Aptiva

Welcome Dear Reader.  It seems to my eye, that we within God's living Church run the risk of narrowing our view so much that any room for growth disappears! While we should seek to maintain our doctrine, to be so very specific that we refuse to listen to anything which may contradict it, I feel is self defeating. In our internet age, we are able to sift through the myriad church's which exist, all claiming to serving the same God, but proclaiming very differing theology. Once the initial sort has taken place, often people moved to fine detail, "last day's" being a common bugbear for many. Yet in this sifting, a question does not seem to be being asked!, Where would God have me serve? The church body exists to support fellow believers, but primarily to honour God and to give His bride, the church, opportunity to serve His will. Are we willing, God call me to where you desire me to serve you, rather than what I think benefits me? Are we willing to grow?

  Resurrection Many films have tried to capture the moment that the disciples discovered that Jesus was alive. While some are impressive attempts, I am sure none come close to the reality of that moment in the hearts of his followers. Thomas, apart from the others did not see the resurrected Christ in the garden, did not walk the road to Emmaus with Jesus, and was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples. He only had their word, their testimony, that Jesus was indeed alive. He doubted their veracity, he doubted the truth of their words. For over three years he had followed Jesus, and walked with these men and women of God. He had watched the miracles, seen the truth, listened to the teaching, yet still he was not convinced. Why?, because the truth was so far from reality! After a creation life time, finally the power of death had been overcome. A person who claimed the authority of God, demonstrated it in his actions of love, and now proved those claims, by his ...

The Bible records three gifts being brought to Jesus around the time of his birth/early years. The dating isn't specific beyond that Jesus was less than two years old. These gifts, brought by the Magi, leaders and wise men from lands east of Judea, were their way of showing honour and respect. We don't know how many Magi came, it's not mentioned. Nor are their names. From our perspective, we can see that people of high standing, recognised portents and signs and acted upon them. They undertook a long, dangerous and arduous journey, in order to seek a child they believed was so important that his birth ushered in a new era of hope. We all need to make the same journey. That of faith, and in that faith to take all reasonable, and sometimes, completely unreasonable steps to find the truth of Jesus. To make the move from the comfort of our own preconceived belief and to seek with open hearts wisdom of who Jesus is. May you make the journey this year.

Dear Reader, I need to be bigger than myself. As a follower of the Carpenter, I must look beyond what is perceived as best for me, and choose what is best for Jesus. Sometimes these choices will look the same, others, my actions will be radically against my perceived self-interest. Astute readers will note my phrasing. For ultimately, as a follower of Christ, his best choice IS my best choice, I just may need to surrender to that. In a world which tells us, have it your way. Do your own thing. Play as you want. A message which sets itself in opposition to that rhetoric can be challenging to emulate. Yet try we must. Seeing every choice we make in light of the Kingdom of God. Time, finances, relationships, resources both physical and mental. These and many other parts of our life need to be considered in light of the wider context of a Christian walk. Simply put, if we are children in the kingdom, we need to think, and therefore act, bigger!

It never ceases to amaze me how much a positive word can help. Not all or even many have to be directed of course towards me. Just a statement of general thankfulness, an openness of sharing about struggles, a positive outcome to a tricky situation. All these can be seen, when viewed properly as encouraging. It's a common issue to feel isolated, and that you are facing unique, unsurmountable problems, encouragement reminds you that you're not the only one. King David's psalm are this, his ups and downs with God, his struggles and his triumphs Today, Dear Reader, be like David and be honest about your life, you never know when you may encourage another in their walk.

Psalms 62:1-2 (NLT) "I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken." As I read this, the word Fortress speak to me. Historically a Fortress protected not just a town but an area, it gave the owner the ability to offer protection far beyond the direct walls of the structure itself. The very existence of the Fortress allowed for those within its influence to express their lives in freedom. They knew a place of safety existed if things got rough, and so they could live more freely. This produced a virtuous circle. We can experience the same freedom in Jesus because he has made a place of safety, we can operate more easily in freedom and without fear.

