His eye is on the sparrow

“What is the price of two sparrows–one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. “
Matthew 10:29 (NLT)

I was sitting in the garden the other day and I noticed a sparrow fly down from a bush and hit the glass of the patio door. It seemed unhurt, but a little dazed. Another sparrow flew down to it and began to feed it. This was obviously a mother and chick. As I watched she flew up to the bush and then back to the chick, stopping to feed him and then flying back again. She did this several times as if she was coaxing him to follow her, but he merely took a few steps and waited for her to return. Maybe this was his first attempt to fly and it had been a painful experience that he didn’t want to repeat. She patiently flew back and forth until finally he plucked up courage and flew after her.
I was so happy to see him fly. I’m sure his success encouraged him to persevere until he became confident in his new life as a mature sparrow.

I thought about God watching the little sparrow too and wanting him to succeed. I thought about Him watching us too. He feeds and cares for us but also coaxes us to rise up and follow Jesus into maturity as sons and daughters. We may get hurt as we attempt this, encountering unseen obstacles just like the sparrow did as he hit the invisible pane of glass, but we must take courage and keep following . The chicks mother knows that a sparrow who does not learn to fly would surely die. He must learn to find his own food and avoid predators. He will one day rear his own young, teaching them, and thus continuing the cycle. We in turn mature in our faith as we learn to feed on God’s word and resist the temptations and attacks of the enemy.

Seagulls nesting on our roof are a different matter entirely. The are not sweet and adorable like the sparrows. They are large and scary when they swoop down to attack you with their sharp beaks. They are very protective of their chick, especially when they are learning to fly. The mother stays near by as the chick attempts flight and watches as he plods around for a while before trying again. If anyone comes near the mother swoops down to chase them away. My family have had a few close encounters!

This made me think of a different side of God. To us His children, He is caring and protective, urging us on and watching over us. To the enemy He is a terrifying force. We may not see Him or feel His presence at such times. We may even think He has abandoned us, leaving us to struggle alone. The chick may wonder what has happened when the mother disappears from view. We hear them crying out for her, but she is never far away.

I have heard wonderful stories about eagles from preachers, but I have never seen one in the wild, so God speaks to me through sparrows and seagulls. In fact all creation demonstrates the amazing God who made it and sustains it. If we have eyes to see, ears to hear and open hearts to understand, then God will speak through all sorts of everyday things, just as He spoke to fishermen about fish and farmers about crops and sheep. Some stories are breathtaking like the eagle, some noisy like the seagull and others quiet like the sparrow. We can hear His voice through them all.

Eden

A few years ago I went to the Eden project where there are two large bio-spheres, each with its own particular climate. One has a hot dry atmosphere and is planted with Mediterranean and desert plants, the other is hot and humid and is planted as a rainforest. It was an amazing experience.

Some plants and animals thrive in one type of climate whereas others would die there. It’s the same spiritually. We can provide a spiritual climate where sin cannot thrive or we can provide a place where it blossoms in our lives.

I had a vision recently of small bio-spheres springing up all over the country. They provided an atmosphere where demonic activity was not able to survive. Demons were running as the spheres began to grow, pushing back evil and darkness. As the spheres met, they linked together until the whole area became covered. People were relieved when the spheres reached their area, glad to be covered with a protective shield.

I believe as we cover our homes, towns and cities with prayer and worship we create such an environment.

When we live our lives set apart for God, holy and pure, loving Him with all of our heart, we keep a clear channel open for God to release His power through us.

Jesus said “It is written …My house will be a house of prayer” Luke 19:46.

We are His house, the place where the Holy Spirit lives. We should make prayer our focus, praying in the Spirit, praying the heart of God, speaking His word into being in the earth. We need a move of God in our nations, and God moves through His people when we align our hearts with His. Revival begins with prayer and is sustained by prayer. It is our lifeline.

We read about prayer, talk about prayer, agree about the importance of prayer and yet prayer meetings can be so boring! It’s time for prayer that comes from God’s heart to ours and is spoken back to God. Such prayers have real power!

