devotions

This is the Day - Devotions on the run by Jim Burns

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:07:55 +0100

These are some nuggets from the book called ‘Devotions on the run’ by Jim Burns.

THIS IS THE DAY
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.
We need to constantly ask ourselves these.

- Are we productively making a positive difference with our lives?
- Is everything we are doing being done with an attitude of thankfulness and praise?

Each day we have a choice, to make it a wonderful day with God. We need to have the positive attitude wherever we go or wherever we are.
We only have 24 hours in 1 day, it is important for us and especially for God how we spend our time with him alone, even if it means letting God take us to that secret place.
Hope everyone is having a fab week!

God Bless!
Love & Prayers
Nuxi

Transformers

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:05:53 +0100

Transformers? What does it have to do with God?
What can I learn from a bunch of robots?
They have nothing to do with my walk with God... right? Wrong.

We can learn something from these Transformers.
Transform. What does that mean?
- Change or alter in form, appearance or nature
- Change in outward structure
- Change from one form or medium into another
- Convert, one form of energy into another
- Given a completely different form or appearance

As it says in 1 John 3:2-3
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him because we shall see him as he is.

We should transform ourselves, to be a reflection of Jesus' character.

Transformers, in their very nature, transform.
But what are they? What do they transform FROM and what do they transform TO?
They are all vehicles of transportation.
Just as WE, are vessels; that transport God's love. The Transformers are empty vessels who's purpose is to carry something from one place to another. Transformers are an alien race, not of this Earth.
Just as WE as christians, should not be of this Earth. Therefore we are the bridge. We transport God's love and grace, to those that don't know Him.

Romans 12:2 says:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, ut be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

and Romans 12:4 says:
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ, we who are many, form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given to us.

So, each transformer vehicle is different. There are cars, trucks, planes, boats, bikes, tanks, buses and others. yet they all transform, to be a part of the one army, to create the one army and fight the one fight, united, and strong.
They join together, with the one purpose, despite their differences. It is these very differences, that makes them strong. They each have a different function and come together to form one body.

So in Christ:
we must transform and not be of this world. We must be vessels that transport God's love and grace, and no matter how different you are, God can and will use you to be a part of his army, his Body.

God Speaks

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:26:12 +0100

Communication gets easier with time. When you first meet, you may have long conversations to understand the other person; but after a time, sometimes a look/glance or a few words is all you need to convey mountains of emotion.

God speaks to us in 3 arenas:

1)      The Bible
     a.       The word of God IS the voice of God. It is the most obvious way in which he communicates with us.
     b.      If you have a question or if you want to know God’s response; you will find it in the bible.

2)      Prayer
     a.       During prayer you may occasionally think of random things. Assuming you are sincere in your prayer; God is leading your thoughts to that random thing
     b.      If that thing you are thinking of is a moral lesson (most of the time it will be), that is God talking to you.

3)      Other people
     a.       Conversations with Godly people often lead to a common experience. Take Hannah’s devotion.
     b.      Rom 12:9-16 is talking about living life together; sharing in each other’s experience. And growing up and living life together. This is what we are all doing – encouraging, lifting up. If you feel down we feel down with you; if you are going through it we are going through it with you. That is God talking

Knowing whether or not something is from God is based on relationship. When you receive an unknown random email about Radiate, leadership and World of Warcraft; you would guess that the email is from me because you know me. God is the same.

A Meditation

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:49:03 +0100

Romans 12:9-16

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.

This verse summarizes a lifestyle that is humble, balanced and focused which God wants us to be. Sometimes we need to stop take a moment to think about what areas in our life need silence, love or help, whether it’s with yourself or its with others.

When we really aim to be Christ-minded, people starts to see a difference in you and you become more of a shining light to the people you are leading, you also begin to rub shoulders around you and pass on that effect and that spark to them which God has blessed you with, so my encouragement for all is to meditate on this verse and really understand and know what we are called to do. Amen…