Genesis

Week two in Jeremiah we dug into Chapter 7.  We also looked at Matthew 6; Isaiah 29:13 and spent some time in Revelation 3. 

This is a hard lesson for us church people.  It is too easy to just do church and not be the church.  It is too comfortable for us to be "luke-warm" Christians in "luke-warm" churches.  Too often churches can become hollow institions that follow the rules and rites but have fogotten the heart.  It is about relationship not guidelines for life.  It is about so much more! 

I love in Revelation when Jesus says, (my paraphrase) "This is what you think you have, this is what you really have and it's not pretty.  If you only new the beauty, depth and richness of what I have for you."  That is what I desire for us.  That is what I pray for.  That is why we must guard our hearts, know the truth and seek a living relationship with our amazing God.     

We started a new series today called, "Against the Tide".  We will be living in this book and looking in depth at the life of Jeremiah for the next few months.  I know that might not seem that interesting to most, but this is a book and life story I am eager to dig into.  Jeremiah withstood an immense amount of scrutiny.  He stood up and said what was right even when it was painful.  There is some great truth in this book that we can all learn from and in the end I pray deepens us.  

One of the reasons he was so unpopular is that he spoke a message of truth.  In other words, he pointed out other peoples' blemishes... and who likes that.  He shared God's message encouraging people to admit fault, seek repentence and then be restored.  One of the hardest parts of his message was that God's judgement was coming, even if they repented.  Yet, the promise to make them whole, to restore and recreate was always there. 

One of the most prominent Biblical teachings is how God's judgement and discipline breaks people and nations down, uproots and even tears down so that he may recreate, restore and renew.  That at the core is the salvation story.  Jesus, died so that death could be conquered and he is "the firstfruits of the new creation." 

I feel a little long-winded here so let me finish by encouraging some discussion.  I'd love to hear any thoughts on what we've been talking about or really anything that's on your heart.   

ben 

Jesus' final I AM statement is both encouraging and frightening. It's frightening to think that we could be "cut off" from the Vine. But for those connected to the Vine, there is purpose, hope, life, joy, peace and the ability to bear fruit for Christ! Praise be to the "Vinedresser" who prunes us to bear fruit for His glory. So how does God prune us? This is my question to you. Is it through suffering? Through pain? Through His Word? Through prayer? Through persecution? What are your thoughts and how does the idea of pruning change your attitude on life?

 Vicar Matthew

Hey all... just a few comments in review. Two key phrases from John 14. 1- Jesus says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled" He says this not with the comfort that they won't have troubling things happen but in the face of the reality that they are going to face some extremely challenging times. Yet, do not let your hearts be troubled. That is true peace. 2- He says, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" He is the one and only way. Proverbs says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." There are many roads we can choose, many directions we can go, but in the end there is only one way that leads to life. This is not a what you can or should do thing, this is about who you know thing. Do you really know the real Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. I'd love to hear your thoughts... I'm looking forward to our next series together in the book of Jeremiah... more info coming soon. ben