God is the one who gives righteousness. He’s the one who can ‘fix’ us. What do we give to someone who fixes things? Something that is broken of course.
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Although this is a lover speaking to his beloved, I heard the voice of God strongly in this passage. I felt encouraged that He is wanting us to leave behind the 'winter’ - spiritual troubles arising from a deep sense of the guilt of sin, the wrath of God, the curse of the law (things that would make anyone feel afraid to come to God). Jesus has removed these things from us and connected us with God's grace (flowers appearing on the earth - a time of singing).
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We can also look forward to the day when our healing will be complete and we will be physically raised in Christ with perfect bodies in a perfect world, in perfect relationship with God our Heavenly Father. We will be like calves who have spent all winter, the only life they’ve ever known, in a stall. When the farmer comes at the start of spring to release them out to their pasture, they have no real understanding of what awaits them, but when they get there, they jump and leap and run for sheer and pure joy! We can only speculate about the beauty of heaven and eternity with God, the trinity. But we have this assurance that we will “go out leaping like calves from the stall” when we get there!
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Catastrophe, pain or suffering can be a means of grace. Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all our pain and distress. It is often by the grace of a catastrophe that people may come to have a real and true encounter with God, because it blows away any abstracts of theory and gives meaning and purpose to our walk.
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Over the past few weeks myself and some friends have started reading through the Psalms. Particularly Psalms 33 and 34 have significant emphasis on the importance of words. It talks about how God's voice was powerful enough to create the universe (33:6). It calls God's people to sing and praise (33:1-3,34:1). God answers, He hears (34:4-7). The people call out and are to listen to Him (34:6,11)
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Consider Psalm 19:1-4 which says:
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Jeremiah 17:7-8: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
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A moment ago she'd felt completely normal. Happy and still, eyes closed, silently pondering her Lord. But a word had suddenly popped into her head, and now she couldn't think of anything else but this word. Why this word? What did it mean?
Read MoreChapter 11 of the book of Hebrews has great application and this application speaks to Fathers. Using the the heroes of faith mentioned in the passage, the word Father in an anagram form produces some characteristics of the Fatherhood of God. We ought to study and live by these characteristics as fathers, and become more like Him.
Read MoreThe contrast this passage offers is profound when we think about Father God. Father God is present where Adam isn’t. Father God comes to encourage Cain where Adam doesn’t. The story of Cain and Abel reminds us that Father God is watching us and is near us. Father God is one who seeks us out even when we are angry and struggling with wrong thoughts and intentions. Father God is not far away or absent – He is with us.
Read MoreIt is important to belong to a community of believers who encourage one another in this mission of inviting others and making a difference in the world.
Read MoreChrist’s ministry is superior to that of Aaron because, firstly, He ministers in a superior place. The magnificence of the heavenly sanctuary is infinitely better than the tabernacle of Moses, the Temple of Solomon, or any place on earth where God’s glory was made manifest. Notice that our author calls this heavenly sanctuary “the true tabernacle” (Heb 8:2). Those who are familiar with the writings of the Apostle Paul might hear in these words the faint echo of “things which are seen are passing away, but the things which are unseen are eternal.” Secondly, because while Jesus partook of our human nature, he did not partake of our sin.
Read MoreWe are a guaranteed people who live this life with the utmost confidence. We are a community who knows the favour of God. Each one of us brings unique gifts, talents, capacities and passion and together as the body of Christ, we make a difference in the world for the sake of the Gospel.
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As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13
This means that every single moment we are parenting our children, the heavenly Father is also parenting us.
Read MoreIn Church, you should have daughters and sons but as an older generation, it is your responsibility to move first into motherhood. And because of this, in Church, you should have mothers. The natural and right response is to embrace mums! The Church is a place where woman are called to practice motherhood. Motherhood should be obvious, experienced and celebrated.
Read MoreMy mother was capable, always made things look easy. Nothing was too hard. She knew the value of being a mother even when things were bleak, difficult or meaningless. She had a higher calling. Her God-given job as a mother was important.
I think of my mum as being sacrificial, selfless, caring, loving, mentor, guide and advice giver (even when not wanted), protector, shelter (through the storms of life), giving, and faithful in prayer.
Every time you say no to temptation and no to sin, you make a sacrifice. Every time you say yes to generous giving and giving up your time and resources to serve others, that is a spiritual sacrifice. Every time your actions 'cost' you something here on this earth, that is a sacrifice of spiritual consequence. So because of this, as ones who belong to this holy priesthood, what have a different value system and thought process about 'land' and 'wealth', We realise that for us, Jesus is our share, Jesus is our portion and our inheritance.
Read MoreThink about a time when a new person entered into your world, someone who did not know you or your previous work or accomplishments. Someone who did not value your skills or experience or even desire to find out anything about you. The favour or history you have enjoyed, and perhaps rightfully so, disappears before your eyes.
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One day when I was riding in the back of the car beside my baby girl watching her staring up at me - again - constantly, it struck me. This is how Jesus wants us to look at him. Staring. Without blinking. It’s not rude. It’s not awkward. It’s a child looking up at its parent with total trust, a feeling of total comfort, confidence and reassurance.
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