As every structure is aligned on him, all grow into one holy temple in the Lord; and you too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives, in the Spirit.
Eph.2:21,22
Saint Paul writes about the unity of Christendom found when all align with Jesus, the cornerstone.
There’s a lovely Korean man I have formed a relationship with over the years. He runs the local Two Dollar shop and we soon discovered we were both Christian. We are from different denominations, Catholicism being a mystery to him. Whenever our discussion drifts into theological differences, I pull it back to where we totally agree. The lordship of Jesus.
This unity transcends all and bares a wonderful witness to the power of Jesus to pull people together, not push them apart. When I see all people as made in the image of God, whether they believe I him or not, unity is expanded even further.
Lord Jesus, I align myself with you today. Let me draw people in rather than push them away, for your glory.
Little Flower please pray for me.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Monday, October 23, 2017
Currency of Love
‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’
Lk.12:15
A man asks Jesus to ejudicate in a family inheritance dispute and he responds with the Parable of the Rich Fool.
The cracks in a family become gulfs when it comes down to inheritance disputes. Jesus warns against greed, saying material riches give no security that lasts.
The rich man in the parable actually made a good business decision. Build bigger barns for bigger profits. The problem wasn’t his business acumen, it was his reliance on wealth for his security.
Being rich in the sight of God is the goal. Good works, compassion, mercy and love are the currency. I can start saving this treasure by spending it on the people God places in my life today. It’s that back-to-front land logic of Jesus again. The more I give away the more I have. It’s a currency of love.
Lord Jesus. You know the natural graspiness I have. Help me open my hand and be generous with the currency of love you give me today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Lk.12:15
A man asks Jesus to ejudicate in a family inheritance dispute and he responds with the Parable of the Rich Fool.
The cracks in a family become gulfs when it comes down to inheritance disputes. Jesus warns against greed, saying material riches give no security that lasts.
The rich man in the parable actually made a good business decision. Build bigger barns for bigger profits. The problem wasn’t his business acumen, it was his reliance on wealth for his security.
Being rich in the sight of God is the goal. Good works, compassion, mercy and love are the currency. I can start saving this treasure by spending it on the people God places in my life today. It’s that back-to-front land logic of Jesus again. The more I give away the more I have. It’s a currency of love.
Lord Jesus. You know the natural graspiness I have. Help me open my hand and be generous with the currency of love you give me today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
The Wise Old Owl
‘When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say.’
Lk.12:11,12Jesus is at the height of his ministry and is teaching his disciples, giving warning and instruction. Here his advice is, again, not to worry. This time not to worry about what to say.
Yesterday my granddaughter picked out a nursery rhyme book for me to read and we found the following gem:
A wise old owl sat in an oak,
The more he heard, the less he spoke;
The less he spoke, the more he heard;
Why aren't we all like that wise old bird?
The message is clear. Speak less to hear more and become wise. Or as Jesus said, wait for when the time comes before speaking.
Lord Jesus, you know about my motor-mouth. Help me speak less and hear more that I may become wise.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Merciful Redemption
With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
Psalm response.
“If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?” says Psalm 129. The psalm response declares the answer. 5hose who have received God’s mercy and redemption.
Mercy I know well. Redemption is a word used so much in Christian circles it has lost its punch. The dictionary defines it as “The action of clearing a debt”.
Ah! So God’s merciful action is to clear my debt, to pay off what I owe through my sinfulness., my guilt. The result? I survive. I am saved. What wonderful news!
Thank you Jesus for being my saviour, for paying my debt. This is God’s News indeed to tell the world today.
Little Flower please pray for me.
Psalm response.
“If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?” says Psalm 129. The psalm response declares the answer. 5hose who have received God’s mercy and redemption.
Mercy I know well. Redemption is a word used so much in Christian circles it has lost its punch. The dictionary defines it as “The action of clearing a debt”.
Ah! So God’s merciful action is to clear my debt, to pay off what I owe through my sinfulness., my guilt. The result? I survive. I am saved. What wonderful news!
Thank you Jesus for being my saviour, for paying my debt. This is God’s News indeed to tell the world today.
Little Flower please pray for me.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Ask Seek Knock
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him.’
Lk.11:9,10
Jesus has been asked, “Lord, teach us how to pray”. He has given The Lord’s Prayer and now goes further, teaching how to persist in prayer, to ask seek knock.
Asking, seeking, knocking are all actions that I initiate. Prayer is not passive, according to Jesus. It’s active, dynamic. Persistence has a long view. It doesn’t give up until it has achieved its goal. It has an eternal view on things.
When we pray for a sick baby, as we are doing now, we pray not only for physical healing but for life in the fullest as intended by God when he gave her life. And we pray not just for baby Naia but for all the millions of sick babies around the world. Prayer is magnanimous as we have a generous big God.
Lord Jesus, I lift up baby Naia and all sick babies in the world. Heal them Lord. Comfort their parents and families. May your fullness of life triumph eternally in these lives.
Little Flower, please pray for us.
Lk.11:9,10
Jesus has been asked, “Lord, teach us how to pray”. He has given The Lord’s Prayer and now goes further, teaching how to persist in prayer, to ask seek knock.
