6th October, 2025     

Well, there is certainly plenty of choices here!!  There are 10 years of words and people and God in Seed 2!!

What will you re-chew??

 

OR..... is there something you are wrestling with at this time in your life?

Is there something you would ask God face-to-face if you could......why? when? what? how? really??

 

Let me encourage you to do just that....now....or soon....

 

Last Thursday, as I took my monthly time-out with God.....I wrote in my journal that I was not sure if I could trust God.  The previous few months were not of my choosing and He was surely at fault somewhere.

 

I then sat down with my book....and was repeatedly encouraged to trust God! The word trust was in my face again and again.  I got the message.

 

But it started with me pausing....being honest.....and chewing it all over.......

 

 

6th September, 2025   

 

David said......'I have calmed and quieted myself'

 

Jesus said....'Do not worry'

 

Paul said.....'I have learned to be content'

 

Wowsers!   What was their secret?

Which of these do I/you struggle with the most??

Why do you think that is so?

 

Which one will you pray over just now?

 

 

7th July, 2025   

When life is hard, when trials come along, when suffering is a daily reality.....who do you share it all with?

Who is in your circle of support?

 

When did you last contact them?

When did you last thank them?

When did you last pray for/with them?

 

 

16th June, 2025       

Words to chew over with the psalmist.   Psalm 32.

 

Which words do you hold onto as your own?

 

 

 

 

28th April, 2025     

Something to chew over.......

When you think on the words of the Lord's Prayer.....

 

would you prefer to say debts...sins...or trespasses to be forgiven?

 

why do you prefer that word?

 

 

17th March, 2025     

As we think about Jesus in prayer and his words in John chapter 17.....

 

Something to chew over........how did he pray? where? when?

Did he kneel? stand?

Did he look upwards?

Did he raise his hands?

 

 

3rd February, 2025       

As you consider the journeys pictured in Psalm 23...... where would you place yourself?

 

Where have you travelled recently?

 

Where are you right now as you read this?

 

Where are you heading?

 

 

 

8th January, 2025     

Jesus said many things.....and there are certainly some things we wish we could discuss with Him!

 

As you chew over these words below......consider what you would discuss with Him......and who comes to mind as you read what Jesus said..... in Matthew 5

 

 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

 

 

13th November, 2024       

So.....imagine the scene.......as Luke did his research and then wrote it down in his Gospel.......  chapter 3.....this eccentric man.....in a desert wilderness place........preaches out a warning message.  Not to mention his clothing of camel skin and his diet of locusts and honey!

 

So.......what is there to chew over here.........   why the wilderness desert?   why did he go there to preach his message about preparing the way - inside and outside - for the coming Messiah?

 

It's all there in Luke chapter 3........ 

 

 

 

7th October, 2024     

As you read these words......try.....try imagine it all!!   what did it really look like to the prophet Ezekiel??

 

 

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.  He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.  He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!  This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.  I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.  I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

 

 

29th August, 2024

Who did you last pray with?

Who did you last pray for?

Who did you last share an answered prayer with?

 

Just a few things to chew over.......

 

 

 

19th July, 2024     

As you think about your own prayer life at this time of the year......

 

when do you consciously pause to pray.....daily....weekly....monthly?

 

do you use a prayer diary or journal?

 

how would you describe your prayer life - compared with a few months or a year ago??

 

 

 

27th May, 2024     

As you pause at this time of the year....  take a few moments and chew over how you feel your year is going...

 

Good memories so far?

Not so good ones?

 

What are your goals for the next couple of months?

 

Chew over.....what 3 words best describe your 2024 at this time......

 

 

 

12th April, 2024 

So Jesus said we should pray these words to Father God....

 

.......your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.

 

As you ponder them........what do you believe 'as it is in heaven' means??

 

 

 

14th March, 2024   

The song-writer said "It is well with my soul".........

 

As you pause and chew over these words........how is your soul?  Is there health there?  is there something disturbing the waters?

 

Take time-out with God and let Him give His answer also at this time......

 

 

 

9th February, 2024   

Have a look at Jeremiah chapter 36.......strange names......interesting reactions......

 

Why do you think the king reacted like this?

 

Why do you think God added even more words at the very end of the chapter?

 

What do you think is the purpose of all these events happening?

 

 

5th January, 2024   

As we pause in these early days of 2024......let me invite you to look at these words of old from the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament......and to chew over their significance for you at this time....... Don't rush.....pause.....ask....look.....

 

This is what the Lord says:

 

30th November, 2023       

So....the 'Christmas story' in the Bible of course centres around Jesus......but there are two men we must not forget in it all.....

Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist).

Joseph (engaged to Mary).

 

As we think about how their lives were changed (really really changed from what they thought might happen), take a few minutes to chew over their reactions to the news they were both given........(Luke chapter 1 and Matthew chapter 1 tell their stories)........and try to understand their situation (especially if you are a man).

 

Would you have reacted differently?

Really?

 

 

3rd November   and 8th October, 2023     

To touch or not to touch - is that still the question as you imagine the scene?

So......in 2 Samuel chapter 6 we read........

 

David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand.  He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark.  They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it.  David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.

 When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.  The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

 

So, as you imagine these scenes.......what do you see?

When you picture Uzzah's action.....and terrible consequence.....what is your reaction?

Was he right or wrong?   what would you have done?

Was God right to strike him down?   why??

 

 

 

2nd August and 11th September, 2023   

As you pause in Psalm 18 afresh (in another version?), with God, and your own circumstances, or those of another...Let me take you to verses 30-33.....and ask you to ponder where life has taken you recently and where you are at on the road at the moment.... and do you believe God is with you??

 

This God—how perfect are his deeds!
    How dependable his words!
He is like a shield
    for all who seek his protection.
31 The Lord alone is God;
    God alone is our defense.
32 He is the God who makes me strong,
    who makes my pathway safe.
33 He makes me sure-footed as a deer;
    he keeps me safe on the mountains.

 

 

 

 

9th June, 2023   

As you pause at your personal crossroads, in these summer weeks......where is your attention being drawn to?  what do you need guidance for? what are your decisions about at this time?

 

 

In Jeremiah chapter 6 verse 16........This is what the Lord says:

 

 

1st May, 2023   

As we think about Thy Kingdom come...on earth as it is heaven....

 

Where do you see evidence of God's Kingdom rule on earth?

 

What about Sudan and Ukraine and everywhere else??

 

Somethings to chew over indeed.............and it really is a good job God isn't finished with us all on earth yet!

 

 

31st March, 2023   

As I look back over these 100 issues......there have been many words...many images.....and more!   I certainly never expected the journey from October 2015 to go the way it has!   Highs, lows, challenges and encouragements for sure.

 

As I invite you to celebrate and look back with me.......as we pause and stand at Issue 100.....and 101 will be along in the weeks ahead...........something to chew over....... 

Where are you now in your journey of faith with God?

What has God done for you, in you and through you in recent months, weeks and even days?   

 

But also where is He leading you in the days ahead??

 

 

4th February....and 8th March, 2023   

 

If I slow down.....

If I pause....

If I take time-out with God.....when?   what will I sacrifice to do so?   who will need to know?

 

What will I expect to receive or hear?

 

Why am I retreating with God?

 

 

13th January, 2023   

As we stand at the crossroads....have you noticed how we often look to see what others are doing.....will they set off....now?....when?  Should we follow them.....now?....when?.....where??

As you stand at your crossroads, or you know of someone at their own crossroads at this time, whose lead is being followed?

How easily we follow others.....

How often we do not know when to step out.....

How do we know the right way to take?

 

Let me invite you to return to the Psalm from Seed 1.....Psalm 119 verses 105ff........or the words of the LORD God from Jeremiah 6 verse 16 .....This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

 

 

25th November, 2022       

Something to chew over...at Advent...as Christmas draws closer.... 

 

Why Bethlehem??

 

(maybe helpful to grab a Bible and search out references to Bethlehem.....as you ponder this over....)

 

 

28th October, 2022   

In the story of David and Goliath......why did David pick up FIVE smooth stones??

 

Worth a read......1 Samuel 17 verse 40.....

 

 

30th September, 2022     

So....I have a significant birthday this coming month...... and yet, what strikes me again and again.....is that Jesus only had around 33 birthdays on earth we are told....

 

I wonder how he - and others - celebrated each one??

 

I finfd it interesting that he never reached 35....50....60.....

 

Now that's something to chew over......

 

 

24th August, 2022   

We believe....help our unbelief?  

 

Psalm 121 was a psalm I sang many times in school assembly!

Psalm 121 points to the God we believe and trust in...just as Israel were encouraged to do those many years ago when Psalm 121 was first spoken out.

