Making The Most Of My Life (day64/365)

There are no dress rehearsals for life. We are on stage from the start.

Nicky Gumbel in “Questions of Life”, gives us some parting tips for making the most of our lives.

# Break from the past. When we follow Christ, we are free to shed patterns and habits that bring us and others down.

# Make a new start. God does not ask us to leave behind anything that is good. But he does ask us to get rid of the rubbish. Never be lacking in zeal.

# Our number one priority is our relationship with God.
# Offer our ambitions to God.
# Offer our possessions and money to God. (It’s his from the start)

The extraordinary paradox is that as we give Him everything, we find freedom. Living for ourselves is slavery; but His service is perfect freedom. (Book of Common Prayer)

“Our motivation for living the Christian life is the love of the Father. Our model in life is the example of the Son. The means by which we can live this life is the power of the Holy Spirit”.

This spiritual dimension adds a fullness to our life. Why would you want to miss out?

Does God Heal Today? (day62/365)

Nicky Gumbel in his book “Questions of Life” talks about the healing that Jesus did as part of the normal activity of the kingdom.

Besides healing many people himself, he also commissioned the 12 disciples, then 72 others, then all his disciples.

Besides many gospel accounts of miraculous healings, the early church writers such as Quadratus, Justin Martyr, Theophilus of Antioch, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen confirm that healing formed part of the activity of the early church.

Healing is still very much a part of the modern church. Many Christians have been given the gift of healing. Some simple guidelines for those administering the gift follow :-

Where does it hurt? Find out what and where the problem is.

Why does the person have the condition? Accident, root causes like unforgiveness? Listen!

How do I pray? Ask God to heal in the name of Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to come on the person.

Ask how they are feeling. Keep praying until we feel it is right to stop.

What next? Reassure them of God’s love whether healed or not.

Healing on it’s own is a powerful thing, but when people are brought to repentance and they experience the liberation that forgiveness gives, healing has another brilliant facet.

What a brilliant gift!

Sharing Our Faith (day61/365)

Nicky Gumbel in “Questions of Life” states there are three reasons we would want to share our faith in God.

It is a command of Jesus. “Go” appears 1514 times in the bible.

There is a desperate need for people to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

Having discovered the good news ourselves, we feel an urgent desire to pass it on.

There is a problem however if we are insensitive in our enthusiasm. We need to remember that our actions are often stronger and more readily accepted than our words. We are more likely to affect others with our consistency, honesty, truthfulness, hard work, reliability, avoiding gossip, encouraging others, patience, kindness, service to others, purity, reverence, love and concern.

When someone is asking questions about the reason we are so peaceful, joyful, and enthusiastic about life be prepared to give an answer to the one seeking hope for their world. Be gentle and respectful.

For all of us, there is the power of prayer. Don’t underestimate this communication with God. He listens to our requests for Him to give life to our loved ones.

How Can I Resist Evil? (day60/365)

I have learnt so much already reading “Questions of Life” by Nicky Gumbel. Today I’ve learnt about evil and how to put it in it’s place.

Have you noticed that God and good are only one letter difference.
The Devil and evil are also one letter different.

God and the Devil both exist; God being good, the Devil being evil. There’s plenty of evidence that Satan does exist. He is cunning and he is powerful. The Bible confirms his existence, Jesus cast demons (Satan’s sidekicks) out of people, Christians world wide over the ages attest to the very real spiritual forces of evil, and common sense of those viewing the tragedy of abuse, torture, violence, murders, rapes, drug trafficking, terrorism, occult activity confirms the existence of the devil.

The Devil’s main aim is to destroy us. Destruction and despair is what he wants for us. He works very hard to stop any of us coming to faith in Jesus. He does all he can to make us doubt the love of God and the freedom God offers.

While we let Satan rule our lives and hearts, we are subject to sin, guilt, addiction, fear, slavery, death and destruction. Once we ask Christ to take us away from the bondage Satan holds us under, we are free to experience forgiveness, freedom, life, salvation. We are transferred from darkness to light.

