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Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs that this man?”                     John 7.31

Miraculous signs are certainly evidence of God’s work in a human life. People are healed and circumstances changed in the most miraculous way. But one of the most powerful miracles that I believe Jesus can work in anyone’s life is that inner change from unbelief to belief.

As the heart surrenders to Jesus, other things change. Previously aggressive and uncooperative behaviour can calm and a more willing manner come forth. Sometimes, noticeable external change occurs in an individual.

Jesus says, “Follow me.” The receiving of Jesus in the heart is but the beginning of following. As we continue to seek after Him, we become more like Him. Worldly, antagonistic attitudes must go, and a more Christ-like demeanour comes into being. This is how it should be, and it must not be false or forced. If I am sincere about following Jesus then I can expect real change to come about in me such that I truly grow more like Him with each passing day.

What could be more miraculous than the Church, the Body of Christ, acting and living like its Head?

Holy Lord,

I pray for the miraculous. Indeed, I would delight to see signs and miracles unfold in my ministry for You. I wait on You for this.

Yet, surely miraculous would be to see the body of Christ truly follow its head and become more and more Christ-like. This is our mission. This is our destiny. I pray for a mighty revival in the church. Lord, wake us up to our inheritance. We are meant to draw closer to You, to become more like Jesus every day. I offer myself for this. Start with me, Lord. May I grow like Jesus. May I seek You in every moment. May I live to do Your will. I ask this in the loving and powerful name of Jesus.           Amen.

Teaching, and learning

Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.”  

                                                                                                                            John 7.16

What a beautiful statement this is. As Son of God I’m sure Jesus could have given the richest of teachings out of His own store. But He didn’t do this. Instead He chose to give only what the Father gave Him. His whole life was based on sharing what He received from the Father – and only this.

What an example He sets for us to follow. Jesus lived in constant communion with the Father. Often, maybe always, after He had ministered, He withdrew to a lonely place where He could spend time alone with the Father. I see so many benefits from this time, not least being the personal refreshment that Jesus would have received. As well as this, He would have been further equipped for the next calls of ministry.

Jesus did nothing in His own strength but He relied on the Father for all things.

Why do we not always do likewise? I suspect there are times when we feel that we must “come up with the goods”. I wonder if there may also be times when we may not allow ourselves to fully trust God!

O, may I learn a lesson from today’s meditation!

Lord God,

Let me never look to my own understanding nor lean on my own ability. Let me learn of Jesus as He has so rightly encouraged me.

I press in to You, Lord. I ask that You give me all that I need – firstly to keep me in right relationship with you for, without this, all else is in vain. I ask also that You give me every detail of the teaching that You call me to. I pray that my witness to Jesus speaks loudly and clearly from the personal relationship I enjoy with You.

I pray, Lord, that You will speak to me, and speak through me. I give myself to Your full and perfect will, in Jesus’ name.                        Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

Hate... and love

“The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.”                                                                                                                                                  John 7.7

Jesus spoke about the evil in this world, and the world hated Him for His testimony. We are called to follow Jesus. Believers need, therefore, to make a stand against evil and be prepared to be hated for it.

Hate is a strong word, and the acts that generate out of hatred can be vicious and harmful. While the world may hate, and inflict that hate on Christians, the response of the believer is to be one of love. This may be far from easy. How much easier it might be to return hate for hate. But that is not the way.

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6. 27,28)

Not only did Jesus tell us what to do, He showed us by His own example. As He hung on the cross after the most brutal treatment imaginable, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23.34)

Oh, that I might truly follow Jesus!

Lord God,

I ask two things of You today. The first is that I might be bold and courageous enough to speak out against evil. As in all things I realise there is an appropriate way to carry out any actions I feel to take. Help me find the appropriate way. Help me to be willing to fight evil in this world.

The second request I make is to be enabled for the right response when hatred or injustice is exercised against me. Jesus exhorts me to a response of love. May this be the way for me. Help me follow Jesus in this, to love my enemies, to render good to those who hate me, to bless any who curse me and to pray for all who mistreat me.

I want to please You in who I am and in what I do. Help me in this, in Jesus; name I ask.

                                                                                                                                    Amen.

Valuable

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”                      Matt. 6.26

                                                                                                                       

Jesus is talking to His listeners in everyday language. Sowing, reaping, and storing in barns would have been among the most common of daily activities of the time. Jesus lived in an agrarian society. Just about everyone would have understood the message He was giving to them.

Likewise, with His reference to the birds of the air. The people could clearly recognise the reality of God’s provision to bird life, and the lack of application by the birds to the basic provisions of living. They simply took hold of what God provided!

Jesus was not saying, “Do not work. Do not endeavour to provide for your needs.” Rather, I think He was saying something like, “Know how much God loves you. And this is not because of anything you do. God created you so that He could love you. You  are, perhaps, the most valuable of all of His creation. Will you let Him love you? Will you open yourselves to receive the love He has for you? You have a choice. God is not a tyrant who will impose His will on you. But my Father will bless you as you respond to Him in love and Godly fear.”

I know how God provides for the birds of the air. He may choose to provide for me in similar ways. Whether He does so or not, I cherish most the relationship of love that He has drawn me into. I thank Him, in love.

Most Precious Father and Almighty God,

I thank You for Your every provision to me. I am most grateful. I thank You most of all for the relationships You afford to me – with You in Trinity, and with the whole of Your world.

I thank You. I love You.         Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").