We remember baby Jesus at this time of the year , cute , innocent , non-confronting , and palatable .
However , don't ever forget that this BABY is actually all powerful , all wise , all glorious , all just , all holy , altogether lovely , and supremely ALL SAVIOUR !
Understand a biblical definition of who this SAVIOUR 'JESUS 'really is , and underline His attributes ( of which there are many ),particularly emphasising the truth from John 1 : 17 "FOR THE LAW WAS GIVEN THROUGH MOSES; GRACE & TRUTH CAME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST ."
Jesus came to save us from ourselves ( all love & grace ) , but equally He came as 'truth incarnate ' , you cannot have one aspect of His character without the other . GRACE & TRUTH , TRUTH & GRACE .
Both aspects are needed , both are required to be present in our own lives ....we need His gracious presence to restore & revive us , as much as we need His holy truth as the standard by which we must live .
This Christmas don't delete or be distracted from the whole truth of the coming of JESUS , this is 'THE ONE 'you cannot ignore ..... you can accept Him ..... you can reject Him.... but you will never be able to ignore this SAVIOUR of the whole world .
Do yourself and all around you an Eternal favour , worship JESUS for all that He is and will be for all eternity.
Marney ( praying for my readers this Christmas .)
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
PRAY FOR OTHERS TO RECEIVE JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS
Luke 19:10 tells us clearly the reason Jesus came to this earth , ''FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK & TO SAVE WHAT WAS LOST ."
The best gift you could give to any other person this Christmas would be many prayers & many verbal witnesses from your own life in regard to their SALVATION .
Eternal history can & will be changed as you pray for the lost , as you witness to the saving power of JESUS CHRIST .
Don't ever minimise the power of the name and saving grace of the Lord Jesus, it is mighty to save and even more than that He is mighty to save any & every person that calls on His name .
This Christmas I challenge you to get intentionally serious about witnessing to family , friends , neighbours, colleagues and everyone you meet . Christmas is about one glorious fact ; JESUS and His desire is that not anyone ever perish or go into a Christless eternity ( hell). Don't overlook this incredible life changing message when you are interacting with significant others in your journey of life .
Reflect upon this & above all PRAY ......PRAY ......PRAY .....PRAY & PRAY EVEN MORE !
What have we begun, when we pray like this ?What have we done ....what will we do , when we pray & cry & witness the message of SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST .
What seeds can we sow , what Holy Spirit lights can we glow, what heavenly dreams can we throw ?
What have we begun, here we see angels burning like the sun. Here we juggle destinies, what will we see done ( in the heavenlies , as well as on earth)?
What Army gets commissioned kneeling in this way? What passion will find holy extreme when wounded soldiers pray?
What 'holy plague' will we have begun when we as God's soldiers live for the crucified ONE ?
(adaption of writing from Red moon rising , p248)
Get busy for Jesus' Kingdom and promote zealously the cause of JESUS CHRIST , make it CHRISTMAS all year round .
Praying for you each .
MARNEY
The best gift you could give to any other person this Christmas would be many prayers & many verbal witnesses from your own life in regard to their SALVATION .
Eternal history can & will be changed as you pray for the lost , as you witness to the saving power of JESUS CHRIST .
Don't ever minimise the power of the name and saving grace of the Lord Jesus, it is mighty to save and even more than that He is mighty to save any & every person that calls on His name .
This Christmas I challenge you to get intentionally serious about witnessing to family , friends , neighbours, colleagues and everyone you meet . Christmas is about one glorious fact ; JESUS and His desire is that not anyone ever perish or go into a Christless eternity ( hell). Don't overlook this incredible life changing message when you are interacting with significant others in your journey of life .
Reflect upon this & above all PRAY ......PRAY ......PRAY .....PRAY & PRAY EVEN MORE !
What have we begun, when we pray like this ?What have we done ....what will we do , when we pray & cry & witness the message of SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST .
What seeds can we sow , what Holy Spirit lights can we glow, what heavenly dreams can we throw ?
What have we begun, here we see angels burning like the sun. Here we juggle destinies, what will we see done ( in the heavenlies , as well as on earth)?
What Army gets commissioned kneeling in this way? What passion will find holy extreme when wounded soldiers pray?
What 'holy plague' will we have begun when we as God's soldiers live for the crucified ONE ?
(adaption of writing from Red moon rising , p248)
Get busy for Jesus' Kingdom and promote zealously the cause of JESUS CHRIST , make it CHRISTMAS all year round .
Praying for you each .
MARNEY
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
SIGNIFICANT SURRENDER.... DO YOU DWELL THERE.?
The most wonderful gift you could GIVE to JESUS this Christmas is a surrendered life !
Surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ will ALWAYS precede His significant work in your life , and may I suggest the work in others' lives ( as your obedience influences them).
Some Scriptures that may inspire you to be obedient in this non-negotiable area of Discipleship :
1 Peter 5:6 ''HUMBLE YOURSELVES UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD ,THAT HE MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME."