Join me in asking God to pray though us; to create spiritual atmospheres where people feel God’s presence and are convicted of sin; where people find it easy to receive God’s love; where healing, signs and wonders flow freely; and where people are delivered from oppression because demons cannot stay in such an atmosphere. Let us pray!

Wake up!

“ yesterday afternoon about three, I actually nodded off for a few seconds whilst driving,only to open my eyes as I was crossing the white line in middle of the road and heading towards a vehicle, we were both doing about sixty miles per hour,”

This facebook entry was written by a friend who was glad to have woken up in time!

There have been times when my husband has begun to fall asleep at the wheel on long tiring journeys, and I have been fighting to stay awake myself, talking to him and hoping we will arrive at our destination soon. It is so dangerous to drive while sleepy and sometimes little breaks for fresh air and coffee just don’t seem to do the trick. It is worse at night when it is dark and the lights of oncoming traffic mesmerise.

The same problem can arise on our spiritual journey. When we have been travelling for a while and the road is long, before we realise it we become a little sleepy and lose concentration. If we don’t recognise the warning signs we can fall asleep at the wheel. We are fortunate if we have a fellow traveller to keep us alert or at least yell when we begin to drift. Just as a sleeping driver will meander around on the road, we are inclined to drift around from lane to lane and can easily get off track. The worse case scenario is to leave the road altogether or crash into another vehicle.

“For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5:14

Paul is warning the people about the danger of hidden sin and tells them to bring everything in to the light. Someone who is asleep is unaware of the danger he is in and unable to avoid it. If we become sleepy in our Christian life we may fail to recognise the danger we are in, or the temptations that are creeping up on us. We let our guard down when we relax and our brains drift into a passive state or begin to dream.

‘Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.

Revelation 3:2

Jesus warns the people to wake up and get moving, they have let things slide and although they have a reputation of being alive, they are about to die spiritually. He warned them that that they had not made it yet, they still had a way to go. Although He warned them to repent and obey, He also promised a reward for the ones who overcame their lethargy and responded.

This is a challenge for all of us who have been on the road for a while. We may be so used to the road and cruising along that we get mesmerised by the flashing lights and road noise that we are lulled into passivity. It is easy to get distracted, discouraged and weary after a while. Then it’s time to stop for a moment and rest. We should take time to refresh ourselves in God, to remind ourselves of the reason for our journey and our destination, so that when we set off again we will be alert and focussed.

So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

1 Kings 17:5-6

God knew what Elijah needed, rest and refreshment and He provided both. So if you’re tired and a little bit sleepy, weary of the journey, why not take a break and spend a while in God’s presence, rest and receive strength for the next part of the journey. You’ll be glad you did.

Align your Sail

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Acts 2:1-4

There is controversy surrounding the wind turbines which have sprung up across the countryside and off our shores. Some are convinced they are the sustainable energy source we need for the future, but others doubt their ability to provide large enough amounts. Some people see them as a blot on the landscape and a noisy threat to people and animals in an otherwise peaceful countryside.

I wonder what people thought of the old style windmills when they were built. We see them as quaint and beautiful, something to be preserved. I suspect that the people who built them were less concerned with their aesthetic appearance and more concerned with relieving them of the heavy manual labour they endured.

The power of the wind has been used for centuries to power ships and small boats. Although the wind cannot be controlled, we can align our sails to catch the power to move our vessels or machinery.. However, a sail which is not attached and aligned is useless, merely flapping in the breeze, and a sail which is torn or full of holes loses its effectiveness.

Watching a bird soar on the air currents or seemingly hang in mid air, held only by the wind is breathtaking. Eagles use the air currents to rise above the storms, a fact which has inspired poets and preachers. The understanding of wind direction and air currents has been crucial in the developments of ships and aircraft as well as wind turbines. What can be a hindrance to man or even a destructive power can be used for our advantage if we know how to respond to it and catch the power.

