"Make Me Pure - but not yet" - song by Robbie Williams, sentiments resonating around the church.
Oh Lord, please make me pure - but not yet
I don't have to try I just dial it in
I've never found a job that for me was worth bothering
I got a ton of selfish genes and lazy bones
Beneath this skin
Oh Lord, make me pure - but not yet
This song from his latest album really struck me. He was being interviewed on Radio 2 a couple of weeks ago, and when asked about this song, he said that he's got loads of vices that he knows are really bad for him, so he should give them up. But he enjoys them too much, so doesn't want to give them up yet.
And it really got me thinking. We ("Christians") have our identity in Christ, an identity and relationship that demands purity - we are a chosen people, set apart, to be holy and blameless, shining like stars in this crooked generation. But is that how we look? Are we shining like stars?
As I look in my own heart, and look around, I don't see much shining. I see fading in, blending in with the darkness around us. Because although we're happy to abstain from many sins, there are always some that we keep close to our hearts. The sins that give us pleasure, that make our lives more comfortable. The ones we think aren't that bad. Sometimes in a meeting or when reading the Word we'll feel convicted and pray "Lord, make me pure", but deep down we hope he won't do it just yet. A couple more years, enjoying whatever vice it is, and then maybe in the future some time we'll give it up.
But with that attitude we'll nevergive them up. We'll keep them in our hearts, and let them inhibit our relationship with God, and grieve His heart. Because we're looking at ourselves. If we were to turn our gaze fully on to Him, we would be ashamed. We would throw away whatever trash has been stealing our affections from Him, and beg Him for mercy. And we would live lives that count for eternity. Our friends and colleagues would see Christ in us. They'd see people who don't live for themselves, but spend al their energies seeking to glorify God.
Lord, break down my self-centredness, my obsession with my own needs. Show me your face, your glory, and humble me, bring me down to the depths of humility so that I fall at your feet crying for mercy. Then use me, as your vessel, to proclaim the gospel to those who are perishing, and to encourage my brothers and sisters. (Psalm 51)
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Swansea University Houseparty
28th-30th October 2005
Seminar:
“Motivation for study”
28th-30th October 2005
Seminar:
“Motivation for study”
What is motivation?
Motivation: “an inducement or an incentive; something that leads us to act in a certain way to achieve a goal.”
Why do I find it so hard to study?!!
It's boring & often seems pointless
Motivation: “an inducement or an incentive; something that leads us to act in a certain way to achieve a goal.”
Why do I find it so hard to study?!!
It's boring & often seems pointless
Better, more interesting things to be doing
Would rather do something for God, e.g. witnessing to friends, serving church/CU
etc
___________________________________________________________________
God’s design for humanity: Genesis 1v20-31
What sets people apart from animals?
We were made in God's image - we reflect something of God, He is a creative, thinking being, and so are we. We have the ability to learn and process and use information in a way animals can't.
What sets people apart from animals?
We were made in God's image - we reflect something of God, He is a creative, thinking being, and so are we. We have the ability to learn and process and use information in a way animals can't.
What is God’s command to man, v28?
Fill the earth and subdue it - to subdue I need to learn how the earth works, as I'm doing in my degree, whatever that might look like! We were designed to work. Work is not, contrary to common belief, a result of the fall!! It is part of what we were made to do.
Great quote...
“A Christian who is convinced that this is God’s world, that all truth is God’s truth, and that he is called to serve God in his studies, will begin to experience in even the most difficult of subjects a sense of excitement as he discovers more of the complexity, unity and beauty of the manifold works of God.” Jonathan Lamb
___________________________________________________________________
Christ’s design for His church
1) Remember who you are, v1-4
You are in Christ, you have died to self and been raised with Him. So all that you do in your life now, you do in Christ. The whole of your life is to be used to worship God!
2) Be true to your identity, v5-17
Because you are in Christ, sin is no longer fitting for you. Therefore get rid of sin, and put on things that are Christlike. [Note that study is not one of the sins we must put off!! It is not an unworthy occupation, so don't use that as an excuse to slack off!]
3) Show who you are and whose you are in the way you work, v22-24
Here Paul's talking to slaves, but he gives them a work ethic that we can apply to our studies. Work in a manner worthy of Christ. Your work is part of your worship to God, so do it well, even when nobody's watching over you! And by the way, your coursemates are watching you. Are you studying in a way that shows you have been raised with Christ, or are you discrediting the gospel by your behaviour in this area?
