Author: words and signs

Body and soul

As we read the Scriptures and meditate on the words and meaning, it is all too easy for us to fall into a wrong way of thinking. Many able people in the past and present have honoured one aspect of the truth of God to the detriment of others. One manifestation of this is the seeming opposition of the humanity of our bodies with the deeper spiritual life within. Many stumble on the idea that the spirit or soul within us is more worthy that the tangible flesh of our physical bodies.

This is also reflected in attitudes to the mind. The mind is the driving force behind all that we do and directs the body into action. The mind is incredibly powerful and can bring a person into trouble and illness very quickly. The mind has powers that can drive nations and invent amazing devices to benefit human life. It is also a corrupting force that leads us into darkness and sins. If the mind should become ill, then the body is also brought down and there is suffering in every part of our person.

Our souls are the part of us that relate to God. Until God resurrects us when we are forgiven and changed, our soul is insensible to the spiritual life with God. A raised soul is the inner and very precious part of us, that can commune with the Father. This is spiritual life, and is a treasure beyond measure and the place of fellowship with God. Here there is peace and joy for everyone who believes.

However, God made body and soul. God loves our human skin, and the touchable parts of life. He has made our physical bodies as well as the other hidden aspects of people. Christ redeemed our souls through His sacrifice on the cross, and our bodies will also, one day be equally redeemed. Heaven will be full of humans- body, mind and soul- and we will live forever in that state of immortality and incorruptibility. Redeemed bodies that never get sick or die. Souls set free from sin and judgment and punishment.

Jesus Himself already dwells in that place with a glorified human body, waiting and preparing a place for His people. He is forever the True God and the Perfect man. Christ made our flesh, and died to save it, as well as our souls… He has left us a physical book to guide and teach. He has left a memorial feast of bread and wine so we never forget the sacrifice He made for us. He left the demonstration of baptism to witness the passing of spiritual death into spiritual life through the water.

God is the God of all, every aspect of our person is redeemed through faith in Christ.

Conflict

In recent weeks, our news reports have been filled with news of people in conflict. There seems to be many war situations, where one part of a community is vehemently opposed to another and has taken up arms to make a point. We see crowds of protesters, taking to the streets, and making their demands heard. Guns are brought into the equation and the tension and possibilities for violence grows.

What is it in the human psyche that permits us to justify the injuring or of killing others? Why do we so quickly resort to hatred against each other? Even in our own homes, we experience ill will amongst our family, which can even there turn to violence. What is this within us that escalates bad feeling into physical aggression, even extreme violence?

This tendancy is one characteristic that separates us from our God. Behind it is the desire we foster to put ourselves first and make sure we have everything we think we need, regardless. Selfishness hurts us and those around us and is responsible for most of the ills of our society. We feel that if we put others first they will get the better of us and we will loose out. This is born of the idea that no one is in control, that we are alone in sorting out out life’s, and we most look out for number one.

Unbelief in a holy and loving God, is an idea that will keep us in slavery to the current world view, and will keep us away from the blessing of knowing God and putting him first. The thought of giving our lives to God is not one that we relish. However, we need to take a long look inside our hearts and see what is really there. Facing up is very painful, but God promises that if we come to him and confess our wrongdoing, He will freely forgive us.

He knows that putting yourself last (in earthly pecking orders) is the way to genuine blessing. He did this for us, and sent Jesus to give up his life, so that we could be forgiven and know true life. There has never been a greater sacrifice of one for another. The truth is, without him we are completely out of control and careering into chaos. Without this element of sacrifice in our own lives, we are and become, more and more selfish. Putting the other person first is so not-humam, but when we do put others first, the situation around us becomes better. Indeed, God requires that we present our whole selves to Him as a living sacrifice and bind ourselves to Holy and unselfish living.

Great strength is shown in being able to give way to other people, even allow them to “take advantage.” To respond to people around us in an unselfish way is God-like and full of faith. It demonstrates that we believe God’s promises and still trust that God is in control. It is being able to take the low place – really and truly. It is covering over the inadequacies of the other, and promoting their well-being regardless. It is listening to negativity and forgiving and responding with positive action. In short… Love conquers all.

