Saudaraku yg kekasih dalam Tuhan hidup Kekristenan seringkali digambarkan sebagai benih, kenapa? Karena, benih itu selalu berbicara mengenai kehidupan, dan saya percaya bahwa hidup Kristen bukanlah hidup yg mati, atau memiliki sebuah agama. Tetapi hidup Kristen adalah hidup yg bertumbuh, yg mengalami kehidupan yg sebenarnya, kita mengiring Yesus dengan sukacita, kita mengiring Yesus dengan kemenangan dan sorak sorai, haleluya!
Markus 4:
26Lalu kata Yesus:"Beginilah hal Kerajaan Allah itu:seumpama orang yang menaburkan benih di tanah, 27lalu pada malam hari ia tidur dan pada siang hari ia bangun, dan benih itu mengeluarkan tunas dan tunas itu makin tinggi, bagaimana terjadinya tidak diketahui orang itu. 28Bumi dengan sendirinya mengeluarkan buah, mula-mula tangkainya, lalu bulirnya, kemudian butir-butir yang penuh isinya dalam bulir itu. 29Apabila buah itu sudah cukup masak, orang itu segera menyabit, sebab musim menuai sudah tiba."
Nah, saudaraku yg kekasih dalam Tuhan, bila kita merenungkan ayat ini, maka kita ada dalam pertanyaan yg sederhana, kenapa Yesus gambarkan kehidupan ini sebagai benih?
Ada beberapa hal yg dapat kita pelajari:
1. Hidup ini adalah sebuah proses
Yesus mau jelaskan bahwa hidup ini tidak bisa instant. Kadang kala, kita berdoa sekarang, kita ingin mendapatkan jawaban sekarang juga, karena percaya bahwa di dalam Allah tidak ada perkara yg mustahil. Tetapi Yesus sedang mau jelaskan bahwa hidup adalah sebuah proses. Melalui proses itu kita dididik, dilatih, disempurnakan oleh Tuhan, melalui proses itu kita diperbaharui oleh Tuhan.
Sehingga semakin hari semakin mengasihi Tuhan, semakin dewasa, semakin mengalami cinta Tuhan yg luar biasa. Jadi, hidup ini adalah sebuah proses. Jadi, bila kamu berdoa dan doamu itu belum dijawab, tetap....tetap...tetaplah berdoa! Karena, Yesus gambarkan sama seperti benih. Kalaulah saudara tanam, saudara tidak bisa menuai hasilnya sekarang, tetapi harus ada waktu penantian, kesabaran, haruslah ada saat menyiram, memberi pupuk, merawatnya. Tetapi, semuanya itu kalau kita lakukan dengan baik, maka hasilnya pasti jelas.
Mungkin saudara sudah menikah 7 tahun, tetapi saudara dengan pasangan saudara, dengan mertua saudara, dengan ipar-ipar saudara. Koq..perasaan tidak merasa cocok. Sehingga ada perasaan yg muncul....kalau begitu, saya bercerai saja deh! Saya engga tahan deh..dengan istri/suami..ipar-ipar atau mertua saya! Tetapi, saya mau ingatkan hari ini, bahwa hidup ini adalah sebuah proses. Saudara sepertinya merasa gagal. Tetapi persoalannya sebenarnya sederhana, karena yg namanya gagal itu adalah persoalan yg belum berhasil. Dan belum berhasil itu bukan berarti gagal. Saya ambil contoh sederhana, anak saudara kuliah tingkat 2, apakah dia sudah sarjana/belum?
Jawabannya, belum dong...karena baru tingkat 2. Pertanyaan saya sederhana? Dia gagal ga jadi sarjana? Belum...dia hanya belum berhasil. Suatu saat, kalau dia sungguh-sungguh, dia pasti jadi sarjana. Tetapi, saat ini dia belum berhasil. Begitupun dalam proses kita. Kadang kala kalau kita belum berhasil, itu pasti gagal, doa belum dapat jawaban, berarti saya gagal. Sebagai hamba Allah saya mau ingatkan, tidak ada analogi seperti itu. Kalaupun saya belum berhasil, saya tetap maju, saya tetap setia. Karena Tuhan berjanji bahwa saya tidak akan dibiarkannya menjadi ekor, tetapi saya akan diangkat naik dan menjadi kepala.