James 4:10 ''HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD , & HE WILL LIFT YOU UP."
Matthew 22:37"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART , WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, & WITH ALL YOUR MIND."
Deuteronomy 30:20 "LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD,....OBEY HIS VOICE."
Matthew 3:2,8 ''REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND ,THEREFORE BEAR FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE ."
1 Corinthians10:12''THEREFORE LET HIM WHO THINKS HE STANDS TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL . "
Significant surrender is what Jesus requires from us each ..... wouldn't that be a gift worthy to give to God !
Praying for my readers today .
'
MARNEY
Surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ will ALWAYS precede His significant work in your life , and may I suggest the work in others' lives ( as your obedience influences them).
Some Scriptures that may inspire you to be obedient in this non-negotiable area of Discipleship :
1 Peter 5:6 ''HUMBLE YOURSELVES UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD ,THAT HE MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME."
James 4:10 ''HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD , & HE WILL LIFT YOU UP."
Matthew 22:37"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART , WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, & WITH ALL YOUR MIND."
Deuteronomy 30:20 "LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD,....OBEY HIS VOICE."
Matthew 3:2,8 ''REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND ,THEREFORE BEAR FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE ."
1 Corinthians10:12''THEREFORE LET HIM WHO THINKS HE STANDS TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL . "
Significant surrender is what Jesus requires from us each ..... wouldn't that be a gift worthy to give to God !
Praying for my readers today .
'
MARNEY
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
HOW DO YOU RESPOND WHEN LIFE DOESN'T GO YOUR WAY ?(Title of previous post)
This space will finalise the previous post ; Ask your mentor , friend , colleague, spiritual director how you reflect Jesus when life isn't always what you hope it to be ?
Be open & available to hear the TRUTH about yourself & ask the living God to transform you into His image , dealing with all that is not of Jesus.
A prayer in conclusion : MAY JESUS BLESS YOU WITH DISCOMFORT AT EASY ANSWERS , HALF-TRUTHS & SUPERFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS, SO THAT WE MAY LIVE DEEP WIUTHIN OUR HEARTS.
Be open & available to hear the TRUTH about yourself & ask the living God to transform you into His image , dealing with all that is not of Jesus.
A prayer in conclusion : MAY JESUS BLESS YOU WITH DISCOMFORT AT EASY ANSWERS , HALF-TRUTHS & SUPERFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS, SO THAT WE MAY LIVE DEEP WIUTHIN OUR HEARTS.
HOW
Life has some interesting curve balls that test who you are and who you are NOT in Christ .
How do you respond/react when life doesn't go your way , or the way you would have preferred it to go ?
People are watching .....enemies are waiting ... and everyone is listening , of this I am certain.
Here is a thought for you to consider : YOU CAN BE "RIGHT" IN YOUR ASSESSMENTS OF A SITUATION ,& TOTALLY "WRONG " IN HOW YOU RESPOND TO IT .
Think about a time recently where you were reasonably accurate in your assessment , but totally off the mark with your own personal response !!!!! Who was influenced by your attitude and what ripple effect has it sent to others ? Be really circumspect in your reactions .... ask JESUS to be your 'shock absorber' if required , lay your reputation, attitude , and reactions on the altar and allow the Holy Spirit to burn up any trace of ego , pride or sin.
How do you respond/react when life doesn't go your way , or the way you would have preferred it to go ?
People are watching .....enemies are waiting ... and everyone is listening , of this I am certain.
Here is a thought for you to consider : YOU CAN BE "RIGHT" IN YOUR ASSESSMENTS OF A SITUATION ,& TOTALLY "WRONG " IN HOW YOU RESPOND TO IT .
Think about a time recently where you were reasonably accurate in your assessment , but totally off the mark with your own personal response !!!!! Who was influenced by your attitude and what ripple effect has it sent to others ? Be really circumspect in your reactions .... ask JESUS to be your 'shock absorber' if required , lay your reputation, attitude , and reactions on the altar and allow the Holy Spirit to burn up any trace of ego , pride or sin.
Monday, December 6, 2010
JESUS IS COMING BACK ...NOT AS A BABY , RATHER AS KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS
In this advent season consider the powerful promise that JESUS will return to earth again , not as a baby rather as the LORD of all .
Read Matthew 24 ... the whole chapter, allow the truth of this reality to sink into your mind & spirit .
Reflect upon this meditation as you consider Jesus coming for the first time ( Christmas ) and then awaiting His return .
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME :
Twas the night before Jesus came & all through the house ... Not a creature was praying , not one in the house .
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care , in hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed. Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head .
And Mum in her rocker with babe on her lap, was watching the late show whilst I took a nap.
When out of the East there arise such a clatter , I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter .
Away to the window I flew like a flash , tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here .
With a light like the sun sending for a bright ray , I knew in a moment this must be "THE DAY".