Note that academic work does not take second place to more “spiritual” work!
“I believe it is no more necessary to be faithful in preaching the gospel than in washing up dishes… It is not for us, in any case, to choose our work. And if God has chosen it for us, hadn’t we better go straight ahead and do it, without waiting for anything greater, better or ‘nobler’?” James Fraser, missionary to China
1) Remember who you are, v1-4
You are in Christ, you have died to self and been raised with Him. So all that you do in your life now, you do in Christ. The whole of your life is to be used to worship God!
2) Be true to your identity, v5-17
Because you are in Christ, sin is no longer fitting for you. Therefore get rid of sin, and put on things that are Christlike. [Note that study is not one of the sins we must put off!! It is not an unworthy occupation, so don't use that as an excuse to slack off!]
3) Show who you are and whose you are in the way you work, v22-24
Here Paul's talking to slaves, but he gives them a work ethic that we can apply to our studies. Work in a manner worthy of Christ. Your work is part of your worship to God, so do it well, even when nobody's watching over you! And by the way, your coursemates are watching you. Are you studying in a way that shows you have been raised with Christ, or are you discrediting the gospel by your behaviour in this area?
Note that academic work does not take second place to more “spiritual” work!
“I believe it is no more necessary to be faithful in preaching the gospel than in washing up dishes… It is not for us, in any case, to choose our work. And if God has chosen it for us, hadn’t we better go straight ahead and do it, without waiting for anything greater, better or ‘nobler’?” James Fraser, missionary to China
Our whole lives are to be occupied in worshipping God and bringing glory to Him. Therefore it is not acceptable to let my studies suffer because I'm so involved in church/CU - doing so is NOT holy, and even if other Christians are impressed by it and think you're really holy, it's rubbish! Don't neglect the very thing you came to university to do and thereby bring shame on the gospel.
___________________________________________________________________
How to be a lazy, unproductive, good for nothing student: the example of the sluggard
In each of the following passages, what is the sluggard like? How can we be like this?
Proverbs 6v9-11
10v26
13v4
20v4
26v13-16
Laziness is sinful, makes us look ridiculous, and people will see us as unreliable and annoying!! We must not be like this - remember, we are in Christ now!
And now, how we should behave: the example of the ant!
Read Proverbs 6v6-8. What is it about the ant that makes her a good example for us to follow?
She works in the summer to store up food for the winter - we should be working consistently too. Just because you haven't got any deadlines or exams for a couple of months, doesn't mean you should slack off - work consistently, and you'll be best prepared for assessment.
Also, she works without anyone pressuring her to do it. At uni your parents aren't there to nag you, and your lecturers won't notice if you never hand anything in. But remember that you are not out to please people, but God. Therefore work hard, knowing that He sees you, and will be pleased with your faithfulness.
And in case you haven’t got the hint yet, a few more passages that tell us how we should behave…
Psalm 111v2
Study shouldn't be boring, we are studying the things God has made!
Titus 2v9,10
You discredit the gospel by slacking off - you make it attractive by working well.
2 Thessalonians 3v10-12
Every one of us should earn our keep.
Read Proverbs 6v6-8. What is it about the ant that makes her a good example for us to follow?
She works in the summer to store up food for the winter - we should be working consistently too. Just because you haven't got any deadlines or exams for a couple of months, doesn't mean you should slack off - work consistently, and you'll be best prepared for assessment.
Also, she works without anyone pressuring her to do it. At uni your parents aren't there to nag you, and your lecturers won't notice if you never hand anything in. But remember that you are not out to please people, but God. Therefore work hard, knowing that He sees you, and will be pleased with your faithfulness.
And in case you haven’t got the hint yet, a few more passages that tell us how we should behave…
Psalm 111v2
Study shouldn't be boring, we are studying the things God has made!
Titus 2v9,10
You discredit the gospel by slacking off - you make it attractive by working well.
2 Thessalonians 3v10-12
Every one of us should earn our keep.
