Pressing On

The New Testament book of 1 Peter provides us with a description of characteristics that should typify the people of God – perhaps the ‘standard’ to which we should aspire. We should be a people of hope, holy, chosen by God, submissive to Him and righteous. In chapter 3 we read: 8  Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10  For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11  They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13  Who is going to harm you if you are eager t...

In 1 John 2:3 we can read "We know that we have come to know Him (God) if we obey His commands." The Christian life is a life full of choices that we have to make at many levels ... but each time we are faced with a choice we want to be in that place where we choose well - we choose obedience. As another author once wrote "obedience is my gift to God!" Genesis 32 and 33 give some food for thought as we reflect on Jacob's journey: We can have the conviction that we serve a God who speaks to His children ... Ps 25 encourages us that He confides in us! What a precious statement, we tend not to confide in people we don't trust ... so, as the Lord confides in us that should encourage us that He is entrusting something to us! When  this revelation, instruction or direction comes, however it might come, it comes with clarity. Which means that we will both understand and have a personal conviction that the Lord has said this! Once the revelation has come...

Those who walked with Jesus found they could not plumb the depths of His nature. They discovered in His friendship a quality enhanced by death, and a fathomless ocean of love. One word is clear in the testimony of those who walked with Him: "This man speaks with authority."

I like chocolate ... this is a statement not a confession. However, the other day I had an experience that got me thinking.    I have more than enough money to go into a shop and buy myself a bar of chocolate. In fact this is something I have been known to do from time to time - that's not the story here. My youngest Daughter came to me with a bar of chocolate that she had just purchased with her pocket money, which I had also given to her. Whereupon, she proceeded to give me some of her chocolate. It was such a delight to receive this gift from her, because I had not asked for it, and indeed did not expect it.   So what's the point?   I like chocolate and I can afford to buy my own chocolate. However, the chocolate that I received back from my daughter, even though I had given her the means to buy it the first place, brought me much joy.   What can I learn?   All I have in life, I have been given as a gift from my Father in heaven, t...