2. Hidup yg sehat pasti bertumbuh
Kalaulah benihnya baik, perawatannya baik, otomatis ia bertumbuh. Hidup Kristen juga sama. Kalau hati kita bersih, Firman yg kita dengar baik, lalu langkah kita benar sesuai dengan Firman Tuhan, maka hidup kekristenan kita harus bertumbuh. Kalaulah kita bertahun-tahun menjadi orang Kristen tetapi tetap kuatir. Bertahun-tahun jadi orang Kristen tetapi tetap munafik, egois. Maka saya sebagai hamba Allah mau tegaskan, berarti anda tidak bertumbuh di dalam kehidupan Kekristenan.
Dan kalaulah saudara mengaku sudah menjadi orang Kristen, tetapi sulit untuk lepas dari roko, judi, suka pukul istri, tidak tertarik dengan pekerjaan Tuhan, dan tidak menggambarkan diri seorang yg kudus. Tetapi sukanya mengkritik hamba Tuhan. Sebagai hamba Allah saya mau beritahu. Saudara boleh kritik semua hamba Tuhan, tetapi Yesus tetap mengasihi saudara. Inilah saatnya saudara kembali pada Tuhan, inilah saatnya saudara datang pada Tuhan. Saudara harus diubahkan dan mengenakan manusia baru. Kita seharusnya berkata,"Hidupku bukannya aku lagi, tetapi Kristulah yg hidup di dalam aku!"
3. Hasil kehidupan ini sangat tergantung dengan apa yg kita tanam
Apa yg kita tuai, sangat tergantung dengan apa yg kita tanam. Sederhana sekali, saudara tanam biji mangga, maka yg saudara tuai adalah buah mangga. Makanya Yesus bilang pada ayat yg ke-29Apabila buah itu sudah cukup masak, orang itu segera menyabit, sebab musim menuai sudah tiba." Jadi, akhirnya si petani bisa menjual hasil ladangnya dan menikmati hasil tuaiannya, si petani bisa membeli makanan buat anak-anaknya, si petani bisa menyekolahkan anak-anaknya.
Dan itu semua tergantung dari pada apa yg ia tanam, tergantung bagaimana ketekunan ia merawatnya. Nah, hal itu juga sama dengan kita. Kalau kita memiliki hati yg bersih, yg kita tanam dalam hidup ini adalah kesabaran, kasih, kesetiaan dan ketekunan, maka saya percaya bahwa kita akan menuai perkara-perkara besar dalam hidup kita. Bila ada di antara saudara yg merasa bahwa saudara gagal, merasa bahwa saya tidak punya apa-apa, saya hanyalah orang miskin yg menantikan uluran tangan dan belas kasihan orang.
Maka sebagai hamba Allah saya mau ingatkan, kalau engkau mengenal Kristus sebagai Allah dan Rajamu, engkau bukanlah orang miskin!
Engkau adalah anak raja di atas segala raja, anak Tuhan di atas segala Tuhan. Mungkin saudara berkata,"tetapi saya gagal di dalam hidup ini!" Jawaban saya sederhana, engkau bukan gagal, tetapi engkau harus kembali melihat rencana Allah. Biarlah engkau tanam kerja keras, kesabaran, ketekunan, maka engkau akan melihat berkat-berkat Allah yg luar biasa! Mungkin yg engkau tabur hari-hari ini adalah kebencian, keserakahan, keegoisan, tetapi yg engkau tuai hanyalah kehancuran di dalam hidupmu.
Doa:
Hamba berdoa untuk setiap kami sekalian, yg berbeban berat, bermasalah. Kami percaya bahwa di dalam Tuhan Yesus tidak ada perkara yg mustahil, Biarlah Tuhan jamah, Tuhan pulihkan dan kerjakan mujijat, sehingga umatmu boleh melihat Kemuliaan Tuhan yg luar biasa, haleluya, amin!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Friday, November 25, 2011
Giving thanks
Giving Thanks
"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, RSV
Recently my daughter-in-law posted a comment on Facebook which really got me thinking. She wrote “Imagine if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you were thankful for today...”
