FEBRUARY 5 – Sheep's clothing

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?… “ - Matthew 7:15

In the New Testament there is a Greek term for 'tribulation,' it refers to “pressure....like being crushed under a big boulder,” - a description of pain and continuous strain – so descriptive of our times. There are so many types of pressure....unemployment....divorce....chronic/terminal illness....a son or daughter in with the wrong crowd....people who present as friends but are wolves in sheep's clothing The list goes on. But the pressure Samantha was under, and would become her tribulation, was. insecurity, a desire 'to belong,' and peer pressure.

I first saw Samantha some years back. I was in a cafe with some friends, when in breezed this group of people acting like a scene from a movie. As with all groups there was an obvious leader – Nick. Nick shadowed the girl who was the centre of attention for the whole clientelle – eyes were riveted on her as she 'worked' the tables. To say Samantha was beautiful is an under-statement. Blonde, blue-eyed, perfect skin and figure, dressed to attract, and a personality that lit the cafe. They didn't stay for a meal. It seems their sole purpose was to be seen, and invite as many people as they could to Nick's place where a party was to be held – and Samantha was the bait. Task completed Nick, Samantha and the rest of their group left the cafe with the same flourish they had arrived.

It would be a year later that I next saw Samantha – again, in the same cafe, with two or three followers, but minus Nick – he'd used and abused her and he no longer wanted Samantha as bait. I was shocked at her appearance. Gone was the beauty, the perfect skin, the attractive clothes, and the personality that had lit the cafe. In it's place was a shaking, ravaged body, and all the marks of hard drug abuse and alcohol. Again Samantha 'worked' the tables, not with a party invite this time, but looking for a hand-out for the next 'fix.' People either turned away or got up and left. That was the last time I saw her.

I wasn't to encounter Nick again until one day at the local hospital some six years later. I was having a coffee with a paramedic I knew when his mate took to the reception desk, a shrunken, dissipated, unkempt man who was vaguely familiar – and I mean vaguely! Samantha's body had been ravaged by the drugs, but Nick? My paramedic friend told me that Nick was terminally ill from Syphillis and hard drug abuse. I later learned from a friend that the parties Nick organised were 'softening-up' parties – events seemingly to offer friendship to the lonely, but their real purpose was to ply unsuspecting individuals with drink before getting them hooked on drugs.

My heart aches for the many Samantha's who today, are making wrong decisions. Ask your children and teenagers. Are there times when they feel insecure and have a desire 'to belong?' They are experts at knowing how peer pressure feels! Tell them they are never alone, God and their angels are by their sides....that they do 'belong,' - to you, but above all, to God's family, as His sons and daughters. He says to them, and us, “I know the pressure you are under. I understand the strain. I know the unfair abuse. But let me offer you some encouragement. Don't be afraid. Look at life through my eyes! Stop letting life intimidate you! Stop running scared. Trust Me!” (Charles Swindoll)

Pressed out of measure and pressed to all lengtth;

Pressed so intently it seems beyond strength.

Pressed on body and pressed in soul;

Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll.

Pressure by foes, pressure by friends;

Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

Pressed into loving the staff and the rod;

Pressed into knowing no helper but God.

(Annie Johnson Flint in John R. Rise, Poems that Preach)

Kirk Franklin presents, “Hold Me Now,” with lyrics, as my chosen song for today. Click on the picture to listen.

February 3

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Can you swim? Are you afraid of water? Is it something that you have always wanted to do? Well I know that water is something that has been a mystery to a lot of people because it tends to do what it pleases.

I learned to swim at a very early age. It was back in the day when schools walked to their local pool. I waited in line to be dropped into the pool by my teacher, ‘arm dangle style’. The fear I felt when my feet couldn’t touch the bottom soon dissipated when I realised it was in the shallow end and I was allowed to splash. There was one teacher on the side and at least two in the pool positioning our arms and legs and showing us exactly how it should be done. There is no better feeling of satisfaction when you realise that the water can hold your weight if you allow it to. The key is to recognise that the water is more powerful than you could ever be and you have to work with it.

