Gravity

My wife and I are thoroughly enjoying mountain biking. We go riding in a nature reserve not too far from home and it’s an amazing experience. It’s a whole lot different from cycling on the open road and there are a few things to get used to. I, unfortunately, have met with Mother Earth four times out of the five that I gone mountain biking. And the one time I did not fall, was the one time I took the bike out for a quick spin around the neighbourhood.

This past Saturday was fall number four. We were already a good deal into our trip when my phone started ringing. On the open road, answering the phone was no big deal. But on this new bike with all of the challenges that an uneven surface poses, I was not too sure about answering the phone. After a few seconds of indecision, I reached for the phone in the back pocket of my shirt… (unfortunately mountain biking does not leave as much room for error as cycling does) and as soon as I got the phone out of its place of safe keeping, I embraced Mother Earth yet again with one big thud!

After finishing our ride and taking a good long shower, I was reminded of a story in Matthew 14. This is the story about Jesus’ disciples being in a boat on a stormy sea. Whilst the storm raged on, Jesus came walking to them on the water! Peter asked to join Jesus on the water and Jesus invited him out of the boat and onto the water. Lo and behold, Peter walked on the water, just like Jesus! Unfortunately he became aware of the water and the waves… and he sank like a rock.
You and I can learn so much from this story… When Peter stepped out of the boat, his focus was nowhere else, but on Jesus. It was only when his focus shifted to the natural circumstances that he started sinking. You see, you and I are invited by Jesus to join Him in a Spiritual Walk where anything is possible, even walking on water. The only requirement to enjoy this walk is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. The moment we become more aware of our natural lives than we are of Him, we are sucked in by that which we look at.

Don’t worry, this is not another law to keep or another human effort. You can focus on Jesus, because He enables you to do so. He is the True Vine, and you are the branches. God the Father placed you in Christ, so that you can become what He has designed you to be, even before the foundations of the earth were laid.

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), (21) Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).

May you realize that God is for you, loves you and wants you to really experience a fulfilling live, a satisfied life, an awesome life! Be blessed!

a Bit of a Scuffle

The past few months have been really challenging! We’ve started mountain bike riding, our Congregation is doing great, I’ve made some special new friends and life’s been all round hectic! It has escalated to the point where I am now forced to re-evaluate my priorities and plan my time accordingly. Isn’t it amazing how we all know that it’s supposed to work that way, and still end up a bit overwhelmed when we start to drop some of the balls we’re juggling? Amazing.

During this adventurous process of determining and sorting through my priorities, I’ve been struck by precisely how important this blog is to me. The things I share with you on this blog are the things that have changed my life forever. I am passionate about sharing with you who Christ is! Christ is the answer to the question, no matter what that question may be. Therefore, I will continue writing whatever God has laid upon my heart to share.

In Luke 10 Jesus is visiting with his friends Mary and Martha. Martha is cooking up a storm in the kitchen whilst Mary is sitting with Jesus and enjoying His good company. Martha then comes and complains to Jesus that her sister (Mary) is being lazy and asks Him to reprimand her. But Jesus responds contrary to what Martha was expecting; He said that Mary had chosen the good/better portion. But what is really interesting about this portion, is that the Amplified Bible says the following: “But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!”

According the original Greek intent of this verse, Martha was actually distracted by her tasks, in actual fact the word used here is: serving. Martha was distracted by her serving! Now, didn’t we grow up with the idea that serving is a spiritual thing? Isn’t it true that what we do for God is always spiritual? Well, not according to Jesus. Martha was serving for Jesus and He said that Mary actually chose the good portion!

“But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Jesus is saying that it is more beneficial for us to receive from Him, than to serve for Him. Jesus doesn’t need our service, but we, in turn, do need that which He has to offer:

1John 4:9 In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him.

Christ offers his love, peace, prosperity and joy – His offer on the table: To be your life. To live and move within us so that nothing in this world will ever again depend on our own performance, but will always entirely depend on his finished work.