 

But as I look around at my world...at Afghanistan...Yemen...Sudan....as well as Ukraine and so many other parts of our world...it is a challenge to my faith as I consider God's people in these nations..their sufferings...

 

And so I chew these words over and over again..........I believe but O LORD God help my unbelief.... 

 

 

 

 

 

11th June, 2022   

As you journey through Psalm 23.....imagining the scenes....

 

Why does the Shepherd leads us to green grass AND through dark valleys?

Could He not leave us enjoying the green grass.....

 

As you chew this over...have a look at Jesus' words in John 10.......more to chew over!

 

 

 

30th April, 2022       

.......the image above is part of a prayer we know so well

 

So.....something to chew over......

Where do you see evidence of God's Kingdom on earth...in your nation...in your community....right now??

 

 

 

1st April, 2022     .....at the Cross

 

So, as we pause and consider the scene of Jesus' crucifixion on that rough, wooden cross....something to chew over and think about....before, during and after Easter....

 

As you imaagine the scene, what do you see first? why is that ?

 

 

 

4th March, 2022   

Have Snoopy and Charlie Brown got it right??

 

As I looked at the image above....and considered all that is happening in our world at this time....the world is certainly somewhat crazy.....

 

As I chew this over.... I think about what Snoopy says......

 

 

 

3rd  February, 2022

As you sit and ponder life and the universe...........

 

what was the last bit of good news you heard??

what was the last bit of good news you shared??

 

Is there someone you need to tell something to??

 

 

7th January, 2022     

Something to chew over from this particular psalm....

 

As you think through the words of Psalm 1....pause with me at verse 2...

 

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.

 

And as you sit and chew over these particular words....

What gives you delight these days?

What is your pleasure?

What make you happy?

 

How often you do meditate on God's written Word - meditate - not just read?

Does it give you pleasure to do?

Do God's words delight you?

 

 

10th December, 2021   

So... as you ponder over the Christmas story....take a step back and have a think...

 

When the Wise Men and their camels (?) left Herod's Palace and journeyed on to find the baby/toddler Jesus, Mary and Joseph......as you imagine the scene.....what did they say among themselves as they got further away from the Palace?  What did the Palace servants and officials say among themselves as the visitors departed? 

 

Have a think and imagine the conversations......

 

 

October 2021   

Seed 2 has sown various seeds over these 6 years.

 

Let me invite you to dig around this Seed and taste afresh the various fruit!

 

Something to Chew Over and Soul Living are but two of the seeds sown.....

 

 

 

Friday 13th September, 2021   

As we Pause to Pray....chew over these words from Jeremiah 6....

 

'This is what the LORD says:

Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls.

But you said, 'We will not walk in it'

 

Imagine standing at a crossroads......pausing.....asking.....

 

 

Friday 11th June, 2021   

P-R-A-Y

 

Which do you find most challenging? Most rewarding?

Which do you practise most often?

 

P ause with God in His presence

R ejoice in His good gifts

A sk for His help

Y ield to God's kingdom will

 

 

Thursday 13th May, 2021     

"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done - on earth, as it is in heaven"

 

So....when you pray those words......what do you imagine the Kingdom rule of God is like in heaven??

 

And...what on earth do you want God to change to His Kingdom rule and will??

 

Well...that should keep us chewing over for a while!

 

 

 

Monday 19th April, 2021   

So, at the funeral of Prince Philip, the Archbishop of Canterbury read part of the story from John 11.... Lazarus..Mary..Martha..Jesus....and other people who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead.

 

Question to chew over....

What 3 questions would you have asked Lazarus afterwards???

 

 

Thursday 11th March, 2021   

As you think about Lent....Holy Week....Easter........... which character stays in your mind?

 

Jesus?

Peter?

Mary?

Judas?

Mary Magdalene?

Pilate?

 

Who??

 

Why??

 

 

Friday 5th February, 2021   

So, in Philippians chapter 1, Paul writes....

3 I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.  And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly.  God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.

I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. 11 Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.

 

And what is so amazing is that he writes this while being imprisoned, chained to Roman soldiers guarding him!  

 

He is thankful!

He is thankful because it's not all about his circumstances.

He is thankful for others.

He is thankful because God is at work.

 

As we consider these words written many, many years ago......and as we consider our current circumstances.....do we have an attitude of gratitude?

 

Are we looking around and upward?

 

Are we thankful for others?

 

Are we thankful that God is at work around our world - despite a pandemic?

 

Why not have a read of Paul's words again? 

 

 

Thursday 31st December, 2020

So.....David wrote....

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have everything I need.

 

As you chew over these words......consider.....what did you need in 2020?

 

What do you want in 2021?

What do you need God to provide for you?

 

What does He know you need??

 

 

Sunday 29th November, 2020 

So....something to chew over for Advent?

 

Well....it someone asks you what Advent is all about in the midst of a pandemic what is your answer??

Is it still worth celebrating??

Why??

 

 

Monday 2nd November, 2020   

So....something to chew over this November....as we remember World War 1 and 2 and the many wars since then......and all those lost, wounded, grieving and affected.....

 

Will there ever be no wars anywhere in the world this side of Heaven?

 

Why?

Why not??

 

 

 

Friday 2nd October, 2020   

Plenty to chew over!

 

Some seeds take longer to produce fruit.

Some seeds produce fruit that everyone likes.

Some seeds don't.

 

Some fruit can be quickly digested.

Some take a bit of chewing.

 

You are invited to browse and chew over all that has been sown in Seed 2 since 2015!

 

I hope and pray that you disccover new fruit..be reminded of faithful lasting fruit..and that you don't forget to ask God now and again to help you taste and chew..and share the good stuff!

 

 

Friday 4th September, 2020 

So....the Bible tells us that God sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

He also provides food from this planet for the good and the bad.

Jesus went to a wedding but He also wept at the death of Lazarus.

 

Is suffering - plagues, illnesses, death - to be expected in this life for anyone?

Or should God's People be exempt this side of Heaven??

 

As you chew over this....what is you experience of suffering? 

Who do you know in a place of suffering or illness?

What is your Biblical platform for your beliefs?

 

 

Friday 7th August, 2020

Let me encourage you to do some digging in Seed 2!

 

There have been a few themes since October 2015 to chew over....and I hope you will re-visit one or two in the next few days and chew them over....with God, the Master Gardener.

 

A pen, some paper and a Bible might help you in the chewing.....

 

 

 

Friday 10th July, 2020

So.....verses 37-45 of Psalm 18......

37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
    I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
38 I crushed them so that they could not rise;
    they fell beneath my feet.
39 You armed me with strength for battle;
    you humbled my adversaries before me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
    and I destroyed my foes.
41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
    to the Lord, but he did not answer.
42 I beat them as fine as windblown dust;
    I trampled them[f] like mud in the streets.
43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;
    you have made me the head of nations.
People I did not know now serve me,
44     foreigners cower before me;
    as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.
45 They all lose heart;
    they come trembling from their strongholds.

 

Something to chew over.........your enemies? your adversaries? your attacks?

 

Where has life been an uphill struggle?

Where has God won a victory?

Where is there a battle happening that God can triumph?

 

 

Friday 12th June, 2020

So here we are back with Habakkuk....an Old Testament prophet from about 626BC we are told.

He has been in my mind so much recently...especially as the news reports have rolled in over the last couple of weeks...

 

He said to God....."How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?" and also "Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?" 

 

Amazing really how things do not change over the years.

Human history seems to repeat itself over and over..and over and over..

 

So as we ponder it all....past and present situations....who is really to blame?

Is there such a thing as Sin in men and women of all ages??

Is there a God out there to whom we can call on??

 

Something to chew over....as we reach out to taste the next Seed....

 

 

Friday 15th May, 2020 

I love Habakkuk.

He is a prophet from yesteryear and has a book in the Old Testament.

 

He was so honest with God. He complained to God.

He struggled with what he saw happening around him in his day.

 

So...I wonder....if you were to speak with God face-to-face right now and He asked you is there anything you wanted to complain to Him about at this time........would you?

 

But also note.....Habakkuk said he was prepared to wait for God to answer and he would seek out His reply to his complaint.

 

So....after you and I have complained....will we wait and allow God to answer us?

 

And will we thank Him for what He says to us........

 

 

Wednesday 8th April, 2020

 

So.......as you continue to consider all that the news channels and social media are saying to you in these uncertain times.......take a moment again to stop and ask yourself....... 'Where is God in all of this??'

 

 

And then ask Him!

 

Did You know it was all going to happen?

 

How are You helping us all at this time?

 

What are You saying to us in these days??

