The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. Lam.3:22
Marcie had been in distress over the passing of her mother. For her it was more than a matter of grieving or of coming to terms with having to make it through life on her own. She really thought she was too young for all of this, still being at University. But added to all that, she would now be totally responsible for her brother, a special needs child. This would include physical and emotional responsibility, as well as financial responsibility. She wondered how she would manage. She felt as though much affliction had befallen her, and wondered why, since she had not been unfaithful to God.
Continue reading "Great is His Faithfulness"
As a child growing up in Antigua, going to the beach was time for major fun. We would play cricket, soccer and just clown around in the water. One of the highlights was building a human pyramid and trying to see how tall it could go. Naturally the bigger guys were at the bottom with their arms locked around their SHOULDERS. Then the next set of guys would try and STAND ON top of their SHOULDERS, lock arms and then wait for the next set. It was a treat to be at the top of the pyramid if everybody could hold their balance. Many times our human pyramid fell apart which was just as much fun as trying to build it. With that image in mind I invite us to reflect on this thought for our FF STAND ON MY SHOULDERS.
You and I are where we are in life today because we stood on somebody’s SHOULDERS. That simply means that somebody gave us a ‘push up’. It might have been your parents, a teacher, a pastor or a mentor. But somewhere in our lives somebody would have said to us STAND ON MY SHOULDERS. When we did, we saw the world from a whole different perspective. Our vision was broadened. Our confidence was boosted. Our hope was rekindled. We felt taller, bigger, stronger – a cut above the rest. And because someone would have said to us STAND ON MY SHOULDERS we are the man or woman we are today.
Yet having stood on someone’s SHOULDERS to get to where we now are, I wonder, to whom have we said STAND ON MY SHOULDERS. Which young person are we giving a ‘push up’; broadening their vision; building their confidence; enabling to become all that God intends? We are often tempted to put people under our feet and trample them down. We may even find it easy to open our arms to embrace as a sign of love. But it is only when we are living selflessly desiring the best for others even if it means that they go further and do better than us (because we know God has placed that potential in them) that we can then say with great joy and sincerity STAND ON MY SHOULDERS.
I can remember what it was like to be on my fatherÂ’s SHOULDERS seeing above the crowd and it is still a place today where my daughters love to be. How come? ItÂ’s a spot which allows them to see even that which I cannot see. Today I invite you then first to accept the invitation which our heavenly Father offers in Christ to STAND ON MY SHOULDERS. When by faith we STAND ON ChristÂ’s SHOULDERS we capture a vision of glory divine. We position ourselves in a higher place above that which has blocked our vision. We are set free from those things and people in our lives that have crowded around us like prison bars that have kept us immobile for too long.
Till next Friday, GodÂ’s willing, ask yourself when was the last time I extended the invitation for someone to STAND ON MY SHOULDERS. Offer them today! At the same time hear again ChristÂ’s call to us to STAND ON MY SHOULDERS. Rest assured that in the pyramid of life, He can carry us even as we carry others.
Mikie Roberts (Rev)
HereÂ’s the link for the blog. Join in the discussions.
http://moravians.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=35
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Ps.107:1
Maurice had just been told to report for work on Monday morning. He was overjoyed and filled with anticipation. For the last five months he had been job-hunting and attending interviews ever since the company for which he had worked all his life had collapsed. Now he could see a light at the end of the tunnel, and his first thought was “Thank you, God.”
Continue reading "The Appreciative Soul"
Over the past few weeks, graduations have been taking place at every level from preschools to universities. Along with family and friends many persons have been celebrating this major accomplishment in their lives. At graduations people are overjoyed because it signals the end of an important phase in their lives. What was started has now been completed. TheyÂ’ve FINISH. It is good to get started but it is best to FINISH. So our FF for today is captured by that one word FINISH.