As we watch our world degenerate into war zones, we can pray that love will overcome and the natural tendancy of the human heart, will not gain the upper hand. Ultimately, it cannot. Some day, all strife will cease, and wars will be forgotten and the redeemed people of God will live in peace…

Launch out

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Standing in the chilly waters of the grey, shuddering waves of Kimmeridge Bay, the cold seeping upwards to my chest, the thought of actually swimming in it could not be entertained. Over a few minutes, the skin can acclimatise to the temperature and the initial shock disperses. Emmersion in the liquid brings further shock, but suddenly, launching out in to the cold body of water, and we away.!

After three minutes, and the cold has worn off, or the warm flesh has succumded to the inevitable lower temperature, and the heat generated by the swimming keeps the surface of the body from becoming too cold.

Ten minutes and the swimmer is in heaven. The balance of the cold water and the warmth of action brings a seriously liberating sensation of total control and balance. As long as the swimmer keeps under the water and working, the feeling of joy is maintained. The presumed pain is not there, nor the biting sensation of the chilly water.

This principle can also be seen in our everyday lives, especialy when the days are difficult and there is pressure and pain around. We teeter on the brink of doubt, and fear to launch ourselves in to the unknown and unattractive medium we find ourselves in. We stand there in the cold, wishing we had never come and telling ourselves it is impossible to cope with such stringency.

If only we could really know that trust in the one who made all things, then we will stand up under the test. If we could believe what we say we believe, and strike out for the long-distance shore, wading or swimming through the cold, we will get through and more.

The joy we all feel when we do something difficult and the trust that is built between our own lilly-livered hearts and the eternal God of heaven, gives us strength and confidence to strike out again and again.

Knowing this God and the power of his resurrection, is what gives those who believe in him the fortitude and persistence to carry on through life, and to be overcomers. Overcoming is the mark of the Christian and keeping our faith sure to the end, gives eternal life, and a character that loves God and those around us in a true and sacrificial way.

Should you find yourself standing alone, you have a unique opportunity to know the keeping and strenghtening power of God for yourself. It is good to have others to help and encourage, but if we only have God, we have all things and all power to sustain us.

As we keep swimming and persisting with the task God has given us to do, there is real joy and peace and balance and strength. To walk with God is the way to life, and those who keep going will endure to the end.

Those who launch out, are never disappointed and find a strength that will not fail, even in the darkest hour. Practice launching out, every day and it will become second nature…

The world’s stew

Chop the many layers of the onion of spite.

A generous squeeze of selfish garlic pureé

Dice three large carrots of mistrust, blame and guilt.

Also, a parsnip of self-righteous pride.

Cut 1 inch square dices of low quality desire of the flesh

And braise in non-virgin olive oil.

Dissolve an Oxo cube of the stock of greed

And combine with all other ingredients.

Roast slowly for many years, until tasty and falling apart.

Serve up to the whole human family, with potatoes

Grown in the dirt of life.

It will satisfy at first, but will need to be constantly served

For the appearance of life to be maintained.

Best eaten cold…

Power

Are you gradually breaking out of the prison of your chrysalis? Does the body of your caterpillar- self, know the changing power – the miracle – of the metamorphosis into the life of a butterfly?

We can watch so many in or society demonstrating the weakness and futility of human projects, that fail and fall and lead many into the emptiness of lives without meaning. So many lives that forget God or throw over the “restrictions” of the moral law, and fall helplessly into the abyss of self-belief and self-confidence.

It is possible for human beings to rise out of failure, and be lifted up to lives of purpose. No matter how far down the moral ladder you go, or how empty our lives appear to us, the metamorphosis of a new life is always possible. It is not necessary to spend our time, grubbing about in our little world, just caught up with the trivialities of life, and never understanding the prospect of vitality, power, courage and faith that are the characteristics of the Christian.

Greatness is not just for the “great” – those who always seem to be at the front of things – but God calls all his children to live large lives for Him. Living in the shallows is not the destiny of any Christian. Swimming in the depths of the love of God, and running the race of life with power and stamina, is the default state of every Christian, where ever they might be and what ever service they may be doing for Christ’s sake.