I was prompted to consider firstly all those aspects of my life that I could give thanks to the Lord for – my family, my health, my work, my friends – to begin with. Secondly, I had to acknowledge that I don’t regularly give thanks for all these, and other, blessings.
What are the blessings in your life? Let’s pause right now and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for them.
But the quote is deficient in trying to capture the more comprehensive view of thankfulness that we find expressed in the Bible. Our passage above, from 1 Thessalonians 5, instructs us to give thanks in all circumstances. Which circumstances? The good times, happy times, prosperous times? Yes, but also in the times when we are suffering. When we are disappointed, rejected, hurt, ignored. When we fail. When we sin. In ALL circumstances give thanks. Yes, even when we don’t feel like it, we are to give thanks. Why? The answer is encapsulated in the second part of the verse. We rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in all circumstances because this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. Even in dreadful circumstances it is possible to give thanks – for in Christ Jesus we are able to know that God our Father has all circumstances in His sovereign hands. We are secure in Him even in the storms of life. Knowing this enables us to be thankful.
Prayer: Father, I am sorry that I haven’t been giving thanks in all circumstances. It seems too difficult at times. Will You please help me to lift my eyes up to You and trust that You have all things under control – and even when I don’t understand why things are happening as they are – that You will help me to thank You anyway. Thank You Father. 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.
"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, RSV
Recently my daughter-in-law posted a comment on Facebook which really got me thinking. She wrote “Imagine if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you were thankful for today...”
I was prompted to consider firstly all those aspects of my life that I could give thanks to the Lord for – my family, my health, my work, my friends – to begin with. Secondly, I had to acknowledge that I don’t regularly give thanks for all these, and other, blessings.
What are the blessings in your life? Let’s pause right now and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for them.
But the quote is deficient in trying to capture the more comprehensive view of thankfulness that we find expressed in the Bible. Our passage above, from 1 Thessalonians 5, instructs us to give thanks in all circumstances. Which circumstances? The good times, happy times, prosperous times? Yes, but also in the times when we are suffering. When we are disappointed, rejected, hurt, ignored. When we fail. When we sin. In ALL circumstances give thanks. Yes, even when we don’t feel like it, we are to give thanks. Why? The answer is encapsulated in the second part of the verse. We rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in all circumstances because this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. Even in dreadful circumstances it is possible to give thanks – for in Christ Jesus we are able to know that God our Father has all circumstances in His sovereign hands. We are secure in Him even in the storms of life. Knowing this enables us to be thankful.
Prayer: Father, I am sorry that I haven’t been giving thanks in all circumstances. It seems too difficult at times. Will You please help me to lift my eyes up to You and trust that You have all things under control – and even when I don’t understand why things are happening as they are – that You will help me to thank You anyway. Thank You Father. 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.
Steps in the dark
Steps in the dark
"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1, NIV
There are times when we find it hard to trust God in the unknowns of life even though many of us are very familiar with this much-quoted text. In a recent prayer meeting someone was given a clear illustration of the principle of walking by faith which really encouraged us, and I share it with you.
The lighting in the corridors of Glyndley Manor has been upgraded this year (so that it’s legal, but also more effective). Each corridor has several low-energy ‘downlighters’ in it, but only one or two are on permanently. The remainder come on as you walk down the corridor, activated by a movement sensor. So at night you start your journey down the corridor just able to see what is immediately ahead, the remainder of the way being in darkness. However, as you step forward into the gloom the other lights come on, and all is revealed!
How like the way God expects us to live our lives here! He sets us the general direction, but often we can’t see what’s lying ahead of us. At this point we have two choices: stay where we are and cry out to God to “turn the light on” so we can see all the way ahead, or trust Him and take those small steps into the dark which will result in more light being shed ahead of us. As we walk forward in Him we may well encounter more ‘dark’ areas. For example, once we have established the ministry God asked us to, we then meet the challenge of ongoing resources being needed to see it continue. Are we going to stand still and shout at God, or believe He asks us to step forward in faith and see what happens next?
God is the God of miracles – we’ve been reminded of this many times, not least in the story of the founding of Ellel Ministries at Ellel Grange. If we believe it, let’s live in that faith and step into what may seem dark at the moment. The Holy Spirit is a ‘movement sensor’ and He will quickly report to the Father so He can turn on the light for your path!
