EDEN Church

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11

At what point does the pot stop boiling?, is a proverb which applies to spiritual fervour.
Spiritual fervour does not stop overnight, but it is a gradual decline because of preferable circumstances.

We are not meant to be hot (enthusiastic) then cold (apathetic) in our faith; but persistently on the boil.

One proverb describes a man who is so lazy that having put his spoon into the bowl from which he’s eating, he can’t bring himself to lift it back out.
Proverbs 19:24; 26:15) also describes laziness in a man burying himself under his blankets and staying there: or
“As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed” (v 14).

None of us are exempt from laziness, as it comes in many forms and seemingly necessary pressures; but the outcome often leads to spiritual laziness. Not by intent, but by diversion.
We can always find time to "scroll, watch, listen, visit, work, play, socialise," but the spiritual disciplines which require us to remain hot and not cold are often ignored?

Recently I have excuse to slow down. To chill out, to sleep or hide under the covers. The Bible’s moral vocabulary often describes laziness with images:
A door turning on hinges while the lazy person turns in bed,
A field overgrown with thorns,
Hands that “refuse to work,”
and a life of want that arrives like a robber.

Being fervent, is the inner spark that keeps spiritual health on the boil, and we neglect it at our peril.

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God' Psalm 14:1

Therefore scripture says denying God's existence is seen as foolishness. If further suggests that such denial leads to corrupt actions and a lack of goodness which is foolishness.

The verse highlights a path which if followed leads to denying the existence of God being considered foolishness to man, by engaging in corrupt actions that result in a moral failing associated with their disbelief.

The Psalm further emphasizes, God observes humanity to see if anyone seeks Him. But He sees a universal condition where all have turned away from goodness, thus rejecting God, leading to a decline in moral behaviour.

Contrast this to Psalm 31, (v15) wherein the psalmist after a wave of persistent turmoil, utters a phrase of total dependence and assurance of God as his source of all. “I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands”.

The fool is so arrogant as to believe all that he is has no meaning, or end. Nihilism.

The Psalmist undoubtedly admits that his very breath and being a under the auspices of God. Creationsm.

Who has got your times?

Comapring ourselves with others, is the worlds ways of evaluating. To the Christian, our perspective of self, is correctly aligned when we sing the lines “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died.”

To survey the cross is to focus on the gospel—the truth that another has died in our place and borne our punishment. In doing this, we realize that
“my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.”

The cross raises us and lowers us at the same time, and this frees us from needing to push ourselves forward in life and enables us to acknowledge ways in which God has gifted us. This is thinking of ourselves with “sober judgment.”

The phrase "my strength is in the Lord" has been part of my personal prayers lately. It is a statement of faith that emphasizes our total reliance on God for strength and support during challenging times and there have been some lately.

Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
My first steps after surgery were quite intimidating, so Isaiah 40:31 was so appropriate at many levels.

Psalm 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Learning to stand, balance and walk after being able to do so for over 70 years was emotionally draining. (Steps were another matter); and yet by God's grace, the prayers of the saints and stirring my spirit in the scriptures, my legs finally took the hint. I can't jog yet, I can't run yet, but in the wait I am being renewed.

The word of God is like soap, on a rope, it looks nice, handy to have hanging around, but it is meant to be applied to the body, soul and spirit.

Veiled - Hidden - Closed - Could not understand.

Only through the enlightenment of The Holy Spirit, can we ever truly understand spiritual things. The disciples had been around Jesus for three years plus and still struggled to understand His truth.
Let's not think we are any better than them!

Many can be in the Christian culture for a life-time and still not grasp the truth of the way, without it be revealed to us through The Spirits leading.

Luke 9:45 But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it. - Fear of Inquiry: of His betrayal.

John 12:16 At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.

2 Corinthians 3:14-16 But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. / But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Unveiled revelation is the key to wisdom and understanding of God's ways, and those ways are revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord, whom the father reveals all of His majesty through.

It begins and ends in Him.

How much time do we have?
Acts 1:7-8
(7) He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jesus told the disciples in no uncertain terms, that Gods times are none of their business. However, He was also saying to us just what He said to them:
"You will be given power that will enable you to endure, overcome, and grow during the time I want you to serve Me."

Not knowing provides us with two responses:

1. That it gives is time to develop our faith, trust, and relationship with The Holy Spirit's work in our lives.

2. That we become apathetic, lazy, and ill prepared for either the life to come or our present life.

Jesus prayer was that God's kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10).

