19 September, 2011
Today's Free Devotional from Ellel Ministries International
The Ordering Influence
"God blessed them and said to them “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it."
Genesis 1:28, NIV
Recently my wife Diane and I were looking together at Genesis 1 & 2, and discussing the roles of men and women as seen in the original models. We believe that the understanding gained will form the core teaching of two weekend courses to be run next year at Ellel Springhill – one for men and one for women.
I was impacted by the last component of the command of God to the man and woman (Genesis 1:28a), ‘to be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it’. The word ‘subdue’ means to tread down, conquer, subjugate, and to keep under. So right from the beginning of creation, before the Fall, the earth was wild, and in need of being subdued. Man was given the mandate by God to subdue it. In his Tyndale commentary on Genesis, Derek Kidner labels this ‘man’s ordering influence’. Man was created to lead and woman to be his helper in this process – together fulfilling the call. Sadly however, since the Fall, man’s ordering influence has been tainted and limited by the effect of sin. Men have become trapped in many and various bondages and thus the ability to bring order, and subdue the unruly, has been severely hindered.
My experience in listening to and praying with many men reveals that there are areas of bondage which men have been caught in. These include passivity, fear, rejection, addictions, sexual compulsions, workaholism, spiritual oppression, and depression. The end result is that the God-given potential for men to fulfil their destiny and have their own individual ordering influence is choked off. I have spoken with many women who lament that this is true – of their fathers or husbands or pastors. It seems that women yearn to partner with the men in the great adventure of life, and long to see the men being able to take up their calling.
It is my heart’s desire to see men set free through Jesus Christ – free to BE (sons, husbands, fathers, friends) and free to DO (to trust God, to worship Him, to live life to the full, to relate well, to ‘run the race’).
I want to be a man who has this ordering influence. If you are a man reading this, I bet you do too. Deep inside you know what you are created to be, and you are aware of the restrictions holding you back.
Come to your Dad. Be honest with Him, and let Him set you free.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I long to make a difference in this world. I recognize that there are some hindrances in my life that I need to be set free from. I come with these to You now and ask You to heal me and set me free from bondage. Please help me to fulfil my calling to be a man (or woman) who has an ordering influence in this world. I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Today's Writer : Paul Watson Paul Watson was for 15 years an Anglican Minister in Sydney, Australia before joining Ellel Ministries full time in 2004. Together with his wife Diane he was involved in establishing the first Australian Ellel Ministries centre “Gilbulla” near Sydney. Currently they are leading the work in Western Australia, based at ‘Springhill’ near Perth. Paul, a member of the Ellel Ministries International Executive, serves as Regional Director for Australia & the Pacific as well as Regional Director for the Indian sub-continent. Paul & Diane have 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A Lesson From the Spider`s Web
A Lesson From the Spider`s Web
"Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8, NIV
Sitting at my desk one day, glancing out of the window, my attention was aroused to see a spider in its web. There`s nothing unusual about a spider in its natural habitat, nor about a fly trapped in its web. But there was something more to observe.
It was fascinating to watch the fly as it struggled to free itself, but the spider had got it trapped, and was able to do just as it desired, just as the devil seeks to do with us all. In the web the fly was first stripped of its wings, then its legs. It was increasingly powerless to defend itself or escape.
How this reminded me of the work of the enemy of souls as he goes about seeking whom he may trap and render ineffective and powerless to overcome him. When we slip into ungodly ways we become vulnerable to his wiles and devastating schemes as he robs us of our ability to be a true witness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. This is why Peter reminds us that we need to be self-controlled and alert.
I meet a number of Christians who seem to have `lost their wings and legs`, and have been so damaged through sinful practices that they`ve become almost spiritually lifeless. We all need to have those around us to whom we are accountable, whether they`re church leaders, elders or friends. To have someone who is able to speak the truth to us in love, and warn us of approaching dangerous situations or relationships, is a healthy safeguard. For me it was a blessing to have an elder who sensed the danger of relationship developing with a secretary. There have been all too many church leaders drawn into an ungodly relationship with someone of the opposite sex, which has ruined their ministry. I didn`t wish to add to that number and thanked that elder for being so courageous in alerting me.