Prayer: Father, thank You that Your Word is a lamp to our feet. Help us to believe Your Word and step out in its truth, so our ways will be enlightened and our faith strengthened. Amen.
Today's Writer : John Berry John Berry is Team Pastor and part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Glyndley Manor, with his wife Jennie, having previously been in Baptist church ministry for over 30 years. His heart is for the equipping of the church for its ministry, and he sees the healing and deliverance ministry of Ellel as an essential part of this. John has travelled widely in the course of his work, and enjoys being a grandfather 6 times over!
"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1, NIV
There are times when we find it hard to trust God in the unknowns of life even though many of us are very familiar with this much-quoted text. In a recent prayer meeting someone was given a clear illustration of the principle of walking by faith which really encouraged us, and I share it with you.
The lighting in the corridors of Glyndley Manor has been upgraded this year (so that it’s legal, but also more effective). Each corridor has several low-energy ‘downlighters’ in it, but only one or two are on permanently. The remainder come on as you walk down the corridor, activated by a movement sensor. So at night you start your journey down the corridor just able to see what is immediately ahead, the remainder of the way being in darkness. However, as you step forward into the gloom the other lights come on, and all is revealed!
How like the way God expects us to live our lives here! He sets us the general direction, but often we can’t see what’s lying ahead of us. At this point we have two choices: stay where we are and cry out to God to “turn the light on” so we can see all the way ahead, or trust Him and take those small steps into the dark which will result in more light being shed ahead of us. As we walk forward in Him we may well encounter more ‘dark’ areas. For example, once we have established the ministry God asked us to, we then meet the challenge of ongoing resources being needed to see it continue. Are we going to stand still and shout at God, or believe He asks us to step forward in faith and see what happens next?
God is the God of miracles – we’ve been reminded of this many times, not least in the story of the founding of Ellel Ministries at Ellel Grange. If we believe it, let’s live in that faith and step into what may seem dark at the moment. The Holy Spirit is a ‘movement sensor’ and He will quickly report to the Father so He can turn on the light for your path!
Prayer: Father, thank You that Your Word is a lamp to our feet. Help us to believe Your Word and step out in its truth, so our ways will be enlightened and our faith strengthened. Amen.
Today's Writer : John Berry John Berry is Team Pastor and part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Glyndley Manor, with his wife Jennie, having previously been in Baptist church ministry for over 30 years. His heart is for the equipping of the church for its ministry, and he sees the healing and deliverance ministry of Ellel as an essential part of this. John has travelled widely in the course of his work, and enjoys being a grandfather 6 times over!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Blocked Drains
Blocked Drains
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:2
We recently restored an old part of our house and were delighted to have some friends come and stay in it for the first time. Everything was fine at first - it looked good, the room was warm and the bed was comfortable – but a few days later our friends were slightly embarrassed to have to tell us that the toilet had ceased to flush away its contents! The drains were blocked.
Fortunately the problem was soon resolved. The blockage in the drain was discovered and with the energetic use of some drainage rods, everything was quickly restored to normal. That particular drainage pipe had not been used for a very long time and, of course, we should have checked it out more thoroughly before inviting our friends to stay. It was our turn to be embarrassed.
But as I looked at the blockage, and watched as it was removed, I sensed the Lord was speaking to me about a much more serious issue than blocked drains! My mind drifted from the stuff that had been causing the blockage from so long ago, to the fact that hidden sins from a long time ago can equally be a blockage today if they have not been confessed, forgiven and, literally, cleaned out of our system!
We tend to think that things which happened a long time ago are of no relevance to today’s circumstances. But just as our friends discovered that an old blockage was obstructing today’s drains, things that have been buried in the past, in the hope that they will just ‘go away’ have a habit of eventually catching up with us. Just as we should have tested the drains before inviting our friends to stay, we should ask the Lord to expose any blockages in our past that are obstructing the flow of His life-giving Spirit today.
Unconfessed and unforgiven sins are the most common blockages to living a fulfilled Christian life. We need to be fit and ready for all circumstances of life as we seek to follow Jesus and fulfil God’s Kingdom purposes for our lives.
