The vine is developing!
Psalm 80:8-9 "You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land".
This verse speaks about the nation of Israel, which God brought out of Egypt, weak and powerless, and which God then planted in a place of blessing where it would expand and grow into the greatest nation of its time, under King Solomon.
Each of us was called by God, not because of any goodness of ourselves, but solely through the Lord's graciousness. He drew us out of slavery to sin, and set us in his church, in an environment where we could grow and develop and become all that God intends for us to be! The verse says that God cleared the ground for the vine, and that it then filled the land. The application for us is that God calls us into a relationship with him, at precisely the optimum time for us to respond to him. We have been prepared, for the things that God will do in our life.
The same principle applies to Grace Fellowship. God has been preparing the ground to plant his vine, our church. He has been nurturing us, and developing us, even during the winter months. But now the time has come for shoots to spring forth and the vine to start sending out its tendrils to have the impact God intended. We are a city that has been set on a hill, which will be noticed. God's intention for us is that we love Susanville and share the love he has given us, by allowing it to flow through us and impact others.
God loves you, and even though there may have been hard times, spring is around the corner!
Lord, thank you that your plan for us is way bigger than we can comprehend! You have prepared us for this moment in time, and you promise that like that vine, we too will grow and fill the land. May it be so, Jesus. Amen".
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
I am making everything new!
I am making everything new!
“He who was seated opn the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true'" - Revelation 21:5
These words are written at the end of the Bible, speaking of the culmination of God's incredible plan and involvement with human kind! Jesus will have reigned for a thousand years, and now the earth and the heavens are refashioned, prepatory for an eternity with God reigning over the universe with earth as the seat of his government! Those who have accepted his rule in their lives will be a part of this fantastic future (Rev 20:4-6, 3:21), those who have rejected him will now be out of the picture. God's creation will now be pure and sinless the way he intended.
But those of us who have accepted Jesus in this life, have already welcomed his rule! We have surrendered our lives to him and asked him to be our Lord and King!
When we accept Jesus, and we surrender our crown to him, he starts this divine renovation process in ourselves, today! He has already started making all things new, in our lives!
Paul tells us, "if anyone is in Christ (John 14:20), he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Cor 5:17). Jesus is today working in our lives, throwing out the old and bringing in the new, getting rid of old ways of thinking, growing in having the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5, Eph 4:23). As our thinking changes, our actions also change, because out of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34). The holiness that will be universe-wide at the end of the Book, is being developed in us today (1 Pet 1:15-16"! This is what we know as the process of sancification, being made holy.
It is good to examine ourselves and see which areas of our life are still unclean, and need to be removed. Surrender these areas to God and he will clean us up (Psa 51:7). We all have issues that need sorting out - as the Spirit shines in our soul and highlights these areas, invite Jesus to clean them up. Ask Him to speak to you about what steps to take, and He will lead you down the way everlasting (Psa 139:23-24).
My prayer for each of our readers, is that the Lord would bless you mightily during this coming year, that the light of Jesus would shine brightly inside of you and make you holy, in word and in deed! All glory and honor be to His Name!
“He who was seated opn the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true'" - Revelation 21:5
These words are written at the end of the Bible, speaking of the culmination of God's incredible plan and involvement with human kind! Jesus will have reigned for a thousand years, and now the earth and the heavens are refashioned, prepatory for an eternity with God reigning over the universe with earth as the seat of his government! Those who have accepted his rule in their lives will be a part of this fantastic future (Rev 20:4-6, 3:21), those who have rejected him will now be out of the picture. God's creation will now be pure and sinless the way he intended.
But those of us who have accepted Jesus in this life, have already welcomed his rule! We have surrendered our lives to him and asked him to be our Lord and King!
When we accept Jesus, and we surrender our crown to him, he starts this divine renovation process in ourselves, today! He has already started making all things new, in our lives!
Paul tells us, "if anyone is in Christ (John 14:20), he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Cor 5:17). Jesus is today working in our lives, throwing out the old and bringing in the new, getting rid of old ways of thinking, growing in having the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5, Eph 4:23). As our thinking changes, our actions also change, because out of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34). The holiness that will be universe-wide at the end of the Book, is being developed in us today (1 Pet 1:15-16"! This is what we know as the process of sancification, being made holy.
It is good to examine ourselves and see which areas of our life are still unclean, and need to be removed. Surrender these areas to God and he will clean us up (Psa 51:7). We all have issues that need sorting out - as the Spirit shines in our soul and highlights these areas, invite Jesus to clean them up. Ask Him to speak to you about what steps to take, and He will lead you down the way everlasting (Psa 139:23-24).
