Money?

It is very easy for me to slip into thinking that money would be the greatest source of help to me. If I had more money then I would have a lot less stress. I would be able to afford a better car, to go on holidays, to pay my bills with enough left over to enjoy my hobbies. Before I was called into the ministry I had options to earn more - it was called over time or a second job. Work more and earn more.

But placing my hope in the security or the pleasure that money can buy is very illusive. I've found from experience that more money doesn't mean less stress or more happiness. Money can buy things but life is not about things. Life is about God and people. Many husbands and fathers like me have at times sacrificed time with their wife and kids in the pursuit of what money can provide and buy while missing out on what it cannot replace. Money can buy a house but not a home, it can buy a bed but not sleep, it can buy a clock but not time, it can buy a servant but not a friend, it can buy a Bible but not a relationship with God.

Christ warns me in Luke 16 not to follow the crowd, not to buy into the idea that money is the ultimate goal. Christ isn't interested in how much or how little I possess but rather what is my attitude towards my possessions. Do I think of them as mine? Like a young child who doesn't want to share his toy yelling out “No, it's mine.”

The first step is to accept that God entrusts all I have to me. It is not mine. Not just my bank balance, not just what I possess but also my relationships; with my wife, my kids, church family and community. Secondly, Christ wants me to think in terms of using what he has entrusted me with for the benefit of others rather than myself. He wants me to be generous with all I have so that I learn to invest my time, energy, money and abilities into developing Christ-like relationships in my family and community. Only then will money lose its hold over me so that I can begin to enjoy what money can't buy.  the Rev

If you would like to learn more then listen to this message @ www.gaplifechurch.net/money or I'd be happy to make a time to discuss this with you privately.

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Luke 15

Outrageous love

Shakespeare, in the tragedy of Macbeth, captured the slippery slope of ambition. To gain the throne cost the death of one man. Macbeth murdered his King. Enter stage right a big serve of guilt, growing suspicion, deceptions developing into paranoia, tyranny and a growing list of further murders. Macbeth loses everything; his sanity, his wife, his kingdom  and finally his head.

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:14-15

I know guilt. I know what it is to be lost and dead. I know what it feels like to be found and to breathe life. It is completely outrageous because I also know that I am unworthy of God’s love. That is what makes his love so confronting. It explains why the Pharisees were so disturbed by Christ’s love for sinners and tax collectors. They assumed God was pleased with their religious observances, traditions and good works. They felt entitled to their position before God and in society. They looked down on anyone who was not like them, as though their misfortune was their own fault.

Christ reveals God’s love as being given freely and lavishly to anyone who confesses their unworthiness. Even a son who could not have harmed or shamed his father more than the prodigal son. Perhaps you fear disappointing God. You feel bound to obey for fear of his judgment. DON’T. There is nothing you can do that will turn God away from you, or make him love you less if you confess your unworthiness to him and accept his free and outrageous love, in and through, the Lord Jesus Christ.   the Rev

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Luke 16

Money?

It is very easy for me to slip into thinking that money would be the greatest source of help to me. If I had more money then I would have a lot less stress. I would be able to afford a better car, to go on holidays, to pay my bills with enough left over to enjoy my hobbies. Before I was called into the ministry I had options to earn more, it was called over time or a second job. Work more and earn more.

But placing my hope in the security or the pleasure that money can buy is very illusive. I’ve found from experience that more money doesn’t mean less stress or more happiness. Money can buy things but life is not about things. Life is about God and people. Many Husbands and Fathers sacrifice time with their wife and kids in the pursuit of what money can provide and buy while missing out on what it cannot replace.

Christ warns me in Luke 16 not to follow the crowd, not to buy into the idea that money is the ultimate goal. Christ isn’t interested in how much or how little you possess but rather your attitude towards your possessions. Do you think of them as yours? Like a young child who doesn’t want to share his toy yelling out “No, it’s mine.”

The first step is to accept that all I have is entrusted to me by God. It is not mine. Not just my bank balance, not just what I possess but also my relationships; with Michele, my kids, church family and community. Secondly, Christ wants me to think in terms of using what he has entrusted me with for the benefit of others rather than myself. He wants me to be generous with all I have so that I can win friends for Christ. Only then will money lose it’s hold over me so that I will enjoy what money can’t buy.    the Rev

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Luke 23:32-49

God of the Broken

Easter is a great time to think more carefully about why Christ died on the cross for us, and why is it so important that he rose again on the third day.

God, became a human, lived just like we do, ministered for 3 years, proclaiming the good news that he had come to save us. We then nailed him to the cross where we watched him slowly die.

I can’t imagine a more drastic, costly and horrifying plan than the Son of God being murdered to save the world. It screams to me that there is something fundamentally wrong with us and with me. Being crucified does not suggest that I needed some slight improvement in my character or lifestyle. No, it should stop me in my tracks and take my breath away. God died for me, I’m that bad, nothing less would do.

Jesus took my place on the cross, he paid my penalty so that I can walk free of judgement, all because he gave me the ability to believe/trust in him. So why has God gone to so much trouble and expense to save me? Surely so that I can be happy, healthy and wealthy, right, well no.

God’s interest is not in protecting me from being treated unfairly. His plan is to teach me to find his grace in the midst of unfairness. He wants me to learn to care for people who are being unfair to me by teaching me that mercy triumphs over judgement. Christ knows how hard it is for me to bless those who curse me. It is for this reason that he died on the cross. Nothing short of his death could overcome my brokenness. He is now at work in my life to change me from the inside out. He meets me in my brokenness but immediately sets about the process that will make me whole.  the Rev