Dear Traveller, the book about the carpenter includes accounts of Jesus interaction with many people. Not least of these were the apostles, chosen specifically to usher in the Kingdom of God. Symbolically representing the twelve tribes, and resetting in people's minds what were the requirements for spiritual leadership. If we follow the accounts we find the ups and downs of these men, at times their behaviour is exceptional and their faith astounding, at others we find them terrified, boastful and small minded. They do however move from the latter behaviour to the former with increasing confidence, and once Jesus resurrection is at hand, they, empowered through Holy Spirit, move to announce the good news of the kingdom of God. Except for Judas. A man chosen to spend time with the living God betrays Jesus and fails to repent of his actions. Opportunity to move forward in the Kingdom of God is available to all, but a maxim of truth does occur, "Every person is exactly ...

Luke 5:4-11 (NLT) When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. When the apostle Peter has this moment of revelati...

A recent spiritual task was to write a letter beginning with Dear God, the life I most want for myself is,... I choose to answer as a Haiku Truth is pervading I Fearlessly Surrendered Knowing the Spirit

The ABC’s new comedy “The Good place”, sets its characters in the afterlife. The stars of the show have died and found themselves in “The Good place”, according to the first episode, they have achieved this position by “having a positive balance of points for actions done while alive”, only the best get to come to “The Good place”, the rest go to “the bad place”, but the host of the show tells the new residents in a cheerful voice “don’t think about that”. As believers in Jesus, we realise that nothing we do is ever good enough to warrant getting into heaven. Perfection demands exactly that, being Perfect. The bible tells us that all but Jesus have fallen short. Romans 3:10-11 (NIV) There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God….. Romans 3:20 (NIV) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Only Jesus is wit...

By the time you read this, we may have a new Victorian government, or a re-elected one. One person once said, “Democracy is a stupid idea until you consider the alternatives”. We are blessed to exist in a country with freedom to exercise our right to vote. Not all are so lucky, and through our own history, Australia has regrettable not always made wise choices in these matters.  This election many monetary promises were made, it will be interesting to see how many are followed through. This election many changes to cultural norms have been made, it will be interesting to see how many are followed through. The point we all acknowledge is Governments are fallible. This month we recognise the birth of Jesus. The prophet Isaiah tells us, (NLT)  "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.”- (Isa 9:6a) To the nation of Israel, who had a despotic Federal government in the Romans, and a complicit...

We cannot tell how we are being used by God. One act on our part, insignificant from our point of view may have eternal consequences from God’s perspective. Mary brings Oil to anoint Jesus, John 12:3 (NLT) "Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance." This act is remembered through the ages as one of love, and humility. How did this lift Jesus and prepare his body and soul for the upcoming trial he was to face? Oswald Chambers says “ I f we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain, but what He pours through us that counts. It is not that God makes us beautifully rounded grapes, but that He squeezes the sweetness out of us. Spiritually, we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us, and we cannot measure that at all."    We can spend time judging ourselves by the world’s ...

Those who have a shared affinity should desire to be together. To gather in some format or another. In pubs, for those who wish to share a drink, in sporting events for those who wish to support their favoured team, and in Christian communities for those who follow Christ. We know these Christian communities as "church", but the image of a small steepled property can be very misleading. The building itself is not important, those who gather are. It may be at a regular meeting in someone's house. Before a work engagement, prayer may be had. Bible study one evening. Regardless of its format, a few things need to take place. Worship of the carpenter.- We meet to worship our God, all else falls under this, but worship must be seen as the whole gamut of the body meeting. Accountability- One needs in the pressures of this world to be willing to be held accountable by other like-minded believers. Mutual support- All will face trials, and in these times having the suppo...

Proverbs 27:10 (ESV) Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbour who is near than a brother who is far away. The Carpenter found that during his earthly existence his family of half-brothers and sisters choose not to believe in who he revealed himself to be. It was only after his resurrection we find James and Jude coming to the position of belief. During his ministry, Jesus himself calls those who believe in him, his family. Matthew 12:48-50 (NLT) Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” Thus we should realise that the family of God given to us in the ecclesia, the Church, is the one which we should turn to for help when it is needed. When the body of believers functions correct...

