Sometimes, you just need somebody to point out the truth to you. By truth I mean, something that is radical and cannot be challenged because it is perfect.
The statement written by the apostle John is radical. The apostle John was a disciple close to Jesus-Christ and he says so in the Bible, he also reports what he heard.
So what is this Love? Why is this Love so special? What is the meaning of this verse? Are you amazed or shocked?
I'm losing contact forgetting what is real Able to touch but not able to feel It's easier to shut out everyone I'm chasing after my newest distraction to escape it all
My God, oh, my God, what have I become? The self-addicted one My God, oh, my God, You never failed me You're what I need
So often I'm the sleeping prayer More often I'm the weeping betrayer Sometimes I play the martyr, become the traitor
The humbled sinner has never been a role I knew to play
My God, oh, my God, what have I become? The self-addicted one My God, oh, my God, You never failed me You're what I need
Treason, a pound of flesh is the debt Leaving a crippled man I'll give You all I have left A straining outstretched hand
Is it enough? Is it enough? Reach down, take me back, take me back
My God, oh, my God, what have I become? The self-addicted one My God, oh, my God, You never failed me You're what I need
My God, oh, my God (My God, oh, my God) My God, oh, my God I'll give You all I have left A straining outstretched hand
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment (Philippians 1:9).”
George Pinwell, A Beckets troth the Saracen Maiden entering London at Sundow
Charles Dickens in his “Child’s History of England” tells of the romance of Thomas a Becket’s parents. Gilbert Becket was a London merchant in the 11th century. While on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he was taken prisoner by a Saracen lord who had a beautiful daughter. The girl fell in love with Gilbert and expressed a desire to become a Christian, escape with him and become his wife. Gilbert seemed to return her love until he found a chance to escape with Richard, his servant. Once he was back in England, Gilbert’s love for the beautiful Saracen maid began to grow dim until he all but forgot about her. But while his love was decreasing, her love was increasing. She left her father’s home in disguise to follow Gilbert and made her way to the coast. Gilbert had taught her two English words, “London” and “Gilbert.” She went from ship to ship saying over and over the name of the city where she so desperately wanted to go. She found a ship going to London and with some of her jewels paid for her passage. She soon arrived in London.
As Gilbert was sitting in his office one day his servant, Richard, came
running in saying, “The Saracen lady! As I live, she is going up and
down calling out, ‘Gilbert! Gilbert!’” Gilbert went out and found her in
the crowds. When she saw him she fainted in his arms. Soon
afterwards they were married.
Distance can sometimes destroy a love affair. But true love will
overcome whatever the obstacle.
Do we have a true love for our Lord?
A love that is increasing day by day?
We should pray as Paul prayed
for the Philippians that our “love may abound yet more and more....”
If you wish to read more devotionals written by Pastor Ed Wrather click here Ed Wrather
13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,but have not love, I gain nothing.
NIGERIA: FULANI HERDSMEN KILL HUNDREDS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
03 March 2016
Hundreds were killed in northern Nigeria during violence that took place in four communities in Agatu, Benue state according to BBC News. Reports say that over 7,000 people have been internally displaced and are living in camps as a result of the violence. Muslim Fulani herdsmen have been targeting Christians in this area and driving them out of their homes in violent attacks. It is not clear how many Christians were killed in the attacks last week; the security situation makes it difficult to confirm the details and reports are unclear. Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the clashes and ordered security agencies to get to the root of the problem. He said: "We will conduct an investigation to know exactly what happened; the only way to bring an end to the violence once and for all is to look beyond one incident and ascertain exactly what factors are behind the conflicts." He continued, "There should not be any reason why Nigerians of any group or tongue cannot now reside with one another wherever they find themselves after decades of living together."
Welcome to my blog, if you happen to read this post, may the Lord bless you richly and draw you closer to Him.
Today this was my short message: if somebody comes to you in the street and say something nasty to you, what should you do?
Four types of answers come to mind, 1 - say something equally nasty to them, 2 - tell them to go away, 3 - walk away 4- take refuge in a shop or speak to a policeman We won't go down the line of saying that one should punch or give a beating! If I would suggest that you could say something nice instead, would you be surprised. It says in the Bible that 'Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.' Proverbs 16:24 Are you surprised ? then think about the qualities of honey. This is such a lovely picture.
Let's consider the sacrificial love, the love that conquers all.
More to come.
Have a blessed evening my friends. In the name of Jesus our saviour and redeemer.
