Wednesday 11 September 2013
Monday 8 July 2013
Scriptures for July
We grow only as we get nourishment from God. So let your roots grow deep into God's love, so you can draw up nourishment from Him.
Colossians 2:6-19
Colossians 2:6-19
Revised Common Lectionary, August, 2013
You have the Lord Jesus Christ and through Him you have all the promises of God. Be secure in that and freely help those in need. Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15, 16.
If you help those who cannot repay, you will receive the help you need here on Earth and you will receive a reward in Heaven. Luke 14: 1, 7-14.
Those who do what God asks of them are blessed, happy and every good thing comes to them. They are generous and compassionate. They trust God in their times of need.
Psalm 112
Life is not measured by how successful or wealthy you are. Life is measured by how loving you are. Luke 12: 13- 21.
If you help those who cannot repay, you will receive the help you need here on Earth and you will receive a reward in Heaven. Luke 14: 1, 7-14.
Those who do what God asks of them are blessed, happy and every good thing comes to them. They are generous and compassionate. They trust God in their times of need.
Psalm 112
Life is not measured by how successful or wealthy you are. Life is measured by how loving you are. Luke 12: 13- 21.
Sunday 19 May 2013
Friday 29 March 2013
HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!
It's all about this: God cannot lie. God promised in Isaiah that His holy One, Jesus would not see death and judgement. Because Jesus had no sin, Hell could not hold Him. He took our place on the cross so we could receive the promise that was given to Him. Jesus' resurrection proves that promise is real and we can trust God to raise us from the dead to receive eternal life with God and His holy Son, Jesus Christ.
Good Friday
Isaiah 52- 53-12
He was wounded for our sins, He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped and we are healed!
Hebrews 4:14-16
This high priest understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same temptations we do, yet He did not sin.
Hebrews 5:7-9
He learned obedience from the things He suffered.
Hebrews 10: 16-25
I will put my laws in their hearts and minds so they will follow them. I will never again remember their wrongs. We can boldly enter Heaven's most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. Let us go into the presence of God with true hearts fully trusting Him.
He was wounded for our sins, He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped and we are healed!
Hebrews 4:14-16
This high priest understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same temptations we do, yet He did not sin.
Hebrews 5:7-9
He learned obedience from the things He suffered.
Hebrews 10: 16-25
I will put my laws in their hearts and minds so they will follow them. I will never again remember their wrongs. We can boldly enter Heaven's most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. Let us go into the presence of God with true hearts fully trusting Him.
The Lord's Work
March 24
Luke 19: 28-40.
Did the people really know what was going on...
Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29
See the Lord's work everyday and rejoice in that!
Isaiah 50: 4-9a
God, awaken me refreshed every morning and open my understanding to your will.
Luke 19: 28-40.
Did the people really know what was going on...
Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29
See the Lord's work everyday and rejoice in that!
Isaiah 50: 4-9a
God, awaken me refreshed every morning and open my understanding to your will.
Saturday 16 February 2013
God provides
Lectionary February 24/13
Luke 6: 27-38
In view of the big picture, it is vital to forgive. You have been given Eternal life, so you must forgive as you have been forgiven by God. Eternity may be at stake for your brothers and sisters, so forgive them. Your love may win their hearts and cause them to repent and accept God's love through you. Then they will gain Heaven too!
Psalm 37: 1-11, 39-40
Don't worry about the things in this world. Don't strive for them. God has provided everything for you. Be humble, thankful and trust God.
He is taking care of you.
Feb. 17/13
Jeremiah 17: 5-10
It seems to me that, what we imagine becomes how we see our lives. If that is negative, then, even when God blesses us, we don't recognize it and we only see the bad things. So that is one way judgement can come upon us. Trust God and you become like that tree planted by the river, soaking up fresh water, sweet water every day! Everything is new, fresh and you recognize the good things that come your way. They are there for the taking- peace and joy are yours!
Psalm 1
We can look to the law and try to be good or look to Jesus, get to know Him better and let the Holy Spirit transform us into His likeness. We can move on from making sacrifices for our sins, to focussing on Jesus and in doing so, we naturally become like Him.
Bit by bit, just like that tree by the river, growing ring by ring, branch by branch, we grow into the likeness of God!
It seems to me that, what we imagine becomes how we see our lives. If that is negative, then, even when God blesses us, we don't recognize it and we only see the bad things. So that is one way judgement can come upon us. Trust God and you become like that tree planted by the river, soaking up fresh water, sweet water every day! Everything is new, fresh and you recognize the good things that come your way. They are there for the taking- peace and joy are yours!