The question we should be asking is not WHEN will Christ return, but HAS His kingdom come in my life already? If the answer is YES, then we have all we need to develop the heart and will as a citizen.

Living a daily Legacy - Always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5

In reading the book of Revelation recently, I was impacted by the thought that John was all alone. Some 70 years into the early churches mission, All his comrades (Apostles) were dead and he alone survived whilst exiled from his people.

It hit me like a wave.

He received and wrote down the book of Revelation with gravity and heaviness as he instructed and warned the seven churches as to their state in God's eyes. He loved those people and yet couldn't get to them to comfort, warn or correct them.

Paul also felt that weight when he warned of his being abandoned, given up, mistreated. (2 Timothy 1:15)

People like Hymenaeus and Philetus, whose “talk … spread like gangrene” and who “swerved from the truth,”
Or like Alexander the coppersmith, who, Paul says, “did me great harm” (2:17-18; 4:14).

However, it wasn't all "doom and gloom!"

Paul’s letters also spoke of those who were helpful to him in service:
Lois and Eunice demonstrated sincere faith, which now dwells in the young pastor Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5).

Paul exhorts Timothy to remember Onesiphorus, who “often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me” (v 16-17).

Onesiphorus left behind a legacy of faith, courage, and conviction. He was a man on whom Paul could fully rely.

You see, a legacy is not stored up in the way we may hoard possessions:

It is sown in the day to day activities .
When it hurts and when it doesn't.
When it suits us and doesn't suit us.
When it's appreciated and not appreciated.
When it's done alone and when it's done with others.
When opposed and when applauded.

Paul and John were making the most of the time they had left by living a daily legacy behind, as they had no inclination as to how long they had left. What an amazing perspective right until the end.

We shouldn't short change those coming behind us, or squandering the moment with fruitless engagements. We should go out of this world empty, not full.

You see the gospel is for earth, not heaven, for there are no sinners there.

“I am already being poured out as a drink offering,” he says, “and the time of my departure has come” (2 Timothy 4:6)

The more I read and meditate on the topic of our heart, the more I realize how desperate it is to receive God's grace and encouragement. David wrote much about the heart, and not surprisingly with a great need to know it.

After his battle @ Ziglag he returned to find his village ransacked and burned down by the enemy, the woman and children abused, and with the thought "where do I start".

1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. (KJV).

It seemed to go from bad to worse, as the people blamed him for the oncoming disaster. However he encouraged himself in the Lord.

Here's the keys. HE ENCOURAGED HIMSELF!
As no one else did; so he took personal responsibility for his situation. He didn't mouth off blaming others and external circumstances; NO, he took personal responsibility to ENCOURAGE HIMSELF.

Secondly HE ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD.
Not sounding off with positive affirmations, but a reliance and dependance on:
God's faithfulness,
God's promises,
God's plans for him and his people.

Finally, knowing Davids track record in Psalms we have no doubt it would have been in praise and worship, and declaration of God's eternal faithfulness to him. Just as in:

Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

"Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the issues of life"

Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. New International Version

Pride keeps the contention alive. And God has shown in His Word how to detect it:
By looking at the fruits.

Pride inflames passion and wounds feelings. Because of competitiveness, a person feels he has the right to fight back. And so the argument goes back and forth.

The quarrel will never end until one person makes up his/her mind to stop it by refusing to argue back, suppressing the feeling that he must win.

One great pearl of wisdom I have gleaned in my life, was when I realised one day, that I did not have to win.

God is still on His throne, and because He loves me and the other person, God will make available to both of us what the right decision is, If we wait and ask patiently for wisdom, if we continue to meditate on His word, seek His counsel, the answer will come, and the arguments stop.

Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. New International Version

In John 10:1–39, Jesus’ Identified Himself as the “Good Shepherd”. The context and cultural surroundings, always enlighten our understanding of a passage of scripture.

Here in NZ (and the west), shepherds often drive the sheep from the side or behind, often using sheep dogs. However:

"Eastern shepherds lead their flocks, by their voice calling them to move on (vv. 4, 5). This draws a remarkable picture of the master/disciple relationship. New Testament spiritual leadership is always by example, i.e., a call to imitate conduct" (1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:1–3). The MacArthur Daily Bible Copyright