The spider`s natural habitat is a snare for the unobservant and unsuspecting insects the spider wants to make its prey. And the subtle wiles of the devil are just like that spider making its web. Peter is aware of the devil`s tactics, so he continues, `Resist him, standing firm in the faith` (1 Peter 5:9).
Prayer: O Lord, my God, I thank You for every time You`ve sent someone to make me aware of the snares of the devil, and prevented me from grieving You by falling into some sinful practice. Please develop in me a sensitivity and awareness of pitfalls, and strengthen me to honour You in every part of my life, I pray, in Jesus` name. Amen.
Today's Writer : David Silvester David Silvester is married and has a son, two daughters and eight grandchildren. He trained as a production engineer. He then moved on to become a lecturer of engineering craft skills before being called of God in his early fifties to become a pastor of a Baptist church. He says that,"having previously experienced an amazing healing on a day others expected me to die, it came as no surprise that God directed me and my wife, Margaret, to become involved with Ellel Ministries."
"Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8, NIV
Sitting at my desk one day, glancing out of the window, my attention was aroused to see a spider in its web. There`s nothing unusual about a spider in its natural habitat, nor about a fly trapped in its web. But there was something more to observe.
It was fascinating to watch the fly as it struggled to free itself, but the spider had got it trapped, and was able to do just as it desired, just as the devil seeks to do with us all. In the web the fly was first stripped of its wings, then its legs. It was increasingly powerless to defend itself or escape.
How this reminded me of the work of the enemy of souls as he goes about seeking whom he may trap and render ineffective and powerless to overcome him. When we slip into ungodly ways we become vulnerable to his wiles and devastating schemes as he robs us of our ability to be a true witness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. This is why Peter reminds us that we need to be self-controlled and alert.
I meet a number of Christians who seem to have `lost their wings and legs`, and have been so damaged through sinful practices that they`ve become almost spiritually lifeless. We all need to have those around us to whom we are accountable, whether they`re church leaders, elders or friends. To have someone who is able to speak the truth to us in love, and warn us of approaching dangerous situations or relationships, is a healthy safeguard. For me it was a blessing to have an elder who sensed the danger of relationship developing with a secretary. There have been all too many church leaders drawn into an ungodly relationship with someone of the opposite sex, which has ruined their ministry. I didn`t wish to add to that number and thanked that elder for being so courageous in alerting me.
The spider`s natural habitat is a snare for the unobservant and unsuspecting insects the spider wants to make its prey. And the subtle wiles of the devil are just like that spider making its web. Peter is aware of the devil`s tactics, so he continues, `Resist him, standing firm in the faith` (1 Peter 5:9).
Prayer: O Lord, my God, I thank You for every time You`ve sent someone to make me aware of the snares of the devil, and prevented me from grieving You by falling into some sinful practice. Please develop in me a sensitivity and awareness of pitfalls, and strengthen me to honour You in every part of my life, I pray, in Jesus` name. Amen.
Today's Writer : David Silvester David Silvester is married and has a son, two daughters and eight grandchildren. He trained as a production engineer. He then moved on to become a lecturer of engineering craft skills before being called of God in his early fifties to become a pastor of a Baptist church. He says that,"having previously experienced an amazing healing on a day others expected me to die, it came as no surprise that God directed me and my wife, Margaret, to become involved with Ellel Ministries."
Friday, September 9, 2011
Consecrate Yourselves 09/09/11
09 September, 2011
Today's Free Devotional from Ellel Ministries International
Consecrate Yourselves
"Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before… Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."
Joshua 3.4-5, NIV
There are bound to be some turning points in our life that we will later look back upon and say “There my life took a new direction. That choice made all the difference. But I had no idea at the moment about the importance of the step I took!”