Just as Christ is not “ordinary” and lived the most spectacular of lives for the glory of God and as a mighty demonstration of what God can do in a human life, so those who follow Him are no less ordinary and have available to them all the power and might of the eternal God to do ever greater works than Jesus himself did.

The pity is we expect so little, and are satisfied with little faith, medium-sized usefulness and lack-luster passion for either Jesus or the people around us. As long as me and mine are safe and sound, that’s all that can be expected of me, as I am sinful, weak and puny. What a cop-out. Christ saved all who came to him, he healed everyone, no matter if they believed in who He is or not. He fed them all, thousands at a sitting. Good food, satisfying food and spiritual food. The people around us are hungry, in every way hungry – but there is no food. They come to church, but there is no food there either. Where are they all to be satisfied and find the way to change?

Will you pray for this kind of power? You need to be careful, because it will change you and change everything you know and touch and challenge your thought patterns and the way you process ideas. Are you brave enough for this or are you going to play it safe?

Power is a dangerous commodity, as we can see from the wielding of it in our human societies. But this is different, this power will bring you down, humble you, strengthen you and give you the power that raised Jesus for the dead. You will be given the ability to use it for the sake of others and for the glory of God. Men, women, boys and girls…. grasp the sword and pull it from the stone. The double edge will bring victory to all who throw themselves into the action.

Standing

To live for Christ is much more difficult and complicated than we think. People will accuse the Christian of all kinds of things. Everyone has an agenda and few really understand God’s ways. The Christian must live their lives honestly and before the Lord and thoroughly understand the Word of God. The Christian seeks wisdom so that we can judge and discerns God’s will and act in the right way.

When others take issue with us, it is right that we should seek God and the truth. Self-examination is a key ability, and understanding our own motives behind what we do is a painful skill to learn. Assuming we are in the right, is unwise, until we examine our own motives and consciences. Because we are criticised does not necessarily mean we are in the wrong either. We should not just buckle and bend and become uncomfortable about not being accepted. Trying to minister to others is an activity of self-sacrifice and totally depending on God. Being honest with ourselves and other people is paramount and as we live for Christ, He will help us to stand.

To stand up as a Christian in ungodly situations is very difficult. We are called upon to walk in faith, to keep our faith shining brightly, and to represent the Lord- a very tall order… This is why we need to stay close to Him, so that we remain faithful to His ways and keep our own lives free from worldly fear and anxiety. There are times of challenge and threat- this is the season of prayer and trusting God to help us walk through our days, in calmness and trust. God will order events for our benefit and His glory.. He will not let the righteous be shaken.

Wether we stand or not has a direct link with our personal walk with the Lord Jesus. If we are unsure of His strength we will lack confidence and it will make difficulties for ourselves. As we face particular trials, we prove His love and learn to follow the Master.

Remaining standing is the gift of faith and the building up of our devotion to God.

Guilt and guilt

How far can we rely on thoughts and feelings? Is everything we think and feel a suitable guide to regulating our behaviour? If you have had a taste of mind illness, you will know that neither of these aspects to our psyche are 100% reliable, and can easily be warped and twisted against us.

Someone pointed out, that just because we may think something, does not make it true. It seems so obvious, but we can get caught up in the web of analysis and the search for meaning, that we forget the most straightforward things. Even as we read the scriptures, we can apply the words and sentiments in all sorts of false ways, and get ourselves in a real mess about our relationship with God.

As we think and sometimes over-think issues, we can find ourselves in the vortex of despair, sinking down into the “truth” of our own thoughts and attendant feelings, and reach conclusions that are completely unrelated to reality, or what God teaches us in the scriptures.

I have come to realize that there are truths and “false-truths.” There is guilt and “false-guilt” and it is a crucial skill to recognize and learn the difference and to see the warning signs of a way of thinking that destroys us and leads us in a pathway that is full of error.

How can we tell the difference? When the mind is a certain way and has a particular bent, it colours everything that goes on in it, and leads the person down into progressive unreliability. How can we keep myself safe from that way of thinking?

The difficulty is that the mind-set influences what we think and judge and feel. Even the most comforting words from the scriptures, can be used by our minds to torment and condemn. It is very difficult. When the mind is working a particular way, it is difficult to get above it or get a balanced and external view of what is going on.