Psalm 1
We can look to the law and try to be good or look to Jesus, get to know Him better and let the Holy Spirit transform us into His likeness. We can move on from making sacrifices for our sins, to focussing on Jesus and in doing so, we naturally become like Him.
Bit by bit, just like that tree by the river, growing ring by ring, branch by branch, we grow into the likeness of God!
The gentle, flowing waters of Shiloh!
Lectionary, Feb. 10/13
Nutshell:
Trust God and be steady and constant in your living and testimony. We don't have to be loud in our testimony, if we are part of that gently, flowing river that flows steadily over all that is striving, all that is not of God. The river constantly flows, carrying the peace of God, the wisdom of God, the joy of God and it may be slow and gentle, but it moves mountains!
Lectionary, Feb. 17/13
Jremiah 17: 5-10
It seems to me that what we imagine and get upset about, we then see our lives that way. Then, even if God blesses us, we don't recognize it and we only see the bad things. We may even see the blessings as bad things! So that is one way judgement can come upon us. Trust God and you become like a tree planted by the river, soaking up fresh water every day! Everything is new, fresh and in your outlook, you recognize the good things you are to take advantage of. They are there for your taking. Peace and joy are yours!
Lectionary, Feb. 24/13
Psalm37: 1-11, 39- 40
Don't worry about the things in this world. Don't strive for them. God has provided everything for you. Be humble, thankful and trust God. He is taking care of you.
Luke 6: 27-38
In view of the big picture- it is vital that you forgive. You have been given eternal life, so you must forgive as you have been forgiven by God. Eternity may be at stake for your brother, so forgive him. Your love may cause him to turn to God and gain what you have already received. He will gain the kingdom too! Sounds impossible? Right! It's impossible for us, but God will enable us to forgive. God will take care of the situation, too. Amen!
Nutshell:
Trust God and be steady and constant in your living and testimony. We don't have to be loud in our testimony, if we are part of that gently, flowing river that flows steadily over all that is striving, all that is not of God. The river constantly flows, carrying the peace of God, the wisdom of God, the joy of God and it may be slow and gentle, but it moves mountains!Lectionary, Feb. 17/13
Jremiah 17: 5-10
It seems to me that what we imagine and get upset about, we then see our lives that way. Then, even if God blesses us, we don't recognize it and we only see the bad things. We may even see the blessings as bad things! So that is one way judgement can come upon us. Trust God and you become like a tree planted by the river, soaking up fresh water every day! Everything is new, fresh and in your outlook, you recognize the good things you are to take advantage of. They are there for your taking. Peace and joy are yours!
Lectionary, Feb. 24/13
Psalm37: 1-11, 39- 40
Don't worry about the things in this world. Don't strive for them. God has provided everything for you. Be humble, thankful and trust God. He is taking care of you.
Luke 6: 27-38
In view of the big picture- it is vital that you forgive. You have been given eternal life, so you must forgive as you have been forgiven by God. Eternity may be at stake for your brother, so forgive him. Your love may cause him to turn to God and gain what you have already received. He will gain the kingdom too! Sounds impossible? Right! It's impossible for us, but God will enable us to forgive. God will take care of the situation, too. Amen!
Feb. 3/13 Love verses what we think we know
Luke 4: 21-30
People in Jesus' hometown prided themselves in the fact that they were born Jews.. They believed that they were chosen of God because they were Jews by birth. Therefore they were not open to hear from God that Jesus was their Messiah. They placed their faith in their birthright alone and would not believe God that Jesus was their Messiah.
Jeremiah 1: 4-10
God knows everything! God knew us even before we were born.
Psalm 71: 1-6
God is our rock and fortress. God is our sure foundation. Everything else will be shaken and fall, but God and His ways will always stand strong!
1Corinthians 13: 1-13
Love is the only thing that will endure. Now we only know a little of truth and reality, but when eternity comes, then we will know everything completely. Then everything as it really is will be revealed. But for now, the only thing that is lasting and makes what we do know useful, is love.
People in Jesus' hometown prided themselves in the fact that they were born Jews.. They believed that they were chosen of God because they were Jews by birth. Therefore they were not open to hear from God that Jesus was their Messiah. They placed their faith in their birthright alone and would not believe God that Jesus was their Messiah.
Jeremiah 1: 4-10
God knows everything! God knew us even before we were born.
Psalm 71: 1-6
God is our rock and fortress. God is our sure foundation. Everything else will be shaken and fall, but God and His ways will always stand strong!