So it was with Israel at the time written about in the first chapters of the book of Joshua. Moses was dead. Joshua was new in leadership. A desert lay behind them, a swollen river ahead of them. Forty years of walking back and forth in the desert had been filled with the Lord`s miracles, but even so, to continue that way was not a prospect that made them shout “Alleluia”. But neither did the unknown land before them. They had no boats for the crossing of the river, the enemies were strong, and their cities were well fortified. And the land was unknown to all except to a couple of spies who had seen a corner of it, and escaped by the skin of their teeth.
‘You have never been this way before’ - True. And then the intriguing questions arise: How will we know the road, how will we know where to turn, how will we know how to fight, how will we even get across the river?
The Lord’s answer was not a lengthy list of necessary preparations. Just a simple word with deep meaning: ‘Consecrate yourselves’. That simple phrase was the only directive they needed for the next few years. That was the answer to pressing needs of help when the enemies seemed to overwhelm them, the solution to feelings of inferiority, and the infallible guide to a behaviour that was worthy of the Lord.
To consecrate themselves, at least in that context, mainly seemed to involve only one thing: Obedience to the Lord.
To cross into unknown land, listen to the Lord! To conquer the mighty fortresses of strong enemies, listen to the Lord! To find the narrow path of success, listen to the Lord! To guard yourself against the besetting feeling of complacency, listen to the Lord! To overcome the temptations of sin, listen to the Lord!
Not that there are no other voices, but only the Lord´s voice will lead you to possess the land God has promised you. Not that He always speaks about the most logical way of action, and the easiest solution to the problems. But He speaks about the only way to attaining His promises, the only way to overcoming all enemies and obstacles.
Some of you who read this may be facing a crucial situation right now. The example from the time of Joshua still holds true: Consecrate yourself, listen to His voice, and begin to walk, even if it seems impossible in the face of the circumstances. ‘The Lord will do amazing things among you’.
The right action, at the critical point, will cause the most remarkable consequences, for today, and for years to come.
Today's Writer : Goran Andersson Goran Andersson , together with his wife Roswitha, worked as missionaries in Japan from 1967 – 1985. They then pastored a church before moving to Kåfalla Herrgård, Sweden where Goran became Director. They have worked with Ellel Ministries since 2004 and are Goran is now Director of Ellel Ministries in Sweden.
Today's Free Devotional from Ellel Ministries International
Consecrate Yourselves
"Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before… Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."
Joshua 3.4-5, NIV
There are bound to be some turning points in our life that we will later look back upon and say “There my life took a new direction. That choice made all the difference. But I had no idea at the moment about the importance of the step I took!”
So it was with Israel at the time written about in the first chapters of the book of Joshua. Moses was dead. Joshua was new in leadership. A desert lay behind them, a swollen river ahead of them. Forty years of walking back and forth in the desert had been filled with the Lord`s miracles, but even so, to continue that way was not a prospect that made them shout “Alleluia”. But neither did the unknown land before them. They had no boats for the crossing of the river, the enemies were strong, and their cities were well fortified. And the land was unknown to all except to a couple of spies who had seen a corner of it, and escaped by the skin of their teeth.
‘You have never been this way before’ - True. And then the intriguing questions arise: How will we know the road, how will we know where to turn, how will we know how to fight, how will we even get across the river?
The Lord’s answer was not a lengthy list of necessary preparations. Just a simple word with deep meaning: ‘Consecrate yourselves’. That simple phrase was the only directive they needed for the next few years. That was the answer to pressing needs of help when the enemies seemed to overwhelm them, the solution to feelings of inferiority, and the infallible guide to a behaviour that was worthy of the Lord.
To consecrate themselves, at least in that context, mainly seemed to involve only one thing: Obedience to the Lord.
To cross into unknown land, listen to the Lord! To conquer the mighty fortresses of strong enemies, listen to the Lord! To find the narrow path of success, listen to the Lord! To guard yourself against the besetting feeling of complacency, listen to the Lord! To overcome the temptations of sin, listen to the Lord!