The Bible gives us some armour to put on to defend ourselves from Satan’s constant attacks. (Ephesians 6:11)

Belt of Truth – Read the Bible, Christian books, listen to sermons at church, Christian CD’s, DVD,s.

Breastplate of Righteousness – Accept Jesus’ forgiveness. Be sincerely sorry for the bad we’ve done.

Boots of the Gospel of Peace – Be ready to speak about the gospel of Jesus. When we declare our faith, it strengthens our defense.

Shield of Faith – Opposite of cynicism and skepticism. Take the promises of God and dare to believe them.

Helmet of Salvation – Past, present and future. We have been saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin, we will be saved from the presence of sin.

Sword of the Spirit – Know scripture and use it to throw at Satan to rebuke him and squash his attempts to harm us.

Is there anyone else out there wanting to choose life, freedom, peace for themselves, for their family? I’m all for strengthening my defenses and growing stronger in love, hope and faith.

How Can I Be Filled With The Spirit (day59/365)

We continue to explore a practical introduction to the Christian faith in “Questions of Life” by Nicky Gumbel.

Last chapter on the Holy Spirit.

Some people who have been baptised, confirmed, gone to church a little or a lot may or may not be aware of the Holy Spirit. Like a gas hot water system, there may be a pilot light burning, but the system is not giving out heat and power. When the Holy Spirit fills someone, they begin to fire on all cylinders. Being with someone who is spirit filled, you can most probably see and feel the difference.

When we have a desire to love, praise and worship God with our whole being, when we are open to receive the fullness of the peace God wants to give us, when we desire the ultimate intimacy with our creator, he comes. God doesn’t just want to walk with us, he wants to pick us up, embrace us, kiss us, hug us until we can no longer doubt his love for us.

Some people when filled with the Spirit shake all over, some breathe very deeply, some experience physical heat in parts of their body, others feel like they are glowing, some praise God, some receive the gift of tongues or languages (speaking a language you have never learned).

To receive we need to believe that if we ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will receive.

We need to trust God that he wants to give us something good.

We need to ask for forgiveness, turn from any area of life that we know is wrong, seek God with all our heart, soul, mind, body, will, emotions and personality.

Does anyone out there want to share their experiences of being filled with the Spirit?

What Does The Holy Spirit Do? (day58/365)

“A new baby is born as a result of a man and a woman coming together in sexual intercourse. In the spiritual realm, when the Spirit of God and the spirit of a man or woman come together, a new spiritual being is created. There is a new birth, spiritually.”

We continue learning from Nicky Gumbel in “Questions of Life”.

Whilst it is Jesus that has broken down the barriers between us and God, it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the deepest possible experience of God. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. He helps us to know deep within,the assurance of the love and relationship of God.

The Holy Spirit brings us into the presence of God, he helps us to pray, he grants us wisdom and revelation, he helps us understand God’s Word.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, the fruit of the Spirit grows in our lives. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. Galatians 5:22

There are more gifts of the Spirit also. They include wisdom, knowledge, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different tongues, interpretation of tongues, serving, encouraging, giving, leadership, showing mercy, hospitality, teaching, administrating, evangelising.

What a powerhouse of good things. I say “Come, Holy Spirit”.

Who Is The Holy Spirit? (day57/365)

Nicky Gumbel in “Questions of Life“, dedicates three chapters to the Holy Spirit. Today we learn who this Spirit is.

Present from the beginning of time, the Holy Spirit is part of the Triune God. One with the Father and the Son, he is counsellor, comforter, encourager. Just as he caused new things to come into being and brought order out of chaos in the creation account, he still today brings new things into people’s lives and into churches. He brings order and peace into broken lives, freeing people from confusion, addiction and the mess of broken relationships.

Throughout the old testament the Spirit came upon particular people who were called to do particular jobs. They were filled with strength and power, wisdom, skill, ability and knowledge, leadership to do a set job.

