Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Another translation says ‘guard your affections’. The TNIV say ‘above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. I think this verse can apply to people or things and perhaps when Jesus said ‘where your treasure is, there your heart is also’ He may have had this scripture in mind. Guarding means we need to pay careful attention to what gets a hold of our hearts, monitor it closely, and not get caught by surprise.
To listen click here!
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Here’s the answer to the big question – How do we please God? What is it that God really wants from us? And this is the thing that all the great men and women in the Bible were commended for – their faith. Applying God’s word in a practical way in our lives, even when the world says that’s foolish.
And then there are two parts that follow, firstly believing He exists I think is a very easy thing, but then comes the harder part – earnestly seeking Him. Notice the word earnestly. It’s not a casual thing but there is a seriousness and a deliberation with which we need to pursue God. Notice in the gospels that the people who got something from Jesus, i.e. a healing, had to overcome obstacles and push through crowds or social barriers to get their answer. The Bible says the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. 1 Peter 2:6
To listen click here!
Here’s the answer to the big question – How do we please God? What is it that God really wants from us? And this is the thing that all the great men and women in the Bible were commended for – their faith. Applying God’s word in a practical way in our lives, even when the world says that’s foolish.
And then there are two parts that follow, firstly believing He exists I think is a very easy thing, but then comes the harder part – earnestly seeking Him. Notice the word earnestly. It’s not a casual thing but there is a seriousness and a deliberation with which we need to pursue God. Notice in the gospels that the people who got something from Jesus, i.e. a healing, had to overcome obstacles and push through crowds or social barriers to get their answer. The Bible says the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. 1 Peter 2:6
To listen click here!
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 NIV
This is a real core of our Christian faith. Jesus puts a strong emphasis on this value. Notice He says a new command I give you, not a new suggestion. God expects this of us. Everything needs to go through the filter of love. This needs to be our motivation for what we do. And then Jesus adds an interesting comment – this is how the world will know that we’re Christians, not by our great worship services or the teaching or anything else, but by the way we love one another. The world is looking to see if the way we treat one another matches up with our theology. This is a verse that I need to keep coming back to again and again. I’m such a goal-orientated person, which is ok but I always need to keep this verse in my line of sight.
To listen click here!
This is a real core of our Christian faith. Jesus puts a strong emphasis on this value. Notice He says a new command I give you, not a new suggestion. God expects this of us. Everything needs to go through the filter of love. This needs to be our motivation for what we do. And then Jesus adds an interesting comment – this is how the world will know that we’re Christians, not by our great worship services or the teaching or anything else, but by the way we love one another. The world is looking to see if the way we treat one another matches up with our theology. This is a verse that I need to keep coming back to again and again. I’m such a goal-orientated person, which is ok but I always need to keep this verse in my line of sight.
To listen click here!
Monday, 6 July 2009
1 Chronicles 16:10-11
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-11 NIV
I love this psalm of David written at a time of great celebration. The focus of these verses is on seeking the Lord, His strength and His face. It’s so easy just to do things in our own strength, but then we miss out on so many wonderful blessings that God wants to pour into our lives. Seeking God is a joy – like finding a treasure – and when God comes through for us, we will have even more reason to rejoice.
Click here to listen!
I love this psalm of David written at a time of great celebration. The focus of these verses is on seeking the Lord, His strength and His face. It’s so easy just to do things in our own strength, but then we miss out on so many wonderful blessings that God wants to pour into our lives. Seeking God is a joy – like finding a treasure – and when God comes through for us, we will have even more reason to rejoice.
Click here to listen!
Friday, 3 July 2009
Hebrews 9:14
How much more then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God. Hebrews 9:14 NIV
This verse is the climax of a lengthy discourse on how the sacrifice and service of Jesus our great high priest is so much superior to anything that preceded it. We are saved from death, but our purpose in life is to serve the living God. It’s interested to note in this one verse how the Trinity works together to accomplish the greatest feat of all time, the salvation of every single person who has lived, is living, and will live. Jesus relied on the power of the Holy Spirit operating in His life in order to offer Himself unblemished to God the Father. Jesus blood poured out for us makes us acceptable to God.
The next podcast will be on Monday. Have a good weekend.
Click here to listen!
This verse is the climax of a lengthy discourse on how the sacrifice and service of Jesus our great high priest is so much superior to anything that preceded it. We are saved from death, but our purpose in life is to serve the living God. It’s interested to note in this one verse how the Trinity works together to accomplish the greatest feat of all time, the salvation of every single person who has lived, is living, and will live. Jesus relied on the power of the Holy Spirit operating in His life in order to offer Himself unblemished to God the Father. Jesus blood poured out for us makes us acceptable to God.
The next podcast will be on Monday. Have a good weekend.
Click here to listen!
Thursday, 2 July 2009
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
This pod cast is dedicated to a family friend Kay Jurgeleit who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. I think cancer is such a hard thing to come to terms with, but even in the midst of our deepest hurts and pain, God’s presence is there and His Word can be such a powerful source of comfort and strength in times like these. I was singing this scripture to myself during the course of the day, and even as I was singing it, I could tangibly feel God’s peace and assurance flowing into my heart. Kay our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Click here to listen!
This pod cast is dedicated to a family friend Kay Jurgeleit who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. I think cancer is such a hard thing to come to terms with, but even in the midst of our deepest hurts and pain, God’s presence is there and His Word can be such a powerful source of comfort and strength in times like these. I was singing this scripture to myself during the course of the day, and even as I was singing it, I could tangibly feel God’s peace and assurance flowing into my heart. Kay our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Click here to listen!
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Psalm 85:5-6
You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble, I will call to You for You will answer me. Psalm 85:5-6 NIV
Recently we had a good friend of ours from New Zealand, Bruce McGrail stay with us for a few days. We really enjoyed catching up with him and I seized on the opportunity to record Bruce singing and playing on the piano. Bruce has been singing and playing scripture for many years and has a real ability to capture the essence and soul of the verse in music. I know this podcast from Bruce will be real blessing to you. Enjoy!
Click here to listen!
Recently we had a good friend of ours from New Zealand, Bruce McGrail stay with us for a few days. We really enjoyed catching up with him and I seized on the opportunity to record Bruce singing and playing on the piano. Bruce has been singing and playing scripture for many years and has a real ability to capture the essence and soul of the verse in music. I know this podcast from Bruce will be real blessing to you. Enjoy!
Click here to listen!
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