To FINISH is to draw to a close; it is to conclude; it is recognizing that something is over; to wrap things up. Unlike at graduations, we do not always celebrate when some things FINISH. It is painful if and when a marriage is to FINISH in divorce. When our vacations FINISH we donÂ’t always look forward to going back to the rhythm of everyday life. We breathe a sigh of relief when we FINISH an exam or a test and then worry about the results. An athlete is exhausted but thankful that he/she gets to the end of a marathon and knows that he/she did FINISH.
Even though there may not always be excitement when some things FINISH, it is fair to say that we are generally very excited when things begin. Very soon college campuses will be abuzz with anxious freshman students as they begin their studies. The incoming new class of high school students can hardly wait for the journey to get started. A young couple standing at the altar exchanging their wedding vows beams with excitement as they begin their marriage.
Yet somehow between start and FINISH why is it that so many give up and FINISH prematurely. Our challenge today then is not just to FINISH but to FINISH well, FINISH strong and to fully FINISH. For that to become a reality, we canÂ’t focus only on the start, but we must be determined to also stay focus while on the course of the journey. That way we will not only FINISH but FINISH altogether.
Till next Friday, GodÂ’s willing, may you continue on course, so like Jesus when youÂ’re done you too can say: It is FINISHed. DonÂ’t FINISH because youÂ’ve stopped but FINISH because youÂ’ve completed your task. FINISH what youÂ’ve started as God too will in Christ also FINISH the good work of salvation which was started in us. So in faith, we sing the words of Charles Wesley:
‘FINISH then thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation, Perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise.
Mikie Roberts (Rev)
HereÂ’s the link for the blog. Join in the discussions.
http://moravians.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=35
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O most high. Ps.92:1
Susan had received a birthday gift of a bicycle from her grandfather. She was happy to receive it and spent every waking moment riding up and down the back yard. Her mother reminded her to write a letter to her grandfather thanking him for the gift but Susan said, “I am sure he already knows that I am grateful for the bike; he won’t mind if I don’t write. This is my first bicycle and I don’t want to lose out on any opportunity to ride and practise my bicycle stunts. I plan to enter the biking competition next year.” When her grandfather came to visit some months later he asked “Don’t you like the bike? You didn’t say thanks.” “Of course I like the bike,” she responded. But you know I’m thankful!”
Continue reading "Called To Thanksgiving"
Do you know how to pray? ItÂ’s a question that IÂ’ve had to answer over the years walking with the Lord and even now still striving to grow in prayer. One way to answer this question is to read about prayer. One can read inspirational Christian books or what the Bible says about praying. That is commendable. Yet the best way to learn how to pray is by simply doing it. So then hereÂ’s our FF for today JUST PRAY - EARS OPENED, MOUTH CLOSED.
To say JUST PRAY is not to treat prayer casually or to in any way belittle or demean the power and significance of prayer. Rather it is a call for us to actively engage in prayer. JUST PRAY is a summons of sorts to go beyond reading about prayer. It is a charge to move a next step and not just be on the receiving end of someoneÂ’s prayer. Our FF is an appeal for us to be enlisted in the task of praying. Wherever, whatever, however and whenever JUST PRAY.
This plea comes with a sense of urgency. But one may say I donÂ’t know how to pray. One may ask is there a formula to follow; what posture do I take; what words should I use; will my prayer be heard and answered? Sometimes we fail to JUST PRAY not because we deny the power of prayer but because we focus too much on ourselves and too little on God whoÂ’s engaging us and seeking to communicate to us in prayer.
Today then as we’re being challenged to JUST PRAY it is also an opportunity for us to shift our focus and broaden our understanding of prayer. Here’s the essence of what I believe God is saying to us: To grow closer to Christ through prayer, develop this habit = HEAR EVERYTHING – SAY NOTHING. In other words, practice this posture: keep your EARS OPENED and MOUTH CLOSED. We may have plenty to say to God in prayer but rest assured God has even more to say to us.
JUST PRAY then is also an invitation to actively discern GodÂ’s voice and to purposefully pursue GodÂ’s call and faithfully obey that which the Lord has commanded. It is not so much about what we have to say to God but rather what God has to say to us.
