Tag Archive for ‘God’ at LayGuy

Tag Archive for 'God'

Ready For The Harvest

Published

on August 17, 2008

in Christianity, Church and Digging Deeper

. 0 Comments

For some reason, I really felt God tugging on my heart tonight to open His Word as He had something to share with me. As an experiment, I did one of those cliche things Christians do and just opened up the Bible randomly to see where it would lead me.

And my finger landed on the following parable from Jesus:

“And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29

Being a member of a small church plant and seeing new people walk in every week, this parable struck a chord within me. Being a church plant in a poor neighbourhood of a major Australian city is tough work. I take my hat off to my Pastor who planted this church 7 years ago for his unending perseverance in what he does for our little church.

But this passage gives me a glimpse into how God works in the lives of our immediate and extended community and provides me an awesome motivation to keep doing what we do at Church.

At first, the farmer scatters the seeds. it’s his job to do what he needs to do. This represents our need to be faithful servants in the matters of the Kingdom. Do our job, fulfill our duties - share the Gospel. As the seed needs to dig into the soil, so our message needs to be relevant to our community - or else it simply won’t stick.

But the reference to “sleeping and rising” indicates a long passing of time. Sometimes we want immediate results from our efforts. However imagine how bizarre it would be to a farmer if, the second he threw his seed and BANG, he had a mature crop. It’s absurd indeed.

The reference to “he knows not how the seed grows” is an awesome reference to how the Spirit of God does His work. We need to get the message out there and learn to relax and rely on the Spirit of God to do His thing. Those destined to love God will grow and will thrive - often without us even being aware of it or even understanding it.

But that’s cool. Just like the farmer scratching his head day and night as he sees the seed he’s thrown sprout into “blades and ears and full grain” I think we should allow God to do His mysterious work in the lives of people. And we should do this in the absence of anxiety. Imagine a farmer peering out his window at the end of the day looking for sprouting blades and ears - he would go nuts!

But the stickler in all this is the farmers knowledge of when the crop is ripe - it’s harvest time! In his experience, he whips out the sickle and, once again, does what he needs to do. And this is where I believe, we as Christians, should ask for wisdom.

I think it’s prudent to ask God when the harvest is ripe and when to step in and do our thing when it comes to the spiritual development of people. May we have the insight to whip out our “spiritual sickles” and lead people to Jesus.

God’s in partnership with us. We do our thing, He does His and then allows us the delight to “close the deal” in the salvation of human souls. What an honour! And how terrifying it is to do so if we haven’t a clue as to how to “swing that sickle!”

My prayer for me and all those at our church plant is to have our eyes opened to this reality. God is bringing people into our church. The harvest seems to be on our doorstep. May we know how to lead people to Jesus. Afterall, all the mystery of salvation is in his hands - we just need to be available and do our thing. But may we do our thing in the best way possible! And be expert “sickle swingers!”

Piper On Perseverance

Published

LayGuy

on July 29, 2008

in Christianity and Digging Deeper

. 4 Comments

Perseverance seems to be a bit of a buzzword in my life right now. Deep down in my soul is an “echo” of the word as I struggle to meet the daily demands of life.

Even at church, the topic mysteriously landed on my lap. I occasionally get asked to share a message and we’ve been going through the Sermon On The Mount found in Mathew 5,6 & 7. Lo and behold, I got asked to share on Mat 7:7-11 - which again talks about perseverance. The audio of my message can be found below.

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And then again tonight as I was checking out some video’s on YouTube, I come across this little beauty by John Piper. Too often, we choose the path of least resistance in our lives - and this also creeps into our faith. As a result, faith gets shipwrecked and the hope in God fades away.

When the going gets tough, the tough should get going to God - He is the One that can sustain and deliver us from any obstacle life throws at us. And if He doesn’t want us to survive that obstacle, He will be there side by side - accompanying us all the way.

I can almost imagine Him looking at the tears streaming down our faces as we face our obstacles and saying to Himself, “in My Kingdom, these tears I will personally wipe away,” - just learn to trust Me.

So in my soul, I’m beginning to thank God for the current hard times because He is teaching me an attribute worth it’s weight in gold - perseverance. Check out Piper’s video below and I hope you are encouraged by it.

