Search Results for: blog are you prepared for the cost in following jesus

Are You Up For A Challenge?

In a recent newsletter I subscribe to it asked ‘When was the last time you challenged yourself as a writer? What challenge did you make?’ Let me turn that around and ask when was the last time you challenged yourself as a Christian? Challenged yourself to take on a job or ministry that takes you out of your comfort zone? I love writing. Writing bible study questions and notes was no exception. Leading a discussion group was also something I felt comfortable doing. But when asked to become the teaching leader, standing up each week to give a 40 minute … Continue reading →

How To Handle the Storm in Your Life.

The Christian life is not always smooth sailing. Sometimes we encounter storms. Are you in the middle of a storm in your life? Let’s see what we can learn from Mark 4:35-41 about how to deal with it. 1. Jesus sent the disciples off into the situation where the storm occurred, for it was at His suggestion that they all set out with him in the boat, verses 35 and 36. Obedience to Jesus may well put us in a situation where our faith will be tested as that of the disciples was. 2. However Jesus did not leave the … Continue reading →

Are You Prepared For The Cost In Following Jesus?

Anything worthwhile in life never comes without cost. It may not be a cost in monetary terms or an investment in time put into a work situation or relationship. Are you prepared for the cost in following Jesus? Lets’ see what help we can find from Mark 3:20-35 about this. 1. Jesus was doing His Heavenly Father’s will, yet his family decided He ‘was out of his mind,’ verse 21. His family tried to dissuade him. They could not understand His motivation. When we are in the middle of God’s will, where He would have us, we may find there … Continue reading →

How to Conquer Fear

Fear can stop us achieving our potential. It can stop us trying new things. Now I admit even as I write this, I’m writing it to myself as much as anyone. I’m not the most fearless person out. There are some things I wouldn’t do because fear stops me. That’s okay, if they’re unimportant things. But what if it is something God is calling you do to and you let fear stop you? That’s an entirely different matter. The other day my husband and I were talking about before we moved. We’d put our house in Orange on the market … Continue reading →

Don’t be a Jonah

How often are you and I like Jonah? Jonah was not just a reluctant prophet he was a rebellious prophet. God gave him a message to go to Nineveh and tell them that because their wickedness judgment was coming, Jonah 1:1. It’s not the sort of message anyone would put their hand up to deliver, especially to their enemies. Jonah wanted no part of it. He fled to Tarshish. Sometimes we can be just like Jonah. God gives us a message to give to our family, our friends, workmates and neighbors and instead of passing on that message, we ignore … Continue reading →

What Makes a Person One God Can Use?

Do you want to be a person God can use? What qualifications would you need to have to be someone God can use? I’m going to suggest there are five qualities you need. 1. Willingness Willingness to be used by God in the way He chooses. Sometimes it may dovetail in with what you think your gifts may be. But that may not always be the case. Sometimes he may call you to step out of your comfort zone into area you don’t feel equipped for, so you absolutely have to depend on Him for everything you need. 2. Teachability … Continue reading →

Why Am I Here? – Part 1

Have you ever had to live in a place where you would not choose to be? But you are there because of work, or family, circumstances, or perhaps because God directed you there. I’ve been in that position at varying times in my life. God showed some important truths during these times. I admit, I haven’t always been as receptive to learn them as I could have been. But here are some of the things I learned during these times. ‘From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the … Continue reading →

Wisdom from Proverbs

The speaker in Proverbs 3 tells his son there is a two fold benefit of obeying his commandments and teaching and that ‘is length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you,’ verse 2. It appears this verse refers back to one of the Ten Commandments, exodus 20:12. Verses 5 and 7 of Exodus 20 have warnings attached but Exodus 20:12 is the only one with a promise attached. The writer urges his son to have and to display kindness and truth, for it not only pleases God but others notice as well, verses 3 … Continue reading →

Parenting and the word ‘No’

In my last blog we looked at the responsibility of parents. Today we will see the difference between a person who is not used to hearing the word, ‘NO.’ and the one who has learned obedience. In Old Testament times a barren women was told she would have a child Judges 13:2-3. He was to be a ‘Nazirite to God from the womb,’ verse 5. As God said, the woman gave birth to a son who was named Samson, Judges 13:24. It’s not too far fetched to suggest that after thinking they would never have a son, and then being … Continue reading →

A Light for All?

This blog concerns only a few verses of scripture, yet this passage from Mark 4:21-25, contains much that we need to reflect on and put into practice in our daily lives. 1. Just as a lamp, verse 21, is not meant to be hidden away but is to give light to a room, Christians are to be openly visible in the darkness of this world. We should not attempt to be Christians in secret. Back in Jesus’ time on earth Joseph of Arimathea was a believer in secret, John 19:38. Eventually, after Jesus’ death, he realized he could be a … Continue reading →