Christmas…?

Hi

I had a friend send me this article about Christmas and requested it be posted on the blog. After much consideration and attempts to shorten it, but due to time constraints decided to leave it as is.

Christmas revealed[1]

Being Above The Situation

Heading: Being Above The Situation

Get ready: We are being told that to get ahead and stay ahead you need to be on top of your game. This could mean a number of things as our lives are split in so many directions.

 Look it up: John 6:16-30

Get into it: These disciples are not fast learners. After seeing him feed the multitudes a few hours ago they are terrified seeing him walking on water (verse19). We see that from the disbelief the people had of Jesus (5:16-29) he has now become, the sort after one for food and not what he has done. (Verses 26&27) the human nature has not changed much in that people still look to God for material prosperity.

 Just between us: ‘With Jesus in my boat I can smile at the storm…’ This is the song that comes to mind when I read this passage. I have realised that not only does he help calm my storms but he instils confidence in me making himself sort after by others through me. I have found this to be such a privilege and honour. Just when I am feeling down and out, he raises me up not to stand on mountains where people cannot see me but rather to walk on water for all to see.

Go for it: Prayer: Father help me as I face challenges to acknowledge you as I go through it. You will not allow it to happen for me to endure on my own.

Use The Opportunity?

Heading: Use The Opportunity?

Get ready: How often do we shy away from the opportunities that present themselves to us? Do you know why this happens? A man once said, ‘the cemetery is the richest place in the world.’ It is full of potential that has not been used.

Look it up: John 6:1-14

Get into it: Jesus is faced with a dilemma; people have been following him for some time and are now hungry. (Verses 5&6) Jesus saw the opportunity two fold, one was to enlighten the crowd of who he is and the other to instil faith in the disciples of what they are capable of doing. The disciples saw a big problem with no immediate earthly solution, whereby Jesus saw an opportunity for life lessons.

Just between us: There have been many times when I have faced situations and the question I ask is, ‘Is this a problem or a challenge?’ If it is a problem then I need an immediate solution which might not always be available. Yet if I see it as a challenge, it now becomes a lesson from which I can grow, learn and develop. I have learnt that challenges make me stronger and problems make me feel a failure.

Go for it: Think back on all the things you found to be problems in your life. Now change your thinking and the word problem to challenge and see if it makes a difference.

Building A Testimony

Heading: Building A Testimony

Get ready: Is it not amazing how we write our own Curriculum Vitae (CV) but not our own testimonial. Self praise is pride and pride leads to a tragic end.

Look it up: John 5:31-44

Get into it: Here we find Jesus telling the people of the prophecies that were told about him even as recent as John the Baptist. As he faces this crowd of people, he is left with the challenge of trying to defend who he is. Many do not want to believe because Jesus is almost too good to be true. As much as Jesus has a track record of testimonials the people still feel that he can not be the one.

Just between us: Do you have a track record that says we want you on our team or rather one that says no not you. I like to look back on places I have worked and even schooled and on returning to them for a visit the feeling when welcomed as if you had never left. My most recent experience is being employed without a CV. Your reputation preceding you, does it open or close doors?

Go for it: Decide today the person you want to be tomorrow. Write down the things that you like about yourself and start making them better.

Challenge …Are You Up for It?

Challenge …Are You Up for It?

 Today at 8:22am

 By Quinton Kippen

 I have recently been having some very interesting chats and discussions with people and many red flags are raised about the state of our minds. Here on Facebook we hear of all these people falling ill and we hear of all their trials, challenges and achievements. We are exposed to many causes as well and many think that that is the way to do it.

This challenge is one I have been meaning to put forward and see if you are up for it or just chicken. We are all aware that many of these causes do not really need your money, your contribution of a click neither do they need your sympathy or empathy. What they do need is your time, not your debit order or any other charity that you may have.

Many of you go to work and work long hours in a job you are not totally happy, satisfied and fulfilled yet you will plod along with the hope that one day your ship will come in. All this that you do is for what? Purpose, trying to bring meaning to your life and even a means of survival. Not living but rather just surviving, existing. I know that many of you do not fit the category of oxygen thieves and I do believe that you have contributions you would like to make.