My God

Published

LayGuy

on July 23, 2008

in Christianity

. 0 Comments

During a season of massive change and upheaval, the following video from North Point Community Church spoke to me is a nice and personal way. Hope you are blessed by it.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

Published

LayGuy

on June 21, 2008

in Christianity and Science

. 0 Comments

When Darwin penned “The Origin Of Species” and the theory of evolution was born, the assumption was that that single cell was life’s most simplest life form. The theory developed that perhaps lightning struck a pond of water causing several molecules to combine in a random way, which by chance resulted in a living cell. The cell then divided and evolved into higher life forms.

Back then it may have sounded intelligent even! I mean how simple can a single cell be? There are a 100 trillion of them in our bodies and even under powerful microscopes, they looked, well, simple.

Well since then our understanding of the single cell has exploded. I once heard that to compare all the systems and interactions that occur within a single cell, you would need to compare it to a city the size of New York. So much for being simple!

I want to show a video below taken from ted.com where David Bolinski, a medical illustrator and animator, talks about his quest to capture the “truth and beauty” of the “the inner life of a single cell.” It’s a nine minute clip where he introduces the work Harvard University has sanctioned him to do for their students. At the end is a 3 minute animation which will blow your mind away and make Darwin eat his words.

A couple points of interest:

Davis has put this animation together while admitting that we know almost a percent (1%) of what’s really going on. Imagine the true beauty of it all!
The single cell is full of micro-machines. As David states, the “machines that run the cells are the basis of all life.” Darwin didn’t even know they existed.
These micro-machines are the envy of all nano-technologists - the absolute cutting edge of modern technology. In lay guy terms, “we still haven’t figured this stuff out!”
And my favourite quote in regards to micro-machines, “They make the cell to do what it needs to do and helps our bodies - huge entities that they will never see - function properly.”

If you have issues veiwing the video, click here to view it at ted.com. To check out only the three minute presentation without the commentary, click here.

I love God and I love science. I am not anti-science whatsoever. Instead, I love seeing how science, when it’s pursued without an agenda, continuously points towards a Creator - an Intelligence way beyond our ability to comprehend.

This Intelligence creates mega cities filled with micro-machines to do their bidding. Then replicates them a 100 trillion times each and forms a human body. Then slips in our soul and spirit to occupy this physical entity. He finally breathes His breath into us and we become a human being. Reminds me of one of my favourite scriptures:

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14

Indeed my soul knows this very well. It’s just taking mankind a little time to catch up.

Distant God

Published

LayGuy

on May 14, 2008

in Christianity and Digging Deeper

. Closed

If you’re at least half human, you’ll get this post. You will understand where I am coming from and will appreciate the honesty and the lack of cliche.

Sometimes God “feels” so distant.

Be it through your own actions, thoughts and world view or by being hurt by others, sometimes the whole notion of God as a loving and caring Father seems ridiculous. And when you are in sin, this is especially true.

To all you non-believers in Jesus who subscribe to this blog, this is “family talk” and you undoubtedly have no idea what I am on about so have the decency to understand that I am waffling about things as foreign to you as understanding the reasons why the Burmese Government won’t allow foreign aid to come into the country.

Although I am “sold out to God” (whatever that means) I still question the method and means of God’s reality and communication with us. The silence when you seek assurance and the no response when you desire to be embraced as a hurting child. And when you sit back and think about the “foolishness” of what is preached, you realise that the Gospel makes no sense whatsoever in the world of modern, Western society.

But that’s all cool. The NT says that what is preached is foolishness anyway and those wanting to poke and prod will find ample material. Let it go I say.

But I love this passage from Isaiah:

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.

Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him.” Isa 57:15-19

I love my Father. I love the fact that although He dwells in brilliance, He is closest to those going through hell in their lives. The broken and outcast are the ones He walks with most closely - even though they don’t know this - and He understands that the course of their lives results from the sin inside of them.

Although he sees my ways, and pathetic ways they are, He says that “he will heal me”. I know that this passage of scripture has it’s context set in other ways, but it also reveals my Father’s heart to those who are broken. It shows His righteousness, His justice and His overwhelming compassion.