This is very hard to sort out, a bit like muddled knitting and requires patience with ourselves and trying to be more objective in our analysis. It is easy to be led the wrong way because you think you “see” so clearly! You have to humble yourself and rely on reliable people to guide you.

Friends who are Christians and live by the scriptures, can also say things you need to hear. But the over arching rock and the base-line truths are in the Scriptures. There is no way out apart from them. If we seek God, he will teach us and bring to remembrance His precious truth…

“I am the Lord, I change not” Malachi 3:6 KJV He cannot love you one day and not the next.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV He will bring you safely through this event and you will look back and see it correctly. You will be able to praise Him..!!

“Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV He will be with you no matter what the doubts may be and lead you safely home.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 NIV You can hide in Him, even if you don’t feel you are in Him. He will never let you down.

“He binds up the broken hearted and heals their wounds” Psalm 147:3 NIV We don’t feel it now as we go through the tunnel or darkness, or know the experience of God’s felt presence comforting us, but He will bring us through and heal our hearts and minds. Then you will know that He is real and able to keep you.

The scriptures are full of these promises. When you are ill, a lot of false guilt is about, because of the negativity of the illness and the aspect of your mind at that series of moments, but it will lift and you will see clearly. The valley of the shadow does not last forever, though we may be required to walk it for a prolonged period of time.

If there are things in your life that you know are wrong, and you feel guilty about them, perhaps this is a good time to face up and get it sorted out. We do harbour attitudes and learned responses that must be addressed if we are to make progress in the Way. Repentance brings instant joy from the Lord.

We do not need to incessantly agonise over our faults and failings. When they are identified, and we really want them dealt with, we can bring them to God.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9 NIV God hears the penitent heart that come to Him in repentance and He forgives and puts the sins away forever. That’s it!

The trouble is, we trot them out, over and over and torment ourselves with them. Perhaps we do not believe that God will actually forgive us. Perhaps we think we are a unique case, that cannot be forgiven!!

Perhaps we are harbouring pride and think we are too sinful, or too special…

We must let go of our foolish ideas and exercise faith in the God who has already saved us and kept us over the years.

The path of pleasantness and peace is submission to our Saviour and God and facing our true guilt squarely and honestly before God, and walking through each day in reliance and faith, that He will carry out His promises toward us and give us whatever we need to conquer hardship and trouble.

It is putting to death the false ideas about God and ourselves, and to fight against the desire to rehearse faults and failings and cruelty towards our own souls. The book of Proverbs tells us that “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” Proverbs 11:17 NIV

We are not supposed to damage ourselves either physically or in our minds or emotions, and the remedy is to know that Christ loves us beyond measure, and we must care for ourselves and not hurt ourselves with self made torture… “Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself!” Acts 16:28 NIV

Often we can find ourselves in a mind-set that is kindly and sympathetic to others, but we are the opposite towards ourselves. This should not be. God does not treat us like that, and neither should we. Of course the restless mind then takes that up and we have another blaming session or a pity party, taking us down again into the depths.

Mind troubles are hard to bear and very hard to learn how to cope with and find a balanced way, but not impossible. As a Christian you have all the tools, that is, the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, who’s nature and words are love, and other Christian people who know you and know God’s word and can help you think about it properly. Even if you don’t have understanding people, the power of God is enough, the scriptures are open to you, and the Holy Spirit will guide and teach in all righteousness.

God will never let you go. He cannot, because of these self-same promises. We must believe them and believe Him, and learn to revel in the fact that you are one of His people, your sins are gone and He will bring you safely home, at the right time.

Solace

There is a place – a precious place… just you and God … if you are not drawn to that place, you are not His… this place is fellowship and solace with the living God, and we are strengthened and renewed daily. There is no self-seeking here.

It is holy ground. It is the place of reverent and holy fear, and also the throne when our requests are heard and answered. It is the place of mercy, where justice and love meet between the wings of angels and the God of all the earth cleanses and strengthened His people.

None dare the approach without the living sacrifice of a Saviour, put to death for our sins and risen as the Living One – once dead and now alive forever. He chooses life and death for every soul, and His will is perfect. We approach with our sacrifice, of a contrite and a broken heart… ruined by sins too many to count, we give ourselves away to Him and become a sacrifice of praise to our dear Lord.

