Spiritual Growth

1 Timothy 4:8
" For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come"

I used to train at the gym at Phil and Ann Green's place and there was this poster on the wall that had this verse on it. I always thought it was kind of a strange verse to have in the place where people would come and spend quite a bit of time working out. But what happened as I read it more and more was that it actually sunk into my spirit. It is now a verse that I will never forget and love for what it says and the challenge it lays down for me everyday. The bible does this- as we allow it to sink into our nature it shapes and moulds our thoughts, lives and character.

What does this verse teach me? Not to become an overweight, unfit person but rather to apply myself to seeking out godliness with the same vigour as to which I might do my weights training. In this time, this generation has become almost to the point of obsession about fitness, the gym and exercise and we put many hours into this. What does 1 Timothy say to me in this? How much time and effort are you putting into the things of God in your personal life and the life you live with others. Even more how much time am I putting into things that count eternally. A huge challenge for me.

I love to exercise. My prayer is that God will continue to help me love him more and more to see the things of God in my life become a reality more often.

Loving you all
Peace

Crazy love

Hey all,
Sorry its been a while now- got busy, lazy and I kinda forgot bout my blog!!! agghhh
Our God is greater, Our God is healer
in this nation awakening
2 songs and key lines from the new passion cd- what an awesome collection of worship music- get a copy and listen to it!!!!!!!
Our God desires us to know his crazy love for us. The ultimate purpose of our life here on earth is to fall passionately in love with our God who loves us so immensely.
Out of knowing his love we are able to know ourselves and have passionate dreams inspired inside of us from Him. As we follow these dreams we will be radical disciples in our world- helping others to see the real love of Christ in us. YES HE wants us to fall radically in love with Him and follow the dreams He has placed in our lives.
We will see awakening in our lifetime, revival in our nation as we fall passionately in love with our God and radically follow Him.
This is my dream- I want to see revival!!
Jon

The Bible- the most important book

Deuteronomy 30v1 "I have given you a choice between blessing and a curse"
How do we choose blessing? From the rest of the chapter:
1. remember the Lord your God
2. Stay together in community
3. Love God with all your heart
4. Be obedient to God's word
5. Keep all of his laws
6. Worship Him alone
7. Be faithful to the Lord
So how do we receive blessing? We trust God and follow his ways. We do not choose the blessing but rather follow the Lord's commands and the blessing will come.

The Bible- the most important book

Deuteronomy 11v8 "Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today so that you may have strength to go in and take over the land I am giving you" Commands are not only a set of rules. They are designed for a far greater purpose. To be obedient to God's purposes produces a spirit of further obedience, grows morals, establishes social morals, strengthens relationships and brings integrity. All of these things are applicable both personally and within a community. Strength comes from integrity. As we follow our God's commands we grow in integrity. God continually strengthens us and pushes us to continue to grow in our integrity. Jesus needs us to be strong but to rely on his strength and grow in this through following his commands.

The Bible- the most important book

Journal entry 8/3/10 Deuteronomy 7v22 "the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you" God is also a logical God. He can see and foresee trouble, blessing and situations that we cannot predict or have the wisdom to see. He is giving the Israelites the land and mighty and powerful nations cannot stand against them. However he is careful not to give them the land too quickly as the remains of battle will draw too many animals to the area and they will overcome and multiply too quickly for the Israelites. Through this he is teaching further the Israelites patience and trust. I need to continue to trust God that his logic is greater than mine. Help me to trust you.

The Bible- the most important book

Journal entry 7/3/10 Deuteronomy 6v6 "And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today" Wholehearted commitment is not something that is common in our society. We give a small slice of ourselves to so many things. We are consumed with filling our life with attending things, making programs that to truly give wholeheartedly to something is rare. I get good at giving my heart to many things yet forgetting the most important thing- Jesus in my life and what his salvation means to me. Lord Jesus may I truly give you my whole heart.

The bible- the most important book

Deutoronomy 3v28 "But commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead the people across and will cause them to inherit the land" Moses was being told that he would not enter the promised land because of his and the peoples past sins. Yet his role as a leader was not complete. He continued to hear from God and be obedient to him. God called him to commission the next leader of the people and to strengthen and encourage him as he would lead the people into the promised land. As a leader I need to continue to raise up others in my place and strengthen and encourage them even if I may not see the promised land. This is a humbling knowledge.