A Church with a Heart for our Community

June 2nd Thursday

Greetings to you in the name of the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a delightful morning, fresh and gentle after last night’s rain. Today’s name of God to ponder is – “Jehovah-M’Kaddesh” – the God who sanctifies, who cleanses …  very appropriate after the rain. I will be praying for you today, asking Father to “sanctify” you and to prepare you to receive ‘more’ of His presence.

Yesterday was significant for me…I was able to attend our Wednesday prayer time…that is the time we set aside to pray about the issues that are affecting members of the church family. I haven’t been there since January, so I haven’t been aware of some of the ‘stuff’ that has been going on. I felt a little lost and tried to talk less – listen more … Ecclesiastes 3:7 – “there is a time to shut up and another to speak up”. I came away with two things to ponder. First, how much ministry is being done by individuals who are themselves dealing with life’s challenges…ie. illness, family turmoil, uncertainty, disappointment, etc.- I am thanking God for a great church family! Second, I realized that when individuals are hurting over disappointments and responding to setbacks and are angry at God — we are too quick to pour out advice and counsel, as good as that might be. Again, it is in Ecclesiastes we are reminded that…“…a right time to cry and another to laugh, a right time to lament and another to cheer…”   Ecclesiastes 3:4 The Message. We need to honour and value the reality of one’s heartache and pain…it, so often, is and must be a time of transformation.

One other insight that God underscored for me was the concept of “walking with God” – maybe concept is the wrong word, more like understanding the “command”. It says: So be very careful to act exactly as GOD commands you. Don’t veer off to the right or to the left. Walk straight down the road GOD commands so that you’ll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you’re about to possess. – Deuteronomy 5:32-33  The Message. There are two aspects that I need to ponder because I think that I have been unconsciously told, through music and some devotionals, that it is God’s responsibility to walk with me. 

Therefore, number one – if I am going to walk with God, it has to be His direction and not mine; number two – if I am going to walk with God, it has to be at His pace. I was amazed at how many references in Scripture there are to walking with God, but two caught my attention: Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place? – Amos 3:3 The Message ; He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8 NIV ; Whoever claims to live in him [ have a intimate relationship with God] must walk as Jesus did. – 1 John 2:6 NIV. I know, I said two verses but I am a preacher…I like three’s.

I am glad that God knows where He is going…He has a plan and a purpose. Most of the time I enjoy His pace, although there are times, truth be told, when I wish He would go slower and others when I am sure He could speed up a little. However, I am pleased to affirm that I have always arrived at the right place – at the right time! 

A little something to think about – enjoy the day!