Till next Friday, God’s willing, JUST PRAY every day and over time we will better know God’s voice as we keep our ears opened. When our closed mouths finally do open to speak, our prayer to God will be one of agreement – ‘not my will but your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’. So wherever we are, whatever the circumstance, whenever the time, however we may feel remember JUST PRAY to God: EARS OPENED, MOUTH CLOSED. HEAR EVERYTHING – SAY NOTHING!
Mikie Roberts (Rev)
HereÂ’s the link for the blog. Join in the discussions.
http://moravians.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=35
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Isa.6:3
When last did you take a look around you? When you observe the sun, the moon and the stars, what do you think? When you see the trees bearing fruit and the beautiful flowers, what thoughts come to you? When you look at a new born baby can you contain your marvel at the wonder of GodÂ’s hand? Do you not then think that the whole earth is full of his glory? Everywhere you look you see his glory!
Continue reading "Can You See GodÂ’s Glory?"
There are some persons who because of their professions in life when they speak their words carry tremendous weight. ItÂ’s as if whatever they utter is the FINAL verdict on the matter. For example, in the court of law a judgeÂ’s ruling is FINAL. When a police issues a command, his words are FINAL. Today for our FF I encourage us to acknowledge that GODÂ’S WORD IS FINAL.
Every situation that we face in life always begs for someone to offer a WORD, a remark, a statement or a declaration. Our response to lifeÂ’s situations is often dependent on whose WORD we listen to, receive and accept. Not every WORD should be embraced and so it is dangerous to be so desperate to want to hear a WORD for your every situation. It is possible that the WORD you want to hold to may not be GodÂ’s WORD for you and yet it just might. So it is critical then for one to hear and know GodÂ’s WORD and to distinguish it from the opinions of others because GODÂ’S WORD IS FINAL.
The question then is what is GodÂ’s WORD for you? Because GODÂ’S WORD IS FINAL we must strive to discern GodÂ’s WORD as we face the challenges of lifeÂ’s situations which come our way. I appeal to you then to apply GodÂ’s FINAL WORD to
Your marriage relationship that needs renewing.
Your family that may be threatening to be torn apart.
Your children that have gone astray from the path youÂ’ve trained them to follow.
Your sick body struggling to get healthy.
Your Church family as they work to be the body of Christ living by faith.
Your life and whatever you may encounter that tests your faith.
If the words of a Supreme Court Judge could carry so much weight what can be said of God’s WORD. GOD’S WORD IS FINAL because it is uttered from heaven but manifested in the earth. GOD’S WORD IS FINAL because it is GOD’S WORD….not the word of a human being. When God speaks, what is spoken happens. God said ‘let there be’ and there was.
I donÂ’t know what you may be facing right now but God knows. You may be comforted by friends and family alike. Be thankful for the counsel of friends and family and the advice and support they give you through the words they utter. But at the end of it all, desire to know GODÂ’S WORD for you in your situation. It is that WORD that will ultimately be the conclusion of the matter. When you discover that WORD from God hold on to it as if your life depended on it. Actually it does for GODÂ’S WORD IS FINAL.
Till next Friday, GodÂ’s willing, receive and apply GODÂ’S WORD to your lifeÂ’s situation because GODÂ’S WORD IS FINAL. The outcome is not based on how you feel, on what you think but ultimately on GODÂ’S WORD because whatever God says is FINAL.
Mikie Roberts (Rev)
HereÂ’s the link for the blog. Join in the discussions.
http://moravians.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=35
‘O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all.’ Ps.104:24
As James walked along the beach he watched the waves breaking as they approached the shore. He saw them lap around the large rock that formed a small island in the sea. He looked on the other side and saw the hills rolling gently away from him, and at the foot of them the lovely green of the grass, interspersed with the reds and yellows of flowers, and flanked by the deeper greens of the hillside trees. James thought to himself, ‘Who could order such beauty? How did it all come together? Why did the sand stay beneath my feet?’ Then he thought, ‘Only God could accomplish such a feat.’ The words of the Psalmist came to his mind: ‘O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all.’
Continue reading "The Marvels of GodÂ’s Hand"