Oh God, Where Are You Now?

Was reflecting on Mark 15 this afternoon, it's the chapter that is all about the death and burial of Jesus...

In verse 41 it says that Mary M and some others were there, watching all this unfold in the distance.

I don't really know what Mary and the others mught have been thinking but I would be wondering - Oh God where are you now?

God-Reality...

"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow." - Matt. 6 (MSG)

I am looking for "God-at-work" today. I know He is up to something. I want to get on board, get involved, be a part of what He is doing in my world.

IhadtoGO

My who...

Probably won't win a Pulizer, but here's what came out of my brain this morning...

Not 'either or', but 'and'
Not 'I can't', but 'I can'
Not 'maybe', but 'yes' or 'no'
Not to stay, but to GO...

The what, the how, the where.
The me, the us, the you...
All determined by the 'who':

The who that is yours.
The who that you love, the who that loves you.
The who that you serve and the who that serves you,
Determines the who that you are.

My who is God,
His who is me,
His who is you,
His who is us.

All of us.

Not you 'or' me, but 'and'
Not 'He can't', but 'He can'
No 'maybes', but 'yes' or 'no'
He did not stay, but was determined to GO...

Made known to me...

"I saw the Lord always before me.

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will live in hope,

because you will not abandon me to the grave,

nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the paths of life;

you fill me with joy in your presence." - Acts 2:25-29

How has Jesus made himself known to you this week?

Can you see Him at work? Are you even looking?

Are you struggling? Do you need to know His joy, His gladness?

Are you confident that He is with you? Are you rejoicing?

Just an encouragement, as I have been encouraged, this week to sit in His presence. Be reminded that He is with you, He will never leave nor forsake you... ever!

I see God in the sky...

Check out the view from my friends roof top last night...



"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." - Romans 1:20

He Was Hungry...

Talk about an understatement:

“…for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”

Ya think?

Jesus is amazing. That is also an understatement.

The devil came at our Saviour after forty days. Ha.

Put simply Jesus is hardcore, the devil is not. Jesus is so hardcore, so crazy in love with us, and His creation that even forty days in the desert without food could not rob His resolve in going all the way to the cross for you and I.

I am prepared to follow Jesus into the desert – as long as He comes with me.

Sometimes I feel like I am in the desert. I feel hungry, confused, lost, alone and out of control. You?

Sometimes I’m good, fired up, passionate, excited, happy.

Either way I always need Jesus.

I am thankful that He has been in the desert too. I am thankful that He knows just what it feels like. I am thankful that He overcame hunger and temptation and I am thankful that because of Him, and in Him, and through Him I have and I am able to conquer hunger and every temptation, and every circumstance that life might throw at me.

I’m glad that what Jesus has done for me is also true for you. I’m glad that you’re with me.

If you are in a desert place – Jesus has been there too.

If you are being tempted – Jesus was tempted too.

If you are in a moment of desperate hunger – Jesus was hungry too.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16

Bless ya.

Lent...

So I have never participated in lent before but as of tomorrow I will be getting amongst it with some of my mustard peeps as we explore the journey Jesus took in the lead up to the Cross...

I am expecting to learn a whole lot over the next few weeks and to grow closer to Jesus and others in the process... these are the verses we'll be focusing on:

Week one - Wed 17th - Tues 23rd: Jesus in the dessert (Luke 4:1-13)
Week two - Wed 24th - Tues 2nd: Mary Magdelene (Luke 8:1-3, Mark 15:33-41, 42-47)
Week three - Wed 3rd - Tues 9th: Judas (Matthew 26:47-56, 27:1-10)
Week four - Wed 10th - Tues 16th: Mary (Luke 1:39-45, John 19:16-30)
Week five - Wed 17th - Tues 23rd: Peter (Luke 22:31-34, 54-62)
Week six - Wed 24th - Sunday 28th: Barabbas (Matthew 27:15-26)

Feel free to follow our blog and journey with us... www.mustardlent.wordpress.com