The whisper of God

We started our new teaching series at MKCC on Sunday. Called "He will be called" it is based on Isaiah 9 v 6:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

I kicked it off with "Wonderful Counsellor".

Studying the word Counsellor throughout the Bible helped me understand a little more the Biblical view of God counsels us.

The meaning is one who brings someone close to their side and speaks quietly too them.

I think this is a beautiful picture of what God does for us. He puts his arm round our shoulder and whispers a word just for us, not for anyone else, just between you and God.

An amazing God!

You can watch the whole message here or listen here.

Baptisms

Last Sunday we had 13 people get baptised at MKCC. We did it a little different by renting out the local swimming pool. Had a great time but the life guards looked at us a little strange.

Why would I want to pass up grace?

God forced me to my knees yet again today to say I am sorry. That's the problem with reading His word it's always calling you higher.

So today I start reading Jonah. That's safe. Ive heard this since I was in Sunday School. Then I read Jonah prayer to God in Ch 2 v 8.

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

Why on earth would I pass up on God's grace by placing other things in front of God in my life but I am sure I do it daily.

For Jonah his idol was national pride which if he held on to it, he would have experienced the grace of a city turning to God on mass.

I need to let go of so much but to experience God's grace in a way that I never have before I must loosen my grip.

When there are no words only presence

I am the ultimate Mr Fix it. I can listen for only so long then I just have to try to fix things. They only problem being is that there are just so many things in life we just cannot fix.

We all have friends, family and relatives who have or are going through tough times. Being part of a church staff you hear about so many more people that are suffering in one way or another. Sometimes it seems to overwhelm.

You pray and you pray, you look for a way to help and your heart hurts because you see so much suffering.

This verse helped me. Job 2 v 23:

“Then Job’s friends sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was”

As a friend sometimes the best thing we can do is button our lip and listen. And when our friend doesn't even want to talk maybe the best gift we can give is our presence no mater how long it takes 7 hours or 7 days.