Not that there are no other voices, but only the Lord´s voice will lead you to possess the land God has promised you. Not that He always speaks about the most logical way of action, and the easiest solution to the problems. But He speaks about the only way to attaining His promises, the only way to overcoming all enemies and obstacles.
Some of you who read this may be facing a crucial situation right now. The example from the time of Joshua still holds true: Consecrate yourself, listen to His voice, and begin to walk, even if it seems impossible in the face of the circumstances. ‘The Lord will do amazing things among you’.
The right action, at the critical point, will cause the most remarkable consequences, for today, and for years to come.
Today's Writer : Goran Andersson Goran Andersson , together with his wife Roswitha, worked as missionaries in Japan from 1967 – 1985. They then pastored a church before moving to Kåfalla Herrgård, Sweden where Goran became Director. They have worked with Ellel Ministries since 2004 and are Goran is now Director of Ellel Ministries in Sweden.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Blessing and offence
Blessing and offence
"Blessed is the one who takes no offence at me..."
Luke 7:23, RSV
Jesus offended many people. He offended both his enemies and his disciples, because He always spoke the truth and was not afraid to confront sin. He says the ones who are blessed are the ones who do not take offence.
To be offended means to be hurt, resentful, annoyed, repelled or made to stumble because of a circumstance. An offended person usually believes they have been treated wrongly, even if they haven’t. Taking offence is the cause of the breakdown of countless relationships and it is the opposite of intimacy and fellowship.
To take offence may seem justified. It is rarely seen for the sin that it is. People who give offence do not always do so deliberately whereas taking offence is a deliberate choice. On that basis, I believe we can say that to take offence is usually a greater sin than to give it.
When Jesus said the above words a vivid picture would come to the minds of His hearers. The verb to take offence had to do with the trapping of birds. It referred to the action that depressed the bait-stick and triggered off the trap and caught the bird. When we live with offence, a part of us is trapped in the past and we are not living in freedom.
Proverbs 18:19 tells us that an offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city. Walls around a city were for protection. Offended people are usually inward focused. They build walls around their hearts to prevent further hurt. These invisible walls intended for protection are keeping other people at a distance and, consequently, God seems far away.
To move from offence into blessing can only come through forgiveness. Forgiveness from God for being offended and forgiveness to those we perceive have offended us. God desires us to live in close relationship with Him. This is indeed blessing. It is joy and peace.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times when I have taken offence. I ask you to search the motives of my heart today that I might see myself as you see me. I choose to forgive those who have offended me. Please help me to take down the walls I have built around my heart, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Margaret Silvester Margaret Silvester had a career as a teacher prior to being called into full time Christian Ministry with her husband, David, in 1986. They were involved in establishing a Healing Ministry in the local church and Margaret has a passion to see lost and wounded people found and restored. She and her husband joined the Ellel Ministries teaching and ministry team in 2000 after a clear call from God.
"Blessed is the one who takes no offence at me..."
Luke 7:23, RSV
Jesus offended many people. He offended both his enemies and his disciples, because He always spoke the truth and was not afraid to confront sin. He says the ones who are blessed are the ones who do not take offence.
To be offended means to be hurt, resentful, annoyed, repelled or made to stumble because of a circumstance. An offended person usually believes they have been treated wrongly, even if they haven’t. Taking offence is the cause of the breakdown of countless relationships and it is the opposite of intimacy and fellowship.
To take offence may seem justified. It is rarely seen for the sin that it is. People who give offence do not always do so deliberately whereas taking offence is a deliberate choice. On that basis, I believe we can say that to take offence is usually a greater sin than to give it.
When Jesus said the above words a vivid picture would come to the minds of His hearers. The verb to take offence had to do with the trapping of birds. It referred to the action that depressed the bait-stick and triggered off the trap and caught the bird. When we live with offence, a part of us is trapped in the past and we are not living in freedom.