 

 

..........and as you chew it all over......expect an answer or two!

 

 

 

Friday 20th March, 2020

 

What is He saying to us all in these days??

So.......as you consider all that the news channels and social media are saying to you in these strange times.......take a moment to pause and ask yourself....... 'Where is God in all of this??'

 

Did He know it was going to happen?

 

How is He helping us at this time?

 

What is He saying to us all in these days??

 

 

 

Saturday 11th January, 2020

So.....if you own a Bible.....which version is it?

Why that one?

 

If you own a few versions.....which one do you use most often?

Why?

 

If you were to recommend a version to someone else.....which one?

Why??

 

 

Thursday 28th November, 2019

So......the nativity scene......noisy or silent??

 

But..here's something to chew over......the innkeeper.......what did he really think of it all?

If you could ask him ONE question..what would it be?? 

 

What do you really think of all the events and decorations and people who will attend celebrations of the CHRISTmas time??

 

 

Monday 23rd September, 2019

Do you have a favourite place to go to??

A garden bench?

A bookshop?

A beach?

 

Now....reach for a Bible....and read Psalm 84.....the psalmist's favourite place to be?

 

Friday 16th August, 2019

It might not be something you think on much.....but at the end of life....

Heaven or Hell for you??

 

Do you know?

Are you sure?

 

What about others around you?

 

Is there a discussion you need to have?

 

It's something to chew over.....

 

 

Friday 5th July, 2019

W W J D

what would Jesus do

W W J S

what would Jesus say

W W J G

where would Jesus go

 

something to pause over before you act?

 

 

Friday 7th June, 2019

Thy Kingdom Come.

Just words or something more?

Where?

How?

When?

Just in the Bible or somewhere else?

Who?

When?

What?

Just for others or somehow for you?

Or others?

On earth?

As it is in heaven?

Really??

 

Thy Kingdom Come

Just words or something more

 

 

 

Friday 10th May, 2019   

And so.....Brexit and Brussels and Westminster et al go on and on....

As you consider whatever the rest of May will bring us politically, where do you put your vote for God to be in charge really??

If you could ask Him one question about it all right now...what would it be?

 

 

Friday 12th April, 2019  -  Disturb us at Easter 

 

Once more I retrun to the prayer below by Francis Drake.

Easter has become Spring.

Easter eggs and all things Spring are on display.

 

The rough, ugly cross of Golgotha has been smoothed down.

 

As you ponder Holy Week and all that Jesus said and did over 2,000 years ago....are you prepared to be disturbed?

What is the most disturbing part of the Easter events for you?

Where would you not have been willing to be a bystander?

 

Do we really want the God of the agonising Cross to disturb our Spring break?

 

 

Friday 15th March, 2019  -   is Lent a disturbing time for you?

Disturb Us, Lord

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, 
When our dreams have come true 
Because we have dreamed too little, 
When we arrived safely 
Because we sailed too close to the shore. 

Disturb us, Lord, when 
With the abundance of things we possess 
We have lost our thirst 
For the waters of life; 
Having fallen in love with life, 
We have ceased to dream of eternity 
And in our efforts to build a new earth, 
We have allowed our vision 
Of the new Heaven to dim. 

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, 
To venture on wider seas 
Where storms will show Your mastery; 
Where losing sight of land, 
We shall find the stars. 
We ask You to push back 
The horizons of our hopes; 
And to push into the future 
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

(attributed to Sir Francis Drake -1577)
 

 

Tuesday 12th February, 2019

When the 2,000,000+ Israelites crossed the Red Sea - from Egypt to the Promised Land - the River Jordan was apparantly stopped 30 miles away to allow time and space for them all to cross.....

When you try to imagine the scene (worth a read in the early chapters of the book of Joshua) what

do you notice first? what sounds come to mind? what do the faces of the people look like as they stepped off the river bank???  what did they talk about as they looked back from the other riverbank?

 

Friday 5th January, 2019

So.....Jesus said in John 14 verse 6 that He is the Way to God, the Truth and the Life....

So.....in 2019.....which way does Jesus want to take you?  what truths does He want to teach you?

what aspect of His abundant, eternal, joyful life will He give to you this year?

So.........what will 2019 bring for you and Jesus?    what are your goals with Him for this year?

Some things to chew over.......

 

Friday 30th November, 2018

I love Christmas carols!!

But.....when I sing Away in a Manger...and I come to the line 'no crying he makes' I have a problem.

I think he did.

He was a baby.
Babies cry because they are babies and have needs.

Jesus was a baby and had baby-needs.

 

No crying he made?? 

 

 

Friday 2nd November, 2018

Last weekend saw one tragedy after another...........a murderous atrocity at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.......a helicopter crash at Leicester City FC......a grim aeroplane tragedy at Jakarta, Indonesia.......why oh why??!!

Let me encourage you to open a Bible.....find the book of Habakkuk....and sit down with God and tell Him exactly how you feel and what you think about such events in our world.............and wait for Him to explain a bit more of His purposes.....or not......He might just want you to wait.....to believe and trust in Him.....

 

Friday 5th October, 2018

Well...3 years in and Seed 2 will give you plenty to chew over!

 

Jesus said......never easy to digest

In Christ Jesus.......mmmmm!

Heaven and Hell........definitely never easy to digest!!

 

Dig and taste (again) and may your chewing over these seeds fill you to overflowing!

 

 

Saturday 8th September Heaven and Hell?

There is a common thought that all good people will be allowed into Heaven and very bad people are heading for Hell. We don’t really talk about it do we?

And we certainly put down preachers who do!

 

The question is…who decides…and on what basis.

 

Interestingly Jesus never shirked the issue – have a look at Matthew 26.

 

So….when you have a few minutes….have a chew over it all…….and make sure you know which one you’re heading for…..and those you know and love.....

 

 

Thursday 12th July.

In Luke chapter 18 Jesus was travelling and was near to Jericho.

He met a blind beggar sitting at the roadside.

Jesus asks him...."What do you want me to do for you?"

The man replied...."I want to see again."

Jesus did just that!

 

Imagine it all.

 

Now sit somewhere....and let Jesus draw near....hear his question to you.

"What do you want me to do for you?"

 

Give him your honest answer.

 

And expect an answer - in word or deed!

 

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In Christ Jesus  -  Introduction

 

Some 37 years ago this phrase became a lightbulb moment for me.

I didn’t remember coming across it much before – and yet it is there in the Bible….a fair bit!

Very soon after, Colin Urquhart’s book of the same title was published and it was added to my bookshelves.

In Christ Jesus has stayed with me – sometimes nearer – sometimes on the horizon – and has often been the words used by the Holy Spirit to nudge and prompt and challenge and remind and discipline me.

As we enter into this topic together, I hope and pray that the truths rooted in the Bible will come alive for you – for the first time or as a timely reminder – and that the Spirit of God will do a new thing in our souls in these days.

I am not endeavouring to present everything the Bible says on this great subject – so please dig around a little bit more as the Spirit leads you!

 

In Christ Jesus is not just a phrase or a book title – it is a status.

Is it yours?

 

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10.     ONE  IN CHRIST

 

Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 2 vs 11-22  leave us in no doubt that the disciples of Jesus, His followers, the Church are seen by God Himself as One – and this oneness is to be evidenced in and to the world as well as each other.

 

One Church.

One Lord.

One Saviour.

Uniting all who believe in Him.

All.

 

Biblical fact.

 

Oh how we shoot ourselves in the foot so many times as a Church.

How we must hurt our Lord, the Head of the Church.

How we could do so much together in our communities, in our towns and cities, in this world of ours.

 

In Jesus’ name.

In Jesus’ place.

In Jesus’ Church.

 

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.   Ephesians 2 verses 18-22

 

 

Thursday 10th May, 2018

¹⁶ For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.......... John 3 verses 16 and 17

 

Let me invite you now to listen to a song from Hillsong in Australia - God so Loved - just follow the link below please!

https://youtu.be/E7i6c54KEfc

 

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9.        For All  -  Romans 11

 

Jewish

Non-Jewish

Europeans

Africans

Americans

Asians

White

Black

Brown

Religious

Non-religious

Men

Women

Young

Old

Employed

Unemployed

Healthy

Sick

Married

Single

Parent

Child

 

All.

 

God’s mercy to Israel, His chosen people.

Salvation offered to non-Jews through Christ Jesus’ sacrifice.

God’s mercy for all people of all nations to be His chosen people.

 

You

Me

Your family and friends

My neighbours

 

Everyone.

 

Amazing grace to all

For all who believe and trust and receive

In Christ Jesus

 

Today

Tomorrow

Until Christ returns.