Asking, seeking, knocking are all actions that I initiate. Prayer is not passive, according to Jesus. It’s active, dynamic. Persistence has a long view. It doesn’t give up until it has achieved its goal. It has an eternal view on things.
When we pray for a sick baby, as we are doing now, we pray not only for physical healing but for life in the fullest as intended by God when he gave her life. And we pray not just for baby Naia but for all the millions of sick babies around the world. Prayer is magnanimous as we have a generous big God.
Lord Jesus, I lift up baby Naia and all sick babies in the world. Heal them Lord. Comfort their parents and families. May your fullness of life triumph eternally in these lives.
Little Flower, please pray for us.
Monday, October 9, 2017
Outrageous Mercy
‘Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’
Lk.10:37
A lawyer attempting to disconcert Jesus gives opportunity for Jesus to tell one of his most beloved parables, the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Mercy and compassion are central to the Good News. Without them it is no longer good news but simply law and a law we are doomed to fail. It’s mercy and compassion that bring joy on their coat tails, joy for the giver and joy for the receiver.
The law can appear very comforting to those who administer it, appear very comforting to me. But it won’t bring me joy. Mercy can appear outrageous, pandering and weak. But it takes guts to a minister mercy. The lawyers will rise up with howls of protest. Joy will come never the less.
Today is an opportunity for me to administer mercy. “Do this”, says Jesus,”and life will be yours”.
Lord Jesus, you know my natural vocation is that of a lawyer. Judgement comes so easily to me. Heal me of this insecurity. Let me be a minister of outrageous mercy.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Lk.10:37
A lawyer attempting to disconcert Jesus gives opportunity for Jesus to tell one of his most beloved parables, the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Mercy and compassion are central to the Good News. Without them it is no longer good news but simply law and a law we are doomed to fail. It’s mercy and compassion that bring joy on their coat tails, joy for the giver and joy for the receiver.
The law can appear very comforting to those who administer it, appear very comforting to me. But it won’t bring me joy. Mercy can appear outrageous, pandering and weak. But it takes guts to a minister mercy. The lawyers will rise up with howls of protest. Joy will come never the less.
Today is an opportunity for me to administer mercy. “Do this”, says Jesus,”and life will be yours”.
Lord Jesus, you know my natural vocation is that of a lawyer. Judgement comes so easily to me. Heal me of this insecurity. Let me be a minister of outrageous mercy.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Truth
Finally, brothers, fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour, and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise.... Then the God of peace will be with you.
Ph.4:8,9
Saint Paul is writing to the Church at Philippi, giving words of encouragement to live the Christian life that is new to them and taken grip of their hearts.
This is not rocket science. Fill my mind with things true, noble, good and pure. With things that hold love, honour, virtue and praise. Then what? God is with me. Peace is with me.
Then why is it so hard? The key is in Saint Paul’s opening words, "Brothers, fill your minds...". There is a battle within me over what I think. My mind is the battlefield. It is a battle with eternal consequences, so it’s time to take it seriously.
Strategy; I’ll pick them off one day at a time until it becomes habit, a new way of thinking. Today I will think of things true. Jesus is truth. A good place to start...
Jesus, you are my way, my truth, my life. Fill my mind today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Ph.4:8,9
Saint Paul is writing to the Church at Philippi, giving words of encouragement to live the Christian life that is new to them and taken grip of their hearts.
This is not rocket science. Fill my mind with things true, noble, good and pure. With things that hold love, honour, virtue and praise. Then what? God is with me. Peace is with me.
Then why is it so hard? The key is in Saint Paul’s opening words, "Brothers, fill your minds...". There is a battle within me over what I think. My mind is the battlefield. It is a battle with eternal consequences, so it’s time to take it seriously.
Strategy; I’ll pick them off one day at a time until it becomes habit, a new way of thinking. Today I will think of things true. Jesus is truth. A good place to start...
Jesus, you are my way, my truth, my life. Fill my mind today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
The Joy of the Lord
Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your strength.... And all the people went off to eat and drink and give shares away and begin to enjoy themselves since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.
Neh.8:10,12
The temple has been restored and the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt. Then God’s Word is read to a people who had forgotten it but who received it into their hearts with tears of repentance. The result? Unbridled joy. A joy so great that it is a strength.
God’s Word heard and understood gives great joy. The Book of Nehemiah is two and a half thousand years old, yet reading it this morning has given me joy.
This joy is contagious. It is the best witness I can give to God today.
Lord Jesus. Thank you for your Word that has given me a joy that is my strength for today. Help me pass on that joy to those you place in my path today.
Saint Thomas Moore, please pray for me.
Neh.8:10,12
The temple has been restored and the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt. Then God’s Word is read to a people who had forgotten it but who received it into their hearts with tears of repentance. The result? Unbridled joy. A joy so great that it is a strength.
God’s Word heard and understood gives great joy. The Book of Nehemiah is two and a half thousand years old, yet reading it this morning has given me joy.
This joy is contagious. It is the best witness I can give to God today.
Lord Jesus. Thank you for your Word that has given me a joy that is my strength for today. Help me pass on that joy to those you place in my path today.
Saint Thomas Moore, please pray for me.
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