Proverbs 18:19 tells us that an offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city. Walls around a city were for protection. Offended people are usually inward focused. They build walls around their hearts to prevent further hurt. These invisible walls intended for protection are keeping other people at a distance and, consequently, God seems far away.
To move from offence into blessing can only come through forgiveness. Forgiveness from God for being offended and forgiveness to those we perceive have offended us. God desires us to live in close relationship with Him. This is indeed blessing. It is joy and peace.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times when I have taken offence. I ask you to search the motives of my heart today that I might see myself as you see me. I choose to forgive those who have offended me. Please help me to take down the walls I have built around my heart, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Margaret Silvester Margaret Silvester had a career as a teacher prior to being called into full time Christian Ministry with her husband, David, in 1986. They were involved in establishing a Healing Ministry in the local church and Margaret has a passion to see lost and wounded people found and restored. She and her husband joined the Ellel Ministries teaching and ministry team in 2000 after a clear call from God.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Engage-Part 1
"For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes."
Proverbs 24:16, NIV
In the wake of the civil unrest in the different cities in the UK many buildings and properties were burnt or vandalised. As I saw the events on the news I couldn’t help but feel the pain of those losses. It wasn’t my loss, but I felt a glimpse of what the owners of the properties felt when they saw their livelihoods and homes going up in flames, or their shop was being broken into.
It must be what David felt when he and his men found Ziglag attacked by the Amalekites and their wives and children taken captive. The Bible says that each one of them was bitter in spirit about the losses (I Samuel 30:6)
Loss is not pleasant. It’s very painful to lose anything. It’s more painful if there isn’t any hope that what you lost will be restored. It’s very easy for us to get entangled in the distress we face because of loss and lose focus of what’s ahead. David and his men had an option, to sit and mourn about their losses, to pursue and recover everything, or to rebuild the city and start all over again. They chose to pursue the Amalekites and recover what they had lost.
This is an encouragement to us. It’s right to mourn about what we have lost, but then we need to arise and move forward into what God has placed before us.
There’s a great story of how Jesus appeared to two of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. The pain of loss and distress had made them forget the promises that Jesus was to arise on the third day. They were busy focussing on what had happened, and how they had lost the one they knew as the Messiah. It must have been a difficult time. But, as soon as they heard the words of Jesus as they saw Him break bread, they remembered what He had said to them before. In our time of loss we need to remember His past promises to us and to hold on fast to Him.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the promises that You have for me. Please open my eyes to see and understand Your will. I give my losses to You and ask You to help me know the way forward. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.
Today's Writer : Joan Rono Joan Rono was on the young people’s team in the year 2008-2009. She is now working as a Youth Pastor at Ellel Grange, UK. She worked in full time ministry in her church in Kenya before she joined the YPT last year, in obedience to God’s call in her life. She has a passion to see the young people walk in purity and holiness.
Proverbs 24:16, NIV
In the wake of the civil unrest in the different cities in the UK many buildings and properties were burnt or vandalised. As I saw the events on the news I couldn’t help but feel the pain of those losses. It wasn’t my loss, but I felt a glimpse of what the owners of the properties felt when they saw their livelihoods and homes going up in flames, or their shop was being broken into.
It must be what David felt when he and his men found Ziglag attacked by the Amalekites and their wives and children taken captive. The Bible says that each one of them was bitter in spirit about the losses (I Samuel 30:6)
Loss is not pleasant. It’s very painful to lose anything. It’s more painful if there isn’t any hope that what you lost will be restored. It’s very easy for us to get entangled in the distress we face because of loss and lose focus of what’s ahead. David and his men had an option, to sit and mourn about their losses, to pursue and recover everything, or to rebuild the city and start all over again. They chose to pursue the Amalekites and recover what they had lost.
This is an encouragement to us. It’s right to mourn about what we have lost, but then we need to arise and move forward into what God has placed before us.