 

Romans chapter 11.

 

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8.         LOVED -     Romans 8 verses 31-39

 

In Christ Jesus has so many dimensions – past, present and future.

 

However, covering them all is the perfect, wonderful, amazing Love of God.

 

And nothing – NOTHING – is greater than that.

 

Read these verses and put your situation, circumstance or person you are concerned about into the verses.

 

God’s love is not thwarted.

God’s love is not reduced.

God’s love is not defeated.

 

Because of Jesus.

Because God gave His only Son to suffer and die.

Because if God did that then He is on our side!

 

Above and beyond all that life contains and throws our way – God is.

God is there for us.

God is there working for us.

God is there with His eternal timetable.

God is there loving us.

 

Romans 8 verses 31-39.

Full of God’s love.

 

In Christ Jesus.

Loved yesterday, today and forever. 

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7.    Future Glory  -  Romans 8 verses 18-30

 

THE BEST IS STILL TO COME!!

 

And all Creation is waiting!!

 

Great words in these verses from Paul as we realise that this world is not the final word. The new heaven and the new earth of the book of Revelation at the end of the New Testament will happen!

 

And the can of worms has been well and truly opened now.

 

What? When? How? Where?

 

Sorry – but this is where faith comes into play – as we wait and trust and hope.....without all the specific answers!

 

Grab a Bible – and ponder over verse 22.  Creation is certainly struggling around us. It is hurting.

Look at verse 25.  The seen and the unseen.  Patience patience!

 

And of course verse 28.  God is working FOR those of His in Christ Jesus.

 

And amongst all these verses – the Spirit within and around and active.

 

I know.

There is so much to take in here.  There is so much we still don't know!

 

I will leave you with your open Bible – and your thoughts – and the reality that God is at work above and beyond all we can understand in this life.

Our challenge is to trust and hope – or not.

 

We may be struggling with the world around us, with our weakness or with the circumstances of someone else known to us.

Let me encourage you to dig around in these verses and hold fast to the God of Romans 8 – for now and for the future – and to let the Spirit transport our sighs and questions and groans to Father God.

 

And if you are aware that you are in Christ Jesus – there is yet time for you to reach out and trust and believe and receive and have this hope of the best that is still to come!

 

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6.    Father God

 

Oh I love a good group hug!

Support and strength and love.

 

In Christ Jesus means that we have a Divine Group Hug!

 

God brings the believer into the Family Circle – real close.

 

God has become our Father God and in Romans chapter 8 verse 15 this is no remote, stern, unloving God.  He is Abba. Dad.

 

And God makes sure we know it by putting His own Spirit into the believer.

Look at verse 16…… as well as John 3 and Galatians 5.

 

In John chapters 15-17 we catch a glimpse of the close relationship between Jesus and Father God. It has been going on since before the world was made! Jesus is only concerned about pleasing His Father and doing His will.

BUT He wants others to share in it all.

He is praying for those who have become part of the Divine Group Hug and for those who would come after in the future – and that includes me and you!!  

 

So today, now as you read these words…..who is God to you?

Do you need God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit to make themselves known to you?  Do you need them to draw you real close?    Do you need Father God to pick you up, dust you down and give you good gifts?

 

Maybe you just need to pause….and talk with Father God right now……

Go on…..He’s listening…….He really is the best Abba Dad ever!

 

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5.    Life in the Spirit

 

 Romans 8 vs 1-17 is where we find ourselves next as we consider the truth and riches of being In Christ Jesus.

 

It is a work of amazing grace by God Himself.

It is a change of spiritual nature – because of what Jesus did and who He is.

It is a change of ownership and means becoming a slave to what is good and right.

 

(Worth a re-read of Romans 1-7 at this point?)

 

And God ensures His work of saving grace will not come to nothing.

He gives to every person in Christ Jesus the Holy Spirit to live within.

To live = to move in and take up residence and influence the makeover from the inside out so that Jesus shines out and others see this treasure in jars of clay!

 

It is by the Spirit that the Christian is born again (remember Jesus’ words in John chapter 3?).

It is by the Spirit that the life of God in Christ Jesus is breathed inward.

It is the Spirit who enables and empowers and equips the believer.

It is the Spirit who makes us more and more like Jesus.

It is the Spirit we are to keep in step with.

 

It is the Spirit who does all this and much more!

 

It is this Spirit that Paul wrote about in these verses in Romans.

 

It is this Spirit who brings alive Christ Jesus within us!

It is this Spirit who causes lasting fruit to grow from the inside out as we live for Jesus day by day!

 

It is this Spirit who prompts and nudges us.

 

Romans 8 verses 1-17 cannot be read in a hurry – and as you do what is the Spirit saying to you person-to-person?

 

Is there a gift He has for you this Advent and Christmas time?   

 

 

 

4.       SLAVES!    -    Romans 6

 

It is most probably not the image we would choose to describe following Jesus.

It is not the most positive image of being a Christian.

 

However it is how Paul writes in verses 15-23 in this chapter of Romans and by verse 23 you can see it is not all negative!

 

Slavery was very common in Paul’s day and so the concept would be well understood – especially in Rome.

A slave has a Master – or Mistress – and does what they say and command.

The well being of the lord or lady is paramount.

Slaves do not look out for their own success in life.

 

Up to this point Paul has shown that we are all slaves by nature – to sin.

We do not naturally live to please our Creator and Father God.

 

But then – as the earlier words in chapter 6 show – Christ Jesus sets us free when we believe and trust in Him – look again at verses 10 and 11.

 

Sin is therefore not the ruling force in a Christian.

 

But – enter verse 15.

This does not mean we can live as we choose now.

 

Verse 16.

The person set free in Christ Jesus now owes God everything – and it is a totally different kind of slavery.

It is a slavery of gratitude.

It is a slavery of doing right.

It is a slavery of pleasing God.

It is a slavery of growing to be like Jesus.

It is a slavery that results in eternal freedom!

Verse 23.

 

Slavery in Christ Jesus – oh tis a good thing!

 

How say you?

Slave or free in your life?

Sinfulness or godliness?

In Christ Jesus or not?

 

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Friday 13th October, 2017 

At this particular time in life for me, let me take you back to the first seed planted here in this section....   Soul Searching

 

In the book of Psalms the writer, one of God’s own people, maybe/maybe-not David, is not in a good place.

He is caught between a rock and a very hard place. His soul is not at peace. Nope, not at all.

There are tears. There are memories of good times in the past.

He starts to search his own soul, pouring out all he finds there.

He knows only too well how he is, how he really is.

And so does God.

 

You know, every so often that’s not a bad thing to do.

Sometimes rough times do make us sit down and cry.

Sometimes there are memories – good and bad – that return our way.

Sometimes we need a good talking-to from ourselves.

Sometimes we need to let God do the talking however.

 

Psalms 42 and 43 record the psalmist’s honest soul-searching.

Grab a Bible and have a look, or read the words online.

 

In his book Your God is Too Safe Mark Buchanan asks some direct questions.

Some of us don’t cope well when people do that to us.

I think, however, we all need it from time to time.

On one page he asks what is it that really stirs us in our deep places or makes us rise and soar to the heights?  What comes immediately to mind?  Family?  Football team?  Food?  Fashion?  Church?  Jesus?

 

And then he asks is it what God is concerned about?

 

That’s the soul-searching question that gets the home run, that hits the bulls-eye in one throw.

 

I couldn’t avoid the question. I am still trying to answer it to be honest.

And yet deep down I know somehow that when I get that one right, the other pieces of the jig-saw will fit in together and even the rough times will have their place in my life.

 

So what’s this soul-searching all about?

Well….why not give it a try and see where it takes you.

 

Take some time over the next few days and give yourself a soul-temperature-check.   

Why not feed on the two psalms.     Ask yourself deep questions. 

Let tears flow. Let memories return.

Let God, your Creator God, speak with you deep to deep above all.

 

I have no doubt that when we put our hope fully in the Living God He will not pass us by and then we can truly sing that ‘It is well with my soul’,

 

Why not start a journal for your soul searching?

Or maybe share with another that you’re starting this journey?

Your God is Too Safe is well worth tracking down too!

However, Psalms 42 and 43 may be all you need….

with a little help from God

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Friday 22nd September, 2017

This Seed started with a flavour of Soul Living and then Jesus said.... and is now looking at In Christ Jesus. Do any of these draw you in for a further tasting session?

Could your soul benefit from a re-visiting below?   (How is your soul these days?)

Should you take time to consider again what Jesus said?   (Always a good idea!!)

Would you describe yourself as being in Christ Jesus?   (Would others??)

