Grrr... I try and do a nice early blog and blogspot keeps sending me error messages. All through writing this I've been getting errors saying it's not autosaving. Swines! It better post... Today I've been sorting out just how much of my time is going to be spent making John Harper's life easier. This must be a good use of my time yes? We'll see I suppose! Onto business then
Today’s readings:
Genesis 41:41-42:38
Matthew 14:22-15:9
Psalm 12:1-8
Joseph's story continues today and there's not loads to talk about here. The first thing that jumped out at me is how when the brothers are walking back and discover they've got their money in the sacks, their first reaction is to think God is punishing them. Now obviously it would be serious if they had been stealing the grain but seeing as they hadn't I think it's bizarre that they wouldn't think this was a blessing. I guess sometimes we can get really distant from God or desperate in our lives that we start to miss the actual blessings we receive. There's also an interesting little parallel between Jacob's reaction to letting Benjamin go and his grandad Abraham's reaction to being told to sacrifice Issac. Both guys feared the worse for their son but only one trusted God's will enough to go through with what he'd been told to do. I think there's an issue here about not being aware enough of when God is speaking to us. The brothers don't recognise Joseph at all (and I've noticed it doesn't mention make-up... Sorry Craig), none of them recognise them receiving their money back as a gift from God, Jacob doesn't see that he has to send Benjamin because that's what God has planned out. I think sometimes we get so convinced that our life is solely ours and so we know precisely what's best for it that we miss all the massive signs and interventions which God puts in place for us.
Into the New Testament we sojourn. Now walking on the water is one of my all time favourite Jesus bits. I think because it's on face value a ridiculous miracle. What I mean by that is that no one is being helped here. Jesus used His power to help others and, apart from saving Him a swim, what does anyone gain from this walk? Well first of all there's obviously the benefit to Peter. Andy in the Soul Survivor blog today makes an excellent point which I didn't realise about how Peter was walking on the lake where he grew up. I'd really advise people to have a watch because I think this ties in really nicely with the Genesis message of spotting Jesus and being on the lookout for him. Peter trusted Jesus and stepped out in faith to do something for Him and the disciples recognised Jesus too as being the Son of God. Now would that have had the same impact somewhere else? Quite possibly, but it's interesting to me to see how Jesus uses the places we know. He doesn't always need us to go on missions to other countries but will use what is familiar to us. Be vigilant folks to where God is talking and using you in your every day mundane life. There are miracles everywhere. Remember, coincidence is God choosing to remain anonymous!
Jesus also talks about how we should live our lives according to God's principles and not try and get by on loopholes. He uses the example of not respecting your parents by saying that instead of doing something for them, you're doing something Godly instead. Jesus here knows that people make excuses all the time and He's warning us against it. I've always held firm to the idea that being a Christian is about first and foremost having a loving attitude towards anyone and if a law contradicts that then it's not being followed in it's intended meaning. I think also it wouldn't be going too far to make a connection to our theme today. If you're constantly looking at how you can make the Bible work for you or make being a Christian into something that helps you justify your life choices when you know they might not be what God wants then there's no way you'll ever recognise when God actually is trying to benefit your life in actual accordance to his wishes.
Finally the Psalm today is a real uplifting message of how gossip and lies don't have to hurt us or be something we rely on. We live for the God of truth don't we? I think this is a real challenge for me as it can be so easy to twist things to make life easier. The Psalmist is rejoicing though that his God will always help him to see the truth. If we rely on God, study His word, give things to Him in prayer and trust that He is taking care of us then the truth will shine through the lies. And people's lies won't have the same effect on us. We won't be as hurt, as convinced by falseness or as misinformed. Ooooh I'm loving ending on these Psalms!
And that's your lot. Yesterday's answer is here and today's is a fair bit trickier for the older patrol and a fair bit easier for the younguns. If you've no idea what I'm talking about then look at the subject line, work out who the band is that sang that song, maybe listen to it while you read this, and then post a comment on here or FB saying who the band is to win your prize of your own weight in air! Questions, criticisms and comments welcome as always
Jon
No comments:
Post a Comment