Expected ..

The snow is here again. Forecast  by the Met Office, and given publicity on every news program, it duly arrived yesterday. Some have a lot, we have a couple of inches, despite seeming to snow all day. Today is a day to get the sledge out and enjoy it.
We live having taken a prediction of the future.The greatest prediction is that Jesus is coming again. Will we be ready to enjoy it?

Taking hold of the covenant

At the Lords Table this evening we thought of taking hold of the covenant, as we find in Isaiah 56 v 4.
In taking the symbols of his broken body and his shed blood ( the blood of the new covenant)   by faith we take hold of the covenant.
It s for the Eunuchs and the sons of the stranger - the who take hold upon the Lord. What is promised is a place in his house.

Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
It is very reminiscent of John 14 - In my fathers house are many mansions - I go to prepare a place for you.

Knowing God by Suffering.

Job was a man who is high commended not just of man - but by God himself.
But at the end of Jobs trials this is his confession

I have heard of thee with the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee.  
(Job 42:5).

 But Job you might say you even sacrificed for your children in case they had offended God in their actions, such was your view of Gods Holiness. Job learnt more of God through his sufferings than in his prosperity.

Paul tells the Philippians that they are called to believe and suffer for his sake (Phil 1:29). Perhaps not how we want to view our christian pathway, but we must expect to suffer. It may not be to the extent that Job had to , where he was left with nothing except his life.

In suffering we should seek Christ more, and seek to grow as we are drawn to him in our suffering and find their our comforter.

Ice Skating

A day off to look after the children and a chance to go skating in 8 degrees.Slipping and slidding all over the place but great fun and good value.

Preparing a Place

Rather inevitably at the end of one year and the beginning of another we think of the second coming. With that in mind preached Sunday afternoon on John 14:3 - I will come again.
On New Years eve we had a prayer meeting and I looked at I go to prepare a place for you.
We noted that this is what God did from Eden.. through the promised land and finished in Revelation 12 - where a place was prepared for the woman for 3 1/2 years.
We remembered that this place is in Jesus Fathers house .. not a connected village or in the same town, or even an out building  - but in our Father House.
A place is prepared for us .. but are we ready to be there?

A happy new year to you each .... maybe I will blog more often..