Prayer: I’m sorry, Lord, for the things I have buried in years past which today are causing a blockage in my life. Help me to face the truth about myself and come afresh to you for forgiveness and cleansing, so that there will be no blockages in my life to the flow of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Peter Horrobin Peter Horrobin is the Founding and International Director of Ellel Ministries. He has now written and is currently developing Ellel 365 – a completely new online training school. This is specifically designed to help people understand and apply the practical truths of God’s Word into their lives. Already there have been many remarkable testimonies of what God is doing in people’s lives. The Ellel 365 website has now been completely updated. To take a look for yourself click on the Ellel 365 link on this page.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:2
We recently restored an old part of our house and were delighted to have some friends come and stay in it for the first time. Everything was fine at first - it looked good, the room was warm and the bed was comfortable – but a few days later our friends were slightly embarrassed to have to tell us that the toilet had ceased to flush away its contents! The drains were blocked.
Fortunately the problem was soon resolved. The blockage in the drain was discovered and with the energetic use of some drainage rods, everything was quickly restored to normal. That particular drainage pipe had not been used for a very long time and, of course, we should have checked it out more thoroughly before inviting our friends to stay. It was our turn to be embarrassed.
But as I looked at the blockage, and watched as it was removed, I sensed the Lord was speaking to me about a much more serious issue than blocked drains! My mind drifted from the stuff that had been causing the blockage from so long ago, to the fact that hidden sins from a long time ago can equally be a blockage today if they have not been confessed, forgiven and, literally, cleaned out of our system!
We tend to think that things which happened a long time ago are of no relevance to today’s circumstances. But just as our friends discovered that an old blockage was obstructing today’s drains, things that have been buried in the past, in the hope that they will just ‘go away’ have a habit of eventually catching up with us. Just as we should have tested the drains before inviting our friends to stay, we should ask the Lord to expose any blockages in our past that are obstructing the flow of His life-giving Spirit today.
Unconfessed and unforgiven sins are the most common blockages to living a fulfilled Christian life. We need to be fit and ready for all circumstances of life as we seek to follow Jesus and fulfil God’s Kingdom purposes for our lives.
Prayer: I’m sorry, Lord, for the things I have buried in years past which today are causing a blockage in my life. Help me to face the truth about myself and come afresh to you for forgiveness and cleansing, so that there will be no blockages in my life to the flow of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Peter Horrobin Peter Horrobin is the Founding and International Director of Ellel Ministries. He has now written and is currently developing Ellel 365 – a completely new online training school. This is specifically designed to help people understand and apply the practical truths of God’s Word into their lives. Already there have been many remarkable testimonies of what God is doing in people’s lives. The Ellel 365 website has now been completely updated. To take a look for yourself click on the Ellel 365 link on this page.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Bringing heaven to earth
Bringing heaven to earth
"Then dedicate the tent and all its equipment by anointing it with sacred oil, and it will be holy."
Exodus 40:9, GNB
The Tent or Tabernacle was a place where God wanted to meet with Moses and manifest His presence to the people of Israel. This was not an idea coming from Moses but from God Himself.
It required something of Moses. He had to meet certain conditions given to Him by God. After Moses had carefully set up the Tent he dedicated it and all its equipment by anointing it with sacred oil. ‘Then the cloud covered the Tent and the dazzling light of the LORD’S presence filled it’ (Exodus 40:34).
All ‘the house of Israel’ were privileged to see a miraculous sign from God. He showed His presence to them all in the form of cloud by day and fire by night hovering over the Tent. Some people today would very much like to see a miraculous sign from God which would reassure them of His manifest presence. But I wonder if they are willing to meet God’s conditions?
George Otis tells of places in Brazil which are consecrated for prayer. Christians stand together and call out to God all night in prayer and as God draws near to them, even the foliage begins to glow, pulsating with His glory. George was taken to a place in the forest where he experienced for himself the thick presence of the LORD, as everyone fell to the ground in spontaneous worship. Time meant nothing to them. The whole place was lit up with the glory of God.
