Choice

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear."

We have the choice to be weeds or wheat, a plant that feeds others.

The Kingdom of God is designed to grow. It is designed to become the biggest plant in the garden from the smallest seed.

God give me the courage to choose to be a fruitful plant. To provide necessary food to sustain others. Let my little deeds for the Kingdom create beautiful trees that provide necessary shelter for others. Help me to understand it is the little things and gestures that make a big difference.

Laura

WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN

  

                               Are you prepared for that glorious day 

                                             When Jesus comes again?

                              We know not the hour, the day or the night,

                                 We don't know the where or the when.

                      Look once again to the life you've made,

                        make sure you've done what he taught;

                    By his death on the cross he forgave or sins

                   And his words were the truth that he brought

         

                     Will you be ready to reap your reward

                                And then God's heaven gain?

              Will you be ready to live with your Lord

                    When Jesus comes again?

      

                          " HEAVEN"

          O Lord, one day to see your glory,

      To stand before your throne,

         To know this will be for eternity ,

       When I reach the Father's home.

     And will you say, on that great day,

       As I stand, all sins forgiven,

      Well done, thou good and faithful soul,

        Now welcome into my Heaven.

                

                                ( from Faith for daily Living     Peggy  Smit)

No-one is Greater!

On the face of it this passage looks hard. Why is Jesus ignoring his family? Is it just to make a point? At first you wonder where is His compassion. And yet when we read in Mark that his family, including his mother, were there to take Him away because they thought He was not in his right mind, it begins to make more sense.

Nobody is greater than God. No-one knows better - not even your own mother! It is just another case of the frailty of humanity. It doesn't mean that Mary wasn't a great woman. I mean how many of us would have her faith when as a young woman she was told she would give birth to the Son of God, the Messiah. But she was human. She was misguided. In her love and worry for her son she forgot who He was. Jesus may have made a point: if you want to be part of His family you need to remember who He is, and the authority He has - but it didn't change His love for his mum. Even while dying, being tortured on a cross, in all that pain He wanted to make sure His mother was looked after, cared for, when He left.

As with John, Paul and even ourselves, sometimes we can be misguided, even when we think we are doing right. Jesus doesn't stop loving us but He will put us straight. He is the King and He is in charge.

Laura

Spiritual implications

We see through out of the Gospel of Matthew ,Jesus, in the midst of his ministry,continually being interrupted.
Sometimes by his disciples asking questions or by demon possessed people crying out.The Pharisees had ago to they where always apposing his ministry. And now his parents, I can imaging what I would say and do,"what now"
I would shout, can't you see I am speaking. Jesus uses this as a opportunity to teach his Disciples the spiritual truths,
That we as Christian ought to use every circumstance for spiritual reflection, and as a opportunity to bear witness to or Lord Jesus Christ

Kenny

God's Love Lingering on.

You came and made small talk with me,
You touched a cup, a chair,
you brought a book for me to read,
A merry joke to share,
You did not speak to me of God,
But after you had gone,
Within the firelight where you stood,
HIS PRESENCE LINGERED ON".

I read this in my Muriel's " Faith For Daily Living"booklet and it touch the old Heart string's, that we do not need
to all be Preacher's.But we need to be full of Jesus, His ways, his love, and compassion. So let us ask to be
Baptised in the Holy Spirit. And let Jesus take complete control of our lives' And get right behind or leaders,the
Deacons, or Pastors, Michael and Brain Daily prayers for them and there families.

Dear Heavenly Father through your son Jesus we thank you for the leadership we ask that you fill them with your
wisdom, May your Holy Spirit fall on them and that All of the Heavenly's protect there families, in Jesus name Amen

God bless Kenny

You can t just spring clean you ve got to throw a party

What, I hear you ask, is she on about! Well, I really feel Jesus is saying it is no good just clearing out all the bad things, the dirt, in your life. You've got to fill up your house / soul with Jesus - truth, honesty, humility, goodness, love. If you don't then basically your house will just get more dirty again and probably worse than when it started. Repentance isn't just sweeping out the old, it is also bringing in the new. If you miss that vital step then you are not following Christ and that way lies ruin on so many levels.

This doesn't mean you have to struggle on regardless. Jesus is there to help, not to set us up to fail. Finding it hard, he says? Let me help. My yoke is easy my burden is light.

