Author: Craig

Living by Faith

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6So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Yesterday a student shared how she just could not imagine living without sight, without the joy and pleasure of colours. I agree. Yet, the life of following Jesus is to follow One whom we have not seen. Can you imagine following someone you have not seen?

Living by faith is the way of the Christian. It is rooted in our relationship with God who is unseen. Paul describes the courage, the heart and passion, that is generated by the promise of our eternal life with God guaranteed by the Holy Spirit who is with us now. There is a certain tentativeness that accompanies walking in the dark or blindfolded. But Paul wants the followers of Jesus to develop an ease with the ways of faith.

Though we may yearn for the day when our faith becomes sight, we live now with a desire to please God. Living by faith then is occupied with the intent to please God because of the certainty of God’s graceful acceptance of us in Christ. Now we can live “at home” with Him, as indeed we will be “at home” with Him.

Longing for Home

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Recently a friend described how she had felt an unexpected wave of homesickness. It was a holiday back home for her family and here in Canada she was missing out. She knew what she was missing and she yearned to be a part of it. For the Christian too there can be a longing for home. But strangely its for a home we have not yet been to: our heavenly dwelling with Christ. Instead it is the Spirit of God who stirs up a longing in us for God and to be with Him. We have a longing this world cannot satisfy. Only God. Notice below in his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul says that God has prepared us in Christ for life with Him and gives His Spirit as the guarantee of what we have in Him.

1For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Framing the Rage Against Our Family

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In recent weeks the targeted attacks against the followers of Jesus while they were gathered to worship, or in their homes, or in their places of business has made the news. I am saddened and have been reflecting on the Scripture to frame the rage against our family. The unrestrained rage against the people of Jesus shows what enemies do: they think their world or their lives would be better without the other.

Here are some of the verses I have been reflecting on:

Jesus describing life in the Kingdom of God. Matthew 5:9-12
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John’s imagery of the battle against the followers of Jesus. Revelation 12:9-17
9And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”… 17Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

Jesus on the cross. Luke 23:34
34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

David’s Prayer. Psalm 13
1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

The various voices of Revelation 22. Revelation 22:12-17
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray. Matthew 6:9-13
9Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Paul writing to the diverse churches of Rome. Romans 12:9-21
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Cross and the Power of God

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18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

At the center of the church’s ministry is Jesus and His Cross.

Foolishness to some.

The power of God to others.

The Gospel and the gift of faith

is the difference between perishing and being saved.

For those being saved self-righteousness has no place.
Our boast is only in Christ Jesus. Reflection on the Gospel
generates humility and courage.

Prayer for Friday

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This was very awesome so here’s a prayer for Friday.

I need Thee Every Hour.

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131