Warm Greetings.
In this my last Keeping Connected with you, can I encourage you that if you're doing it tough and would appreciate some assistance or prayer over the next few weeks, please do contact our Church on 03 5968 8459 or www.stlukesatcockatoo.com.au A response will be made asap.
Today for your encouragement I am attaching an article from the Sydney Morning Herald ( 'The meaning of Life: Australians praying more during COVID 19'). 2 others articles (used with permission from Max Lucado.com and Churchleaders.com) are included and titled C.A.L.M and 'Fan your love for Jesus into Flame' (following up the Message last Sunday on First Love).
Read and enjoy...and may the Holy Spirit minister to you as you take these on board.
Many blessings
Ken
Fan Your Love for Jesus Into Flame
By
Questions, questions, questions. Everybody asks me questions.
Airport security people ask me questions: “Has your luggage been in your possession since leaving home?” “Have you been approached by anyone to carry a package?” “Did you pack your own bags?” You don’t want to try to be funny with airport people. You don’t want to say, “No, actually they were packed by a stranger I met at the gun shop yesterday.” They probably won’t be laughing as they’re cuffing you.
Game shows ask me questions. “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?” “Who wants to be a millionaire?” and more. I’d like to see a show called Are You Nerdier Than a Home-Schooler? Hey, back off home school people, I’m just kidding. We home schooled our kids and look at them. On second thought, don’t.
Jeopardy actually gives the answers and contestants have to supply the questions. For example the “Answer” might be: “The French military leader who met his final defeat at Waterloo on June 18, 1815.” And we all know the Question: “Who is Napoleon Dynamite?”
After his resurrection, Jesus asked Peter the most piercing question in the world: “Do you love me?”
Before Jesus was crucified, confident Peter swore he would never deny Christ, then disowned him three times. So after he rose, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” He didn’t ask Peter if he was a good person, or if he believed in God or did good things. He asked Peter if he loved him.
Do you love Jesus? This is the most important question in the world.
My love for Jesus falls far short of what I desire. It grieves me to think about how weak and pitiful my love for him is. But I’m so glad Jesus promises he will not quench even a smoldering wick. If there is one true spark of love for him he can fan it into a flame. And if we’re concerned about our poor love for Christ, that’s a good thing, for unbelievers don’t love him at all, don’t think about it and aren’t bothered by it. It’s a mark of a genuine believer to desire to love Jesus more. How can we fan our love for Jesus into a flame? Here are a few ways:
Think about the cross. Think of what it cost Jesus to bring you to God. He underwent infinite humiliation in becoming human. He withstood Satan’s worst temptations. He accepted rejection, mocking, scourging and crucifixion. He drank the cup of God’s furious wrath against sin for us. How can we not love Jesus for all he endured for us?
Think on all Jesus has done for you. He rescued you from your sins, cleansed you with his blood and brought you to God. He had mercy on you, revealed himself to you, gave eternal life to you. He made you one with himself and promises to share his inheritance with you. Think of all Jesus continues to do for you. He intercedes for you, blesses you, bears with you, encourages you, protects you, speaks to you, answers your prayers, helps you, fills you with joy. We have so many reasons to love him.
Finally, pray, and ask Jesus to fill you with love for him. He loves to answer this prayer.
Do I love Jesus? There’s no more important question to ask ourselves. And nothing more important to cultivate than our love for our Savior.
The Scripture Hall of Fame that contains the twenty-third Psalm, the Lord’s Prayer, and John 3:16 should also display Philippians 4:4-8.
Celebrate God’s goodness. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (v. 4). Celebrate who he is, what he has done in your life, and celebrate his goodness, faithfulness, and forgiveness.
Ask God for help. Verse five says, “The Lord is at hand.” Because of the Lord’s nearness, we can ask him for what we need.
Leave your concerns with God. Verse six says, “With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” State your concerns, then leave them in the hands of the father.
Verse 8: Meditate on good things. “Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise” (v. 8). We can transform our minds with conscious meditation on the good.
C.A.L.M. Calm.
The meaning of life: Australians praying more during COVID-19
Read the article on line here