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Food for the Journey: Simplicity

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The following blog post is an extract taken from our Food for the Journey booklet which covers seven disciplines for Christian living. If you would like to download a digital copy of the booklet and work through the daily devotions please click here: FOOD FOR THE JOURNEYDISCIPLINE 6THE DISCIPLINE OF SIMPLICITYKINGDOM ORIENTATIONThrough this discipline, the Lord seeks to instill in us a “Kingdom-orientated value system”. From the day we are born there are many influences which shape and form us, the way we think, what we relate to, what we see as important, our desires, needs, wants, hopes. Without the Lord in our lives, all these things are mainly influenced by self and, very probably, selfish desires. We see clearly in Scripture that a number of people close to the Lord were wealthy, influential people, so certainly the Lord does not begrudge these things. They are there for us to enjoy – they must just not be our reason for living. The Lord Himself chose to live very simply here on earth. He worked, enjoyed visiting and meeting with people, took sufficient “time out” to be alone with His Father.What the Lord is drawing our attention to by this discipline, is a new understanding of what truly is important, in Him we can always rely on our basic needs being met. What He wants to do is help us separate “needs” from “greeds”. When we are dominated by the things we think we need, that becomes our focus, those needs then become consuming, - it is all we can think about.We start making choices that bring strain and worry to us, and hurt relationships that we have. Under these circumstances we have very little over to give others as everything goes to our “need” and Kingdom values are sacrificed.When we talk of a “kingdom-oriented value-system” we are seeking to discover what God thinks is important for us and for those around us. We are pounded all the time with what the world thinks we should have. In the workplace it can be very difficult to not get sucked into the work, work and more work frenzy. Christians will always seek to do their very best at work, but in the light of “kingdom values” will learn where to draw the lines.Achievement, success, healthy goals and desires, have a definite place in “kingdom values” but they must just not crowd God out or take us over. If the need for “material possessions” becomes our driving force, when will enough be enough, and what are we prepared to sacrifice to have the things we want?There are many, many inspiring testimonies of people who have chosen a God-centered life, which then influences all the choices, needs, wants, desires that people have. The enrichment of lives of people who have chosen to live trusting God for their needs are immeasurable, and along with this comes the freedom from a “debt-controlled” life, and the journey into “The uncluttered life”.One of the results of this discipline in our…

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A Gift from God

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by Graham Mol"Children are a gift from the Lord;    they are a reward from Him."Psalm 127:3 NLTI'm going to pull the 'proud parent card" and talk about my kids in today's blog post. Solomon, in his wisdom got it 100% right when he said that children are a gift from the Lord. Sometimes in our busy lives we lose sight of this truth. We as a family were blessed to get away for wonderful holiday a few weeks back. We got to spend time in God's incredible creation as we relaxed, played and enjoyed ourselves. What a blessing it has been!One of the things that I have been reminded of as I got to spend time with the kids, going on hikes, playing tennis and putt-putt, kayaking on the lake and playing "Dos" (a fun card game similar but not similar to Uno), was just how much I love these two children of mine. I could appreciate how much they've grown, not just physically but in terms of their personalities. I felt privileged to be part of their lives as they discover and grow into the people God made them to be.I can see why God loves children. Why Jesus would say, "do not hinder the children from coming to me." He loves their innocence, their excitement at life. He knows that they are not perfect (as any parent would quite clearly tell you) but despite their mood swings, obstinacy and sometimes downright naughtiness, they are capable of such genuine warmth and love.I am oh-so-aware of the challenges and responsibility of raising children in such difficult times as these. And yet, despite the struggles there is indeed a rich reward. Their laughter, their growth and achievements, their easy company. Our children are truly a wonderful gift, one that not everyone gets in life, so let us not forget to appreciate them and be grateful for them.The wonderful truth for all of us, for those who have children, those who do not and those who have lost, we all have a wonderful Father in Heaven, and He loves us each and every one. God BlessGraham

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A Mighty Fortress is Our God

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by John DoylePsalm 46: 1 - 11“A mighty fortress is our God” Martin Luther wrote these words as well as the tune around the year 1528. This was a time of great danger. It seemed as if the leaders of the Reformation could be killed at any moment because of there faith in God and there proclamation of the Gospel. Martin Luther’s close friend Philip Melanchthon, was particularly worried about it all but Luther responded to him in a letter:"With all my heart I hate those anxieties you have stated in your letter that you seem to be consumed with. They rule your heart . . . by reason of the greatness of your unbelief in God and His plan of Salvation. What we have shared and Believe is true, so why should we make God a liar who has given us such great Promises and who commands us to be confident and not be anxious despite the days we live in... What good do you expect to accomplish by these vain worries of yours? God is in control irrespective of the circumstances we find ourselves in."This is also true of the days in which we live with the Pandemic and Lockdown. But the Lord knows the Beginning from the End. God is in control and just like He was able to Create the Heavens and the Earth, He is also able to uphold His Church in these difficult times. If we are not strengthened by His Promises in His Word, then we need to Rebuild our Faith in our Soverign God to whom these promises apply.The World often does seems to be out of control – particularly in these days, with so much uncertainty about the spread of COVID-19, and the economic effects of the steps taken to limit its spread.Psalm 46 is written for times like 1530 – and for times like 2021. Let me encourage you to read this Psalm. Consider verses 1-7 together under two headings, and then verses 8-11 under a third.Psalm 461 God is our refuge and strength,    an ever-present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam    and the mountains quake with their surging.4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,    the holy place where the Most High dwells.5 God is within her, she will not fall;    God will help her at break of day.6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.7 The Lord Almighty is with us;    the God of Jacob is our fortress.8 Come and see what the Lord has done,    the desolations he has brought on the earth.9 He makes wars cease    to the ends of the earth.He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;    he burns the shields with fire.10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;    I will be exalted among the nations,    I will be exalted in the earth.”11 The Lord Almighty is with us;    the God of Jacob is our fortress.1. Is Everything Falling Apart?In 1530, Melanchthon was worried that everything was falling apart. Today, the coronavirus leads to similar feelings.The psalmist pictures those feelings. In verse 2 he speaks of “the earth being…

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Doing What We Can

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by Luke KincaidLast week I found that I was feeling rather down. I was feeling hindered at times by my sadness when trying to comprehend what was going on in our country while also dealing with a few personal things. In these times, I find that I can be largely inactive when it comes to the importance of an active faith. I was reminded this past week that when we are feeling down, we can still do what we can when it comes to serving Jesus. Even small acts of love toward others are possible when we are going through difficult times. The following verses are one of my biggest motivators when it comes to loving others practically:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? – James 2:14-16 NLTI often pop to our local petrol station to a grab a few things when needed and this is when I often bump into my friend I wrote about last week. Something that I have been doing for him recently is purchasing him some bread and cup of hot coffee when I can. A warm beverage and some food to someone who finds themselves fighting from day to day can be such a blessing. On a few occasions I have also asked the security guards where we are currently staying if they would like something from the shops when I am making a trip.Now my intention of sharing this with you is not to get brownie points of some sort or to puff myself up, but to instead show you that when it comes to loving others practically, we don’t always have to do this in an extravagant way. We can simply do what we can when we feel led by the Holy Spirit to do something. I often find that when showing obedience in this way it often has a positive impact on me in some way thus proving the following words of Jesus that Paul quotes in Acts 20:35 NLT:35And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’So even though many of us may be going through times of darkness – may we resolve to do what we can to bring some love and light to the world around us. Much love,Luke

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