Carol’s Blog

A Mighty God

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‘My God is a mighty God and He holds me in His hand.’ Jo & Nigel Hemmings. This quote from a popular old song is probably based on Isaiah 9:6

At Christmastime we can imagine Jesus as the helpless baby lying in the manger of straw. But in fact He is so powerful that a star in the sky heralds His birth, the shepherds left their jobs to admire Him, many baby boys were killed and the very way we count time has been changed for ever. Our God is a Mighty God!

He was a helpless baby yet with all the power of heaven. When He was crucified, earthquakes tore through the air, the tombs gave up their dead and as He died the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. Of the baby it was later said at His death, ‘Surely He was the Son of God.’ The birth of Jesus was the turning point of history. Our God is a Mighty God!

The Jewish people couldn’t even say His name, they used the word ‘Yahweh instead. Yes, He is our Friend but we can’t find the words to describe his splendour. Our hymn-makers have tried to find the words, ‘Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes.’ by Walter C. Smith. Our God is a Mighty God!

Everlasting Father

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Some of us have not been blessed by having good fathers to be our role models. Some have grown up without having fathers in their lives at all. It is therefore difficult to know how to be good fathers themselves. Also these upbringings can affect our attitude to God in His role of being a good father. Our perfect Father is there to help us and to guide us, though at times His discipline will not be welcome. But God always wants the best for us so we need His directing.

In the same way we are meant to be role-models for others whether we be male or female, whether we are fathers, mothers, aunts or uncles. If we have no youngsters of our own we can be teachers, Sunday School teachers or leaders of the youth. With guidance from God, this is something we all can do.

We can learn something about our Everlasting Father from the story of the Prodigal Son. The younger son did not deserve the love of his father in any way. He had disgraced and torn apart the family. He had forfeited his rights yet his father forgave him absolutely and welcomed him. With our heavenly Father his love is unconditional and everlasting, surviving through time and eternity. Nothing can break that union.

Wonderful Counsellor

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‘He will be called ‘mighty Counsellor. Isaiah 9:6

All through our lives we need counsellors, someone or a company to advise us, whether in our personal lives or in our business lives. These people will be specialists in their own sphere but not of much help on other matters.

Our Wonderful Counsellor is proficient in everything, reliable and without fault, as we read in Isaiah 9. He loves us and also cares for us. Jesus didn’t come to this earth to make us feel better about ourselves, but to make us better citizens fit for the kingdom of God. On occasions we will be let down by these people whose job it is to help us. What we all need is someone to help or guide us always.

we won’t always like His counsel, it will sometimes be demanding but it will point us in the right direction. We need His counselling and so does the world. Wars could be over, poverty eliminated and the sick receive compassion, if people would only listen to His voice. Wisdom was the one thing King Solomon asked for. He knew that God was the Wonderful Counsellor. The voice of wisdom was the thing that the early disciples desperately needed as they told the world about Jesus.

A Light in the Darkness.

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‘Those who walk in darkness have seen a great light.’ Isaiah 9:2

There is no need for us to continue stumbling round in the dark. We know life can be worrying and confusing , but we have been given everlasting light, light for the future and light for now. Jesus is our light; He was sent into the world to help and guide us.

At times we can find life frightening, but we are yoked with Him to bear the heavy end of our loads. We only need to listen to the news or read the papers and worry can set in. What is the way out? With imminent disease, famine and sickness which can be just round the corner we need to remember that God is in every situation . There is hope now and ultimately good will triumph over evil. The designs of the devil have been thwarted, God is triumphant.

This is the season that reminds us of God’s sacrifice in sending His son to die in our place for our sins. Because of this we can walk in the light in hope with a bright future. ‘On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Abundance

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‘The one who gathers much did not have too much and the one who gathers little did not have too little.’ Exodus 16:18

Our God is a God of abundance. He has promised to give us all we need and He has gifted us over and above our need. It was the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land who were promised they would be provided with manna and quail. It was something they could be thankful for and they were to gather just the amount they needed and a double portion on the sixth day, so they didn’t need to collect on the Sabbath. When they abused this instruction and took more than necessary they found that it went mouldy.

We have been given sufficient. We have all been given gifts and talents, but they must not be mis-used or ignored. If we have been given the gift of compassion, we must be compassionate and not gossip the trust we have been shown. Many have been given the gift of time. This is to be used for Him and not frittered away. We may have been given the gift of money, it is not to be spent just as we wish but in His service.

The using of our talents will bless others, extend God’s kingdom and serve our purpose here on earth.

Light

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‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.’ Isaiah 9:2

The nation of Israel was stumbling along in the darkness. They had the law of Moses which they seemed unable to keep. In spite of being a people of God, they would rise and fall. Just trying to keep the law was not sufficient. God needed to send His son to redeem them and this same Jesus is also the solution to our problems and sin and the bringer of light to us. .