Such remarkable closeness to God in communities can seem strange to us when we compare it with our own culture. Yet maybe they would think our communities are abnormal and fail to understand why we don’t want to spend as much time in fervent, passionate prayer as they do. Experiencing heaven on earth is part of their normal life. Do you desire it to be part of yours?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise Your holy Name. May Your heavenly Kingdom come here where we live. May Your will be done in our lives. It’s not about us but about You. Show us Your conditions and requirements. Show us how to dedicate ‘our Tent and its equipment’ to You and know Your presence day by day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Today's Writer : Liz Griffin Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.
"Then dedicate the tent and all its equipment by anointing it with sacred oil, and it will be holy."
Exodus 40:9, GNB
The Tent or Tabernacle was a place where God wanted to meet with Moses and manifest His presence to the people of Israel. This was not an idea coming from Moses but from God Himself.
It required something of Moses. He had to meet certain conditions given to Him by God. After Moses had carefully set up the Tent he dedicated it and all its equipment by anointing it with sacred oil. ‘Then the cloud covered the Tent and the dazzling light of the LORD’S presence filled it’ (Exodus 40:34).
All ‘the house of Israel’ were privileged to see a miraculous sign from God. He showed His presence to them all in the form of cloud by day and fire by night hovering over the Tent. Some people today would very much like to see a miraculous sign from God which would reassure them of His manifest presence. But I wonder if they are willing to meet God’s conditions?
George Otis tells of places in Brazil which are consecrated for prayer. Christians stand together and call out to God all night in prayer and as God draws near to them, even the foliage begins to glow, pulsating with His glory. George was taken to a place in the forest where he experienced for himself the thick presence of the LORD, as everyone fell to the ground in spontaneous worship. Time meant nothing to them. The whole place was lit up with the glory of God.
Such remarkable closeness to God in communities can seem strange to us when we compare it with our own culture. Yet maybe they would think our communities are abnormal and fail to understand why we don’t want to spend as much time in fervent, passionate prayer as they do. Experiencing heaven on earth is part of their normal life. Do you desire it to be part of yours?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise Your holy Name. May Your heavenly Kingdom come here where we live. May Your will be done in our lives. It’s not about us but about You. Show us Your conditions and requirements. Show us how to dedicate ‘our Tent and its equipment’ to You and know Your presence day by day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Today's Writer : Liz Griffin Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.
A lesson from Pelagius
A lesson from Pelagius
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with The Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
Galatians 3:3, NIV
Paul did not beat around the bush when he addressed the Galatian believers. They were making a grave mistake. Having started off right by believing in the grace of God they were starting to change their course. They were trying to maintain a good standing with God through their own efforts – an impossibility with God, which Paul called foolish!
The fact is it’s easy for us to repeat their error. It’s so tempting to rely on our own efforts - even if it’s only a little bit- for being right with God! Paul’s warnings are as relevant for us today as they were for the Christians back then. The problem with allowing any room for our own merits is the truth that ‘A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough’ (Galatians 5:9). When we start to rely just a little bit on our own efforts to stay holy or to be righteous, then this will start to work its way through the whole of our lives. The inevitable result is that we end up increasingly losing sight of God’s grace.
Quite recently I realised how easy it is to fall into this trap. I was reading a book which traced the developments of Christian doctrine throughout history. Around the fourth Century a man named Pelagius arose, who opposed Augustine’s teachings on free will and grace. In essence Pelagius laid a strong emphasis on our role as individuals to choose to be saved, whereas Augustine had emphasised God’s grace in choosing us and in giving us the grace to believe in Jesus.
Sadly the teachings of Pelagius gained ground in the western Church and allowed more and more room for human merit. Things got so bad one could even ‘purchase’ one’s way into heaven! But finally the Reformers came along and convinced the Church of the all-important grace of God. John Calvin said “The Gospel rules out any thing that man might add.” How true!
If we have in any way tried to add to Jesus’ work on the cross, by seeking to be righteous through our own efforts, let’s ask God for our own personal reformation! Let’s ask God to bring us back to the freedom and joy of relying only on His grace. For His grace is sufficient!
Prayer: Father, I ask You to forgive me for trying to be righteous in my own strength instead of wholly depending on Jesus. Please help me to be completely dependent on Your grace. I thank You that Your grace is enough for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Today's Writer : Peter Brokaar Peter Brokaar and his American wife, Liz, left the Netherlands in 2005 to join the team at Ellel Scotland. He is now Assistant Director and House Manager and finds much pleasure in teaching. He has three children, Emma, Samuel and Benjamin, all born on Scottish soil. When there is any free time he enjoys reading, cooking, surfing and hiking.
