To really know the Lord

 

A most beautiful Bible verse:

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith”  Ephesians 3:17

 

Considering the distant, derelict and demonised condition of the Gentiles (as described in chapter 2), the idea of intimacy with God seems impossible.

   But the grace of God moved by the love of God has effected redemption by Christ’s blood. This has achieved forgiveness, salvation and cleansing so great that the Gentile believer is accepted, reborn and brought into a relationship with God that is sublime.

   By the operation of the Holy Spirit, the praise of these redeemed ones is described (chapter 2) as a temple of praise.

 

But the wonder of it all goes so much deeper in Ephesians 3:

   “ When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father , the creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit.

And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvellous love. And may you have power to understand , as all God’s people should, how wide , how long, how high, how deep His love really is……NLT(look it up for yourself)

 

This describes the extreme beauty of belonging to God and His overflowing desire for us to know him personally.  If this is dry words to you, please seek the Lord with all your heart and you will find Him.

The story of Jesus

 

   “Let me tell you the story of Jesus”  ( for the millions who have never heard)

Before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was busy in heaven making and sustaining the world.

   Gabrial, the angel from heaven said to Mary that her baby would be called:

“the Son of the Highest” – this means He was coming to represent God to all people. No other prophet could do this completely, but Jesus Christ did.

    When Jesus was born to Mary in Bethlehem in Israel, another angel announced that this baby was the Saviour, ‘Christ the LORD’. God knew that we sinners needed to be saved. We needed His forgiveness.

   Jesus went to school and  learned a trade as a carpenter.

Then at the age of 30 years, He was baptised. A voice from heaven said “This is My Beloved Son. I am fully pleased with Him”  (Matthew 3)

Many people wanted Him to bring peace on the earth, but no, God wanted to connect with individuals. They needed personal change, more than political solutions – forgiveness of sins, acceptance into God’s spiritual family, eternal life in the life to come etc. So the plan of God was different. He wanted to change hearts!

    The Lord Jesus taught the truth, healed the sick, raised dead people to life. After three years , the plan seemed to all go wrong. Jesus was arrested  and by the Jewish court considered not worthy to live (blasphemy charge because He claimed to be the Son of God – Mark 14).

Jesus was considered innocent by the Roman judge, but the crowd got their way and Jesus was sentenced to be crucified – dying on a cross. He was nailed to a cross, along with two others. He was left to die, but instead of dying from crucifixion, He gave up His spirit  to the Father and so died.

    On the third day after, God raised Him to life again. His surprised followers were so happy. They ate with Him. They listened to Him. He explained to them that the sufferings of the cross were necessary in God’s plan.

After 40 days, He was talking to them outside Jerusalem when suddenly He was taken up and a cloud hid Him from their eyes. Two angels stood beside them and said: “This same Jesus you have seen taken up into heaven, will come again” (Acts 1)

     The fearful followers waited for God to give them further instructions and sure enough, the Holy Spirit came to explain who Jesus really was, what He had achieved by dying on the cross and their responsibility to tell the Good News to all people everywhere.

    And so the New Testament was written so that all should believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. By believing in Him, all can have forgiveness, new birth into the family of God and the gift of Eternal Life with Him forever.

      Since then, millions have found the promises of God to be true. The Holy Spirit has transformed the lives of so many and created a relationship with the living Lord Jesus that is greater than religion, greater than circumstances and is for all peoples of the world. He is Lord of all. (Acts 10)

johnmckee@internode.on.net

The Lamb

 

Helping migrants

 

What have I learned? (the speech I wanted to give)

The greater needs of migrants .

1 Friendship – a friendship that crosses over culture, religion, food and misunderstandings. There are some, but not many, who go beyond programs to visit the newcomers and to invite them into our homes. This Christ like care creates friendships that endure. (My wife is with me in this).

2 English- we assume they can quickly learn English at government funded classes. For visiting academics – yes, but for the refugees not easy at all. Learning to learn, trying to drive a pencil on the line, listening to Australians who insist on using colloquial jargon – so much so difficult in particular for women who have never been to school- Those who are fully occupied caring for children, cooking , washing and cleaning at home.

3  Cultural adaption-  many uninvolved politicians proclaim “ we welcome people with their culture.” After 7 years of close interaction, I say no – it doesn’t work. Food may be ok, clothing may be ok. We have so  many laws, habits, attitudes, expectations that need to be learned for integration. In teaching citizenship, I have learned that so many of our laws and values are Christian Bible based. Some of my students converted to Christianity and found it so much easier to fit with the Australian  values. (Like love for marriage).

4  I have learned to speak slowly, using clear English words, and simplified concepts. As I visit migrant men, my chief function is to listen to them!