God's word tells us many things about his character. Two are his Holiness and his Goodness. Jesus claimed that "no-one is good except God alone" (Luke 18:19). God set the definition of what "Good" is. His character defines it, his character reveals it. In his goodness, he witnesses to a fallen world, unwilling to condemn it the judgement it deserves without first offering it a way out from its fate. In his goodness, he shows that he is "just" by dealing with the consequence of humanities sin and rebellion, by Jesus death on the cross. In his goodness, he applies the Holiness of his character to those who would repent and allows us to be righteous in his sight, for he sees us in the risen Christ.

God who is, Present, Pure, Powerful and who Provides, Pardons and Protects You surround me oh God. In waking and sleeping, your words whisper to me. They tell of your goodness, and your desire to see the pure prosper. Nothing is beyond your eye or hand. You decree and it is done. I find all I need in your shade, from food and shelter to friends and family. My many sins and failings are not counted when a contrite heart is shown to you. You declare me clean. I walk safe in my future, assured that you will cover me in all things.

The Bible tells us to put on the Armour of God. I think we need to get used to wearing it far more than the normal follower of the carpenter seems to indicate. Roman soldiers lived in their armour, it was about them all the time. It was their second skin, and without it they were ineffective. Like most things, when initially worn it hurts, rubs, and chafes, but this process needs to be endured for it to become part of who we are. Most of us today don't wear armour, but we can experience the same process with a new pair of shoes. It's not just the wearing of the item, it's becoming used to the purpose of it. Training with a sword means when it comes time to use it in battle it is second nature. Using your shield gives you confidence that it will withstand a blow when you need it to. Finally, working with a shield brother (or sister) lets you build the sense of unity need to protect and trust one another. All of this means spending time with one another, apprec...

You may have seen a movie with this scene. The hero is facing a beast, in this case, a dragon, they have one shot with their weapon of choice, a bow. The hero nocks the arrow to the bow and waits, sighting the best moment to release the shot to allow it to do its job, to slay the beast. This scene can be found in many movies, sometimes it's bow and arrow, sometimes it's a ballista. In the modern version, it is a sniper's rife, and the dragon is the evil mastermind who desires to take over the world. In any iteration of this, the audience is watching the hero and keeping a wary eye on the target. The projectile itself is not the focus of attention. No one is concerned about the arrow, except that it hit the target. One arrow is pretty much the same as another, it's the skill of the one who fires it that matters. Which is fine, assuming you are not the arrow! But what if you are? What if you are the instrument being used by the wielder, how do you react? Wai...

In God's book, an unknown disciple of the carpenter wrote a letter known as "Hebrews", in part of it is recorded,  "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."(Heb 13:2) The Author continues the chapter with practical advice for living in a manner which will bring glory to the name of Jesus. Through its pages, those who follow the carpenter are instructed with behaving as a blessing to all in this world, regardless of whether these strangers believe in Jesus as Lord and Messiah. I believe in real angels, and take the verse to mean how it reads, that at times we could entertain mystical beings which are God's messengers, but I don't think that it's most important message. That is conveyed in the understanding that all are made in the image of God, and when you reach into this world of the unknown person, you will find some who need to be reminded of who God c...

Joshua chapter 6 tells the account of the fall of the walls of Jericho. A new nation was planning to enter the promised land from the one which had left Egypt. Bar Joshua and Caleb, all males over twenty years old who had left Egypt were now dead. A new group of adults had to fight for the God they had come to know. For many, the crossing of the red sea was a history lesson. A fierce enemy, the Egyptian army had been wiped out via an act of God. How was God going to fight for his chosen people at this point in their lives? They had witnessed the miracle of crossing into the promised land, when the Jordan river had stopped flowing (Joshua 4), and this must have inspired hope. God keeps his promises, as they walked around the walls of Jericho their voices silent, only the horns proclaiming God were heard. Finally, at the last moment, the people joined in a massive shout, their faith joining with God's promise to see the walls of the enemy nation come tumbling down. The hope...