If you have ever had the opportunity to watch a swimming gala, you will notice that the swimmers who are going the fastest are those with the most fluid movements. They have discovered how to get the most out of the water by not fighting it. Those who struggle are those who haven’t learned how to be still and move. That may seem a contradiction in terms but the New Living Translation puts it this way

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

In other words stop trying so hard, stop expending all of you energy doing something that God could do so much better for you if you would only recognise who He is. He is there in the water with us, in fact He controls the water. In Mark 4:39 where He instructs the waves with the words,

"Peace be still!"

The literal translation of, Be Still, taken from the Greek, is – Hush, in modern terms: Shut Up!

Stop fighting Him - let Him get the best out of you. Enjoy your day and know that each one of you reading this has been prayed for and God is only waiting for you to ask Him, and to be still.

The song today is by Steven Curtis Chapman and is based around the key text 'Be still and Know'. Click on the picture to listen.

February 2

“But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33

Can you believe we are in February already? My question today, and it applies to me also is, have you remembered? Remembered what you may ask. Well I am referring to the promises made approximately one month ago. You know, those ‘New Year’ challenges that were definitely going to be met this time. Are you still on track? Has your resolve crumbled? Only you can answer those questions. Here are some promises in the bible that hopefully will get you back on track. The first is found in 1 Peter 5:7

“Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you”

The New Living translation frames it this way ‘give all your cares and worries to God, for He care for you’

What a powerful promise.

Staying in the books of Peter, 2 Peter 1:4 says

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

Gods’s promises indeed are precious as they are his word and his word is truth.

Isaiah 40:29-31 says

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
 They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.”

I am sure you have your personal favourite bible promise but I am leaving you with this verse from Proverbs 1:33

“But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

I am realising more each day that sometimes all we need is Gods word, pure, undiluted and more often to get us through whatever obstacles we find ourselves facing. So today is a new day, forget the guilt of yesterday promises broken and let God guide us into His future.

The song today is by 'Selah' and is called "Bless the broken road" Click on the picture to listen and enjoy.

JANUARY 30-31 – Lest We Forget

"And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.… “ - Luke 22: 42

As I write this, the local BBC TV news is commemorating Auschwitz Memorial Day. They are reporting live from inside the Auschwitz concentration camp. Three hundred survivor's of the camps, now in their 80's and 90's, along with world leaders, are gathered together in a service of remembrance for the 6,000,000 Jews who were exterminated in the camp gas chambers – half a million of these were children. In addition to these, 70,000 Polish Jews were murdered in their own towns and cities by use of portable gas chambers. The inhumanity staggers belief. There is no wonder that Jesus wept as He looked down through the centuries!

70th Holocaust Service at Auschwitz - January 2015

Many Christians also died because of their allegiance to God and their faith, and as I watched and listened to the stories of the Holocaust survivor's, my mind turned to a story from the underground church in the former Soviet Union – another time and place with persecution in common. Churches were closed and open worship services banned, along with ownership of a Bible, so Christians met secretly in each other's homes. With only one copy of the Gospel of Luke, they tore it into segments and shared among them. Once memorised they exchanged portions at their next meeting.

The following Sabbath, to avert suspicion by the KGB, small groups of people arrived at the appointed house at intervals throughout the day. At dusk the doors and windows were closed and locked. The group of believers had begun to quietly sing a hymn when the door was burst open by two soldiers toting loaded automatic rifles. One of them shouted, “All right, everybody line up against the wall. If you wish to renounce your commitment to Jesus Christ, leave now!” Two or three left quickly....then another....and seconds later, two more.

The soldiers barked another command, “This is your last chance. Either turn against your faith in Christ, or stay and suffer the consequences.” Three more 'christians' covered their faces and left into the night. Those left behind trembled as they reassured their children, fully expecting to bee gunned down or taken prisoner. Complete silence fell as the second soldier closed the door. Then he said, “Keep your hands up – but this time in praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters. We too are Christians....”

It transpired that the soldiers had been ordered to raid another house church, but instead of killing, they were converted. They went on to say, “We have learned by experience however, that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted.” What incredible faith and trust in God these people had – to lose their lives was preferable to losing their souls.

What difficult decisions will we have to make this week because of our faith? In what areas will we face ridicule? Temptation? Hard times?  Pray God, we stand fast and strong.

Our choice of song is “Lead Me To Calvary” - ECT TRIO. Click on the picture to listen.

JANUARY 29

“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay. And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord” - Psalm 40:1-3.