In the bible the power of God is compared to a violent wind. The Holy Spirit came suddenly filling the whole house. This must have been an amazing and terrifying experience; they heard the sound and felt the power and then saw fire! I wonder if they had time to respond at all to this manifestation, or were frozen as it unfolded before them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages. This had not happened before and there is no record that Jesus explained exactly what was about to happen beforehand. Peter seemed to realise that this was what they were waiting in Jerusalem for, the promise of the Holy Spirit as described in Joel.

There is controversy surrounding the men and women who believe that the wind of the Spirit is blowing across the earth today. Do we recognise what is happening or do we accuse the ones who are filled with being drunk? The wind was felt by the disciples who were waiting, aligning themselves with the promise and had knowledge of the scriptures which helped them identify the source of the power. We too must focus our attention on understanding God’s ways, aligning our lives with His word. Then His Spirit will direct us where and how to use the power He imparts.

The wind of the Spirit is not just to be felt and make us flap about. It is meant to be attached to produce acts of power, mercy and love in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The wind of the Spirit will direct us and empower us to act. Just like the boat heads into the wind and is carried along at great speed, we can be exhilarated or afraid when we feel His power. Without it we are adrift in the open sea or turning the millstone by our own effort

The wind of the Spirit lifts us above the storms of life if we open our wings and align ourselves rather than trying to take refuge from His powerful intervention or trying by our own effort to take on the storm. Faith is needed to yield to the wind and allow it to take us.

The wind of the Spirit comes bringing fire to purify us and make us holy, set apart. The Holy Spirit is Comforter – healing our brokenness so that we can give the same comfort to others ; Helper – one who comes alongside – He will never leave us; and Teacher- leading us into the truth. He comes in fullness bringing gifts and the seeds to bear fruit in us, transforming us into the image of Jesus. The Holy Spirit fills us with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! This power gives life to dry bones and builds us into an army of servants, carrying on the work of Jesus.

 

The Navigator

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21

We went on a journey by car recently and were asking for precise directions. Our friend asked if we had Sat Nav but, as we haven’t, he gave instructions. I wrote them down and was ready to take the correct turns at each point. I had already planned a route by using maps and his directions completed the journey plan.

When we go to new places I always plan our route in advance and act as navigator while my husband drives. It is easier for him if I give directions, so when I’m not with him I usually plan his route too. I write the motorway and road numbers in large letters so that he can glance at them, and I tape them to the dashboard.

I would be redundant if we had satellite navigation, but I would still follow the map because I like to know where we are and how the journey is progressing. I enjoy planning a route, especially for a holiday. If we are going somewhere new I study the map and plan places to visit while we are there.

My husband has been for a few job interviews recently and I have looked at the areas, pouring over maps and researching on the internet. When he gets a new job, I am already armed with lots of information to help the move go smoothly. I have done this several times now so I know that preparation is really useful.

“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.”

Exodus 13:21

When the Israelites left Egypt for the promised land there were no maps, no Sat Nav and no internet to help them. They were totally reliant on God to direct them. He led them step by step, never leaving them by day or night. When the cloud moved, they moved and when it rested in one place, so did they. They didn’t have to work out which way to go or scout ahead to find the best route. They just looked up, packed up and followed.

I wonder how they were thinking as they moved on. Did they look forward to the journey, discussing what they would do when they got there and what kind of house they would build? When they set up camp again only to pack up again a few days later, did they get frustrated and ask “are we nearly there yet?” I suspect they would have liked to know all the details about the route, the time it would take and what it would be like when they got there. I certainly want to know all these things when we are moving. My imagination is stimulated by the questions in my mind as I daydream about a new house and a new lifestyle.

The Israelites must have had some negative thoughts about the promised land though, which is not surprising as their experience in Egypt had been really negative until God broke in. They were probably really excited at first, believing God’s promises, but as time went by they began to listen to negative thoughts and fears. By the time the spies checked out the land they were already expecting disaster and wanted to run. It’s hard for us to understand because God was so obviously with them. They didn’t just hear from God, they had a manifestation of His presence with them all of the time. How amazing! What would we give to have that in our lives.