___________________________________________________________________
Practical pointers for studying well
1) Make sure you have a good environment to study in – temperature, lighting, noise levels, space, comfort
2) Keep focussed on the purpose of study
3) List and do tasks according to priorities
4) Break tasks down into manageable bits
5) If you’re really struggling with something, speak to your tutor
6) Be realistic in the targets you set for yourself
7) Give yourself rewards for studying
8) Study with coursemates
9) Take breaks when you need them – they’ll help you to concentrate
10) Keep Sunday special, use it for worship and rest – we were not made to function without it!
11) Plan activities outside of work during the week, eg. sports
12) Watch your diet – limit sugar, caffeine and junk food!
13) Get 7-9 hours sleep every day
14) If there are real issues preventing you from studying (ie. illness or circumstances), speak to your tutor.
Recommended reading:
First and foremost, you need to be daily reading your Bible, praying that God will show you more of Himself and keep your eyes fixed on Him.
Then make sure you read the texts your tutors recommend – they’ll help you to understand the course better, and enjoy it more.
1) Make sure you have a good environment to study in – temperature, lighting, noise levels, space, comfort
2) Keep focussed on the purpose of study
3) List and do tasks according to priorities
4) Break tasks down into manageable bits
5) If you’re really struggling with something, speak to your tutor
6) Be realistic in the targets you set for yourself
7) Give yourself rewards for studying
8) Study with coursemates
9) Take breaks when you need them – they’ll help you to concentrate
10) Keep Sunday special, use it for worship and rest – we were not made to function without it!
11) Plan activities outside of work during the week, eg. sports
12) Watch your diet – limit sugar, caffeine and junk food!
13) Get 7-9 hours sleep every day
14) If there are real issues preventing you from studying (ie. illness or circumstances), speak to your tutor.
Recommended reading:
First and foremost, you need to be daily reading your Bible, praying that God will show you more of Himself and keep your eyes fixed on Him.
Then make sure you read the texts your tutors recommend – they’ll help you to understand the course better, and enjoy it more.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Ephesians 1v17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints
Over the past few weeks, seeing old friends, studying Titus in YL, hearing Ian Walsh preaching at Swansea Uni's CU houseparty (where I did a seminar on study! More of that to come), and generally just thinking about things, I've seen again the importance of growing in knowledge of who God is. As soon as I take my eyes off Him, I start to drift, to lose heart, to get bogged down in the things of this world. My strength comes from Christ, so I need to always have my eyes fixed on Him. He is, and always must be the supreme object of my affection, so I need to spend time daily meeting with Him, learning of Him from His Word, and speaking about Him with others. When He is central in my life, everything else will be rubbish in comparison, and I'll be willing to serve Him wholeheartedly, whatever the cost.
The other thing I've become more and more convinced of is the need for true fellowship in the church. We are a family, and as part of the same body we need to be concerned for each others' spiritual wellbeing. We need to be asking each other big questions about how we're doing, where we are, what our relationship with God is like. If we're not holding each other accountable it's too easy for individuals to slip away without anyone knowing. It's so easy to talk about nothing with people, but if I really love my brothers and sisters, I'll point them to Christ, and they'll do the same for me.
John 13v34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Over the past few weeks, seeing old friends, studying Titus in YL, hearing Ian Walsh preaching at Swansea Uni's CU houseparty (where I did a seminar on study! More of that to come), and generally just thinking about things, I've seen again the importance of growing in knowledge of who God is. As soon as I take my eyes off Him, I start to drift, to lose heart, to get bogged down in the things of this world. My strength comes from Christ, so I need to always have my eyes fixed on Him. He is, and always must be the supreme object of my affection, so I need to spend time daily meeting with Him, learning of Him from His Word, and speaking about Him with others. When He is central in my life, everything else will be rubbish in comparison, and I'll be willing to serve Him wholeheartedly, whatever the cost.
The other thing I've become more and more convinced of is the need for true fellowship in the church. We are a family, and as part of the same body we need to be concerned for each others' spiritual wellbeing. We need to be asking each other big questions about how we're doing, where we are, what our relationship with God is like. If we're not holding each other accountable it's too easy for individuals to slip away without anyone knowing. It's so easy to talk about nothing with people, but if I really love my brothers and sisters, I'll point them to Christ, and they'll do the same for me.
John 13v34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
We've come a long long way together...
Went home for a couple of days, and was wandering round different places that bring back memories. I think most of those memories are from 2001, the year I became seriously ill. It seems like another world now, but then I was housebound, struggling to survive, completely reliant on the doc at the hospital, scared about everything, completely hopeless. I've not known anything that horrific since, and I'm so thankful to God for that.