There’s a great story of how Jesus appeared to two of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. The pain of loss and distress had made them forget the promises that Jesus was to arise on the third day. They were busy focussing on what had happened, and how they had lost the one they knew as the Messiah. It must have been a difficult time. But, as soon as they heard the words of Jesus as they saw Him break bread, they remembered what He had said to them before. In our time of loss we need to remember His past promises to us and to hold on fast to Him.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the promises that You have for me. Please open my eyes to see and understand Your will. I give my losses to You and ask You to help me know the way forward. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.
Today's Writer : Joan Rono Joan Rono was on the young people’s team in the year 2008-2009. She is now working as a Youth Pastor at Ellel Grange, UK. She worked in full time ministry in her church in Kenya before she joined the YPT last year, in obedience to God’s call in her life. She has a passion to see the young people walk in purity and holiness.
Loss
"For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes."
Proverbs 24:16, NIV
In the wake of the civil unrest in the different cities in the UK many buildings and properties were burnt or vandalised. As I saw the events on the news I couldn’t help but feel the pain of those losses. It wasn’t my loss, but I felt a glimpse of what the owners of the properties felt when they saw their livelihoods and homes going up in flames, or their shop was being broken into.
It must be what David felt when he and his men found Ziglag attacked by the Amalekites and their wives and children taken captive. The Bible says that each one of them was bitter in spirit about the losses (I Samuel 30:6)
Loss is not pleasant. It’s very painful to lose anything. It’s more painful if there isn’t any hope that what you lost will be restored. It’s very easy for us to get entangled in the distress we face because of loss and lose focus of what’s ahead. David and his men had an option, to sit and mourn about their losses, to pursue and recover everything, or to rebuild the city and start all over again. They chose to pursue the Amalekites and recover what they had lost.
This is an encouragement to us. It’s right to mourn about what we have lost, but then we need to arise and move forward into what God has placed before us.
There’s a great story of how Jesus appeared to two of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. The pain of loss and distress had made them forget the promises that Jesus was to arise on the third day. They were busy focussing on what had happened, and how they had lost the one they knew as the Messiah. It must have been a difficult time. But, as soon as they heard the words of Jesus as they saw Him break bread, they remembered what He had said to them before. In our time of loss we need to remember His past promises to us and to hold on fast to Him.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the promises that You have for me. Please open my eyes to see and understand Your will. I give my losses to You and ask You to help me know the way forward. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.
Today's Writer : Joan Rono Joan Rono was on the young people’s team in the year 2008-2009. She is now working as a Youth Pastor at Ellel Grange, UK. She worked in full time ministry in her church in Kenya before she joined the YPT last year, in obedience to God’s call in her life. She has a passion to see the young people walk in purity and holiness.
Proverbs 24:16, NIV
In the wake of the civil unrest in the different cities in the UK many buildings and properties were burnt or vandalised. As I saw the events on the news I couldn’t help but feel the pain of those losses. It wasn’t my loss, but I felt a glimpse of what the owners of the properties felt when they saw their livelihoods and homes going up in flames, or their shop was being broken into.
It must be what David felt when he and his men found Ziglag attacked by the Amalekites and their wives and children taken captive. The Bible says that each one of them was bitter in spirit about the losses (I Samuel 30:6)
Loss is not pleasant. It’s very painful to lose anything. It’s more painful if there isn’t any hope that what you lost will be restored. It’s very easy for us to get entangled in the distress we face because of loss and lose focus of what’s ahead. David and his men had an option, to sit and mourn about their losses, to pursue and recover everything, or to rebuild the city and start all over again. They chose to pursue the Amalekites and recover what they had lost.
This is an encouragement to us. It’s right to mourn about what we have lost, but then we need to arise and move forward into what God has placed before us.
There’s a great story of how Jesus appeared to two of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. The pain of loss and distress had made them forget the promises that Jesus was to arise on the third day. They were busy focussing on what had happened, and how they had lost the one they knew as the Messiah. It must have been a difficult time. But, as soon as they heard the words of Jesus as they saw Him break bread, they remembered what He had said to them before. In our time of loss we need to remember His past promises to us and to hold on fast to Him.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the promises that You have for me. Please open my eyes to see and understand Your will. I give my losses to You and ask You to help me know the way forward. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.