My prayer for each of our readers, is that the Lord would bless you mightily during this coming year, that the light of Jesus would shine brightly inside of you and make you holy, in word and in deed! All glory and honor be to His Name!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
May it be to me as you have said
May it be to me as you have said
“I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered, may it be to me as you have said." - Luke 1:38
The angel Gabriel visits Mary, betrothed or engaged to Joseph the carpenter. Suddenly she is hearing an incredible message, that she, a virgin, without a physical man being involved, is going to be pregnant with the Son of God!
I am sure she thought twice before telling Joseph about this message. To actually own this message could have huge implications on herself and her relationships with friends and family. What would it look like to others? Would Joseph disown her? Would she be stoned to death - the punishment for extra-marital sex? And what would it be like to be the mother of the Son of God? Would she have to be even more on her guard, to be obedient to God and live a holy life?
How would we have reacted? Would we be thinking of the implications, of the potential dangers or sacrifices? Or would we have immediately reacted as Mary did? "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said".
God has a plan for each of us. He has something for us to do. At the right time, he will prepare us for this purpose, and get us ready for it. But there will be a moment of decision. Will I be obedient to God's purpose, in spite of the risks that may be involved? Or will I walk away, and never know what could have been if I had followed God's will for my life?
I pray that we will be so strong in our relationship with God, that we will trust him to take care of all the question marks, while we tell Him, "May it be to me as you have said".
“I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered, may it be to me as you have said." - Luke 1:38
The angel Gabriel visits Mary, betrothed or engaged to Joseph the carpenter. Suddenly she is hearing an incredible message, that she, a virgin, without a physical man being involved, is going to be pregnant with the Son of God!
I am sure she thought twice before telling Joseph about this message. To actually own this message could have huge implications on herself and her relationships with friends and family. What would it look like to others? Would Joseph disown her? Would she be stoned to death - the punishment for extra-marital sex? And what would it be like to be the mother of the Son of God? Would she have to be even more on her guard, to be obedient to God and live a holy life?
How would we have reacted? Would we be thinking of the implications, of the potential dangers or sacrifices? Or would we have immediately reacted as Mary did? "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said".
God has a plan for each of us. He has something for us to do. At the right time, he will prepare us for this purpose, and get us ready for it. But there will be a moment of decision. Will I be obedient to God's purpose, in spite of the risks that may be involved? Or will I walk away, and never know what could have been if I had followed God's will for my life?
I pray that we will be so strong in our relationship with God, that we will trust him to take care of all the question marks, while we tell Him, "May it be to me as you have said".
Friday, November 11, 2011
We will remember them, with thanks
We will remember them, with thanks
Hebrews 11:39-40 "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect"
Today is Veterans' Day here in the USA, when we remember those who went before us, who gave their lives for our freedom. Many cared enough about their fellowman that they were willing to risk their lives to make this world a better place.
In the UK as well, today we remember those who fell in battle, in particular those who fell in the First World War, but including all military service personnel, past and present
The apostle Paul remembers those who went before us, in Hebrews 11. He lists many of the heroes of the faith, and commends them for their faithfulness to the cause of God's kingdom. These saints persevered as representatives of the Kingdom of God, in a foreign country. They were ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) living among people who did not want God in their lives. We all usd to be like this (Eph 2), we all once lived perverse lives, alienated from God and destined for destruction.
But in God's mercy, He sent us His Son Jesus, to die for our freedom, so that we could be set free from the life of bondage and death. Jesus came willingly, like Isaac of old, to be sacrificed on the altar of God's justice, so that the penalty for our sins could be paid.
Truly, Jesus gave his life so that we might be free. "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
"Lord we turn to You in gratitude for your selfless giving of yourself so that we might be free. We love you Lord Jesus!".
Hebrews 11:39-40 "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect"
Today is Veterans' Day here in the USA, when we remember those who went before us, who gave their lives for our freedom. Many cared enough about their fellowman that they were willing to risk their lives to make this world a better place.
In the UK as well, today we remember those who fell in battle, in particular those who fell in the First World War, but including all military service personnel, past and present
The apostle Paul remembers those who went before us, in Hebrews 11. He lists many of the heroes of the faith, and commends them for their faithfulness to the cause of God's kingdom. These saints persevered as representatives of the Kingdom of God, in a foreign country. They were ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) living among people who did not want God in their lives. We all usd to be like this (Eph 2), we all once lived perverse lives, alienated from God and destined for destruction.
But in God's mercy, He sent us His Son Jesus, to die for our freedom, so that we could be set free from the life of bondage and death. Jesus came willingly, like Isaac of old, to be sacrificed on the altar of God's justice, so that the penalty for our sins could be paid.
Truly, Jesus gave his life so that we might be free. "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
"Lord we turn to You in gratitude for your selfless giving of yourself so that we might be free. We love you Lord Jesus!".
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