The light of His face made me cover my head ... It was JESUS! Returning just like He said .
And though I possessed worldly wisdom & wealth , I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the BOOK OF LIFE which He held in His hand was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name ; when He said "IT'S NOT HERE," my head hung in shame .
The people whose names had been written with love , He gathered to take to His Father above .
With those who were ready He arose without a sound , whilst all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees , but it was too late ; I had waited too long & thus sealed my fate. I stood & I cried as they rose out of sight ; Oh , if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear ; the coming of JESUS is drawing near .
There's only one life & when comes the last call ... WE WILL FIND THE BIBLE WAS TRUE AFTER ALL !
Live as if Jesus is coming today .
Praying for my readers .... MARNEY
Read Matthew 24 ... the whole chapter, allow the truth of this reality to sink into your mind & spirit .
Reflect upon this meditation as you consider Jesus coming for the first time ( Christmas ) and then awaiting His return .
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME :
Twas the night before Jesus came & all through the house ... Not a creature was praying , not one in the house .
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care , in hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed. Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head .
And Mum in her rocker with babe on her lap, was watching the late show whilst I took a nap.
When out of the East there arise such a clatter , I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter .
Away to the window I flew like a flash , tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here .
With a light like the sun sending for a bright ray , I knew in a moment this must be "THE DAY".
The light of His face made me cover my head ... It was JESUS! Returning just like He said .
And though I possessed worldly wisdom & wealth , I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the BOOK OF LIFE which He held in His hand was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name ; when He said "IT'S NOT HERE," my head hung in shame .
The people whose names had been written with love , He gathered to take to His Father above .
With those who were ready He arose without a sound , whilst all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees , but it was too late ; I had waited too long & thus sealed my fate. I stood & I cried as they rose out of sight ; Oh , if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear ; the coming of JESUS is drawing near .
There's only one life & when comes the last call ... WE WILL FIND THE BIBLE WAS TRUE AFTER ALL !
Live as if Jesus is coming today .
Praying for my readers .... MARNEY
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
HOLY PASSION ... AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT FOR LIFE
William Ward said :''ENTHUSIASM & PERSISTENCE CAN MAKE AN AVERAGE PERSON SUPERIOR....INDIFFERENCE & LETHARGY CAN MAKE A SUPERIOR PERSON VERY AVERAGE ."
How is your holy passion barometer today people of God ?If we settle for doing just the 'necessary' we will never achieve greatness in God , of that I am convinced. Holy passion keeps you going when everyone else has long given up. If you are caught watching the clock, waiting for week-ends , groaning on Monday , living for your own space all the time then check your holy passion temperature .
If you continually live outside your passion area of life ...you will SLOWLY DIE , and that is not living , it is not even merely existing.
JESUS is Love & He is FIRE , when we do what we love we will find a fire that ignites us , His purposes will be fuelled by our desires .
King David had a passion for THE HOUSE OF GOD, in 1 Chronicles 29:3-5 he says, ''Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God , over & above all that I have prepared for the holy house , my own special treasure ........Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD ?" ( read the passage for yourselves & be inspired )
Spiritual passion is expressed with love for JESUS, His people & His house. When people COOL towards JESUS one of the first noticaeble things is they STOP attending Worship.
Secondly they have a ZERO prayer life & their time in God's Word is non-existence ...... examine yourself to see where your temperature is on God's scale ( not your own ,nor compared to others ...these are inaccurate measures ) .
Ask yourself ,"Do other people get fired up for Jesus when I am around "?
STAY HOT & FIRED UP FOR THE CAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST .....THE ONLY CAUSE ETERNALLY THAT WILL MATTER .
How is your holy passion barometer today people of God ?If we settle for doing just the 'necessary' we will never achieve greatness in God , of that I am convinced. Holy passion keeps you going when everyone else has long given up. If you are caught watching the clock, waiting for week-ends , groaning on Monday , living for your own space all the time then check your holy passion temperature .
If you continually live outside your passion area of life ...you will SLOWLY DIE , and that is not living , it is not even merely existing.
JESUS is Love & He is FIRE , when we do what we love we will find a fire that ignites us , His purposes will be fuelled by our desires .
King David had a passion for THE HOUSE OF GOD, in 1 Chronicles 29:3-5 he says, ''Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God , over & above all that I have prepared for the holy house , my own special treasure ........Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD ?" ( read the passage for yourselves & be inspired )
Spiritual passion is expressed with love for JESUS, His people & His house. When people COOL towards JESUS one of the first noticaeble things is they STOP attending Worship.
Secondly they have a ZERO prayer life & their time in God's Word is non-existence ...... examine yourself to see where your temperature is on God's scale ( not your own ,nor compared to others ...these are inaccurate measures ) .
Ask yourself ,"Do other people get fired up for Jesus when I am around "?
STAY HOT & FIRED UP FOR THE CAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST .....THE ONLY CAUSE ETERNALLY THAT WILL MATTER .
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