on the finish line because that’s where the real prize is.
Click Here to Listen
There is something very powerful, a real energy, focus and determination that rings through these verses. He’s focusing on ONE THING! He’s not distracted – he’s got his priorities sorted out and he’s not about to let past failures slow him down.
You can’t help but feel the hope and promise that Paul has for the future as he runs his race and he is so determined! He’s not out for a Sunday walk in the park – he has his eyes on the finish line because that’s where the real prize is.
Click Here to Listen
Friday 19 June 2009
John 12:25-26
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:25-26 NIV
This is one of these very challenging verses. When does Jesus really mean when He says we should ‘hate our life’? It’s reminiscent of the rebellious teenager slamming the door shut and saying ‘I hate my life’ but I don’t think that’s what Jesus had in mind!! And besides Jesus want’s us to enjoy life. He said in John 10:10 ‘I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.’
The best way I can explain this is to give you an example. There was a time in my dad’s life when he felt God calling him into full time ministry with Youth for Christ. At the time dad was working for an insurance company. When Jeff announced his intention to leave, they came back to him a short time later with an offer to become marketing manager for all of New Zealand, a major promotion for my dad. When he turned it down, his boss said ‘this other job must really be paying you well’, and dad replied ‘no actually you have to raise your own finances’. His boss obviously thought he was crazy. That’s called ‘hating your life’ ie despising what the world has to offer you when God has something better. I can also tell you from first hand experience that during the time my dad was in full time ministry we never went without, in fact God blessed us as a family with many blessings. Following Jesus will take you to some interesting places and into some situations that make no sense from the world’s perspective but we have something much greater to live for than just acquiring wealth and possessions.
To download right click on this link and select 'save link as'.
This is one of these very challenging verses. When does Jesus really mean when He says we should ‘hate our life’? It’s reminiscent of the rebellious teenager slamming the door shut and saying ‘I hate my life’ but I don’t think that’s what Jesus had in mind!! And besides Jesus want’s us to enjoy life. He said in John 10:10 ‘I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.’
The best way I can explain this is to give you an example. There was a time in my dad’s life when he felt God calling him into full time ministry with Youth for Christ. At the time dad was working for an insurance company. When Jeff announced his intention to leave, they came back to him a short time later with an offer to become marketing manager for all of New Zealand, a major promotion for my dad. When he turned it down, his boss said ‘this other job must really be paying you well’, and dad replied ‘no actually you have to raise your own finances’. His boss obviously thought he was crazy. That’s called ‘hating your life’ ie despising what the world has to offer you when God has something better. I can also tell you from first hand experience that during the time my dad was in full time ministry we never went without, in fact God blessed us as a family with many blessings. Following Jesus will take you to some interesting places and into some situations that make no sense from the world’s perspective but we have something much greater to live for than just acquiring wealth and possessions.
To download right click on this link and select 'save link as'.
Thursday 18 June 2009
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you’ll be able to test and approve what Gods will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Hi everyone, Kylie here! Thought I might share with you one of my favorite verses. This has been a verse that has been very meaningful to me all my life as a Christian. I became a Christian when I was 17 and this verse helped me a lot to understand the process of change that goes on in us, when we turn from darkness to light.
God doesn’t ask us straight away to change our behaviour all at once, he doesn’t lay out a set of rules, do this, don’t do this! He simply asks us to take one step at a time.
Step 1. Don’t conform. I see this as being our active step towards wanting to change. When it comes to sin we should ask ourselves, “how much self-control can I exercise?”, not “how much can I get away with?”.
Step 2. Renew our mind. How do we do this? Through getting into his word and praying.
Step 3. Be Transformed. This is the God part, it is he who does the work with in us and shows us how best to live.
The nice thing is that this all comes with a promise, you will be able to find out what his will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
To download right click on this link and select 'save link as'.
Hi everyone, Kylie here! Thought I might share with you one of my favorite verses. This has been a verse that has been very meaningful to me all my life as a Christian. I became a Christian when I was 17 and this verse helped me a lot to understand the process of change that goes on in us, when we turn from darkness to light.
God doesn’t ask us straight away to change our behaviour all at once, he doesn’t lay out a set of rules, do this, don’t do this! He simply asks us to take one step at a time.
Step 1. Don’t conform. I see this as being our active step towards wanting to change. When it comes to sin we should ask ourselves, “how much self-control can I exercise?”, not “how much can I get away with?”.
Step 2. Renew our mind. How do we do this? Through getting into his word and praying.
Step 3. Be Transformed. This is the God part, it is he who does the work with in us and shows us how best to live.
The nice thing is that this all comes with a promise, you will be able to find out what his will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
To download right click on this link and select 'save link as'.