Elizabeth Barrett ranks as one of England's best loved and famous poets. After suffering a spinal injury at the age of 15 years and becoming partially handicapped as a result, Elizabeth confined to her bedroom, read voraciously and became a brilliant scholar and author. Her poems touched the heart of Robert Browning, and the pair began a correspondence that resulted in them falling deeply in love and marrying in 1846. Four years later Elizabeth wrote one of the most exquiaite love poems known to the English language:-

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

my soul can reach....(Sonnet 43).

The psalmist David too, in Psalm 116 bursts into a love song of praise to God. Bursting from the depths of his heart David wrote:

“I love the Lord because He hears my voice and supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me. Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live” (vs. 1-2)

Robert Browning loved Elizabeth because, through their exchange of letters, they listened to each other's cares, concerns, and joys. David does the same as he says in effect in vs. 1-2, I love Him because He hears me when I call on Him. David in his life went through the troughs and valleys but he always took his problems to the Lord in prayer.

Do you ever wonder if the Lord truly hears your prayers? When the weight of life is heavy on your shoulders – when set-backs, roadblocks, and disappointments threaten to sink your once boyant confidence in God, can you still say, “How do I love thee God?” Do you wait patiently for the Lord to hear your cry? - to put a new song in your mouth, a song of praise?

Robert's love for Elizabeth had wide reaching effects on her life and amazing improvement to her health. God's love for us offers eternal life, with no more pain, suffering, or parting from our loved ones. We can trust that God hears our prayers. We can have confidence that He is listening, and we can trust that He will answer our prayers....in His time.

Our song for today is a good Gospel classic, “My Life, My Love, My All” - Kirk Franklin. Click on the picture to listen.

JANUARY 26

‘What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.’ James 4: 1-2

As a child I was, and still am, a pacifist by nature. I can soak up immeasurable amounts of ‘verbals’ without feeling the need to lash out, unlike my classmate Michael. He had what is called a short fuse. Someone would just have to look at him the wrong way or use the wrong tone of voice and he would be primed for a fight. He lived his life like a coiled snake ready to spring into action and fight or even bite all comers. It was on one such occasion when ready to run onto the games field that Michael got into a fight. I don’t even know what it was about but being smart I just walked the other way and seemingly out of the way. This was until I heard someone scream my name. That was the last thing I remember hearing as the next thing I recall was looking up at a crowd of worried faces. I had been hit by a house brick Michael had thrown at the other boy when the fight separated. Michael sprinted up to the crowd pushed the boys to the side and grabbed me by the collar shouting “Why did you get in the way?” Not the response I was expecting but I don’t recall feeling anger, more frustration. That night after a hospital visit and 3 stitches over my left eye, I remember praying with my mother for Michael that he gets his anger problem under control and thanksgiving for saving my sight.

35 years later I am sitting talking to Michael at a parents evening. His son isn’t doing as well as he could be. After getting education business out of the way, Michael asked me, “Do you still go to church?”

‘Of course’ I responded.

“Remember to pray for me.” He said as he left his chair and walked off with his son. It reminded me of this WhatsApp I was sent.

"An Eagle does not fight a snake on the ground, it picks it up high up the air, thereby changing the fighting ground, then releases it back to the ground. A snake has no stamina, no power, no balance in the air. It is useless, weak and vulnerable unlike on the ground where it is deadly, wise and powerful."

 
So, as a child of God, take your fight to the spiritual realm where God takes charge. Don't fight your challenges in the physical realm; change grounds like an eagle. You will be assured of a clean uncontested victory. Pray and let God take control... the battle belongs to the Lord and you have been strengthened for the battle.

Our song today, “Take it to the Lord in prayer” by Nolan Williams.  Click on the picture to listen.

       

     Housekeeping details for you

     The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.

     A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here

JANUARY 23-24

“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened….” - Acts 16:25-26

It was more than a shock when I discovered that a relative of mine was beaten, manacled, court martialled and sentenced to six-months hard labour during the height of the First World War.  His crime?  A desire for freedom to express his religious beliefs.