1Corinthians 13: 1-13
Love is the only thing that will endure. Now we only know a little of truth and reality, but when eternity comes, then we will know everything completely. Then everything as it really is will be revealed. But for now, the only thing that is lasting and makes what we do know useful, is love.
Sunday 20 January 2013
Scripture reading: I Corinthians 12:12-31, Luke 4: 14-21.
Nutshell: Maybe we can't walk on water, but each of us has everything we need to do the things we are here on Earth to do.
We all have different talents and personalities, but we all have received the same Holy Spirit. You may not feel inclined to go feed five thousand people with a loaf of bread, or walk on water, but you may be anointed to go into that mundane work place with a smile on your face day after day and spread the joy of God to your fellow workers. You may be anointed to teach or just be a helpful, good neighbour right where you are. Yo may be anointed to serve coffee or greet new people who come to your church. With God there are no great jobs or little jobs, they are all God's works!
So what miracles are taking place in your life? What anointing do you have to be a part of them? The Spirit of God was upon Jesus to do the works God sent Him to do. So it is with us. Each one of us is anointed to do the work God has sent us to do. God's not going to ask us to do something that's not natural for us to do. He will get us involved according to our natural abilities. And as a group we can be anointed too. We will find unity between us when we focus on Christ and let the Holy Spirit work in our hearts. Together we can reach out to the community.
It's up to each of us to take the time to know God's voice so we will recognize His leading. Whatever time you need, whatever works for you, so the Holy Spirit can heal you from the inside out and God can minister through you to others.
Songs: Lord I Lift Your Name On High, Only You
(From the next song) Lord, my heart's desire is to know you more, to be found in you and known as yours, to possess by faith what I could not earn, all surpassing gift of righteousness.
Song: Knowing You
It's God who called us and we just responded to that call. We don't have to go on about our mistakes or the past sins we have done. Just let God's Spirit teach us, make us more and more like Jesus, enabling us to do the things that God has called us to do. It's God that called us. It's Christ's blood that makes us holy before God. It's the Holy Spirit that transforms us day by day into the nature of Christ and leads us to do the things that we are here to do.
( From the next song) Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me, for I am His and He is mine- Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of Hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand!
Song: In Christ Alone
(From the next song) The Spirit of The Lord Is upon me. He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the people with a broken heart, to preach deliverance and give sight to the blind and to set free those in captivity, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Song: The Spirit Of The Lord ( Buddy Axely)
Other Songs: I Will Offer Up My Life, Take My Life And Let It be
Photo of Dream Circus, performing at Buskerfest 2012, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto.
Here is my meditation for this week in a nutshell. We are talking about Jesus' first miracle. When God performs a miracle, He gets people involved. There was Jesus' mother, servants to pour out the water, a head master to confirm the miracle and many others to witness the act. Jesus' disciples were there to boost their faith in him. The thing that impressed me was that God gets ordinary people involved in His work. The miracles aren't always big by our standards but they are still a witness to the world of God's greatness and goodness. And remember, God gets ordinary people involved like you and me.
Song:My Redeemer
Prayer:
Lord, you took away our sin and you took away our pain. When we are dry you fill us up again- with your love, your joy and your strength. You are our all in all.
Song: My All In All
Sharing:( last verse of Here I Am To Worship)
King of all days! Oh so highly exalted! Glorious in Heaven above! Humbly You came to the Earth You created, All for love's sake became poor! Jesus could have travelled the palaces of the world and ate the finest of foods! But, He came and lived as an average person and told His story to common people. How loving a Saviour! Precious Jesus! Holding us so dear in His heart! Remember the miracles in your life may not come with fireworks, but look for them, see them, they are new every day! Lord, help us to hear you and see the miracles big and small that you send us everyday.
Songs: Here I Am To Worship, Arms Of Love, The Steadfast Love Of The Lord.
Reading: John 2:1-11
Sharing:
Look at each day as a miracle! Be sure to see even the small miracles that are given to you and be encouraged by them. Let them build your faith until the day our Lord comes again!
Song: in The Bulb There Is A Flower
Sermon
Songs during meditation: Speak To Me, The Everlasting God, Wait For The Lord
Coming out of meditation: Nothing Can Trouble
Benediction
Song: Blest Are They
Prayer:
This is your time, this is your place.( as I put my hands on my chest gesturing that God's place is in me) We are your vessels. Lord, fill us till we are overflowing, so your love and peace flow through us to all of those around us this week!
Song: Carry Your Love
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)