Wednesday 17 June 2009
Habakuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. Habakuk 3:17-19 NIV
This is one of these key verses that really sorts out the boys from the men. It’s the ultimate test for sorting out how deep our Christian faith really is and countless multitudes have abandoned their faith at this point.
It’s easy to praise God and be thankful when everything is going well but what about when we’re facing tragedy or a heart-breaking situation and the Devil is shouting in our ear ‘where is this God of yours that say’s He loves you, and if He did how could He let this happen?’
This is a Job scenario and its so interesting to note that God never actually told Job why He allowed him to undergo these very painful experiences. He just reminded Job how His greatness and that fact that He was God almighty.
God has the whole of eternity in view and we see things just from the short time that we spend on this earth.
That doesn’t necessarily lessen the pain but we can trust God because He IS just and merciful, loving and good, mighty and all-powerful. And when we can declare those things in the midst of pain or want, then we have a faith that is deep and enduring, and this more than anything is the mark of the mature Christian.
To download right Click Here and select 'save link as'
This is one of these key verses that really sorts out the boys from the men. It’s the ultimate test for sorting out how deep our Christian faith really is and countless multitudes have abandoned their faith at this point.
It’s easy to praise God and be thankful when everything is going well but what about when we’re facing tragedy or a heart-breaking situation and the Devil is shouting in our ear ‘where is this God of yours that say’s He loves you, and if He did how could He let this happen?’
This is a Job scenario and its so interesting to note that God never actually told Job why He allowed him to undergo these very painful experiences. He just reminded Job how His greatness and that fact that He was God almighty.
God has the whole of eternity in view and we see things just from the short time that we spend on this earth.
That doesn’t necessarily lessen the pain but we can trust God because He IS just and merciful, loving and good, mighty and all-powerful. And when we can declare those things in the midst of pain or want, then we have a faith that is deep and enduring, and this more than anything is the mark of the mature Christian.
To download right Click Here and select 'save link as'
Tuesday 16 June 2009
Psalm 145:1-3
Dich will ich ehren, mein Gott and König! Dich will ich preisen für alle Zeit! Jeden tag will ich dich loben und deinen Namen überall bekannt machen. Groß ist der Herr! Jeder soll ihn rühmen! Psalm 145:1-3 (Hoffnung Für Alle)
Well here it is - my first German podcast! Psalm 145 is a psalm of praise, extolling the virtues of who God is and his glorious acts. There is something about praising God that lifts us above the problems and frustrations surrounding us and into another dimension – God’s dimension! Verse 2 says ‘Every day I will praise you’. Praise is powerful and has the ability to transform your life. Don’t let a day go by when the praise of God isn’t on your lips. He’s worthy of all our praise, He’s great beyond our understanding and His compassion towards us is extraordinary.
Click Here to download.
Well here it is - my first German podcast! Psalm 145 is a psalm of praise, extolling the virtues of who God is and his glorious acts. There is something about praising God that lifts us above the problems and frustrations surrounding us and into another dimension – God’s dimension! Verse 2 says ‘Every day I will praise you’. Praise is powerful and has the ability to transform your life. Don’t let a day go by when the praise of God isn’t on your lips. He’s worthy of all our praise, He’s great beyond our understanding and His compassion towards us is extraordinary.
Click Here to download.
Monday 15 June 2009
Psalm 100:1-3
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who has made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:1-3 (NIV)
God is a God of joy and He’s a God that loves to celebrate. Check out how many feasts and celebrations God prescribed for the Israelites. It’s also one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. There is something about joy that has the ability to keep us very buoyant even in tough times. You can ‘t keep a joyful man or woman down! Christians full of the joy of the Lord are also a great witness to a hurting and lost world. So how do we get joyful? It’s not based on our circumstances and it’s not something that can be self manufactured. It comes from the Holy Spirit but you have the choice to express it or repress it. Just open your mouth and let it come out of you. Embark on a journey of joy!
To listen Click Here!
God is a God of joy and He’s a God that loves to celebrate. Check out how many feasts and celebrations God prescribed for the Israelites. It’s also one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. There is something about joy that has the ability to keep us very buoyant even in tough times. You can ‘t keep a joyful man or woman down! Christians full of the joy of the Lord are also a great witness to a hurting and lost world. So how do we get joyful? It’s not based on our circumstances and it’s not something that can be self manufactured. It comes from the Holy Spirit but you have the choice to express it or repress it. Just open your mouth and let it come out of you. Embark on a journey of joy!
To listen Click Here!
Friday 12 June 2009
Psalm 119:32
I run in the path of Your commands for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 (NIV)
Notice the Psalmist says I run, not I walk. There is a real connection between the idea of running and freedom. God HAS set our hearts free and will continue to set our hearts completely free, so now we can run with passion. As I sing this song picture yourself on a country road or wide open space with no one else around, running freely and easily towards God. There is an ease and a freedom that comes when we follow God’s ways and paths for our lives – ‘the path of His commands’.