 

I'll leave Seed 2 for your tasting afresh.........

 

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3.     Dead or Alive  - Theory and Practice  -   Romans 6

 

It is time to return to Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Romans chapter 6.

Verse 11 says….. ‘In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.’

 

If you are a follower of Jesus, a person in Christ Jesus, then you know the struggle with sin is a life-long struggle.  You may think that if the grace of God is available then it is okay to sin because God will forgive me anyway.

 

Look at verses 1 and 2.

 

And then verses 5-10 seem to be saying it is all a future thing? The Christian will only be free from sin after death?

 

But verse 22 talks about it being a done deal – ‘…..you have been set free from sin’.

 

Oh how I wish I never failed God as His child.

How I wish that from the moment I became an ‘in-Christ-Jesus-person’ the weaknesses and failings and sins all stopped!

 

Theoretically they did!

 

That is what Paul is saying here in Romans 6!

 

And the theory has to be put into practice!

 

‘…count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (the theory) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires (the practice).’      Verses 11 and 12.

 

The person who is in Christ Jesus has to have a mind that understands the theory of being in Christ Jesus.

The person who is in Christ Jesus has to have a lifestyle that mirrors the theory!

 

It is one thing to know the theory behind driving a vehicle – it is another thing to get behind the steering wheel and put the theory into practice!

Paul is saying that Christians need to know that being in Christ means what He did and accomplished is what God applies and confers to each and every Christian.

Look at verses 3 and 4…..5 and 8 and 9 and 10.

In Christ Jesus means that the victory over sin achieved by Him is applied to every person.

If you and I are in Christ Jesus – by faith – by God’s amazing grace – then that dying to sin, that victory over sin now, that future hope is ours!

And we need to get our minds around that!

 

Because – if it is so – then when we count ourselves already dead to sin we will choose to live for God with our whole beings – body, mind and spirit, serving Him, His good and righteous ways.

Look at verses 15-18….and verse 22!

 

Oh there is a lot to consider here.

But – the problem is sometimes we consider the theory too much and neglect the practice – or even sometimes we are trying to practise the theory before dying to sin in Christ Jesus. We cannot achieve anything by ourselves.  We need God’s help – theoretically and practically.  He alone can change us from the inside out – from now until for ever in Christ Jesus!

 

So – I think a read again of Romans chapter 6 – slowly and thoughtfully and prayerfully would be a good thing – and as the Holy Spirit nudges you be ready to learn and understand the theory and to put it all into practice.

 

 

I hope and pray that you will either move from death to life in Christ Jesus for the first time – or move up a gear as you undergo a refresher course.

 

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Summer exercise III  -   Ephesus In Christ Jesus?

 

So….here’s something else to help pass away those summer days.

Grab a Bible – or have a look online – having a notebook handy might prove helpful - and open up the letter from Paul to the Church at Ephesus – the New Testament book of EPHESIANS.

 

Now have a look for every time ‘in Christ Jesus’ or ‘in Christ’ is mentioned…

 

….and take time out to revisit those references more slowly in the days that follow.

 

I think you’ll be surprised and encouraged and challenged and not disappointed at all you discover!

 

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Summer exercise II  -   Corinth In Christ Jesus?

 

So….here’s something else to help pass away those summer days.

Grab a Bible – or have a look online – having a notebook handy might prove helpful - and open up the first letter to the Corinthians from Paul.

 

Now have a look for every time ‘in Christ Jesus’ or ‘in Christ’ is mentioned…

 

….and take time out to revisit those references more slowly in the days that follow.

 

I think you’ll be surprised and encouraged and challenged and not disappointed at all you discover!

 

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Summer exercise  -   Romans In Christ Jesus?

 

So….here’s something to help pass away those summer days.

Grab a Bible – or have a look online – having a notebook handy might prove helpful - and open up the letter to the Romans from Paul.

 

Now have a look for every time ‘in Christ Jesus’ or ‘in Christ’ is mentioned…

….and take time out to revisit those references more slowly.

 

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed at all you discover!

 

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Friday 2nd June, 2017

'Exalted to the right hand  of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.'           Acts 2 verse 33

 

Christ Jesus blessings - for all in Christ Jesus - from Father God - the Holy Spirit poured out!

 

Now there's something very wonderful to consider and pray over in these days........

 

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 2.   In Adam – In Christ    -    Romans 5

 

‘Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.’

Romans 5 verse 1 from the New Living Translation

 

‘We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand – out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.’

Romans 5 verse 2 from The Message

 

Good News.

Bad News.

 

In Adam – In Christ.

 

Paul writing Romans chapter 5.

 

There are times in life that I have wanted to hear the good news first. There are times that I have wanted the bad news to be then tempered by the good.

 

Paul has painted a grim picture earlier on in his letter to the Romans, as part of our New Testament.

Everyone – every human being – falls short of God’s righteous standard. We do wrong in his eyes = we sin = we cannot receive eternal life and blessings, starting in this life now and we face His judgment, guilty.

 

BUT – however – therefore because of God Himself at work in and through Christ Jesus there is outrageous hope – forgiveness – life on offer!

 

And so Romans 5 verse 1 is GOOD news!

ALL who are IN Christ Jesus, having put their faith and trust in what He has done, are accepted by God, have peace with God and then all His gracious benefits are given.

 

Go on – read on – verses 1-11 are full of GOOD news!!

 

For all those who are In Christ Jesus.

If you have just taken the step of believing – then it is all yours in Christ!

If you have been on the road of faith for many a year – it is all still yours in Christ Jesus!

If you are swimming upstream (verses 3-5) – with faith in Jesus as your armband – then it is STILL all yours in Him!!

 

In Christ Jesus is the best place to be = peace and love and joy and hope and forgiveness and strength and SO much more.  As Christians there are times we need to get our head around this – and believe it – and claim it – and live it.

 

‘..just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men…’

Romans 5 verse 12 in the New International Version

 

‘For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners….’

Romans 5 verse 19 in the New International Version

 

 The bad news.

 

We can all point the finger at Adam. It is his fault. He started it all.

True.

But the remaining fingers point back to us.

 

In Adam is where we all start.

It is where the human story began.

It is where sin starts its journey in every person.

 

And before we get too worked up about blaming Adam – can any of us say we don’t get it wrong. Have any of us never done wrong – wrong in God’s eyes? Do we not sin very regularly – and therefore stand guilty before a perfectly righteous God? None of us have an excuse – Adam or not.  A football team may lose as a result of a goalkeeper’s error – but the whole team are on the losing side and the whole club suffer.

 

In Adam we are on the losing side.

Each and all of us.

 

BUT verse 19 continues  ‘…so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.’ 

 

IN CHRIST JESUS = in and through this one man the whole picture changes. He is God’s perfect substitute for you and me! He scored the winning goal!!  And everyone who believes in what He did for them personally changes sides!

 

Now verses 1-11 are a reality for all in Christ Jesus.

Now read Ephesians chapter 1!! ?

 

Which side are you on?  

 

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 1.    God’s Rich Plan   -   Ephesians 1

 

The bulk of our topics will look at what Paul said to the Romans, but it would be wrong of me not to start in Ephesians chapter 1 – after all it is where the Bible tells us it all began!  So grab a Bible – and let’s dig!

3 times in the New International Version Paul mentions ‘in him’ and 5 times ‘in Christ’ in these 23 verses….as well as ‘in the One he loves’ and ‘through Jesus Christ’ once each.

Something very significant has happened, is happening and will happen in Christ Jesus.

 

Well, what does the phrase mean?

A Christian is ‘a in Christ’ person.

By God’s saving grace, by faith, each Christian, each believer in Jesus, each disciple of His is now seen by God as a in Christ person. God sees each one through Jesus.  (We will unpack this more next time - Romans chapter 5 if you can’t wait.)

In fact God sees each believer in Jesus as someone who is now in Christ Jesus and what Christ has done and won is transferred to the believer. We are in Christ Jesus as far as God is concerned…….and that means all the blessings and benefits of His are ours! All of them!!

 

Now read Ephesians 1!!

 

God had a rich, rich plan and He worked it out in and through Christ Jesus ‘before the creation of the world’, ‘in love’, ‘in accordance with his pleasure and will’ and ‘you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth’.

 

But we are sinners!? How can this be??

 

‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.’

 

I love these verses.

The One who has won all the benefits for me before God is the One who paid the ransom price for me.

God did all this willingly and purposefully…..lavishingly….not reluctantly!

 

And so Paul prays in verses 15-23 that the Christians in Ephesus might know and understand their status in Christ Jesus and ALL that He has won for them. This is not a legal change of status in heaven’s ledgers.

