Daily Journal Wednesday 17th of March 2010

Jesus - High and Lifted Up

S - "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." John 12:32

O - Jesus faced the most horrible death. Crucifixion was a long, painful and humiliating death. For an observer it would have seemed completely obvious - Jesus wasn't who he said he was. But nothing could be further from the truth. What appeared as a victory for evil, what seemed to be Satan's greatest blow, was actually his crushing downfall.

Jesus' death made life possible. His dying meant that I could live. I could live forgiven because Jesus took my place, paid my price, died my dead. I could live forever because death was defeated by Jesus, he died but he rose, I too will rise, I will live forever. I could live victorious because Jesus overcame the power of Satan, he won, and I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.

When the Son was lifted up - all people, old, young, rich, poor, black, white red and yellow were able to be saved. What an incredible event.

A - As Easter approaches, I am looking forward to proclaim this truth. I will diligently prepare these services and pray that many come to know Jesus personally and are saved through the forgiveness, eternal life and victory that he offers them. Help me share this life changing news with others so that they can know and love Jesus too.

P - Jesus, thank-you for dying for me. You are now high and lifted up forever. Draw people to yourself as I live and proclaim the great news of who you are what you have done. Amen

Daily Journal Tuesday 16th of March 2010

The Cost of Following Jesus

S - "If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temples and our nation." John 11:48

O - After many had witnessed Jesus' miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, many Jews put their faith in him. This was enough to get the Pharisees and the Chief Priests together. They didn't doubt that the miracle had happened, they just hated seeing their power slip away as people believed in Jesus. They felt their temple and nation were under threat. Even though the power of Jesus was undeniable losing their power was unthinkable.

A - Many people don't believe because they don't want to lose their power. Many people know that if they acknowledge who Jesus is and his power it will affect their lives. Many people realise that, if Jesus is Lord then the only response would be to worship him, to place him first, to do what he wants and not what I want. And so, even though they see the evidence, they refuse to believe not because its not believable but because it would cost them. They would lose their power to be Lord of their lives.

Pastors can be tempted to seek more power than they should. My role is helping people to love and follow Jesus. That means that the more people grow in their love for Jesus, the less they should become dependent on me. This good and healthy. My job is to keep giving glory to Jesus and people follow him, not me or my church. I want to always remember this. My measure of success should never be how much people like me, but how much they love Jesus.

P - Thank-you Father for sending Jesus. Thank-you Holy Spirit for reminding me constantly of your guiding presence. Help me to live today for your glory God. May I continually bring you glory and help others surrender their power and control to you. Amen.

Daily Reading - John 11

Daily Journal Wednesday 10th of March 2010

Crossing Over

S - "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

O - Faith comes through hearing and reading Jesus' words and through believing in God the Father. This faith leads to eternal life! This faith leads to not being judged! This life is mine now the moment I have faith. I have already crossed over!

A - Today I will remember that I have eternal life, will not be judged, and am now living - really living! I have crossed over already from death to life.

P - Thank you God for sending Jesus. Thank you that he paid the price - took my penalty. Thank you for eternal life. I live today, life to the full, by faith! Amen.

Daily Reading - John 5

Daily Journal Tuesday 9th of March 2010

It's Personal!

S - They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man is really the Saviour of the world." John 4:42

O - The Samaritans heard the woman's testimony so they went to Jesus, urged him to stay, listened to what he said, and somewhere along the way, it became personal. It changed from being a testimony they had heard, to a person they now knew.

A - I want to share my testimony with as many people as I can. I need to remember though that sharing what Jesus has done for me is just the beginning to God making it personal. As God reveals himself to people personally and they respond then people are not just listening to a powerful story but they are getting to know the Saviour behind the story.

I need to pray for people who have heard about Jesus, that they come to know him personally.

P - Father, I thank you for the people I know who have heard about you. I pray this morning specifically that they would take the next step and come to know you personally. Reveal yourself to them powerfully. Change their hearts and lives. Amen

Daily Reading - John 4:42

Daily Journal for Monday 8th of March 2010

Believe!

S - "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:36

O - What we do with Christ is crucial. It's the difference between life and death. If we believe in him, putting our trust and faith in him we have eternal life. If we reject the Son, not believing in him, turning away from him, we will not only not see life, eternal life, but God's wrath, his anger, his judgement remains, and continues to remain on us.


A - Faith and trust in Jesus Christ, his life, death, resurrection, his reigning as Lord, his being God, are to be where my trust and faith are firmly placed. I want to grow stronger and deeper in my relationship with Jesus, each and every day.


P - Thank you Father, for sending your Son, Jesus. Thank you for life to the full, found only in Him. Amen.

Daily Reading - John 3

Daily Journal for Wednesday 3rd of March 2010

Jesus is praying for me!

S - "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32

O - Satan had asked to sift the disciples. Satan wants to destroy. He can think of nothing more delightful that destroying disciples of Jesus. But Jesus prays for his disciples. He prayed for Simon-Peter. He pray specifically that his faith would not fail. Under temptation, under opposition, under difficult, challenging circumstances, we are most in danger of failing in our faith. Satan is wanting us to fail. Jesus is praying that we will not. If we do fail, (and we pray that we don't) if we do in moments of doubt and pressure fail in our faith, Jesus points to us that we can return, we can repent, we can turn back. And when we do we will have a ministry of strengthening others in their faith. Peter did this. He failed under the enormous fear and experience of the trail and crucifixion of   Jesus. But Jesus restored him and he definitely did strengthen the brothers, becoming the leading figure in the early church.

A - God wants me to have a faith that is strong. Satan wants me to fail. Jesus is praying for me that I may not fail. Today I will pray in agreement with Christ, that I would be strengthened in my faith.

P - Father I pray that whatever challenges, temptations, conflicts, I face in the future, that I would remain strong in my faith, hope and love for you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Reading - Luke 22

Daily Journal Tuesday 2nd March 2010

I Am Indestructible!

S - "Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life." Luke 21:17-19

O - Jesus was warning that tough times were up ahead. His followers would be persecuted, even family members would betray them and some will even be killed. To sum up all that lay ahead, Jesus says, "Everyone will hate you because of me." But the encouragement for them (and for us) is "not a hair of your head will perish."   This can't be true literally speaking because many died in the fall of Jerusalem and many Christians have died down the ages, not just hair perishing but their whole body being stoned, burn or drowned. What did Jesus mean?

What he meant was of great encouragement to those who love Jesus and are even facing death. Jesus said that "not one hair on your head will perish" and "Stand firm, you will win life." Spiritual life and eternal life cannot be taken away from by persecution and death. Though people kill us, we will have heavenly bodies, not a hair out of place, that will never corrupt, that will never die. One condition - stand firm!

A - I am indestructible! ...if I stand firm in Christ. Today, I will remember that nothing can stop me from having eternal life. Jesus has given it to me and nothing can take it away. I will also have boldness in my sharing, knowing fear of my own life is a misplaced fear!

P - As I prepare for my weekend message - "Trust God Whatever the Circumstances," help me to remember that trusting you leads to life eternal - whatever the circumstances. Thank-you Father.

Daily Reading - Luke 21