Going back made me see how far I've come since then. I still bear the scars, and so do my family, and my church, and friendships from that period. But to see how much God has brought me through, showed me Himself, and truly taught me that His power is made perfect in weakness - that's just mindblowing.
And yet I forget so soon! Lord, help me to always remember the valleys you've taken me through, so I will never cease to praise your faithfulness.
Went home for a couple of days, and was wandering round different places that bring back memories. I think most of those memories are from 2001, the year I became seriously ill. It seems like another world now, but then I was housebound, struggling to survive, completely reliant on the doc at the hospital, scared about everything, completely hopeless. I've not known anything that horrific since, and I'm so thankful to God for that.
Going back made me see how far I've come since then. I still bear the scars, and so do my family, and my church, and friendships from that period. But to see how much God has brought me through, showed me Himself, and truly taught me that His power is made perfect in weakness - that's just mindblowing.
And yet I forget so soon! Lord, help me to always remember the valleys you've taken me through, so I will never cease to praise your faithfulness.
Friday, October 07, 2005
The source of my security...
What makes me content, gives me peace? "Christ, of course", is my response. But I've realised that in the past few weeks, I started to get my security from my job. Sad, I know, but having a regular, stable, paid job (contrast with relay in all of these things!!!), made me comfortable. And that has taken precidence over Jesus. I was really challenged about this on Sunday, God showed me that I've grown to love having a regular job, as if that is what gives me security. So much so that I was afraid I'd lose my job for sharing the gospel with a colleague who didn't like it the other week. I was actually scared that I'd be sacked, because then I'd lose my security. (I know, ridiculous). Praise God He is so patient, and rebuked me thru the preaching on Sunday.
My security does NOT come from a regular job with regular hours and regular pay, as much as those things appeal to me. My security comes from the LORD, the creator and sustainer of the universe, the one who loved me enough to send His Son to die for me, so I could have relationship with Him. He is the one who holds my future in His hands, who has planned out my life and ordered it all. So why do I fear losing my job? God is sovereign, and will do what is right and good. So whether I have a job or not, I am safe in Him.
I've memorised that verse in Colossians, "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him". My job is part of my service to Him. It is not a comfort blanket that I can take solace from!!
What makes me content, gives me peace? "Christ, of course", is my response. But I've realised that in the past few weeks, I started to get my security from my job. Sad, I know, but having a regular, stable, paid job (contrast with relay in all of these things!!!), made me comfortable. And that has taken precidence over Jesus. I was really challenged about this on Sunday, God showed me that I've grown to love having a regular job, as if that is what gives me security. So much so that I was afraid I'd lose my job for sharing the gospel with a colleague who didn't like it the other week. I was actually scared that I'd be sacked, because then I'd lose my security. (I know, ridiculous). Praise God He is so patient, and rebuked me thru the preaching on Sunday.
My security does NOT come from a regular job with regular hours and regular pay, as much as those things appeal to me. My security comes from the LORD, the creator and sustainer of the universe, the one who loved me enough to send His Son to die for me, so I could have relationship with Him. He is the one who holds my future in His hands, who has planned out my life and ordered it all. So why do I fear losing my job? God is sovereign, and will do what is right and good. So whether I have a job or not, I am safe in Him.
I've memorised that verse in Colossians, "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him". My job is part of my service to Him. It is not a comfort blanket that I can take solace from!!
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Sharing the gospel - what a privelege!
How thrilling. This morning I spent an hour talking to a guy who has many, many questions about God, he has a confused worldview based on his catholic background, but has met evangelical Christians in the past and they've witnessed faithfully to him.
It was so exciting to share with him great truths from Scripture - that our assurance of heaven comes from Christ alone, that He will be the glory of heaven, that God is worthy of all our praise, and we are most content when doing what we were created to do - praising Him.
Praise God for His glorious gospel!!!
How thrilling. This morning I spent an hour talking to a guy who has many, many questions about God, he has a confused worldview based on his catholic background, but has met evangelical Christians in the past and they've witnessed faithfully to him.
It was so exciting to share with him great truths from Scripture - that our assurance of heaven comes from Christ alone, that He will be the glory of heaven, that God is worthy of all our praise, and we are most content when doing what we were created to do - praising Him.
Praise God for His glorious gospel!!!
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