Praise To God (Jude, Part 6)

So, last time in Take Action, we looked at what our response is to look like, just how we are to take action against these people, these frauds. This action is both within ourselves and our relationship with our Father as well as our response towards them. So, it now seems that Jude has said all that there is to say on this topic – he’s raised the issue, presented the history, given examples, explained why it’s an issue, and instructed on how to respond – what is there left to say, you might wonder. Well, there is one thing left, and it is the most important, and that is praise to God.

Praise to God is an honest acknowledgement of who he is, what he has done. The following verses I think can speak for themselves. Think about each line and just how it is true of God. And then think about it all together – just what kind of picture does this paint of God?

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

To God our Saviour,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen.

- Jude 24-25

When you pray, how do you praise God – or do you just get caught up in requests?

Coming Up: Shine

God Bless

Life! ..or something like it?

You know, sometimes it feels pointless writing blogs. Why do people do it? It's like you're talking to yourself or maybe talking to someone else who isn't really there, like an imaginary friend when you were a kid, or maybe writing a letter to someone who has passed away. Anyway, I think writing blogs is also a bit like prayer. Only with prayer you don't need to wonder about the point of it or if there's anyone at the other end listening, it is a certainty.

I was at a bible study this morning and we were looking at Acts 8 and 9. Those stories about Philip and the Eunuch and then about Saul's transformation. Isn't it amazing to see how God is at work in so many different peoples lifes at the same time, directing their movements, and bringing them together, to ultimately lead them to Him! That he has the ultimate authority and that no matter what we do we are never to bad or too far removed that he can't reach out and save us, and show us that we ourselves don't have real authority but only him alone!

Sometimes life is going right and you think, yeah, I've really got it all good at the moment, aren't I doing a great job? And then sometimes life isn't going so great and you think what else can I do to make it all better. That reliance on ones self is the problem, when really the answer is above.. remembering that God has the ultimate authority and that repenting and turning to him in prayer is the only way anything is actually going to go right in your life, as before this happens, real life is unknown. Take a glimpse at those around you and tell me, who is really living?

So, the question I have for you is what makes your life real?

God Bless

Goodbye

I don't know about you, but I really don't like saying goodbye. The way it gets awkward because you know it's going to be the last time, at least for a while that you're going to see this person. How you don't quite know when to let go, whether to hold on for longer or just get it over with quick. The way it actually signals that it is the end of something and so you can't quite hold onto it the same way any longer.

Most of the time I like to just slip away un-noticed and avoid the goodbyes altogether. This is partly due to my dislike of attention and partly because it brings everything into attention.

Just recently I was 'surprised' with a surprise farewell that some of my friends organised for me and I am ashamed to say that I wasn't very good about it. At least at first anyway. Having just been greated by a room full of smiling faces my response was sorry, the surprise didn't work. My natural reaction to anything slightly surprising or which catches me off guard is defence. So automatic reaction is BARRIERS UP! DEFEND! Don't let anyone see what is actually going on inside.

It is only afterwards that I actually realise what has already been done though and it is too late to alter things or make an apology without bringing it all up again. But more than this my focus was on myself at that moment in time and not on those others in the room. My friends whom God has blessed into my life. That they had taken the time out to come and sneak in to surprise me. That they had organised this for me. I felt so very loved and overwhelmed at the same time that I could do nothing more than hide it and hurl unkind words.

So, I am sorry. And I am very thankful. Please forgive me. I feel very blessed to know that you consider me a friend and are willing to put in the time and effort to see me before I leave. I pray now that I too may be a worthy friend to you, that I too may be able to put in that time and effort to keep up with each of you even while I am absent.

God Bless.

Names

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."          -William Shakespeare (Juliet)

I would agree with this however there is more to a name than simply a word. It helps us to grasp an identity. We hear the name or word rose and we identify with the sweet smell. If it were known by another name we would have the same identification, the same reaction, however, it is not.

I hear my friends complain about their names. How they do not like them, or they are too long, or if only they weren't so plain, or spelt a different way, or had a different meaning.. I figure we were each given a name quite intentionally and our name has now become a part of our identity so why not live up to it?! Have you ever seen someone or you yourself had to pick a name for a newborn. Such deliberation and careful consideration, we should each be happy to have such a name which was chosen just for us. So do not be ashamed of your name. The name does not identify you though, but you provide identity to the name so make it something great!

The meanings of names I find should be an encouragement to us. Some mean prince or princess, or love, or strong, or gods child, or wisdom, or tile maker, or hill, or stream. Some meanings are obvious as to how encouragement can be sought, however others not so much like tile maker (tile makers are persistant and hard working with an eye for detail) or hill (a hill cannot be hidden, it stands out for all to see). If one looks up their name though there is often more than one meaning so I hope that each of you can take encouragement from your names but do an even better job at defining them in a new way through your own life.

I looked up each of my names (including my surname) recently and thought that I would share all of the meanings which I found (some had more than one).

Like a Lion, Brave as a Lioness, Shining Light, Fierce One, Strong, Brave, Valiant, Clear, Bright, Famous, Glory, Battle, Famous Warrior, Renowned Warrior, Safeguard of the People.

I do not know about you but that sure gives me encouragement. I see this and think I sure hope I can live up to my name and then I think no, I sure hope that I can define my name that when others hear it these may be some of the qualities they think of. I guess also it depends on how you see your life to how you may read such meanings. My life is for Christ and if I let him show through me than I dare say that such things will shine forth. This I pray anyhow.

That is all.