National Prayer Weekend brings thousands of Christians together to pray for their local communities in an amazing way, demonstrating God's immense love to those around them. Prayer is the single most powerful important thing you can do for another person, and our heart is for people everywhere to encounter God through the power of prayer. It gives me great joy to take part and sharing God's limitless power in my community, city, country and worldwide. Giving hope and changing lives. Come Holy Spirit. The Power of a Prayer...
I am taking time out today and am reflecting on this video.
Thankful for what Jesus did for me... What do thorns symbolise?
Denoting sin, sorrow and hardship, the "thorn" is one of the most ancient symbols in the world; together with the ROSE, it represents pain and pleasure, the thorn is an emblem of Christ's passion, as with the crown of thorns. What does a rose with thorns mean?
Roses are complex flowers... the beauty of this flower expresses promise, hope and new beginnings. It is contrasted by thorns symbolising defence, loss and thoughtlessness.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life whichI now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me".
Being crucified with Christ means...
we are no longer under the penalty of the Law, we are a new creation, we have a new love, we have a new commitment and we have a new way of life.
All Praise and Glory to you our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Amen
(Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?- v10)
For most of us it is a lot easier to go with the flow of every day life and accept situations. We all fear the consequences of challenging unhealthy family situations, not standing up for ourselves in the workplace environment or out in the public because we want to fit in and win approval. But our we really happy? To go against the flow, to be distinctive in God-honouring ways, takes courage. As Paul explains in this scripture.
This godly fear is not to be placed alongside our fears of the opinions or actions of other people but to take priority over them, so we have the wisdom and knowledge to deal with situations better in life.
God's wisdom is linked with discipline and discernment and helps us to develop a certain kind of character, showing itself in a particular sort of action.
Jesus says "we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us". My blog on forgiveness is a prime example... It takes courage and is possible, as we are never alone with the Love, Grace and Peace of the Lord.
Jesus lights the way.
2 Corinthians 13:14 - " May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all".