When we think of our lives as a journey we often refer to the Holy Spirit as our guide and the bible as a map. When we read and study the books of the bible we can adjust our course in line with what we learn, but we also have the Holy Spirit as our guide, our Navigator. He will give us insight into what we read, help us to recognise where we are going and how to get there. He whispers in our ear to give course changes, encouraging us to stay on the right road, keeps us from detours and warning us of the dangers ahead. Of course our part is to listen to His voice. The Sat Nav on the dashboard is no good if we ignore it. We may think we know a more direct route, but He sees ahead and knows where that would lead. He knows about the incident up ahead, the road works, the steep hill and the dead ends. We must learn to listen and obey His prompting. Then we will reach our destination quickly and safely.

Treasure in Clay Pots – 4

Treasure out

We need to release the treasure God has deposited in us but we want to do it without cost to the clay pot. Our flesh screams out when there is a cost to us. We try to shake a bit out, we try to lever a bit out, but God wants us to sacrifice the pot. Jesus was broken to save us by His sacrifice. We too must be broken – a living sacrifice. We must be dead to self, but alive to God. This is quite an abstract statement , easy to say , but difficult to demonstrate in our lives.  For example; a person who is dead is hard to offend, so if we are easy to offend, then we’re not dead to self.

We should always remember that the pot is not the treasure itself, merely the container. It’s not about me, people need to see Jesus in me. They should marvel that the power and the glory of God can be contained in such an ordinary clay pot. This will give them hope. When you preach or encourage some one with God’s word, it would be better if they forgot who the messenger was , but remembered message. Often we say Bill preached a great message this morning, yet when questioned we do not remember what he said. We know it was good though. The same applies to prayer. I do not want people to have an encounter with  me, but an encounter with God. Our attitude should be, let them forget my name, I want to lift up the name of Jesus.

“… a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head”              Mark 14:3

When Mary broke open the jar and poured perfume on Jesus, she was doing it for Him, but the aroma spread, it touched everyone then and still touches us through scripture. The pot she used was broken, but  even the fragments would have emit the perfume they had absorbed. Clay is absorbent and so are we, in that what we feed into our minds is absorbed into our thinking and into our hearts . The jar’s value was in its purpose, to contained her offering so that she could pour it out on Jesus. What we have stored is what we have to offer to Jesus as our act of worship. If it had not been broken it would have remained just a jar of perfume.

Treasure is from God and for God, but we have the honour of being the pots He uses to hold it for a while.

Treasure in Jars of Clay – 3

Treasure in

God deposits the treasure in people, natural gifts and abilities and spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit. Just as an oyster creates a pearl from grit, so the Holy Spirit can change the grit in our lives into glory if we allow Him to. In fact it was probably God who introduced the grit just to begin the process. An oyster without grit is an oyster without treasure. Sometimes the things we complain about can be the very thing we need to develop character, so that we can use our gifts wisely.

We have the treasure hidden inside but still have the outer container of clay. When God begins to work in us, our human nature with all of it’s pride and selfishness can get in the way. When we become aware of our gift or knowledge pride often puffs us up and leads us to think we know it all.

Peter’s revelation  about Jesus came from the Spirit,

Simon Peter answered “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”Jesus replied “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by  man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church                              Matt 16:16-17

but his later reaction came from the flesh.

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Never, Lord!” he said “This shall never happen to you!”Jesus turned and said to Peter ”Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men”                               V23

We must be aware in each situation we can be led by flesh or Spirit in our personal lives, and when we witness, counsel, teach or pray. We can do nothing of value in our own strength. We must learn to live in the Spirit more and less in our flesh.

Treasure is given to us by direct impartation of a gift, but also by revelation as we read and study the word. We should not be lazy but be diligent to seek after God by spending time in His presence and reading the bible. By doing this we are filling ourselves with treasure, storing it so that when we need encouragement for ourselves or others, we have resources to draw upon.

And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”  Matthew 13:5

Are you aware of the treasure you already have? Are you adding to it?