Our bible starts with a tree-y garden built around four rivers which are described with what seems almost an unnecessary amount of detail.
It ends with a city built around a river with flourishing trees on each side.
If something about a healthy river is what it is like to live close to God’s design then we are in trouble.
Rev 3:14-22.
The Laodiceans. The church of the last days.
They are described as “lukewarm”, “to be spat out”.
They are delusional because they think they are doing great and totally oblivious to their actual situation.
Since I believe we are in the last days then this accusation is against me, personally. A difficult label to wear!
“Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you…” (Romans 1:8 NLT). This was Paul’s greeting to the believers in Rome but I would like to direct it to you all here at MCAC and to you reading this blog. I feel super blessed that God has led me to be part of this loving and caring church family.
This past Sabbath, we were able to discuss some questions relating to the really cool sermon by Jinha (watch here). One of the questions asked was whether we miss out on blessings when we see particular events in our lives as mere coincidence even though they could be divine providence. Looking at the big picture of the Bible, I think it is obvious that we need to acknowledge God’s hands and respond to Him with gratitude and praise.
How can we see God in our lives? Does He still act in history? Explore with us how coincidences point to Providence
What would it look like to make our resolutions God-centred rather than happiness-centred? In this sermon Roy explores the importance of starting 2019 with God at the centre.
Are you feeling drained? As we finish one year and face another, how can we be revitalised and motivated? Explore how God can make dry bones live.
Daily Nuggets
Day 1:
“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea…But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed. I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world.” Isaiah 43:16-21 NLT
Perhaps we have heard the story vaguely. Perhaps we have heard the story many times before.
An innocent girl sees and talks with an other-worldly being who tells her she will give birth to a boy. A boy who will be king. (Luke 1)
The boy is conceived under miraculous circumstance but born into mundane poverty. Angels come to celebrate and announce his birth… to no one but a few shepherds on a hill. Kings come from afar to revere and worship him. But local powers choose to kill him and a few thousand others in the process.
God is teaching me some simple but valuable lessons in my Christian walk. Communication is an area that He is constantly helping me to grow in; communication with those around me and with Him. I was recently reminded of two little gems I’ve learned along the way.
Whenever a child is born, I am reminded of the miracle of life. But never have I felt this as keenly as last week when I witnessed the birth of my nephew. Although I’ve given birth to two beautiful boys, it was different this time, being at the sidelines observing the process.
