LET US PRESS ONWARDS
Over the last few months there has been a deep longing within my heart for that elusive ‘something more’ of God’s Presence and as a consequence a deep sense of His purpose. I feel stirred by the scriptures that highlight and tell us the story of the wisdom of God. I recognise the power of the Holy Spirit reminding me that this life He has called us to is one of passion, reality and free from the entanglements of man made reasoning. He nudges and whispers in my ear words of love and encouragement. There is a new God given thrill within me as I ponder the goodness, wisdom, power and grace of God at work within His people as He builds His Church, His way!
There appears to be an unbroken thread throughout Scripture that demonstrates His care, His love, His grace and redeeming purpose throughout the lives of His people. We know the story so well of His redemptive purpose to reclaim His own from slavery. He provides a cure for sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, The Son of God.
He calls us today, as He did those early disciples to “Follow Him.” And, this following is not from a distance, but rather that in our following we are ‘yoked to Him’ – in other words we share an intimate walk with Him, which develops and grows over time. This following becomes a partnership and draws us into fellowship with Himself.
In all of this I am reminded of those dear God loved people spread across the globe that have paid a price to find fresh and new ways to live out Church life. This demonstration of God’s life has come about as believing believers have taken up the cross and experienced that fuller measure of resurrection life. These expressions of life and serving came by a clear hearing of the Holy Spirit.
“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he ploughed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” [Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message]
ENCOURAGEMENT!
In sharing this with you there has been an awareness that I want to encourage you as you walk along this same road with Christ. The fresh stirrings I am feeling at this time are to remind you not to cease walking upon this way with Jesus. He wants to grab your attention and remind you that your heart response to Him is of great value. There is no fanfare and your actions may even go unnoticed but He has promised to walk with you through these dark and challenging days. His power is being perfected in your weakness. And, without a doubt He is building a beautiful Church without spot or wrinkle.
I want to urge not to become weary but to know that in the midst of these days of noise and activity He will provide solitude and quiet. There is a simple reason for this. The purpose is of course in order that you and I might hear from heaven more clearly. Remember Paul when he wrote to the Galatian church. He wrote about the call of God’s grace. Paul describes God’s pleasure as He, “was pleased to reveal His Son in me.” Immediately, Paul went into Arabia. A desert place! That solitude and quiet is found within the quiet place – the hills, the beach or the quiet place of your choice. – [Galatians 1:15,16]
GOD LOVES US
Finally, in this following of the Lord He wants to remind us of His love for us.
”Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God.
And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.” – 1 John 4:15-17 [AMPC]
John Langford