Great Uncle Willie was a Conscientious Objector.  As a Christian he strongly valued human life.  He was not prepared to pick up a gun and shoot another human, whatever the cause.  Willie was one of 14 teenagers conscripted into the 3rd Eastern Non Combatant Corps in May 1916. They shortly found themselves on a troop ship to France where the sergeant attempted to hand them rifles.  They refused.  This caused some initial difficulties but eventually a compromise was arrived at. They worked on the docks unloading ships. 

For eighteen months this worked well.  As Seventh-day Adventists they were equally allowed to refrain from work and to worship on their holy day, the Saturday Sabbath.  Then in November 1917 there can an unwelcome change.  A new commander decided he was having none of this Sabbath nonsense.  When sunset arrived the next Friday and the men downed tools they received both a beating and a court-martial.

That was just the beginning.  In the notorious military prison #3, Le Harve, the same scene was repeated the next Friday afternoon – except that six sergeants were ready with batons, revolvers and boots.  After such a severe beating that some of them were left unconscious and damaged for life, they were dumped in concrete floored cells in the middle of winter, with over-tightened manacles digging into their flesh.  The next morning they were individually ordered to work.  They courteously refused.  The result? Another beating.

I don't know who started it, but shortly after that beating, and fully against prison rules, someone began to whistle a hymn.  Within seconds another voice joined in, then more.  Soon all fourteen were singing a hymn. The guards didn't know what to do.

One of the group Worsley Armstrong later wrote that "the singing of that hymn brought wonderful comfort and strength to us as we were there in that prison."  It also had an effect on the sergeant and other non-commissioned officers who gathered in the corridor.  They became very subdued, and, Armstrong reports, "We finished that hymn in an atmosphere of absolute quiet."  A month later, after petitions to the government, they were moved back to England.

One hundred years on there are clearly a large variety of opinions on what happened between 1914 and 1918.  Did the death of two people in Sarajevo justify the killing of so many innocents in the trenches?  Is war ever the best way to solve disputes?  Yet equally, how do you deal with an aggressor?  There will be those who believe that my great uncle was wrong not to fight.  Maybe they are right. For me, I respect his courageous decision to stand for his strongly held if unpopular beliefs.

Freedom of belief. Freedom of conscience must surely be principles of a civilised democracy.  Difference should not lead to violence, but to an attempt at understanding.

Victor Hulbert

I have chosen today’s music from a selection provided by Bryn, “God Will Make a Way” - Selah.  To listen, click on the Conscientious Objector’s Coat of Arms.

For more detail and a documentary blog on Adventist Conscientious Objectors in WWI click here.

    

JANUARY 22

“If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” - (Romans 8:31-39 ESV, selected)

I am fascinated by the story of the missionary Mary Slessor, whom God used to save the lives of abandoned infants in the jungles of Africa. But it wasn’t her mission or passion that intrigued me, but rather the painful childhood journey that prepared her for the call God would place on her life. It seemed that early on, Mary resolved to give God all the broken pieces.

Mary grew up in the slums of Scotland in a poor and abusive home where she frequently witnessed her mother being battered by her alcoholic father. When Mary was just seven years old, she began to taunt her father when he returned home from work in an effort to deflect his rage from her mother. She would then tire him out as she raced through the house as he tried to catch her. Mary was petite and fast on her feet, and often, but not always, succeeded in escaping his wrath. A few years later, when Mary was only 11, she was sent to the local mill, where she worked and went to school 12 hours a day. In her precious spare time, Mary decided to start Bible studies for the street children in her poor neighbourhood; however, a local bully was threatening her and the other children. Though younger and smaller than he, Mary stood her ground and in an ironic twist, the bully was to become her group’s most loyal guardian and protector.

In her twenties, Mary Slessor became an admirer of the work of missionary David Livingstone and wanted to follow in his footsteps. She set her sights on Africa at a time when it was nearly unheard of for single women to enter the mission field. Arriving in Africa, Mary discovered hundreds of killed or abandoned twin babies and their outcast mothers, who were rejected because the villagers believed that twins were conceived by the devil. Filled with compassion and the Truth of God’s Word, Mary began rescuing the children, caring for the women, and introducing God’s love to the people. Her years enduring abuse, bullies and threats prepared this petite fiery redhead to confront even the most imposing of African chiefs – quickly winning them over, earning both their respect, and the freedom to minister to their women and children.

Is there something in your past that you believe is holding you back from God doing a marvelous work in your life? What if you were to give God all the broken pieces and let Him use those very things to pave a path to reach others with the glorious news of Jesus Christ?