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with The Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
Galatians 3:3, NIV
Paul did not beat around the bush when he addressed the Galatian believers. They were making a grave mistake. Having started off right by believing in the grace of God they were starting to change their course. They were trying to maintain a good standing with God through their own efforts – an impossibility with God, which Paul called foolish!
The fact is it’s easy for us to repeat their error. It’s so tempting to rely on our own efforts - even if it’s only a little bit- for being right with God! Paul’s warnings are as relevant for us today as they were for the Christians back then. The problem with allowing any room for our own merits is the truth that ‘A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough’ (Galatians 5:9). When we start to rely just a little bit on our own efforts to stay holy or to be righteous, then this will start to work its way through the whole of our lives. The inevitable result is that we end up increasingly losing sight of God’s grace.
Quite recently I realised how easy it is to fall into this trap. I was reading a book which traced the developments of Christian doctrine throughout history. Around the fourth Century a man named Pelagius arose, who opposed Augustine’s teachings on free will and grace. In essence Pelagius laid a strong emphasis on our role as individuals to choose to be saved, whereas Augustine had emphasised God’s grace in choosing us and in giving us the grace to believe in Jesus.
Sadly the teachings of Pelagius gained ground in the western Church and allowed more and more room for human merit. Things got so bad one could even ‘purchase’ one’s way into heaven! But finally the Reformers came along and convinced the Church of the all-important grace of God. John Calvin said “The Gospel rules out any thing that man might add.” How true!
If we have in any way tried to add to Jesus’ work on the cross, by seeking to be righteous through our own efforts, let’s ask God for our own personal reformation! Let’s ask God to bring us back to the freedom and joy of relying only on His grace. For His grace is sufficient!
Prayer: Father, I ask You to forgive me for trying to be righteous in my own strength instead of wholly depending on Jesus. Please help me to be completely dependent on Your grace. I thank You that Your grace is enough for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Today's Writer : Peter Brokaar Peter Brokaar and his American wife, Liz, left the Netherlands in 2005 to join the team at Ellel Scotland. He is now Assistant Director and House Manager and finds much pleasure in teaching. He has three children, Emma, Samuel and Benjamin, all born on Scottish soil. When there is any free time he enjoys reading, cooking, surfing and hiking.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Keeping in Touch
Keeping in Touch
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV
Our son lives in Australia and our daughter recently travelled to New Zealand where she is planning to stay for an extended period. They are adults and my husband and I have freely released them, but nevertheless we are so grateful for the technology that enables us to keep in touch.
Though they are far away from home we hear from them often and we’re excited when they tell us how they are and what they’re doing. Because of the time difference we eagerly switch on the computer in the mornings to see if either of them have emailed overnight, and so that they can see we’re logged in if they’re waiting for us to get up so that they can call us! Of course, we’re delighted to hear their voices when they call, or to find a message sitting in our inbox waiting for us to open, especially when there are photographs attached, which more often than not have only been taken the previous day!
As parents we delight to hear from our children – whether they are telling us about a struggle they might be having or a joy they are experiencing. As I was thanking God recently for them, and telling Him how much it means to us that they choose to keep in touch, continuing to share their lives with us, He reminded me how much, as our heavenly Father, He delights to hear our from us as His children too. I remember when I first began to call God my Father, and to talk to Him as Father. There was such a joy in my heart in calling Him ‘Father’ that just for the joy of it, I kept saying, ‘Father! Father!’ over and over again, knowing He was hearing me.
But there was a time before that when I found that word difficult, when I misunderstood God’s Father heart for me and I didn’t call Him Father. In fact I didn’t really talk to Him at all. As I pondered this, I thought about how my husband and I would feel if our children had gone off to the other side of the world and never contacted us, ignored us completely – like the story Jesus told of the prodigal son. Of course, we don’t expect to hear from our children every day, or even necessarily every week, but if we never ever heard from them, how painful that would be!
