What did God have in mind?

At our Sunday services this week we are looking at the theme of 'What God had in mind for the Church?' In a week where Anne Rice has controversially decided to quit Christianity, this is a pertinent question to ask.

Some people would agree with this sentiment from Philip Yancey:

“Church should be a beacon of grace to the rest of the world, not a fortress of legalism.”

And others may feel strongly that the Church should follow Paul's words to the Church in Ephesus:

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” – Ephesians 5:1

It is easy to point out what is wrong with our local church, or denomination and even the world wide Church. If we started a list now, we could happily fill it with many reasons to 'leave' the Church. But here is the burning question for us -

"What are we doing to live more like the Church Jesus called us to be?"

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Anne Rice

Give me sense

Somethings just make sense. For example, when you buy a steaming hot cup of coffee from a take-away and the lid says, "Be careful. Hot Coffee!" That makes sense to most of us, but clearly someone has got 'burnt' before, hence the need for the warning.

God's word and commands also make sense and they are given to us to prevent us from getting 'burnt.' Sadly, many people think they know better and have chosen to ignore God's direction. That doesn't make sense to me, but then again, people are people!

Listen to what Psalm 119:73 says,
"You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands."

Just like the message on the hot coffee is to protect us, so it is the same for God's word. God wants to lead us into a life that is 'best for us.'

May we have the sense to follow God's commands.
Living in Grace,
D3LM3

The Best?

I know I have already blogged a few things from our conference,
but I need to share this quote from Dallas Willard:

"The Church has always been best when it has had the least."

Wow, I find that an incredible thought.
What are your thoughts?

Often we worry about what we need in our churches, but
God knows what we truly need. And ultimately we only need God!

Read Luke 11:9

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Seek first the kingdom

At our conference Dallas Willard stretched our thinking with this quote:
"God's intent for each of us is that we should become the kind of person
He can empower to do what we want."
Now that sounds self-gratifying, at first glance, but God wants to trust
us enough that want we 'want' is actually what he wants. In order to get
to get to this place we need to begin with scriptures like Matthew 6:33 -
"Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteous."
When we get to this place, then what we want would be only what God desires.
Now that challenges me! You?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Dallas Willard

I am attending a conference in Benoni, which is being led by
Dallas Willard. He is an amazingly deep Christian and some have
compared him to a modern day C.S.Lewis. One of his
comments today was "all of the troubles and failures of
human existence are rooted in failure to think rightly about God."
This is a huge statement to make and one that deserves time to
wrestle with this.

John 1:10 - He was in the world and though the world was made
through Him, the world did not recognize Him.

May we not miss Christ in the midst of our life and
experience.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Good advice

We often go to great lengths to get good advice, but we seldom turn
to the best advice EVER - that honour surely must go to Solomon in
Proverbs. Take this for example:
"When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the godly have a lasting foundation." - Proverbs 10:25

When looking for godly advice, why not turn to Proverbs?

Living in grace,
D3LM3

Do you like Mondays?

I was 7 years old when the Boomtown Rats released their hit song 'I don't like Mondays!' (Some of you have just started singing the song in your minds, I bet you!)

I love this song - it has such a catchy tune! However, I only recently found out the true story behind the song. A teenage girl woke up one Monday morning and decided to go to school and open fire on her teachers and class mates. When she was arrested, she simple said:
"I just started shooting, that's it. I just did it for the fun of it. I just don't like Mondays. I just did it because it's a way to cheer the day up. Nobody likes Mondays."

That is hectic! Who does something like that? There are many people who don't like Mondays, but very few who would do something this crazy.

As you start the week, may you surrender your fears and dreams, stress and challenges to Jesus. May He carry us through all that we will face in the coming days.

Nehemiah 8:10 - "This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Live in His grace,
D3LM3