This is a wonderful reality that begins on earth and continues on into the future.

‘I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.’

 

Oh Christian!  All this is ours in Christ Jesus!  Awake and know!

 

God’s rich plan was planned out.

God’s rich plan was worked out.

God’s rich plan is being worked out.

God’s rich plan will be worked out.

 

Read Ephesians 1 again!

 

Oh there is much to unpack in the coming issues – but do you see it? Can you grasp all that God has done for you? Will you claim and receive all that Jesus has won for you?

 

Are you a in Christ person to begin with?

 

Are you living as a in Christ person?

 

Are you giving praise ‘to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ’?

 

Surely Ephesians 1 is worth one more read………

 

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Friday 31st March, 2017  .............Lent can provide us with a timely opportunity to do some soul searching.......So let me invite you to scroll down someway to the start of this Seed - and re-visit Soul Searching...Soul Wars and Soul Deep......and take time-out with God this season of Lent.

 

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JESUS SAID.....

 

14............. GO!

 

Final Words can be so important.

They can be the words that the leaving person want to be remembered the most….the words they want the hearer to consider over again….and usually to act upon.

 

According to Matthew, in his Gospel, this word GO was among the last words Jesus spoke to His disciples on earth before returning to His Father in heaven.

 

GO and make and baptise and teach!

 

In our church at the moment we are considering the difference between being ‘attractional’ and ‘missional’ and the big difference is in this word GO.

 

Many companies nowadays have a Mission Statement……and this is often displayed on annual reports and/or at a reception desk or somewhere at the head office! However, sometimes these statements are more about values than being ‘missional’ sadly (although this word does take some searching for in a dictionary I discovered).

 

Matthew and Luke, at the start of his 2^nd NT writings – Acts, make it very clear that Jesus’ disciples were not just to have this inner value of being missional – they were TO GO ABOUT MISSION – right where they were, and in the surrounding city and country AND into the wider world.

 

GOING was and is not an optional extra for a Jesus-follower.

 

GOING is as important to Jesus as the command to Love and Forgive, so much so that He promised the Holy Spirit would be with them before and during this mission…and that isn’t always mentioned with other commands – so there is something very special about Jesus’ words at the end of Matthew 28 and in Acts 1.

 

And since then…the Church has gone – with a clear sense of purpose.

Great missionary societies have been born.

Humble and faithful servants have gone and have sacrificed their lives in Jesus’ name.

Activities have begun in church buildings and schools and offices to reach out to others.

Individuals have gone and stood on street corners and declared the Good News of Jesus.

People like you and me have taken the God-given-opportunity and spoken to a neighbour, a colleague, a family member, a friend or even a complete stranger about our Lord.

 

And it isn’t over yet.

 

When you consider this command by Jesus what is your reaction? your response? your longing? your fear?  Is there a God-moment here for you?

Right where you are? In your town or city? In your country?

Or somewhere in the wider world?

 

Being attractional as a Christian is a good thing!

Being missional is a step better I would have to say.

 

I must answer for myself and how I put this command into practice – daily. And it is a timely challenge for me.

 

But I would encourage you, challenge you, as to how this small word GO fits into your Christian living – daily, weekly, monthly – and how you will respond to the final part of this Seed…..JESUS SAID…..

 

And don’t forget – we don’t go alone!!  (Acts 1 and all that)

 

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13...................Forgive them

 

Words spoken on a rough, ugly cross of wood.

 

Words spoken about those who had put Him there.

 

Words said to His Father.

 

If Jesus spoke them there…….

how can I choose who and when and where I forgive others?

 

If Jesus spoke them then…….

what right have I not to forgive others who hurt me now?

 

If God has forgiven me…….

I will want to forgive others.

 

 

I am quietened by the scene.

 

I am reminded of those I have not forgiven.

 

I am humbled before my Father God.

 

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12.     ......Just like this

 

It happened in an ordinary house in an ordinary room.

It was completely extraordinary what happened however.

 

The Master became the Servant.

 

And His followers were never to forget what He did, what He said and what happened in that upper room when he took a basin, some water, a towel, bread and wine.

Jesus washed their feet.

Jesus broke some bread that was on the table and broke it.

Jesus took some wine in a cup and gave it a completely new meaning.

Jesus said that they were to do the same and really serve each other.

Jesus said they were to remember what he did…..always.

Jesus said it was to be just like this……….

 

The thought of anyone washing my feet……aagh no thanks!!

 

Even Jesus?

Even one of his followers?

 

It makes you stop and think……..

But more than that?

I could do something today for someone else………

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Saturday 31st December, 2016..........

Jesus said a lot of things that left many, many people thinking.......

Let me invite you to re-read a few of them below....and ponder over one or two in particular as 2017 starts.......

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11.      ............I will come back

 

Advent!

Jesus did come to earth – as a baby – to be Saviour for all.

Jesus will come again – as returning King of kings.

 

Two sides to the one coin.

 

His own words in John 14 verse 3 say ‘I will come back again’.

There are numerous references to His coming again in the Bible, in His own words, in the words of His followers and in the words of angels……Acts 1 verses 10 and 11 for example.

The last book of the Bible, Revelation, is a glorious vision of all that will happen at and after that event. Read the last chapter of the Bible!

 

Our response?

 

This morning I read Luke 12 verses 35-48. It was the reading set for our church’s daily devotional and it is a passage about being watchful for the master’s return.

 

Jesus has promised He will come back.

The Spirit confirms it from the lives and teachings of the New Testament.

 

You and I are called to be ever-ready and our reaction to His return will say it all.  Are we dreading it? Are we looking forward to seeing Him? Are we expecting His return – at any time – or ‘not yet, Lord’? Are our lives ready for His close inspection? Are we encouraging others to be ready?

 

Or are we so taken up with the tinsel and baubles and presents and each other and even ‘church life and work’ that we will be caught out?

 

It’s a thought that really does put everything else into perspective………..

 

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10.     Come to me

Right now… as you read this… where would you say you are in relationship with Jesus? Do you believe and trust in Him? Are you walking close to Him or are you a fair way back from Him? Is He in your line of sight or can you not see Him at all?   Be honest……after all He knows where you are exactly.

 

I had a conversation with someone recently on our Alpha course. He did not believe that he was close enough to Jesus at all in a living relationship. He did say however that Jesus and he were at eyeball-to-eyeball and one of them would have to blink first.

During that event, he blinked first and moved so much closer to Jesus.

 

Only once Jesus says Come to me…in Matthew 11 verse 28. We may know these words well but that does not mean we are close to Jesus. Look at verse 25….and be humbled. Knowledge and learning does not mean believing and trusting and walking closely with Jesus!

 

Verse 27 tells us that Jesus is in a unique place.

As the Son of God He alone knows and receives from God the Father.

 

Therefore…verse 28.

 

There is no-one else like Him.

God alone, through Jesus, can give us rest for our soul.

Learning from Him we can hand over our burdens, our guilt, our weaknesses and He gives us a lightness for our souls – that I want more and more!

 

As I write these words, I am sitting in the study and am challenged afresh to hand over to Him those issues, those people, those situations ahead that have been and could be weighing me down…..and I am reaching out to Him, to receive from Him……

 

Let me encourage you, dear reader, to pause….and reach out to Jesus.

Come to Him….however near or far away you consider Him to be.

Yes come right up to Him, with your burdens.

He will not turn you away but will take all the time you need.

 

And receive from Him……

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Saturday 29th October 2016........Let me encourage you to have a look below at the Jesus said....section.   Is there something that causes you to pause and ponder?  Why?  What is God saying to you from the comments?         Have you shared what Jesus said with someone else?

 

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Friday 14th October, 2016......Let me invite you to scroll down and re-read the Introduction to Soul Living.....and then re-read Soul Searching.....spending time with God afterwards me-thinks would be good?

----

 

Seed 2 now moves on.....from Soul Living to Jesus Said.....

 

Lasting Fruit came about because of what Jesus was saying to me and what He specifically said one Tuesday morning through another believer and through His words spoken many years ago to those first disciples…written down by John.

Jesus said many many things.

Lives have been changed ever since over the years!

 

This section is not an exhaustive list.

It is but a look at fourteen things He did say and I hope you will ponder His words – for the first time or not – more than any of my words. They are life-changing in so many ways.

 

I know that I struggle at times with what Jesus said and says to me…..so you are not alone.

But, please, read on and take time with Jesus, listening carefully, asking Him to clarify by the Holy Spirit’s guidance and doing what He is calling you to…..because He will.

--------------------

 9.   Woe to you

Not everything Jesus said was good and pleasant.