So if God is distant to you. Pursue Him nonetheless cause it’s at these moments, in the time of your brokenness that He is closer then you ever think. Pursue Him cause His heart is set on healing you - albeit after He allows you to be broken.

Middle East Peace? Fat Chance…

Published

LayGuy

on December 6, 2007

in Christianity, Digging Deeper, Politics and World News

. 2 Comments

I read today that Mr Looney Tunes, George W Bush, refuses to rule out military action against Iran despite the report from the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that “Tehran’s nuclear weapons program ended in 2003.”

What an embarrassing slap in the face to an Administration hell bent on going to war against Iran to facilitate their PNAC world view. Like the illegal invasion against Iraq, Bush and his cronies are using every trick in the book to convince a largely gullible and blindly “patriotic” American public who have been conditioned to the “imminent threat of terror.”

The report stated that Iran is incapable of developing nuclear weapons till at least 2015 and yet Bush has been pushing the idea that WW3 is on our doorstep because of Iran’s nuclear program.

For the record, I am not a Mr Ahmadinejad supporter. The guy is a Holocaust denier and is hell bent on the destruction of Israel. Problem is, he wants to throw sticks and stones against a country considered by many as a military superpower.

Put aside the military might of Israel and you have the supernatural provision of God at work. For the sake of His Name, He is collecting His people from amongst the nations and bringing them back to His land. And His might is at work in the provision of Israel…

“Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labour than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.” Isa 66:8-9

The day after Israel declared independence, it’s surrounding Islamic nations declared war. It happened again in 1967 and 1973. The “give delivery” of God is truly a more powerful thing then the intentions of mankind.

Although the US is a supporter if Israel, at best this is because it is in their “national interest”. In reality the US really couldn’t care less of the well being of Israel. It seems as it’s the “expected thing to do” for an exiting Administration to broker a peace deal in the Middle East.

Like a “crowning glory” of a soon to be former President of the USA, each leader drags all Mid East parties to the negotiating table and attempts to bring peace to the region. Bush claims to be a Christian. If he really is, he should be aware of all the Old Testament prophecies regarding God’s land and His people living in it. It particular, he should be aware of the following scripture:

“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” Zech 12:2-3

Anyone with half a brain can see that the Mid East peace process is dead in the hands of man. Tensions will escalate to the point where “all the nations of the earth” (UN led??) will attack Israel.

But Bush seems to fail to understand this and his instead tried to implemented the “Road Map for peace” in his desire to “..seek a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians before he leaves office.” And after seven years in power, he now plans to visit the region for the first time. First time? What took him so long?

In the mean time, his rhetoric is increasingly anti-Iran despite Iran being no real threat to the Mid East. He fails to understand that US foreign policy is the sole threat to peace in the Mid East.

Like I said, I don’t support Iran’s leader and see him as a thug. But for the US to go to war against Iran is simply wrong. Iran is a stumbling block to the US’ efforts to control oil and it’s distribution around the world. Read this article for a comprehensive world view that will blow your mind away.

WW3 will be played out in the Mid East. My fear is the perpetrator will be the US. It’s actions will destabilise the region and it’s collaborations with Israel will make Israel a prime target for world wide retaliation.

But when the nations gather against her, Israel will be in the blessing of God:

On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” Zech 12:3

When this Great War happens, it will trigger off the most amazing event in history. The Jews will finally have their eyes opened and look to Jesus:

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” Zech 12:10

I’m sure most of you would have heard of that Scripture before. But when you put it in context with the rest of Zechariah 12, you see that the events leading up to this time could be very close indeed.

Jesus said that wars and rumours of wars will abound. Specifically the nations will gather against Israel. God will deliver His people and open their eyes to the reality of their Messiah. And then it’s party time for mankind:

“But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!” Rom 11:12

“For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” Rom 11:15

So you do your thing Mr Bush. Why don’t you go off and retire now like your daddy and leave the rest of the world alone.

Tags: USA, George Bush, NIE, Iran, Israel, God, Jews, Jesus, Middle East

LayGuy