9 He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. 13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!” 17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.
Words cannot express the sadness in my heart after hearing about the atrocities in Paris last night. They reflect utmost hatred and a spirit of revenge characteristic of tit for tat behaviour totally in contradiction of love, forgiveness and peace.Tears, numbness and despair as I think of the pain and heartache felt by all the families who have lost their loved ones on this battle field for freedom and free will.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus came to bring us back to our relationship with God, having intimacy with God and a personal relationship with him. God is still calling us to his likeness..
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.
What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
~ Unknown
Like the butterfly, our struggles are exactly what God knows we need in our life. There are heartbreaking and tough times we face that God wants us to go through in order to change us into the person He wants us to be. As Christians, the struggles we go though are a part of God's journey for us, so we need to learn to rest in His promise to never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) as He works everything around for our good (Romans 8:28). He's preparing us for what awaits - He's preparing us to fly.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, evenwhen we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—
Have a blessed Sunday! May the Lord bless you and draw you closer to him. In Jesus-Christ. Amen.
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ― Corrie ten Boom
"Only God can fully satisfy the hungry heart of man." - Hugh Black “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.” ― Abraham Lincoln
Everyone who believes in God at all believes that he knows what you and I are going to do tomorrow. ~ C. S. Lewis
“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” ― Søren Kierkegaard “God transforms us one area at a time.” ― Judah Smith
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.” ― Erma Bombeck
In peace let us pray. Be still for the power of the Lord is moving in this place. Risen Lord as we prepare to receive Holy Communion, we remember with humble thanks the sacrifice you made for us. We pray for the Queen and the Royal family and especially this morning, we pray for the little girl born to the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge. We pray for those affected by the earthquake in Nepal, especially those who have been injured, the homeless and all those who mourn the loss of loved ones, the orphans and the hungry. Lord of tenderness and mercy we ask you to relieve the burden of trauma, worry and pain from the victims of Nepal. We pray that they will find courage to rebuild their lives and their communities. In our prayers, we remember the work of the aid agencies and volunteers working to help the people of Nepal. Lord of comfort and compassion, bless with humility those who work to relieve the pain and suffering of those affected in the Nepal earthquake, help them to deliver the basics of life and where there is despair let them bring hope. Almighty God, Shepherd of the sheep, defender of the defenceless, we ask for your blessing on Elisa newly baptised into your Church Family. Hold her in your arms and bless her, shine your light on her path and let her always know her loving presence. Lord we ask you for your blessing on her parents, grandparents and God parents. May they always be ready to listen and to comfrot, to laught, to pray and encourage and to praise and throught their love for Elisa, may they receive your loving kindness. Finally, we pray for ourselves, for our own discipleship, and in the presence of Almighty God, we take a few moments of silence to talk to him now... As we work through the tapestry of life, we pull together the threads of our journey - the rich colours of success and shades of sorrow, the stitches of friendship and the design of our destiny. Almighty God, creator of all things, as we weeave through your pattern, let your light shine before us to show us the way; let your hand carry us in times of trouble or doubt and let your love embrace us, helping us to do our best to the glory of your name. Merciful Lord accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus-Christ. Amen. Wayne Sandon Church, Mid-trent churches.
Because Ruth was not a boy, her parents treated her cruelly. At age five, she was forced to work in their fields. She was never given much food to eat, and her parents rarely bought her clothes. See how God's hand was on Ruth's life and how He used her to impact so many other women in South Asia for eternity. To learn more about women missionaries and how you can support one, go to http://www.gfa.org/women/
As I am back from our hols, I have just read a beautiful story..let me share it with you. My parents were at the circus when I was born. I’m sure they were having a great time celebrating my brother’s sixth birthday, but I was at the hospital, being born.
I was adopted at birth.
Everything was arranged before I was born, and when I was just five days old, my brother, Jeremy, carried me out with the caseworker to present me to my parents and bring me home.
I had spiky hair and I was delivered with forceps, which temporarily pinched a nerve and made my mouth hang down on one side so I had a crooked smile.
But when my brother carried me out in his six year old arms, he presented me to my parents and said, “Isn’t she pretty? Doesn’t she look just like me?!”
There are times when God intervenes in our lives in nearly flagrant ways. He interrupts the logical order of things, and turns everything upside down in the best way possible. In my case, He took me from being an unplanned pregnancy, to a pined-after, “chosen child” in a family where I have been inordinately loved. Continue, click here or watch the video clip:
