Skip to main content

TRUE words for today

Dear Friends, we're beginning the four week countdown to REAL with this gift for you. It is the first of 14 Daily Devotions. Each was written by a woman in our community, led by the writers of Exposition.

They were written with you in mind, that you would carve out a few minutes today to read these words, to help you to read the Word, and to let these words bring Truth to you and your situation.

So each Monday on the run up to REAL, and then after the conference, each weekday for two weeks, I'll post a Daily Devotion on my blog. It will also be sent out by email to all the REAL delegates.

We pray that you'll be blessed, encouraged and challenged. God loves you!

We can't wait to all be together soon at REAL.Until then, pop the kettle on, settle down and let these words of real truth bring freedom,

With love Catrina and the REAL team x

 

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ John 8:31-32 (NIV)

In the previous chapter of John we read that there is much debate and speculation about Jesus’ identity. Some were inexplicably drawn by a hunger that was unlocked, but many more were offended and resistant; so troubled that they sought to silence and destroy the man they viewed as a heretic.

Jesus was creating a stir and stimulating debate and gossip. This set the curious off investigating, talking to anyone who knew anything and voicing their opinions, making judgments and shifting their views according to whom they listened to.

Humans are social beings so we form our beliefs according to all sorts of alliances and allegiances that we make. Some are thrust upon us by the nature of our birth and the innate qualities that define our unconscious world view. Other values are driven by the environment and the experiences that shape and form us.

Some of us have multiple streams of influence flowing through us every day. The term "Twittersphere" and "trending" are recent constructs to measure what topics have momentarily surfaced as noteworthy; headlines on a news report or the success or failure or notoriety of fickle public interest.

So who influences me? Do I hop from blog to blog, or book to book, or listen and watch the latest voice? Am I like a foraging insect moving from flower to flower taking what I can and filling every waking moment with entertainment and distractions, always consuming more?

Yes, I can be like this, so I have to make decisions about who and what influences me. I find that the first part of my day is sacred and informs the hours that follow. I look to build a solid foundation each day by consciously setting my thoughts on Christ through reading the bible and prayer. If I skip this then I rarely find that time is captured back. Throughout the day I have frequent brief times of stopping for silence and reflection and one sentence prayers. These help me to centre and settle and rest from the onslaught of the external influences that fill my day.

Jesus says here if you hold to my teachings. To hold is to grasp and have a physical connection. We hold a child’s hand to guide them safely across the road. There is proximity and intimacy. Holding is about familiarity, knowledge and personal experience. When I read the bible I receive guidance and inspiration through my personal encounter of the Holy Spirit which revives and directs me.

To hold can also mean to keep and maintain a steady dedication and commitment. I am able to stand secure in times of trouble, anxiety and challenge. I will not be derailed by external forces seeking to control or influence me. To be a believer and disciple of Jesus calls for holding His hand, and walking in His ways knowing that He is trustworthy and true. The consequence is freedom. I am no longer to be swept away by the opinions of others and can experience true liberty and enjoy being myself.


Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to hold to your teachings. Give me the desire and discipline to stop and make time to encounter your presence and power as I read the bible each day. Help me to have the courage to turn off the noise and create pools of refreshing silence and prayer. Amen

Popular posts from this blog

Guest Blog: Esther in Indonesia

I'm delighted to welcome Esther Ross-Watson to my Blog today! She is a dearly loved member of our Kerith family. She and her late husband Michael served as missionaries for many years. Esther bravely made the decision to travel again, and she has recently returned from Indonesia. Here's her story:  Whilst Michael was on his last days on earth in August 2017 he received a request from the Island of Madura, Indonesia asking us to return to the town of Pamekasen, Madura, Indonesia where we had begun our Missions work in July 1973 exactly one year after we were married. They were keen to have us see what God had been doing in the years since we’d moved on and we excitedly said ‘Yes’ we will come!   Obviously that had to go on hold for a while because I didn’t feel I could, or even wanted to go alone! Anyway around March/April time 2018, I begun to feel a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit urging me to think some more about it! It was like a feeling of wanting to know

Our Living Hope

Not sure what happens with my blog...or me writing my blog! Can't believe I've been away from it for almost two months. Oh well, no condemnation! Let's pick it up and start again :) Yesterday was a great day in Church! I was so challenged and encouraged - I love Sundays and all the different ways God shows His love and who he is to us. Natalie Jones preached at both our morning meetings in Bracknell , she gave such a good message on generosity, be sure to catch it when the podcast comes on our website, but for now, watch a  summary of Natalie's preach At the 6pm meeting, we had Paul Manwaring sharing about culture : the 4 Gamechangers - again, a really challenging message to check out if you didn't get to hear it live. I wore my HOPE earrings yesterday - sometimes I deliberately  choose to wear them as a practical symbol that I am choosing HOPE - that I choose Jesus, I choose trust, I choose hope. I'm so glad I did, as throughout the day I felt God speak

Paula's Encouragement

I love a podcast! Podcasts get me through situations where time might drag, or perhaps I've got some time to myself - I'm think a bike work-out at the Gym; a long car journey; or food for my mind and soul whilst I'm cooking. I've just got back from holiday, and having missed a couple of Sundays, I have caught up with Kerith podcasts, listening to three outstanding preaches from Ben Pocock and Ben Oliver in Bracknell; and Heather Pocock in Sandhurst - I found myself wanting to join in with a few loud "amens" this morning at the gym! What about you? Let me know when and where do you listen to podcasts? Our guest contributor today is the wonderful Paula Ridgway - with her large heart , great enthusiasm and infectious faith, she is such a huge blessing to many at Kerith.  Paula and her good friend Val (another absolute Kerith legend!) They are dressed up in honour of the Royal Wedding in May! Over to Paula for her encouragement to simply gather a few