So the challenge I pose to you is, Are You Prepared to Get off Your Laurels, stop making excuses and make a meaningful contribution to your community and country at large. If you are not sure what I mean or have some idea that you would like to bounce around, I am more than willing to work with you in seeing your idea become a reality. I am not talking about boasting about what you are doing or what you have done but I do think that having this competitive nature we can work hard to make ourselves known about what we are doing and capable of doing.

The cause I am looking for is people posting stories of what they did and how long it took them to make a meaningful contribution as well as how much did it cost. Many people think that you need large amounts of money to make this possible when you actually don’t. For those doing it share your stories and if you looking for money my answer is hard-work attracts money. As the challenge has been put down let’s see how many of us are prepared to take it up or will we take the easier option and make excuses and hide behind all the other meaningless things we do.

This is not a case of put your money where your mouth is but rather, take your hands out your pocket, off the mouse and keyboard, roll-up your sleeves and start getting your hands dirty.

Life As The Son/ Daughter

Introduction:

It is an honour for me to be writing these devotions. Having been in youth work for a large part of my life, I still find it a privilege to share with you what God has taught me.

As we journey this together, we will be looking at you as the one God has sent. As I read through these verses and place myself in Jesus’ shoes, the readings became so much more real. I trust and pray that as we journey this week together your life is impacted like mine.

Theme title: ‘… The One He Sent …’

Readings: John 5:16-6:40

Life As The Son/ Daughter.

Get ready: They say, ‘you do not know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes’. Many of us do not know ourselves even after spent a good few years in our own shoes. Read through this passage in the present tense.

Look it up: John 5:16-28

Get into it: Reading this and substituting all Jesus’ parts as you, changes the perspective of the passage. As much as Jesus was being condemned by the Pharisees and Saducces the people were also adding their bit. How blind were they in understanding who Jesus really was even after the miracles he was performing. It is interesting to note the focus of the people moved from the miracles and the person to the law. To them the law became the bases of their belief and not the power and knowledge the person possessed.

Just between us: How often do we find ourselves in these positions? Reading the passage from a personal point and in the present tense resurfaced many situations I found myself in. Often I have read about Jesus and said how difficult it is to fill his shoes, yet taking this view has made it feel so much easier to achieve. The biggest challenge I have faced is knowing and understanding the power and authority I have or can access as a believer.

Go for it: Write down (verse 19-21) and read through as a memory verse. Picture the words as you saying this to a group of people.

“Where to from here?”

“Where to from here?”

 Get ready: How often do we find ourselves asking those questions? We feel we have been robbed of a good future because of a bad start. How often do you look back or forward in your life and think of yourself as, God’s child, with whom He is well pleased?

 Look it up: Matthew 3:13:23

 Get into it: You are probably asking this question about your situation. Where to from here? Well for you the sky is the limit, we need to start looking up then in, for God has given us the power all we need to do is use it (Matthew 28:18:20). Never mind your past but rather be more concerned about your future. That was a history created for you and you are just a branch on the tree. What is going to matter is what history you create for the future and what fruit will your branch bear (Matthew 12:33-36).

 Just between us: At this point I would like to thank my family and community for where I am now. There is a saying that, it does not take a family to raise a child but rather a community. So, if it was not for their input into my life whether it is good or bad, what I do with that information is what makes the difference. Your future is in your hands and of all the situations and circumstance we find ourselves in and how we respond to them will make all the difference. My challenge to you is how are you going to use this information that you have?

Go for it: You are not alone, all people have feelings, thoughts, emotions, and we all get hurt physically and emotionally. These are not without scares. These remind us of where we come from and should make us determined not to create the same for our future. (Matthew 8:28) remember that nothing that has happened to you or will happen to you is by chance. Rather know that God is in control of all that you face (Matthew 10:26-31). What are you doing with your experience?