There were some sayings and teachings that were directly heavy and hard and  clearly judgmental in tone and NOT to everyone’s liking – at all. Verdict and sentence were pronounced as one by Him and His authority was often questioned…..although many recognised He did speak with a mandate that was not of this world.

He did stand against the religious hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders – openly condemning them.

He did say that not everybody is going to enjoy heaven with Father God….in fact not everyone will get into heaven!

 

It is teaching like this that turns many people away from Jesus, God and Christianity.

 

We all need to make our mind up about Jesus.

And about what he said.

After all, who of us can cherry pick and select just to accept and follow only what we like He said? What right have we to do that?

 

Rather we need to ask the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us and help us understand those tough and difficult teachings that came from Jesus, Son of Man and Son of God after all…..

 

So…..let me leave you reaching for your Bible and Matthew 11 verses 20-24; 21 verses 23-27; 22 verses 23-33; and chapters 23 and 24.

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Friday 16th September, 2016........Let me invite you to share something that Jesus said.....with someone else......today!     Have a prayerful think.......ask Him who He wants you to share what with....

Fruitful blessings!

----------

Let me take you back to what Jesus said a few issues back……1…..3…..and 6

The ALPHA course is all about meeting with Jesus and asking any question they want about Him, His teachings, His Church, the world..…and themselves.

 

Let me invite you to re-read 1 again here…..and to ponder where you are in relation to Jesus.

Let me invite you to re-read 3 again here…..and to ask Him anything!!

Let me invite you to re-read 6 again here…..and to answer His question.

 

Let me encourage you to take time out and meet with Jesus – it will change your life – for ever.

====

8.    Once upon a time……

I love a good story.

It takes a lot to beat a good book or a good film for me.

 

In Jesus’ day there weren’t that many books around for people to buy or films to watch.

 

Story-telling was an art however and the Jews were great for passing on one story after another to one generation after another.

 

Jesus loved a good story.

He told a lot to those who gathered around him – in small groups or larger ones, in houses or out in the open spaces.

 

Half-way through Matthew’s gospel we find Jesus’ parable (story) of the Sower and then there are 5 more such stories in quick succession! Mark starts in chapter 4 and Luke in his chapter 8 – the story of the Sower again. Surprisingly there is a shortage of parables in John’s gospel.

 

Luke records my favourite – the Parable of the Lost Son – in chapter 15.

 

There are stories that sit uncomfortably.

There are stories that make you want to clap and cheer!

There are stories that leave you speechless and wondering – for ages!!

 

This was Jesus’ way of teaching so very often.

Of speaking things eternal and hidden. 

Have a look at Matthew 13 verse 34 and 35.

 

He didn’t always explain the parable!

 

I am sure that many a conversation went on long after Jesus had spoken as one person and another discussed and pondered what they had heard.

 

Let me invite you.

To read through the parables of Matthew or Mark or Luke.

To imagine the scene as Jesus was speaking.

To hear what He was saying then and what He is saying to you all these years later.

 

Once upon a time is not just about a good story……Jesus told these parables – each and every one - for a very good reason.

=====

 

7.      ........FATHER

Controversial!!

Blasphemous!!!

 

For the Jews there was One God and One only….and He was in heaven above. Here is this ‘man’ Jesus saying that He and Father God are one and that He had actually come from God.

The New Testament writers go further and teach how Jesus is God Himself!  WOW!

 

All through His life and three years of ministry Jesus spoke clearly (although not always understood clearly) about His relationship with God. God was Father God. God was eternal and Jesus, Son of God, was part of that eternal Person.

 

At His public baptism a heavenly voice confirmed it.

On occasions Jesus would go away and spend time in prayer and fellowship with His Father God.

In passages like John 14-17 Jesus teaches His disciples about His unique relationship with the Father.

 

And gradually Jesus shows around Him that it was possible to know God as Father, intimately as a child knows their dad.

 

Consider the first line of the Lord’s Prayer……’Our Father in heaven…’

 

Three things to therefore consider:

• Jesus is unique

• Jesus’ teaching is not revoked

• Jesus’ believers are included in this relationship today and forever

   

  It is very clear from the Bible that Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, was and is a very unique Person.

  Can we begin to understand who He is??

  Grab a Bible and read John 17 verses 1-5, Philippians 2 verses 5-11 and Colossians 1 verses 15-23.

  This is Jesus.

   

  At no time has the Father, Son or Holy Spirit appeared and revoked the teaching gave.

  It still stands as being true.

  Therefore Jesus did have a unique relationship while He was on earth with God the Father. He did teach about that and about how men and women of all ages of all nations can come to know God as Father.

  Controversial yes – then – and now – but true.

  So perhaps it is good to re-read Luke 12 verses 22-34 and John 14-17 sometime soon.

   

  However, above and beyond the theory and theology is the living fact that Jesus’ believers are included in this relationship today and forever!

  I can point you to Bible verses and give you good reasons but unless you and I put it into practice it will be meaningless, sadly and totally.

  Jesus came to be ‘the way, the truth and the life’ and the Bible clearly shows (and history confirms it) there is NO OTHER WAY TO GOD THE FATHER. Our sins block the way. We needed someone to come to rescue and save us, to open up the way….and He did! John 3 :16 is not just words – it is what God actually did!

  And so…all that Jesus did and said becomes 100% true for all who believe and trust in Him as God’s Saviour, God’s bridge to heaven, God’s provision of the open door so that we can come to Him, right up to Him, in love and reverence and worship and call Him Father, and talk with Him and listen to Him and ask Him and receive from Him.

   

   

  Is this your God?

   

  If so, enjoy being in this wonderfully rich relationship! And make sure you spend time with Him in adoration, confession, thanksgiving and asking – for yourself and for others!

   

  If not, come to Him now, today through Jesus.  Learn how to Adore Him, confess to Him, thank Him, ask Him.

   

  That’s why Jesus came after all.

========

6.   ........What do you want me to do for you?

What a question!!!

A blank cheque waiting to be filled in…

 

Matthew chapter 20 sets the scene.

So……Jesus and His disciples are leaving the town of Jericho one day with a large crowd on their tails. As they are leaving two blind men are sitting at the edge of the roadway…they hear that this Jesus (Teacher and Miracle Worker) is passing right by them….so they call out to Him!

The crowd told them to shut up! (Lack of compassion somewhat there!)

 

BUT Jesus stops. (Did the disciples expect something miraculous to happen at this point??)

 

And He asks them this question.

A bit obvious perhaps?

 

They answer that they want their sight.   (A bit obvious perhaps??)

 

And He gives them both clear eyesight!

(Oh to have been there in that crowd at that moment!)

 

It is the same Jesus today who will ask you and me that question when we stop Him in our prayers. He is never in a hurry to ignore us.

 

What do we really, really want Him to do for us?

 

Or will we sadly let Him walk past……or even will we tell others to be quiet when they are in need and calling out to Him?

 

Right now….let me encourage you to imagine that scene once more….and to give Jesus your answer…..right now.

 

Sometimes He needs to hear our obvious cry or request.

Sometimes He needs to ask us what we really want Him to do for us……

 

And sometimes He will do the exact opposite of what the crowd are saying.

 

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5.  Obey me

One verse.

One sentence.

Spoken by Jesus.

 

‘If you love me, you will obey what I command’ is how the New International Version brings John 14 verse 15 to our attention.

‘If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you’ is how The Message presents this verse.

 

However we translate it, there is no escaping the meaning.

Loving Jesus = Obeying Jesus.

 

Jesus is saying that if we are serious about following Him, about loving Him then it will be evident in how we live. We will be Jesus-people, people who believe and trust in Jesus and who take His teachings and commands seriously enough to put them into practice each and every day.

No day off.

No excuses.

Obedience is not an option on a Saturday or in summer holidays or on bank holidays.

 

Look at that verse again.

 

How much we obey Jesus = how much we love Him, no matter what we say and do on a Sunday in church worship etc.

 

Oh how I wish sometimes it wasier to be a disciple of Jesus.

Sometimes His teaching, His leading, His way is hard and uphill and I wish I could let Him go on for a bit and I’ll catch up when I’m ready.

 

BUT then Jesus speaks the next sentence!

We don’t have to follow Him in our own strength! He gives us a Helper!

 

There are times it is so much easier to obey an instruction when there is someone with us to encourage and enable us, someone who has the power to give us what we need to complete the task. That Someone is God the Holy Spirit, the Father’s gift to each and every one who believes and trusts in Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

 

Now that tips the scales and with His help obeying Jesus is not such a chore….it is a loving response of faith as we keep in step with the Spirit.

 

Maybe you are struggling with something Jesus is calling you to do, or expecting of you, or something in His Word that is somewhat hard to understand or tough to put into practice.