Notice also that action of running in God’s ways is a response to what God has done for us first namely setting our hearts free. I love the poetry of this phrase. It’s not a particularly theological statement like justification or sanctification but it’s setting our heart free, free to live, to feel, to love, to enjoy, to respond.
The next podcast will be on Monday so have a great weekend and we’ll see you Monday.
To listen Click Here.
Notice the Psalmist says I run, not I walk. There is a real connection between the idea of running and freedom. God HAS set our hearts free and will continue to set our hearts completely free, so now we can run with passion. As I sing this song picture yourself on a country road or wide open space with no one else around, running freely and easily towards God. There is an ease and a freedom that comes when we follow God’s ways and paths for our lives – ‘the path of His commands’.
Notice also that action of running in God’s ways is a response to what God has done for us first namely setting our hearts free. I love the poetry of this phrase. It’s not a particularly theological statement like justification or sanctification but it’s setting our heart free, free to live, to feel, to love, to enjoy, to respond.
The next podcast will be on Monday so have a great weekend and we’ll see you Monday.
To listen Click Here.
Thursday 11 June 2009
Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned in glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 (NIV)
This verse is a snapshot of our past and present view of Jesus.
Past tense : He was made a little lower than the angels i.e. He came to earth as a man and suffered death.
Present tense: ‘now crowned in glory and honor’ Jesus is on His throne in heaven.
And in the preceding verse we see the Jesus of the future: Vs 8 ‘Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him’. The time will come when every power and authority in heaven and on earth will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus.
This ‘process’ that Jesus underwent is the same for you and I. Right now we are a little lower than the angels and part of the process is learning and being willing to die to self. Paul talks in Phil 3v10 about sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death.
Jesus has gone ahead of us and when we submit to this process and arrive in heaven there will be for us also a crown of glory and honor (see 2 Tim 4v8)
And finally Jesus has promised that we will rule and reign with Him. 2 Tim 2v12. Your crown awaits!
To listen Click Here
This verse is a snapshot of our past and present view of Jesus.
Past tense : He was made a little lower than the angels i.e. He came to earth as a man and suffered death.
Present tense: ‘now crowned in glory and honor’ Jesus is on His throne in heaven.
And in the preceding verse we see the Jesus of the future: Vs 8 ‘Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him’. The time will come when every power and authority in heaven and on earth will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus.
This ‘process’ that Jesus underwent is the same for you and I. Right now we are a little lower than the angels and part of the process is learning and being willing to die to self. Paul talks in Phil 3v10 about sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in His death.
Jesus has gone ahead of us and when we submit to this process and arrive in heaven there will be for us also a crown of glory and honor (see 2 Tim 4v8)
And finally Jesus has promised that we will rule and reign with Him. 2 Tim 2v12. Your crown awaits!
To listen Click Here
Wednesday 10 June 2009
Matthew 6:19-21
‘Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ Matthew 6:19-21
I was at the Project X church service in Augsburg last Sunday and the pastor Klaus Engelmohr was preaching on this verse. In this time of economic down turn, many are finding their precious treasures are turning into moth fodder and being eroded by elements beyond their control.
The key word here is ‘treasure’. There’s nothing wrong with having possessions and wealth, but when it becomes our ‘treasure’ then it becomes a spiritual leech sucking the life out of us. We need to hold onto the blessings of God loosely. We came to this earth in our birthday suits and that’s how we’re going to leave! God WILL provide all that we need.
Right now Kylie and I as missionaries are living by faith after many years of being on a good salary. I can tell you from personal experience that God has provided all that we’ve needed and more! God is faithful. A good way to test whether something has turned into a treasure is to give some or part of it away. Giving breaks the hold these things can get on our hearts.
Remember God is the greatest treasure, our pearl of great price. He’s incomparably wonderful and exceedingly beautiful.
To listen Click Here
I was at the Project X church service in Augsburg last Sunday and the pastor Klaus Engelmohr was preaching on this verse. In this time of economic down turn, many are finding their precious treasures are turning into moth fodder and being eroded by elements beyond their control.
The key word here is ‘treasure’. There’s nothing wrong with having possessions and wealth, but when it becomes our ‘treasure’ then it becomes a spiritual leech sucking the life out of us. We need to hold onto the blessings of God loosely. We came to this earth in our birthday suits and that’s how we’re going to leave! God WILL provide all that we need.
Right now Kylie and I as missionaries are living by faith after many years of being on a good salary. I can tell you from personal experience that God has provided all that we’ve needed and more! God is faithful. A good way to test whether something has turned into a treasure is to give some or part of it away. Giving breaks the hold these things can get on our hearts.