Maybe at this time of year we appreciate the light because it is limited. When I used to go to work I lamented the fact that I only saw my house in daylight at the weekend; it was dark when I left in the morning and darkness had fallen again by the time I arrived home at night.

God is light, God is our light, spiritually and physically as is often pointed out in the Bible. When trying to explain hell to non-believers I describe it as utter darkness for ever and ever, because God will not be there. On this earth we can shine by reflecting God’s light in us.

‘This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, this little light of mine I’m going to let it shine, shine, shine.’

The Sunflower Seeds

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She discovered the seed packet at the bottom of the drawer. The date made her wince, what good would they be now? She couldn’t read from the packet what they were as she shook them into the hole she’d made. Half-heartedly she watered them and then forgot all about them.

Months later little green shoots appeared, but still there was no indication of what they were. In faith she now watered them and removed any diseased leaves. It wasn’t until July that she realised her mysterious seeds had grown into sunflowers. And not just any sunflowers but the largest and tallest she had ever seen, bright yellow and a beautiful rust colour.

Neighbours began to notice and those who had never spoken before congregated on the pavement and started swapping stories about their families. The street outside her house became a regular meeting place. Invitations for coffee were exchanged, some neighbours even shared outings together. Baby minding groups were formed and long after the sunflowers had died friendships continued. It all started by an old packet of seeds and the beginning of a dream.

Are we like old dried-up seeds? Can God galvanise us to share His word and make a difference? That is what happened to the disciples after Pentecost. Their tiny beginnings grew into a movement of millions and millions throughout the centuries. May we all be apart of it!

Not depleted

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In the gospels we read two accounts of Jesus feeding the hungry crowds. As different figures are involved we assume they are different occasions, but the need was the same – hunger. Seven small loaves had been found and after they had been distributed along with a few small fish there were seven baskets of left-overs. The lack of bread was eventually turned into left-overs.

Today God gives everything to His followers. Abundantly and miraculously we are all wonderfully blessed. In every country of the world, wherever the name of Jesus is lifted up people receive His abundant promises, throughout every generation.

Yet God is not depleted or diminished by His giving . He has still more to give. His wells of love will never run dry. By comparison our giving is so limited as we run out of money, resources, strength and enthusiasm. We need the energy of the Holy Spirit to help our limited generosity. Everything needs to be done in the name of the Lord. We are not called on to be do-gooders only, we are asked to show God’s love. Our strength is not sufficient, our enthusiasm not enough. We can never meet every need. May our generosity be God led and directed.

Tired as He Was

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As had so often happened, Jesus and His disciples had been travelling around the countryside. No catching a bus or train for them. Their only means of transport was donkey or walking. The disciples were now hungry and went into the village to buy food. Jesus foot-sore and weary needed rest.

Nothing happens by co-incidence with Jesus. We read ‘He had to go through Samaria.’ There was an alterative, but by divine intervention the route had to be through this unfriendly country. Jesus just happened to sit by a well where a certain woman came to draw water. We know that at the end of the story ‘many Samaritans believed.’

Jesus was divine but also human and reading through the gospels we catch glimpses of His humanity. On this occasion He was tired, often He showed compassion on those who were weak and suffering. In the temple He was angry at those who who were making His house into a den of thieves. He looked at Jerusalem and wept and at the death of Lazarus He also wept. His emotions could clearly be seen just by a look; think of Peter’s denial. He loved little children and gathered them round Him.

I’m glad that Jesus was human, so He can understand my small troubles and pains. I’m happy that He is divine, so He has the power to redeem me from my sins. 1

100% human and 100% divine.

The Lad was not Lost

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In later years Mary would tell the story of when Jesus was lost in Jerusalem. In actual fact he wasn’t lost, just lost to Mary and Joseph. They didn’t know where he was. But the lad Jesus was exactly where He wanted to be – in His Father’s house. It was natural for Him too be there, listening and asking questions of the wise and learned religious leaders of the day.

For His parents it was a time of unimaginable worry and concern. The boy was only twelve, Jerusalem was a large, noisy city full of foreign pilgrims. On the journey of a day back to Jerusalem the couple were alone without the protection of the extended family. When they got back to the city it took three days of searching before they went to the temple. It seems it was the last place they thought to look.

Mary’s comment to her son was only natural ”Why have you treated us like this?’ But this wasn’t about Mary and Joseph, it was about Jesus and His need to learn more about His Father. In our own lives we can think it’s all about us, but it is about the larger picture, about God. The world does not revolve round us, it revolves round Him. We are part of God’s plan, not Him part of ours. The world would be a better place if it always centred round God.