This past week I have started reading a book called, "The Presence Based Church," and what struck me was the idea that God's presence needs to go with us.
What am I talking about? When Moses was leading the Israelites, Moses begged God and virtually demanded that God would accompany him wherever he would go. If you have kids, or have spent any time with younger children, you realize how children most often want your presence. Sam, our son who's almost 3, loves to grab my hand and beg me to come "play trucks." He doesn't just want me to sit in the same room, or even to watch on the floor, but he wants my attention, my interaction and friendship.
How often do we desire the same from God? We don't want to head into the unknown alone, but hope that God will come alongside us. Thankfully God promises his Holy Spirit to be with us, so we don't have to wonder if God will come along, like a dog. But God is always there (He says, "He will never leave us nor forsake us").
Back to the story of Moses in Exodus 33:17 - God promises to be with Moses because he is pleased with him and knows him by name. I'm certainly thankful, that through Jesus, God is pleased with me and I can be called a child of God.
How have you seen God's presence in you life...leave a comment.
Paul
(Pastor of Gateway Community Church)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Cylcone in Myanmar
After watching the devastation of the limited images on TV, it is hard to imagine what's really going on in Myanmar. The cyclone has ravaged through villages. Many villages were completely wiped out and now, the government has the audacity to not let foreign aid workers enter in.
Do I believe in evil? Do you believe in the power of Satan? For sure, their is an evil presence working through this government. Unfortunately, this government is not helping their own citizens so they can get the required aid to prevent major outbreaks of cholera & diarrhea. It's unbelievable that the government would have a major vote, just after a huge portion of their country has been wiped out!
We must pray that God would soften the hearts of those leaders to allow the foreign aid and workers into the country. What we are seeing in Myanmar is similar to the story of Pharoah, who had such a hard heart and wasn't able to see his own ignorance.
Written from a land of abundance, a person who is humbled and in awe of how much we have and yet how little we care for those in need.
Do I believe in evil? Do you believe in the power of Satan? For sure, their is an evil presence working through this government. Unfortunately, this government is not helping their own citizens so they can get the required aid to prevent major outbreaks of cholera & diarrhea. It's unbelievable that the government would have a major vote, just after a huge portion of their country has been wiped out!
We must pray that God would soften the hearts of those leaders to allow the foreign aid and workers into the country. What we are seeing in Myanmar is similar to the story of Pharoah, who had such a hard heart and wasn't able to see his own ignorance.
Written from a land of abundance, a person who is humbled and in awe of how much we have and yet how little we care for those in need.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Big world...big God
After enjoying a beautiful sunny weekend on this magnificent place we live, it is incredible how much order there actually is. When I look back to the beginning of the Bible, God had a plan in each day that he created. His creation, the sun, moon, stars, water, animals, humans -were not by chance or even by surprise.
God had a plan when he created. His best plan was for his creation to worship him and point people to his nature. One of my favourite verses is Psalm 19:1,2 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they put forth speech; night after night they display knowledge."
As our family went for a walk yesterday in the forest and along a sparkling clean stream, it is so evident that nature didn't happen by chance. God is the creator and allows us to enjoy his creation. ...thanks God!
God had a plan when he created. His best plan was for his creation to worship him and point people to his nature. One of my favourite verses is Psalm 19:1,2 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they put forth speech; night after night they display knowledge."
As our family went for a walk yesterday in the forest and along a sparkling clean stream, it is so evident that nature didn't happen by chance. God is the creator and allows us to enjoy his creation. ...thanks God!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)