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Rest

2. Aug 2024 On The Way In Love
Do you ever labour, toil and wrestle with life’s challenges and turmoil? “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28; NKJV). The word “rest” here means to cease, to stop, from our labouring and toil and experience a refreshing of our soul that is our mind, will and emotions. In Genesis 2:2 we read that God rested after His work of creation. In Hebrews 4:1 the writer tells us that we too here and now and in heaven, can experience the same blessed, heavenly rest that God enjoys.
The disciples of Jesus were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm promised to sink their boat (Matt 8:23-27). Gripped by fear, they woke Jesus who had been asleep in heavenly rest. Jesus stilled the storm and calm and rest were restored. Jesus teaches us not to be troubled and fearful as He has given us His peace, a peace that surpasses anything the world can give us (John 14:27). In the world we face tribulation, pressure, fear and stress but if we walk closely with Jesus, we can enjoy His peace because He has overcome all the evil the world has to offer (John 16:33).
How do we walk in God’s rest and peace? It doesn’t just pop up in our lives. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa 26:3; NKJV). This verse describes a believer focused on God, full of God’s word and strong in faith; this requires commitment, discipline and dedication. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4; NKJV).

Manna from Heaven

31. Jul 2024 On The Way In Love
In Exodus 16:14 we read, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you.” The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day” (NLT). We read later in that chapter that when the children of Israel saw it, they said, “manna” which means, “what is it?” And that is what it was called from that day (Verse 15). (See also Psalm 78:24).
In Deuteronomy 8:3 Moses explains to God’s people that God fed them with manna to teach them that “man does not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (CSB). Jesus reiterates this Himself in Matt 4:4, quoting word for word what Moses said.
The manna of the Old Testament points to Jesus in the New Testament because in John 6:35 we have the amazing declaration from Jesus that He Himself is the bread from heaven, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again, whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (NLT). Jesus is the bread that nourishes our spirits; He is the word and He can satisfy our spiritual hunger. However, just like the Israelites and the manna, we need to take enough manna or word for each day, fresh daily. Jesus is not only the bread that gives spiritual life but also the bread that gives us eternal life (John 6:51). We are reminded of this every time we take communion.
Fill up with some manna today! Eat until you are satisfied and remember to keep getting fresh bread every day!

What are your giftings

29. Jul 2024 On The Way In Love
In the New Testament various gifts are mentioned that God has given to His church to enable His people to grow, serve, evangelize and live an abundant life. The Father’s gifts are listed in Romans 12:6-8. These are the gifts of prophecy, ministry or practical service in the church, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership and mercy or compassion. These gifts are known as creational gifts, talents or qualities we were born with. People may exhibit several of these gifts but usually one is dominant.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit edify and benefit the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:7-11), These gifts are not owned by anyone but given to individuals as and when the Holy Spirit desires. These gifts are: words of wisdom, words of knowledge bringing clarity and direction, and a special power of faith. Other spiritual gifts are those of healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, good or evil, tongues and the interpretation of tongues.
Finally, there are the ministry gifts of Christ: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Eph 4:11-16). These last gifts are to edify, build up, equip and bring unity to the church.
It is so clear that we all need to discover our creational gifts, be open to be used by the Holy Spirit and eager to benefit from the ministry gifts in our churches and discern if we are called to operate in any of them. The church is strongest when we all understand and correctly embrace God’s gifts.

Generosity

26. Jul 2024 On The Way In Love
“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself” (Prov 11:25; NKJV). The meaning of “made rich” is actually prosper or grow fat! Proverbs 19:17 tells us that when we are generous to the poor, we are actually lending to the Lord! According to Prov 22:9, a generous person is a blessed person. (See also Ps 112:5).
This is all confirmed in the New Testament in 2 Cor 9:6-10. Let’s see what God is telling us in these verses. Verse 6 tells us we are blessed according to the measure that we give (see also Luke 6:38). Verse 7 says that God loves cheerful givers, not those who give begrudgingly. In verse 8 we learn that God will supply our needs abundantly, so that we have enough left over to give to others. In Verse 9, we see that our generosity whether in giving money or good deeds will be remembered forever. Finally verse 10 teaches us that God will multiply our resources so we can keep on being generous. All very encouraging!
The reason we should be generous is because God’s love compels us (1 John 3:17). However, no one can outgive God; He gave his only Son to die, and Jesus being obedient gave His life, so we could enjoy eternity with Him.
Keep these scriptures in mind as you go through your day and “be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others” (1 Tim 6:18; NLT).

God can and always will.

24. Jul 2024 On The Way In Love
Have you ever faced trial after trial in your life and just sometimes wondered if God could really rescue you or even if God was still there? Well, as always, let’s see what the Bible has to say! “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall flame scorch you” (Isa 43:2; NKJV). That is pretty clear and encouraging. We don’t need to fear when things come against us because God is our strength (Ps 27:1), He will help us and hold us up (Isa 41:10). The writer of Hebrews goes a step further and assures us that with God helping us, people can’t do anything to us (Heb 13:6). God tells us to give Him all our burdens and cares and He won’t let us be shaken (Ps 55:22). The apostle Peter emphasizes that we should give God all of our cares and not just some (1 Peter 5:7). I am sure that means that we should give them to God and not pick them up again and worry.
There are many places in the Bible where we read, “He (I) will never leave you nor forsake you” (e.g. Deut 31:6,8; Heb 13:5; 1 Chron 28:20; NKJV). This refers to God and the psalmist added that God is always with us (Ps 73:23). God is with us wherever we are (Josh 1:9). Jesus assured His disciples and us that, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20; NKJV). We just need to look to God, believe His word, ask for His help and remember that nothing is too hard for Him (Luke 1:37).

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