Like the father in that story that so vividly allegorises the father heart of God, our heavenly Father patiently waits for us to come back to Him, to talk to Him and share our lives with Him. Our human nature can be such that we only talk to God when we’re going through a difficult time and we’re desperate for an answer or a breakthrough in our struggle. Sometimes it’s the busyness of life that somehow gets in the way of us conversing with Him, or perhaps we just have a distorted view of who God is, thinking He’s distant or disinterested, or doesn’t want to speak to us or will ask impossible things of us. There can be many things that hold us back from daily sharing our lives in prayer with our Father.
Nevertheless He waits to hear from us. Today is a good day to share with Him, in the reality of who He is as our Father, the one who delights in us (Zephaniah 3:17), in the reality of who we are as His children (1 John 3:1) and in the reality of whatever it is we are facing today. We will bring joy to His heart in doing so, and so often He gives back a whole new perspective on the issue we’re facing.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.
Joseph Scriven, 1855
Today's Writer : Julie Smith Julie Smith is married to Roger, and they have two grown up children. Having received deep healing in her own life, primarily through ministry at Ellel Grange and then attending the Modular School at Glyndley Manor, she went on to join the Glyndley associate ministry team. She now works part-time for the International Director’s Office and is an associate teacher for the ministry. She is passionate to see others restored and released into the abundant life Jesus won for us all.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV
Our son lives in Australia and our daughter recently travelled to New Zealand where she is planning to stay for an extended period. They are adults and my husband and I have freely released them, but nevertheless we are so grateful for the technology that enables us to keep in touch.
Though they are far away from home we hear from them often and we’re excited when they tell us how they are and what they’re doing. Because of the time difference we eagerly switch on the computer in the mornings to see if either of them have emailed overnight, and so that they can see we’re logged in if they’re waiting for us to get up so that they can call us! Of course, we’re delighted to hear their voices when they call, or to find a message sitting in our inbox waiting for us to open, especially when there are photographs attached, which more often than not have only been taken the previous day!
As parents we delight to hear from our children – whether they are telling us about a struggle they might be having or a joy they are experiencing. As I was thanking God recently for them, and telling Him how much it means to us that they choose to keep in touch, continuing to share their lives with us, He reminded me how much, as our heavenly Father, He delights to hear our from us as His children too. I remember when I first began to call God my Father, and to talk to Him as Father. There was such a joy in my heart in calling Him ‘Father’ that just for the joy of it, I kept saying, ‘Father! Father!’ over and over again, knowing He was hearing me.
But there was a time before that when I found that word difficult, when I misunderstood God’s Father heart for me and I didn’t call Him Father. In fact I didn’t really talk to Him at all. As I pondered this, I thought about how my husband and I would feel if our children had gone off to the other side of the world and never contacted us, ignored us completely – like the story Jesus told of the prodigal son. Of course, we don’t expect to hear from our children every day, or even necessarily every week, but if we never ever heard from them, how painful that would be!
Like the father in that story that so vividly allegorises the father heart of God, our heavenly Father patiently waits for us to come back to Him, to talk to Him and share our lives with Him. Our human nature can be such that we only talk to God when we’re going through a difficult time and we’re desperate for an answer or a breakthrough in our struggle. Sometimes it’s the busyness of life that somehow gets in the way of us conversing with Him, or perhaps we just have a distorted view of who God is, thinking He’s distant or disinterested, or doesn’t want to speak to us or will ask impossible things of us. There can be many things that hold us back from daily sharing our lives in prayer with our Father.
Nevertheless He waits to hear from us. Today is a good day to share with Him, in the reality of who He is as our Father, the one who delights in us (Zephaniah 3:17), in the reality of who we are as His children (1 John 3:1) and in the reality of whatever it is we are facing today. We will bring joy to His heart in doing so, and so often He gives back a whole new perspective on the issue we’re facing.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.
Joseph Scriven, 1855
Today's Writer : Julie Smith Julie Smith is married to Roger, and they have two grown up children. Having received deep healing in her own life, primarily through ministry at Ellel Grange and then attending the Modular School at Glyndley Manor, she went on to join the Glyndley associate ministry team. She now works part-time for the International Director’s Office and is an associate teacher for the ministry. She is passionate to see others restored and released into the abundant life Jesus won for us all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