I believe traditionally if you were a cow/oxen and learning to plough you would have a training yoke. The cow that was learning would be hooked up with another more experienced one that would pull most of the weight and do the hard graft and keep the new one on the right path. I think this is what Jesus means. He says use me - I can be with you every step of the way, I can pull your load, I can do the work and keep you going in the right direction so that we do a useful job. But you still need to be there trying. If there are mistakes, don't worry, I can deal with them and make everything new and good but you've got to let me.

Jesus I ask you to come and live in my house. Fill me up with love for others. Come and work beside me, leading and teaching me, so that I can complete what you want me to do.

Laura

The Pharisee in me?

Compassion rules, OK!  I love You Lord.

 

Knowing the Pharisees sowing rules into the fabric of every day life so that they might not sin against You, knowing that, taking my hat off to their heart for holiness, I know my own heart like theirs so quickly navigates it’s way to spiritual pride.  It’s not my moral posturing that wins souls…it’s my compassion…and my thoughts quickly go to those same sex couples wanting to be married.

 

We celebrate the truth!  We have it for freedom – not for a stick.

 

Father, if I’m to follow Jesus, like His disciples here, as a companion, as a priest (wow how privileged), may I see people with Your eyes and love them with Your love though people crucify…and then faithfully, steadfastly speak to them Your truth.

 

Brian

Mercy not Sacrifice

I desire Mercy not Sacrifice…

When Jesus says these words to us what does that mean.          

Are you like the Pharisees trying to keep religious law and showing

Outwardly how good you are so all the world can see?  

Does our faith and understanding of God’s grace for us impact us

Enough in our hearts to extend that Mercy out to others.  Even to          

Those we may not find deserving in our own mind.

Lord make me aware daily of your Mercy for me, Your grace that I

Am privileged to walk in.  Let me extend that Mercy daily to all that

You put in my path.  Let them see your forgiveness and love through

Me not in big outward demonstrations of grandeur but quiet invitations

Of the heart which has been taught to love because You first loved me.

God Bless

Tracy

 

Head lines WHY

Why is it that some sinners repent and others don't. " Why do they" I mean we're all sinners.
Jesus hints that the answer is is in the eternal counsel of the Sovereign Father, even though he invites all to come to Him.
I mean here we see the Pharisee and the Scribes which are the Religious wise men total reject Jesus. All down the
ages we see wise and knowledgeable men reject the Gospel, it is difficult to under- stand yet the scriptures say
Not many wise not Noble.

Never quite what you imagine

I suppose it is true of all of us that when we get something it is not ever quite how you imagined it to be. I really feel Jesus is saying be careful. Don't expect things to be how you want them to be. Sometimes you need to go out of your own comfort zone when God is involved. God is the one in charge not you. So accept that gifts and people of God won't necessarily come how you would like.

God I pray that I don't start saying - I want this or I need that like a petulant child. Teach me to ask for what You want and You need. And if I am unsure remind me to ask You and wait on your answer like John the Baptist rather than just presume like the Pharisees and follow my own path.

Laura

Fitting in!

Of all the people to express doubt in Jesus; John His cousin, John who baptized Him, John who witnessed His Holy Spirit anointing…surely not John?  As for the establishment…and the crowds: He didn’t fit their box either. 

We do try so hard to fit in as Christians.  I do…consciously, unconsciously. 
Jesus never did!  If I’m to follow Him, take the same way He walked, then I never will fit in.  Trying to dance to their flute or mourn to their dirge gives me away…the man-pleaser in me.

Lord, I’m sorry.  Change me.  Give me courage.

Living for God

This chapter is so strong and gritty but important. Just as new wine does not mix with old wine skins so Jesus explains that if you are a true follower of His then what you do may not always be accepted. I think this is sometimes hard for us to understand. Why wouldn't goodness, truth and honesty not be met with praise and honour. But I suppose these traits do not mix well with the traits that are wrapped up with thinking about yourself and putting yourself first.

However, I need to be careful to remember the sermon on the mount. To not be hypocritical and make sure if I am being shunned it is for following God.