This is spiritual worship. This is the very room of heaven.

Overcoming fear

We more appreciate the love of Christ and his perfect obedience, as we continue to grasp our own rottenness. Any supposed goodness diminishes and we are left in no doubt that the scripture is true, Romans 3:10 NIV “There is no one good, not even one.”

At this point despair can take hold of our minds, and we sink into doubt, fear and gloom. Everything is an annoyance and the motivation to walk the Christian pathway fades or becomes a battle.

However, it is worth fighting on, as the prize is certain, no matter how we feel. The master will bring us safely through and show us his perfect way. If we keep going, sooner or later our feelings will cooperate, and we eventually feel the sunshine, but we must persevere to win the trophy.

To take hold of the reality of Christ, I must know His word and obey it. This means drawing apart from the routines of my life, and seeking to know God in the scriptures. I need to read, meditate and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me in the truth and build a strong and invincible tie with my father in heaven. John 16:13 NIV “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” This is not listening to sermons or even Bible study groups, but time where we are alone with God, and we learn to discern His truth and ways.

The path is not finished until we reach the end, and strength is given for every step, no matter how dangerous or peacable. We will never be deserted, because The Word tells us that all is well with us, because of what Jesus did on our behalf, and no one can take us out of his care. The facts are clear and we see them clearly when the pathway is drenched in sunlight, but when gloomy clouds appear overhead, we tend to forget the facts and believe our feelings.

The only way to overcome this is through the scriptures, and to remember the promises of God, which apply in all situations and all states of mind. This is the link with the private times with God, and we will be able to remember what He says to us and has taught us one to one. As we trust our good guide, we will gradually see the road more clearly and the clouds will dissipate and faith will shine brightly again.

Psalm 119:1-8 NIV “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.”

As we recognise our own inability for goodness, and realise the power in knowing God and complete dependance on Him, so the power of Christ will fill our hearts and we will become more like him, and desire what He wants and speak His words of love to those around us.

Speed

The Christian race is not about speed, but stamina. It is a long distance marathon, not the 100 meters sprint. “They who endure to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)

To keep going and “walk humbly with God” until the end is reached, is the way of victory, peace and power. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. “ (Micah 6:8)

It is crucial to pace oneself and remember that God is I control, and not we ourselves. He will bring all things to pass, at the perfect time and lead everyone of his people in the everlasting way. “His purposes will ripened fast, unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower” (W. Cowper)

No matter what obstacles may show up on the way, God’s grace and power will help us through. This may mean long periods of waiting, praying and even fighting in the dark, but the day will come. Do not be cast down by those who say we have no faith, or that our faith is too weak. Some accuse others that suffer in mind and spirit, from a lack of belief and that we struggle because we do not really trust God, or are not praying properly. We remember that Christ walked that lonely path also, and mourned, wept and sweat drops of blood in agony of spirit and soul.

We are in good company if we tread this weary road, as the friendship of Christ will end in joy and everlasting delight.

The Christians light and motivation is from their Lord, and not from anyone or anything around them. Even in deep and prolonged suffering, they persevere and exercise faith in the one who will bring them through, though they don’t know how or when, they are to be released.

The people of God, in every generation, have trouble, heartache and even persecution. “Blessed are they who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Trouble is the way God uses to refine us and strengthen our faith, so that it shines more brightly before a fallen and perverse race of creatures.

The comparison between human beings who know God and those who don’t should be blatantly obvious. As Christians we do not walk in the way of this world or in our own way, but we conform ourselves to the image of Christ and thereby become more like Him and love Him more truly.

As we confront the sinful self, that still lurks within us, we go through painful times of identifying our wrongness, confessing to Christ, and turning away from all that will hinder us in the purpose of our walk with God. As we draw nearer to Christ, the effect of his perfect goodness, shows up our failures in stark contrast to His perfections, and we realize how great is the task to walk that holy pathway.

It cannot be run full speed ahead or we will burn out and have no time to learn and change. We walk the walk of faith daily, not running ahead or dragging behind, but walking with God. When we are required to run, strength will be given, and when flying is called for, we shall spread our wings and go. “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Daughters of the Kingdom

Women who glorify God