 

Can I encourage you to take a step back….rest a while with Jesus….and let His Spirit guide and enable you. Trust Him.

 

After all, it is really about loving Jesus and letting our love for Him be seen in how we respond to His teachings.

 

Maybe we need to read the previous section again on what Jesus said……

and take some time-out with Him, telling Him how we feel about His teaching and asking for His help…..again and again…..

======

 

4. Love me

 

“I love you.”

"Do you love me?”

Words that can make or break a relationship.

 

We can say the words sometimes too easily however.

 

In John chapter 14 Jesus is talking to his disciples.

In verses 15 and following he is telling them that their love for him and for Father God cannot just be with words.

Obedience is part of loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

And there is where some of us get unstuck.

 

It is easy to sing love songs on a Sunday at a church service with others around us.

The test of our loving Jesus can be another thing on a Monday morning or a Wednesday afternoon or a Friday evening or all day on a Saturday…..

 

The people of Israel in the Old Testament were given instructions by God, which included Deuteronomy chapters 6-11.  

I read those words again earlier this week. Truly challenging.

God requires that His people love Him wholeheartedly, with all their inner being, with 100% of their strength…..24/7 really.

 

And the amazing thing is that God gives each believer in Christ Jesus His Holy Spirit within to help them achieve this!

 

However, we do get it wrong and give our love elsewhere or just not 100% to the Lord.

 

Simon Peter did just that.

He denied even knowing Jesus, never mind being his disciple.

He did not take the opportunity to say publicly that he loved Jesus, his teacher, his Lord.

 

And so, in John chapter 21, Jesus turns to him and asks him…

“Simon….do you truly love me…?”

“Simon….do you truly love me?”

“Simon….do you love me?”

 

Three times Simon Peter is put on the spot by Jesus!!

 

Three times Jesus asks him the question that will make or break their relationship.

 

Three times Simon Peter has to give an answer to Jesus.

 

I can picture Peter squirming.

I can picture Jesus looking right into Peter.

I can picture Peter knowing what his answer was definitely going to be.

 

Three times he had let Jesus down.

Three times Jesus was reaching out to him.

Three times Peter had to give an answer in front of the other disciples on that shore of the Sea of Tiberias after they had all eaten together with the risen Lord.

 

And so, what Jesus says to us becomes a question.

There is no doubting God’s love for each of us….John 3 verse 16.

There is no doubt Jesus was reaching out to Simon Peter in love. The One betrayed by broken love now offering pardon and commissioning to a great task.

 

This is Jesus.

This is who He is.

This is what He says.

This is what He is asking you and me.

 

Do you love me?

 

Really?

 

How much?

 

Will you do whatever I ask of you?

 

 

I cannot answer for you.

I must give my answer to Jesus……………..again and again.

 

3.  Ask me

 

Go on….ask me!

 

You can imagine the scene…..in a classroom…in an office.

The teacher or the boss invites his/her audience to ask him/her anything……..anything! What an opportunity!

 

Jesus is that Person.

He is doing the inviting.

 

Ask Him.

Ask His Father God.

 

Anything.

Anything!

What an opportunity!!

 

In Matthew chapters 6 and 7 and in John chapter 14 Jesus gives out the invitation to all His disciples.

 

It is a part of praying.

It is having the courageous faith, however small or great, to step up and ask the LORD God, the Lord Jesus, person-to-person.

It is asking the One who is our Perfect Heavenly Father, the One who loves to ‘give good things to those who ask him!’

It is asking anything in Jesus’ name that will bring glory to His Father. That is what Jesus is supremely hoping to gain through our prayerful requests – that His Father’s kingdom come, His will is done. And somehow, our asking is a small part of all that!

 

So, what will you ask for? 

Who will you ask for if not yourself?

Why do you seek it?

 

And will you take one step forward and ask the LORD Himself?

Now?

 

Jesus says we are to ask Him…..so what are we waiting for??

Maybe you are not quite sure……well, reading Matthew 6 and 7 and John 14 may help.  It is an opportunity for every person for every moment of every day!

 

 

I believe God is waiting for us………….

what do we have to say to Him?

 

 

2.  "Trust me"

 

Trust.

What a big issue for so many people in our world today.

 

In our marriages, families and work places.

In our nations, politically, socially and economically.

 

In our lives, emotionally, spiritually.

 

Some of us find it very, very hard to trust people.

Often because of something that has happened to us in the past.

Trust was given. Trust was broken. The bridge is still broken and we shall not cross it – or allow anyone to come close to us.

 

It is easier and safer to do it all ourselves.

 

And Jesus wants us to trust Him when we follow Him??

 

Can we?

Dare we?

Should we?

 

In John chapter 14 verse 1, in the New Living Translation and The Message, Jesus uses the word trust. In most of the other versions it is the word believe.

He is wanting to ease the hearts and minds of His disciples.

He has spoken about leaving them – big time. They are troubled and fearful about it all. What will it all mean for them??

 

Jesus is telling them to trust Him.

He knows what He is doing and it will all work out better for them in fact when he does leave them. The verses after verse 1 are worth a read.

 

Often when we are asked to trust someone it is because we are somehow weaker than them, they know something we don’t or because of who they are.

That is Jesus…Son of God as well as Son of Man, the same yesterday, today and forever.

 

I can simply trust Him because of who He is, but also because I need to trust Him. Of myself I am weak and weary, troubled and fearful about this and that for sure.

If you haven’t already, can I suggest you read through John’s Gospel and then decide if He is trustworthy. John and Peter and Thomas and the rest thought so and they should know…they saw and heard and followed Him around for three years!

 

Jesus said ‘Trust me’ to them.

He is saying the same today to each one of us as we read these words.

Will you trust Him with whatever?

Will you hand it over to Him?

Will you reach out to Him and let Him lead you across that bridge?

 

 

What a perfect bridge over troubled waters He is – again and again and again for us.

=======

1. "Follow me"

    

   It’s not a game. It’s real. For life. Ever and ever.

    

   At the start of Mark’s Gospel, Mark writes of three occasions when people followed Jesus…and two are different from the third occasion.

    

   In chapter one…..Jesus calls four fishermen to follow Him, Simon and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John…..to follow Him in a life-changing way, leaving their careers behind.

   In chapter two…..Levi/Matthew is called out by Jesus to follow Him. Again it was a life-changing moment as Levi was a hated tax-collector, working for the Romans, lining his own pocket along the way.  Can you imagine how Simon, Andrew, James and John reacted to their new team-member??  The religious Pharisees had a big problem we are told. How dare Jesus have such a person in his band of followers!!

   And then in chapter three we read that a large crowd of people, from various regions, followed Jesus…trying to get close to Him, although He was trying to get away from them in fact!

    

    

   It’s not a game. It’s real. For life. Ever and ever.

    

   Simon, Andrew, James, John, Levi and the rest of those that Jesus spoke to had their lives changed.

   Jesus called to them. He invited them to follow Him. And they did. Including Judas Iscariot.

   When Jesus calls us to follow Him..whenever and however it happened..it’s personal, it’s really life-changing, it’s for ever.

   He means it. He chose us.

    

   And He helps us how to follow Him. It isn’t easy at times for sure.  Look at Mark chapter 8 verses 34-38….

   Hence the gift of the Holy Spirit to everyone who decides to put their faith in Him as Saviour and Lord and follow Him, step by step, day by day.

   You see, Jesus didn’t tell Simon and James and Levi where He was going etc etc…..they had to follow Him to find out and along the way He taught them, trained them, prayed for them and sent them out to teach and heal others in His name.

   And as they did, they were changed and bit-by-bit became more like Jesus Himself!

    

   That is God’s wonderfully ultimate purpose for all those who follow Jesus, to be more like Jesus.

    

   That is the call for everyone…fisherman, tax-collector, weak, strong, confident, unsure, failure, success….anyone and everyone. There are no rules to whom Jesus speaks. There are no exceptions to choosing to follow Jesus – or not.

   Simon Peter.

   Thomas.

   Judas Iscariot.

   Mary Magdalene.

   The thief on the cross.

   Saul of Tarsus.

   Timid Timothy.

   Etc etc through the years.

   Me.

   You.

    

   It’s not a game.  It’s real. For life. Ever and ever.

    

   Are you still following?   Keep on following - ever closer!

    

   Will you follow Him for the first time?   Say yes to Him!

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*     *     *     *     *     *

 

Why not start a journal for your soul searching?

Or maybe share with another that you’re starting this journey?

Your God is Too Safe is well worth tracking down too!

However, Psalms 42 and 43 may be all you need….

with a little help from God.