But mainly I love how this passage finishes. Just like Pastor Brian's sermon on Sunday. No matter, who you are, or what you do, if you do it for God then he is grateful. If you are a prophet, a godly man or even least in rank you are still important to God. Even if you are just doing a menial task (getting some water) for the least in rank, but you do it for God, in his spirit, as a disciple of Jesus, you will be thanked and rewarded by God.

Thank you God for focussing on when I get things right and sending Jesus so that you can look past when I get things wrong.

Laura

Persecution with in the family

This chapter 10 verses 34 to 39 Jesus speaks of division,hatred,and tribulation this is what it could be like when
we start following Jesus. We should't pass on too quickly into more interesting verses where the sick are healed
or when Jesus say's where accepted unconditionally by the Father,unless we acknowledge that to follow Jesus will bring many a persecution and tribulation. Family unit is under threat,morals are slipping into decline.Active christian in society
are important,Jesus taught the disciples that the preaching of the Gospel and Mission was going to ,as a consequence,
tear families apart. God chooses to build society let us as Christians encourage leaders to pass laws which will
promote family bonds and try to slow down morel decline.quite

Matthew 10

" Disciples"

From the verb manthano,"to learn"
Disciple is a learner one who follows both the teaching and the teacher. The word is used first of the twelve and
later of Christians generally. We most always be ready to learn more. When I became a tradesmen I could not
wait to go out and do jobs by my self, put into practice what I had been taught.And 44 years later I was still
learning.I think our Christian lives are like being Jesus apprentices. All ways Learning all ways following.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank paster Brain for his teaching,sermons and yes his chastising yesterday
Brain you where full of the Holy Spirit. "Thank you" your teaching is awesome,keep on teaching us keep on pointing
us to Jesus the Kingdom of Heaven. A very Blessed Kenny.

Shoes in Church

Hi Laura, hope you and maybe the church will be blessed by this viewpoint, love Louisa

 

From: ELIZABETH BALMER [mailto:d8asb@btinternet.com]
Sent: 23 February 2012 22:07
To: alasdair.balmer@btinternet.com
Subject: Fw: Shoes in Church

 

 

----- Forwarded Message -----
To: DAWN BALMER <d8asb@btinternet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 22 February 2012, 10:33
Subject: Fw: Shoes in Church

--     Subject: FW: Shoes in Church This is one of the nicest ones I have read.     SHOES IN CHURCH I showered and shaved.............. I adjusted my tie.  I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time.  Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes..  I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed.  With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'  It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.  A prayer began : 'Our Father'............. I thought, 'This man with the shoes, has no pride. They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!'  'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.  The shoe man said............... A quiet 'Amen.'  I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door?  'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, Glancing toward the floor..  Then the prayer was ended........... And the songs of praise began.  The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.  His voice lifted the rafters........ His hands were raised high.  The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man's voice from the sky.  It was time for the offering...... And what I threw in was steep.  I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.  I saw what was pulled out............ What the shoe man put in.  Then I heard a soft 'clink' . As when silver hits tin.  The sermon really bored me............ To tears, and that's no lie..  It was the same for the shoe man.... For tears fell from his eyes.  At the end of the service...... As is the custom here.  We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer.  But I felt moved somehow.............. And wanted to meet the shoe man.  So after the closing prayer........ I reached over and shook his hand.  He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess.  But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest.  He said, 'My names' Charlie............ I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'  There were tears in his eyes........ But he had a large, wide grin.  'Let me explain,' he said........... Wiping tears from his eyes.  'I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.''  'I know that my appearance............'Is not like all the rest.  'But I really do try.................'To always look my best.'  'I always clean and polish my shoes..'Before my very long walk.  'But by the time I get here..........'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'  My heart filled with pain.......... And I swallowed to hide my tears.  As he continued to apologize............ For daring to sit so near  He said, 'When I get here..............'I know I must look a sight.  'But I thought if I could touch you..'Then maybe our souls might unite.'  I was silent for a moment........... Knowing whatever was said  Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.  'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part;  'That the best of any man...............'Is what is found in his heart.'  The rest, I thought,..................... This shoe man will never know.  Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul  You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.  I respect you, and truly cherish you.  Send this to your friends,  No matter how often you talk,  Or how close you are,  And send it to the person who sent it to you.  Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will.  Remember, everyone needs a friend..  Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all.  Just remember this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that  Someone out there cares about you.....  And always will.

 

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