Each of us, with all of our triumphs and failures, joys and heartbreaks, scars and all, have been given an opportunity to make a difference in the world, the community, the homes where we live and work. Don't underestimate what God can do with a life solely surrendered to Him. Give God all the broken pieces for who knows if you are where you are today “for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

Adapted. (Copyright 2014, Shadia Hrichi. Used by permission).

Today our song is "Here I Am Lord" sung by Eric Tom.   Click on the picture to join in.

       

     Housekeeping details for you

     The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.

     A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here

JANUARY 20

²⁷ When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

²⁸ And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

²⁹ Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” ³⁰ And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” ³¹ But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. Matthew 9: 27-29

The bible has lots of examples of men and women exhibiting faith, perhaps one of the most recognised chapters being Hebrews 11. Then there was the faith of the servant girl in the healing of Naaman the leper in 2 Kings 5. One of the most miraculous stories for me is the story of Gideon and the fleece which you can read here in Judges 6:36-40.

There are indeed many more, but the story I want to focus on is found in Matthew 9: 27-29. This chapter is action packed.

It begins with Jesus forgiving and healing a paralytic (verses 1-8), much to the disgust of the on looking scribes. He then recruits Matthew the tax collector as one of his disciples (verses 9-13), with the Pharisees this time questioning his motives.

In verses 14-17 Jesus was then questioned as to why his disciples did not fast but the Pharisees did.

We find the well sung about healing of the women who ‘touched the hem of His garment’ and also the girl who was healed through the faith of her ruler in verses 18-26.

But I want to focus on Jesus’ question in verse 28 and his answer in the following verse. After the blind men who were brought to Him asked for healing, note the question.

“Do you believe I am able to do this?”

Immediately the onus is on the asker not the giver.

‘They said to Him, “Yes Lord.”

No doubts. No time for on the spot soul searching. No quick consultation period as they were both blind, but answered together.

That was the prelude to the crucial question.

‘Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened.

Note those four words – according to your faith.

That is some faith. I pray that we can organise our days sufficiently to give God the time he truly deserves to develop that kind of faith.

Our song today, “Please don't pass me by” by Fred Hammond.  Click on the picture to listen.

       

     Housekeeping details for you

     The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.

     A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here

JANUARY 19

"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!" 1 Chronicles 16: 11

Recently I have been really interested in how we develop the correct spiritual diet. Years ago I can recall being told that in order to keep good health we should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Well, I tried that and it didn’t work for me as I needed to go to the bathroom all of the time, which was not possible doing my job as a teacher!

So whilst the principle was right, as in we need to have a good ‘daily’ intake of water for maximum health benefits, the amount needed tailoring for each person. Reading the Gods word is as much to do with getting to know the content of the bible and His will for our lives, as it is spending quality time with our creator.

Like any good relationship it is based on being sensitive to the other person's needs, and to do that, you must make the relationship a priority and spend time together. The difference between 'catching a few moments' with the Lord and spending quality time with Him is like the difference between driving through McDonald's and spending the evening at a fine restaurant. At McDonald's you drive up, shout into a microphone and drive around to a window where they hand you a bag of food. In a fine restaurant you sit down, savour every bite in a relaxed atmosphere, and leave satisfied and nourished. Too many of us live on spiritual fast food and never experience the banquet God has for us. The Bible says, 'Seek his face continually.'

 

Have you learned how to stay in God's presence and enjoy it? When it comes to prayer, we all face at least two challenges:

 

1) Lack of desire. We complain about lack of time, but the truth is we make time for what we truly care about and enjoy. If you want to build an effective prayer life you must be willing to forfeit some things.

 

2) We don't know how. Find a place with no distractions. Take your Bible and a notepad with you. Use a CD player with worship music to help you. Worship will change the atmosphere around you. Just do what works for you. And be patient! Sometimes it takes weeks or months before you develop a pattern, so stick with it--the rewards are worth it.

 

And remember, prayer is a two-way street. It's not about seeing how much you can tell God; it's about learning to hear from Him as well.

 

Parts adapted from Word for Today.

Our song today, “My life, my love, my all” by Kirk Franklin.  Click on the picture to listen.

       

     Housekeeping details for you

     The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.

     A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here