Archive for March, 2007

Easter 2 - Mission - Dad Knows Best

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2007

Have you ever felt despair? Have you dreaded going to school to face a teacher, friend, or bully? Have you dreaded going to work, knowing that you had bad news for your customer or boss? Have you ever looked a situation you are in and just felt an ache in the very pit of your stomach, not knowing what to do or where to turn? Have you ever woken up in the morning knowing you just can make it through the day? Jesus knows how you feel. Even Jesus, Gods own son turned to our Father God and said “Please Father is it possible let this happen another way.” Jesus the man who knew why he was here, the man who knew his mission said “Dad is there another way this mission can be complete, make it so” But ultimately Jesus love for his father made him strong. He went on to say “Dad don’t do what I want, do what you know is best.” So in those dark dark nights turn to your Father God who only has good plans for you, and cry to him. Be honest with your concerns, he knows them anyway. Ask him to guide you and ask him to make what he wants to be what you want. Or put another way say “But Dad don’t do what I want, do what you know is best.”

Easter 1 - Mission - Just Do It

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2007

Over the next few devs we are going to look at the road to the cross through the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This is why Jesus came and this is where it begins. We can see from these two passages that the cross was no surprise to Jesus, he knew it was coming, he knew how it was coming and he knew who was going to betray him. Jesus knew his mission on this earth and he was ready to execute it. This was mission impossible for most people but mission possible for our God. So why would he do it? Try this idea on. You are sat in the garden, it’s a beautiful day, the sun is beating down and you have an ice cold drink. Things could not be better. You see your next door neighbours five year old kid with a water pistol pointing at you over the fence, but you are safe where you are he can’t reach you. So you deliberately get up from you seat and walk towards your neighbours kid. You know what is going to happen, you know when, and you know who is going to do it. Sure enough as soon as you are close you get soaked by the kid, who giggles and runs away with a massive smile on his face. Why did you do it? Why did you come out of your paradise and get soaked? You did it because the joy on the face of the kids as he ran away was payment enough. That’s what Jesus did he came down from his perfect Heaven, knowing that Judas would betray him and he would die for us. Why? Because he loves you, and he leaves the bread and wine to help you remember this.

Let's Party - Genesis 45 14-28

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2007

Celebrate because Josephs whole family are back together lets party. Even the Pharaoh is getting in on the act, and why not this is brilliant news. Is this how you celebrate when others receive good news. When your mate passes an exam do you pat them on the back and cheer with them? When you brother or sister wins a sports match, can you put any envy behind you and jump up and down and shout for them? Jesus cried with and for people. Jesus told people that some of the stuff they did was wrong. Jesus also encouraged people that some of the things they did were right. But Jesus loves to celebrate with people. The very first miracle that Jesus performed was turning water into wine at wedding celebration. Jesus did not just happen across a wedding Jesus went to the wedding to celebrate with the happy couple. Think about it Jesus didn’t announce his presence on this earth with bolts of lighting and by healing hundreds of people, which he could easily have done. No Jesus announced his presence on this earth by celebrating good news and by having a party. Anyone who claims that Jesus is boring and no fun, has missed the point. Jesus likes a good party too, and I don’t know about you but so do I.

How About You - Genesis 45 1-13

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2007

And so at last the deceit is over, finally Joseph reveals to his brother the truth about who he is. Any signs of revenge or bitterness are gone. Joseph now just wants the very best for his family and he wants it fast. Could you be like this with someone who had sold you into slavery? Sometimes members of my family wind me up, and I just don’t want to talk to them, let alone take care of them. Also Josephs doing OK now, he is in command of Egypt he isn’t some lowly sheep farmer anymore, why should he associate with people like that? Do you have members of your family who are seen as being the poor cousins? Are they a little to rough around the edges for you? Our Father God does not look on the outside when it comes to his children in this world. Our lord wants to love the business man, the student, the dustman, the unemployed, the film star, the homeless, how about you? Our graceful God doesn’t look at what you have done in the past he wants to love those who have lied, been good, cheated, been honourable, murdered, helped, or sold their brothers into slavery, how about you? Joseph has learnt a great deal along the way about love and how God sees love, how about you?

Uncommon Valour - Genesis 44 18-34

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2007

What is it that makes people do this type of thing? Judah steps forwards and basically says don’t take my brother take me, don’t enslave my brother enslave me, don’t kill my brother kill me. Why would someone do that? Is it courage, love or stupidity? Yes some people in this world would say that it is stupid to give up your life for your brother. What you need to do in this world is grab all you can for yourself. But Jesus has a different outlook on this, he says “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Now that’s a radical approach, and did you note it’s not a suggestion it is a command. Jesus doesn’t say love one another until it becomes inconvenient. Jesus says love one another even when it is inconvenient, and that may even mean giving up your life for them. So love that person at school who everyone bullies even though you get the rip taken out of you. Love the old woman next door, even though she bores you with her chatter about the olden times. Love that guy at work who just seems to be ignorant all the time. Judah loved his brother to the point of giving up his own life for him. Jesus loves you to the point of giving up his life for you. Why don’t you love others to the point where they ask why?