Join us as we celebrate the Season of Creation.
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Evening reflection from John 8:47-59
When Jesus says that those who obey won’t die, he is talking about spiritual death, not physical death. Even physical death will eventually be overcome. Those who follow Jesus will be raised to live eternally with him.
The great “I am” statement is one of the most powerful statements uttered by Jesus. When he said that he existed before Abraham was born, he was undeniably proclaiming his divinity. Not only did Jesus say that he existed before Abraham, but he also applied God’s holy name to him self. This claim demands a response. It cannot be ignored. The Jewish leaders tried to stone Jesus for blasphemy because he exclaimed equality with God. But Jesus is God.
How have you responded to Jesus?
Evening Reflection from John 8:31-47
Jesus himself is the truth that’s sets us free. He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus; Jesus does not give us freedom to pursue harmful actions or dangerous beliefs but freedom, to have new and overflowing life as we follow him.
As we seek to serve God, Jesus’ perfect truth frees us to be all that he created us to be.
Sin has a way of enslaving us, controlling us, dominating us, and dictating our actions. Jesus can free you from this slavery that keeps you from becoming the person God created you to be. If sin is restraining, mastering or enslaving you, Jesus can break its power over your life.
In a number of places Jesus intentionally challenged his listeners to test him. He welcomed those who wanted to question his claims and character as long as they were willing to follow through on what they discovered. Jesus’ challenge to the Jewish leaders here clarifies two reasons why people often miss out on a life changing encounter with Jesus.
1) They never accept his challenge or test him,
2) they test him but are not willing to believe and respond to what they discover.
Have we made either of these mistakes?
Evening reflection from John 5:19-29
Evening reflection from John 5:19-29.
Because of Jesus unity with God, Jesus lived as God wanted him to live. Because of our identification with Jesus, we must honour him and live as he wants us to live.
Eternal life, living forever with God, begins the moment you accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour. New life begins in us, God completes the transaction. The rest of your life on earth will go better for you, even though you might face hardships, because your are living in fellowship with the Almighty Creator, who loves you. And though you will still face physical death one day, when Jesus returns again, your body will be resurrected to live forever.
We must give our devotion to him now!
Weekly Reflection 15 July 2022
Grace and Peace!
In a week of uncertainty and anxiety about the future, I remember a friend of mine would always remind me that there is nothing more constant in life than change. However, I do not think that any of us can foresee that our lives would be changed, or that we would be faced with a time when so much is unknown.
Our foundation can begin to feel unstable when there are more questions than we have answers for.
Most of us like to know the answers to our questions and what the path ahead will look like; not knowing what is coming next makes us uncomfortable. But like most things, not knowing has two sides, and we can choose where we want to put our focus.
The gift in uncertainty is that there is room for the unexpected and miraculous to occur. Even though the conscious part of our brains wants to know the answer and have it all figured out, we can choose to focus ourselves. Just by being aware of our need to know, we can still choose something different.
Once we understand that we have control over what we think, this helps to release the need to control. When we can release the need to know the solution, it opens space for something spiritual and divine to happen. What we are doing is opening a space within our heart to something bigger than us, and trust that there are powers at work on our behalf and in our best interests.
On the flip side, we can give in to the fear that comes with these uncertain times. Fear has a bad reputation, as it is always made out to be a bad thing. That is simply not true, as fear has a purpose in our lives and that is to keep us safe; physically and emotionally.
There are times in our life when we are in immediate danger, such as when a car is coming toward us, or someone is threatening us. Those are the times that require immediate action on your part. However, more often, the fear we have is in our heads. I’m not saying that the fear is not real, but I am saying that we have ruminated about it so much that it is out of control and have lost perspective. This kind of fear is paralyzing us cold in our tracks.
If we can recognize that fear is like a warning system in our car, reminding us that something is trying to get our attention. That is our signal to determine if we are in immediate danger, or if we can pause a moment to determine the source of fear and give it perspective.
We can let go of our need to know what comes next and calm our fears by remembering who God created you to be and the gifts you have been given.
Remember you are resilient.
Call on your faith to guide you.
Call on what you know.
Trust that things are working in your favor.
Imagine the best path forward.
You are called to have faith in what you cannot see, trust in that which is bigger than you and believe in the divine nature of creation.
May you find peace in your worries and anxieties.
Vanda
