Rossington Community Baptist Church

Posts Tagged ‘challenge’

God spoke to me about

I have read this portion so many times and thought about the puzzles such as what was Jesus and Peter on about when Jesus queries him about his love for him and then Jesus’ command to feed His lamb/sheep.  But the thing God spoke to me about this round is when the “other” disciple (almost assuredly John himself) comes into the story.  Jesus challenges Peter, basically that each believer has their own path to walk for God and His service.

Change

Sometimes I get envious about the seeming ease at which some believers … even ministers have it.  I am sure there are things under the surface that may change what I think is reality.  But I need to remember that my personal path will not be the same as anyone else, not even that of my family.

Thank you God for this journey through John …

God spoke to me about

We are nearing the end of our John journey.  I am really amazed at the number of times I told myslf, “I never really put that together”.  I came on another one in chapter 20 today.  Thomas has quite the encounter with the resurrected Christ.  However the other disciples were not the pillars of faith … even up until this point as it says in v 9 “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead”

Change

I struggle at times with impatience from both myself and others when we just don’t “get it”.  But look how long it took for the 11 to “get it” and they saw and experienced all that we read.  God, help me to see things from that perspective.

God spoke to me about

Though it is all thoughout the gospels, God seemed to bring out to me how that the very ones who SHOULD have embraced the Messiah (Pharisees) show themselves to be the enemies.  Jesus’ “natural” enemy (the one who would be threatened as a King appearing), however, seems to be the one who is in sympathy (Pilate).  I don’t know if that is clear or not but it seems the tables are turned.

Change/Encouragement

Sometimes I can relate to this situation.  The very people who should embrace His church are the ones who seem to put up the most opposition.  Odd.  I get angry sometimes at these kinds of attitudes but need to take on Jesus’ attitude to see the effects of sin on ALL people.

God spoke to me about

Jesus is coming close to the point for which He came.  The crucifixion is just round the corner.  In the confrontation with the guards who came to arrest him, Peter (being Peter) draws a sword and cut off the guard’s ear (I never stopped to think … “Why did Peter have a sword anyway?”).  Jesus replied and rebuked Peter … “Put your sword away!  Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”.  The cup (crucifixion) was, no doubt, a difficulty above all.  However Jesus faced it head on, knowing it was the Father’s will for Him.

Change

How many times have I blamed God for whatever “cup” that has been given me.  Don’t I expect the church to grow, never experience problems, sin to creep in, personality conflicts to rise up, but is that the cup the Lord gives me?  If my cup is to Pastor this church, I need to realise the cup doesn’t always hold just sweet juice.

God spoke to me about

Last night was the break-in at Holmescarr.  Just ridiculous.  Two things God spoke to me about this morning in John 17.  First relates to Jesus’ statement of what eternal life is all about … “that they may know you (the Father), the true God, and Jesus Christ”.  How simple yet profound is that.  The second is that Jesus did not pray that we would be taken out of the world but that (v. 15) the Father would protect us from the evil one.

Change

Wow … on a day when the rubbish of sin seems more glaring than usual, it is encouraging to know that my feet are on a solid rock and that relationship with the Father is really what it is all about.  The door is gone … laptop is gone … but in the light of eternity.  :)

OK, back on track now …

God spoke to me about

These sections just seem to be crying out.  Jesus is getting ready to face the cross.  He has been speaking of persecution, disciples’ grief because Jesus is “leaving” (v. 17) then Jesus’ incredible statement of when all else fails and everyone has left him, the Father would still be with Him (v. 32).  It almost seems He takes that encouragement and then pronounces “Take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

Change

Sometimes I do feel … alone … God help me to take comfort in that as the Father never left Jesus (wonder what happened “My God, my God why did you forsake me”? … in what way did God “leave” Jesus) God won’t forsake me.  I know we are made out of weak stuff, but God help me to remember you are the Rock, the Anchor.

Before I write anything, for the sake of our church members who might be following along … no I did not do my John Challenge on Sunday.  But no guilt!  But what a chapter this was!

What God spoke to me about

What do I pick?  If I were to pick one of the two things that stand out in a BIG WAY (that of persecution and … this topic, that of love), Jesus’ command to love each other shines a beam like a lighthouse (v. 17).  I wonder why now this is a recurring theme?!  Christians have the Holy Spirit.  Why does Jesus command us to love each other?  Is it so unnatural?  But after saying that, I do find myself greatly struggling with this.

Change

This has to be a God thing … I can’t generate “love”.  God has to do it.  I find this is where the proverbial rubber meets the road.  But here is a great example that I find when my prayer life lags, things irritate me much easier.  God help me to “love each other”!

God spoke to me about

Verse 17, in a chapter that speaks of the Holy Spirit, says the world cannot accept Him as it neither sees or knows Him (HS).  However, just from yesterday’s chapter (13), Jesus is speaking and refers to us and how the world will KNOW that we are disciples, if we have love one for another.  So the evidence for the HS is not in the HS Himself but what He does through us.

Change

Sometimes I don’t allow God to love people through me.  I need to keep a check on that … hmm

God spoke to me about

Though I had something different in mind, when I started to re-read this section … v. 7 blasted out to me.  When Peter queries Jesus about him washing his feet, Jesus replied, “You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  For all the times … looking back … I see God’s hand, I still get frustrated not knowing the “whys” of what is happening.

Change

I need to keep this little blip on my mind when those events come up.  Just because I don’t understand why doesn’t mean God doesn’t understand.

God spoke to me about

Over the last year I have battled with anger more than in a long time.  That might be clouding my take on what I see during our John Challenge.  The awfulness of sin just seems to shout.  More children hurt by the very people who should love and protect them above all others.  Young people strung out on drugs, alcohol, sex.  Sexual perversion seems stylish.  John 12 speaks to me when Jesus speaks more than once of people being in darkness.  Why would people choose darkness over light.  I just don’t get it …

Change

I cannot allow anger to rule me.  Jesus had compassion.  I must have compassion.