Praying that as we start a new year w will only move when God’s wind moves us and in whatever direction He chooses.

Also recognising when He is moving us.

The analogy is of a sailing boat.  The Holy Spirit (the third person of the trinity) is sometimes described like a wind .

The key is to recognise that wind(or recognise the moving of God through the Holy Spirit) and move in the right direction.

John 5 V 19 

Jesus said to them, “I assure you that the son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.What the Son does is always modelled on what the Father does.

Revelation Chapter 3 V 14  The Church of Laodicea

Told to be Hot or cold, not tepid

The water supply to the Laodicea was lukewarm. This is in contrast to the hot springs  at nearby Hierapolis and the pure and cold water of Colossae . The viaduct for Laodicea carried water from hot mineral springs would have become tepid before entering the city.  The imagery gained from the Laodicean aqueduct suggests both hot and cold water are useful, whereas lukewarm water is tasteless and useless. This is the very imagery that Revelations uses for the Church of Laodicea.

The Laodicean church said,

‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’

But God said,

” you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me

It seems to me that four things are requested.

A diligence & honesty about coming to God

An honesty in a willingness to repent

A listening ear – what is God saying

A welcoming heart – Come Holy Spirit , enter into my life .

Thanks  TC 8th Feb 2015

Grace will disagree with our sense of Justice

Grace puts our sin into perspective

Grace looks to restore & not condemn

(EG)

How good to sing praises to our God!
    How delightful and how fitting!
³ He heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.
⁴ He counts the stars
    and calls them all by name.
⁵ How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
    His understanding is beyond comprehension

As Spafford travelled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. 

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain: It is well, (it is well), With my soul, (with my soul) It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin — oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! — My sin — not in part but the whole, — Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life, Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.”

There are several verses in the Bible which specifically talk of thankfulness.

eg Give thanks for everything  Ephesians 5 V20

Always be thankful  Colossians 3 V 15

Sing with thankful hearts  Colossians 3 V 16

Have a thankful heart  Colossians 4 v 2

Be thankful in all circumstances  1 Thessalonians 5 v 11

Be thankful for the unshakeable kingdom Hebrews 12 v 28

The Question is. Can the Christian really expect to be thankful in ever circumstance given the bad things that happen in this world?

When God speaks we need to recognise His voice & act. (cf James and the mirror)

“Acts” follows the gospels. Jesus spoke & after Pentecost came mission.

Examples

Adam & Eve   –   “What did God say to me?”

Jonah              –    “I hear you but I don’t like what you are saying”.

Moses              –   ” hearing on holy ground” but still wanting someone else to go.

8th June Sunday am TC

Its not a word commonly used today but it does describe passion, enthusiasm and fervour towards something.

The Bible encourages us to have spiritual fervour and zeal for God and His way of life.

Its easy to fall in to the trap of working up a passion & to try hard in our own strength to do all the things we think we should do to please God.

In Galatians the Christians  had made a similar mistake. Having become Christian by spiritual new birth & life they then tried to live this life without the power of God.

We need to realise that God has given us His Holy Spirit (John 14) to enable us to live His life of Zeal in us.

Thanks  Ian  (22nd June 2014)

Paul says in Romans:- For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.^[]

2 Corinthians4 v 5 says:-

 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.