Remember God is the greatest treasure, our pearl of great price. He’s incomparably wonderful and exceedingly beautiful.
To listen Click Here
Tuesday 9 June 2009
Proverbs 3:5-7
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord and shun evil.’ Proverbs 3:5-7
This is one of these key life verses that is so good to come back to again and again. It’s so easy to leave God out of the decision making process because we think we have all the relevant information. It’s called ‘being wise in your own eyes’.
One of the verses associated with David that pops up again and again is “David enquired of the Lord’. The few times he didn’t, it got him in a whole lot of trouble and he ended up in places like Ziklag. This story in 1 Sam 27 opens with the words ‘David thought to himself … Bad idea David!
The second part of the verse also contains a real gem – verse 7b ‘Fear the Lord and shun evil’. Actually if you want a definition for fearing the Lord it’s to shun evil. There’s no doubt that certain types of evil can seem very enticing. It’s so important that we don’t nibble at the bait or flirt with evil, and no leaning over the fence for a closer look! When you’re tempted say this verse to yourself ‘Fear the Lord and shun evil.’
To listen Click Here
This is one of these key life verses that is so good to come back to again and again. It’s so easy to leave God out of the decision making process because we think we have all the relevant information. It’s called ‘being wise in your own eyes’.
One of the verses associated with David that pops up again and again is “David enquired of the Lord’. The few times he didn’t, it got him in a whole lot of trouble and he ended up in places like Ziklag. This story in 1 Sam 27 opens with the words ‘David thought to himself … Bad idea David!
The second part of the verse also contains a real gem – verse 7b ‘Fear the Lord and shun evil’. Actually if you want a definition for fearing the Lord it’s to shun evil. There’s no doubt that certain types of evil can seem very enticing. It’s so important that we don’t nibble at the bait or flirt with evil, and no leaning over the fence for a closer look! When you’re tempted say this verse to yourself ‘Fear the Lord and shun evil.’
To listen Click Here
Monday 8 June 2009
First Podcast! Hebrews 4:12
Hi and welcome to the very first word2go podcast. This has been a real journey of discovery for me and I hope you also will discover just how powerful God's word is to strengthen and encourage you and fill you with faith as you begin to really engage with God's Word.
I've been reading and studying the Bible for a long time - almost every day since I was a child - But it's one thing to read it and another thing to really get it into your heart. Hebrews 4:12 says 'For the Word of God is living and active'. When the word of God gets inside us, it grows and changes things in our lives because it's a living word. There is a cross-over point where a verse or passage is no longer just words on a page but something with a heart beat that lives and breathes within us.
Right now my wife Kylie is in her 24th week of pregnancy. Sometimes we just marvel at this miracle - that there is a real live person living and growing inside Kylie! And Kylie doesn't have to do anything to make it grow. (Except eat and drink which she does anyway) The baby is living and I might add very active. I think you can see the comparison. All we have to do is get the Word of God into us and then it takes on a life of it's own. Somehow the truth of that verse becomes so real to us we could touch it. If I was to coin a phrase for it, I would call this process the transubstitution of verses!
There is something powerful about saying God's word out loud and for me, singing it really helps me to absorb it at an emotional level and not just at an intellectual level. Try singing the verses throughout the day as well. You'll be amazed at how real God's Word will become to you and the insights that you'll gain. Someone once said 'a journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step'. Join me on the journey and lets see where it takes us. Enjoy!
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I've been reading and studying the Bible for a long time - almost every day since I was a child - But it's one thing to read it and another thing to really get it into your heart. Hebrews 4:12 says 'For the Word of God is living and active'. When the word of God gets inside us, it grows and changes things in our lives because it's a living word. There is a cross-over point where a verse or passage is no longer just words on a page but something with a heart beat that lives and breathes within us.
Right now my wife Kylie is in her 24th week of pregnancy. Sometimes we just marvel at this miracle - that there is a real live person living and growing inside Kylie! And Kylie doesn't have to do anything to make it grow. (Except eat and drink which she does anyway) The baby is living and I might add very active. I think you can see the comparison. All we have to do is get the Word of God into us and then it takes on a life of it's own. Somehow the truth of that verse becomes so real to us we could touch it. If I was to coin a phrase for it, I would call this process the transubstitution of verses!
There is something powerful about saying God's word out loud and for me, singing it really helps me to absorb it at an emotional level and not just at an intellectual level. Try singing the verses throughout the day as well. You'll be amazed at how real God's Word will become to you and the insights that you'll gain. Someone once said 'a journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step'. Join me on the journey and lets see where it takes us. Enjoy!
To Listen Click Here
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Sunday 7 June 2009
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