With the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus however, the gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to all who would receive. We now live in the age of the Spirit. The promise of the Father has been fulfilled. Every single Christian receives this promise. It is no longer just for particular people, at particular times for particular tasks. It is for all Christians.

How Does God Guide Us? (day56/365)

Guidance springs out of a relationship with God. God has a plan for our lives. God guides us when we are prepared to do his will rather than insisting our own way is right. The moment we are prepared to do his will, he begins to reveal his plans for our lives.

Nicky Gumbel continues to help us understand the practical implications of being a believer through his book “Questions of Life”.

He lists five ways we can access God’s guidance.

1/ Scripture. God’s will is quite clear in the bible.
eg. pay taxes where due
eg. do not commit adultery
If you don’t know the bible well ask someone who does.
Often there will be many references to issues you are facing.

2/ Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to live in us and communicates
when we are praying, when we desire to do his will, and
also through dreams, visions, angels, prophets.

3/ Common sense. eg. we don’t need to hear God’s voice to tell us
what clothing to put on each morning.

4/ Counsel. Respected godly people with wisdom and experience
can help us walk through issues. Parents are generally wiser
than we give them credit for.

5/ Circumstantial signs. Sometimes it’s God’s will to close doors. Other
times, it is to open them.

Be patient as you are trying to hear God. Sometimes we need to have a few things line up in agreeance before we can accept his guidance.

As we seek his will by reading the bible, listening to the Spirit within us, thinking with common sense, talking to wise counsellors, watching for signs, and waiting, God comes and sits along side us and makes something beautiful out of our lives.

Why And How Do I Pray? (day55/365)

At the time of writing “Questions of Life”, Nicky Gumbel found that three-quarters of sceptical, secular Britain admitted to praying once a week.

Many pray prayers taught to us as young children by grandma or mum. Many also pray in crisis situations. It is amazing how many coincidences happen when we pray, including these situations.

The power of prayer does depend on our apprehension of who it is with whom we speak. Jesus through his death removed the barrier to God Almighty. The Holy Spirit lives in us also and helps us to pray.

Reasons for praying:-

To develop a relationship with the God of the universe.
Thanksgiving
Praise
Adoration
Confession
Listening for guidance, instruction
Prayer changes situations

Can we expect prayer to be answered? -

Unconfessed sin causes a barrier between us and God. So confess it, receive forgiveness and pray away.
The answer to prayer will either be YES, NO, or WAIT.
Asking for things according to God’s Will attracts more answers in the affirmative.

Suggestion on how to pray:-

A – adoration. Praising God for who he is and what he has done.
C – confession. Asking God’s forgiveness for anything we have done
wrong.
T – thanksgiving. Health, family, friends etc.
S – supplication. Praying for ourselves, for friends, for others.

The pattern of the Lord’s prayer is also a great one to follow. (Matthew 6:9-13)

Prayer is at the heart of Christianity, because at the heart of Christianity is a relationship with God. That is why it is the most important activity of our lives.

Why and How Should I Read The Bible? (day54/365)

“Questions Of Life” by Nicky Gumbel continues. Three reasons to read the bible:-

1/ The Bible is the biggest selling book year after year. Over 44
million per year are sold.
2/ It is powerful. It is relevant. It’s where we meet the living God.
3/ It is precious. Ask people who have had to endure hardship for
their faith and possession of Christian literature.

God is continually wanting to communicate with us. He does so primarily through the bible.

Just as a game of soccer needs a referee, so we as players in life need direction. Within the boundaries God sets, we experience freedom and joy. When we break the rules, people get hurt. The more we discover God’s will and do it, the freer we will be.

Reading God’s Word changes lives. We produce fruit, we have the strength to persevere in our walk, and we will prosper in whatever we do.

The HOW to read the bible is easy. Just start. Be realistic. Read a few minutes a day and increase as you go. When you have finished reading each day, ask yourself :-

What does it say? Read the notes or check a different translation if you’re not sure.

What does it mean? -for the person who first wrote it and those who first read it?

How does it apply to me, my family, work, neighbours etc?

Take some time to write down your thoughts.