Today's Writer : Joan Rono Joan Rono was on the young people’s team in the year 2008-2009. She is now working as a Youth Pastor at Ellel Grange, UK. She worked in full time ministry in her church in Kenya before she joined the YPT last year, in obedience to God’s call in her life. She has a passion to see the young people walk in purity and holiness.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
You fit!
You fit!
"You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price."
I Corinthians 6: 19, NLT
It is a human need to know we `fit in’. To know we have a place. To know we belong. To know someone cares.
Not all of us feel or know this deep in our hearts, where it counts. Circumstances, our upbringing, and life itself has perhaps been used by the enemy to create a sense deep in our hearts that we are alone and different.
The wonderful truth is that no matter what we may feel, no matter what the enemy may tell us and no matter what has been spoken by others in our lives – we all have a wonderful place of absolute, concrete, belonging. A place we can take ownership of and enjoy once we have come to the Lord through His cross.
Just like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, all of us (whether we know it or not) are a piece of God’s puzzle. There is a place set aside within the Lord’s heart that waits for us to come and rest, to enjoy being simply a part of His picture. There’s a place in His heart and His plans that is perfectly designed and shaped for you and for me. It’s a unique place where we fit and belong and are 100% accepted, not by anything we can do, say or earn – but just because it’s the place He bought for us as His children. It’s when we come to this place that we find comfort for our loneliness, and peace for our striving. It’s the place that assures us we belong, we fit, we have a place – we’re not forgotten or overlooked. We have a purpose, a significance, and a worth that is entwined into the very heart of our Father God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that I belong to You. Thank You that You have given me an eternal place where I fit. That I don’t need to be worried about where I may fit in terms of the world and the people around me, because I can rest in the amazing place of ownership that You paid for me. Lord, I ask that You will reveal more of who I am in You, as I draw close to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Cath Taylor Cath Taylor joined the Ellel Grange team back in 1992. Cath is married to Andy and they have three sons; Jake, Ben and Isaac. Together, Andy and Cath now live in Florida and lead the Ellel USA team.
"You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price."
I Corinthians 6: 19, NLT
It is a human need to know we `fit in’. To know we have a place. To know we belong. To know someone cares.
Not all of us feel or know this deep in our hearts, where it counts. Circumstances, our upbringing, and life itself has perhaps been used by the enemy to create a sense deep in our hearts that we are alone and different.
The wonderful truth is that no matter what we may feel, no matter what the enemy may tell us and no matter what has been spoken by others in our lives – we all have a wonderful place of absolute, concrete, belonging. A place we can take ownership of and enjoy once we have come to the Lord through His cross.
Just like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, all of us (whether we know it or not) are a piece of God’s puzzle. There is a place set aside within the Lord’s heart that waits for us to come and rest, to enjoy being simply a part of His picture. There’s a place in His heart and His plans that is perfectly designed and shaped for you and for me. It’s a unique place where we fit and belong and are 100% accepted, not by anything we can do, say or earn – but just because it’s the place He bought for us as His children. It’s when we come to this place that we find comfort for our loneliness, and peace for our striving. It’s the place that assures us we belong, we fit, we have a place – we’re not forgotten or overlooked. We have a purpose, a significance, and a worth that is entwined into the very heart of our Father God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that I belong to You. Thank You that You have given me an eternal place where I fit. That I don’t need to be worried about where I may fit in terms of the world and the people around me, because I can rest in the amazing place of ownership that You paid for me. Lord, I ask that You will reveal more of who I am in You, as I draw close to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Cath Taylor Cath Taylor joined the Ellel Grange team back in 1992. Cath is married to Andy and they have three sons; Jake, Ben and Isaac. Together, Andy and Cath now live in Florida and lead the Ellel USA team.
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