In these last couple of days, i have been thinking, why is there a longing feeling in my heart? Why is it that i feel the need for someone or something else in my life to fulfill me?
I have been feeling a little lonely in the last couple of days and this led me to another train of thought which was 'is it okay to feel lonely as a christian?'. 'Does it show a lack of spiritual maturity because i'm lonely?'. Does it show weakness?
Why then did God say that it is 'not good for man to be alone...'?
God is all powerful and all knowing, that means that when He made Man, He knew beforehand that Man would be lonely. God placed longing in Man's heart to find completion outside of himself.
It is so amazing that this feeling of 'longing' is something that is specifically designed by God. Specifically made in us, that we would continue to be disgruntled and search for something outside of ourselves. Our inner longing to be complete leads us to God.
I know marriage in the bible is representative of a lot of things in the eternal perspective. I thought about how a marriage (to me) represents what it would feel like to be in God's presence, to be in heaven.
I think about the feeling that a person would have when they finally see their spouse again after being away for a long period of time. When they see that person, they are so full of joy. They run into their arms and embrace. They are 'complete' for that moment. What an awesome representation of heaven. I believe that when we get to heaven, it will be somewhat the same but so much better.
We would be coming to be with the One that we've been longing to be with. The person that we have been thinking of, writting and phoning, reading letters from them. There would be perfect love, perfect acceptence, we would be whole. We would be home...
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Teacher's of the Word of God
I understand that i have a huge responsibility to teach the word of God clearly and correctly. But this understanding didn't really come to me that strongly until i was reading a book on preaching, and i read this quote.
Matthew Simpson in his Lectures on Preaching puts the preacher in his place;
"His throne is the pulpit; he stands in Christ's stead; his message is the word of God; around him are immortal souls; the Saviour, unseen, is beside him; the Holy Spirit broods over the congregation; angels gaze upon the scene, and heaven and hell awaits the issue. What associations, and what vast responsibility"
I... Ben Delaney... am meant to stand in Christ's position, and teach from the word of God? Heaven and hell hang in the balance. Immortal souls seated in front of me, and i...... i have the audacity to think about how 'interesting i am' or 'how good i am'... the right frame of mind is at the foot of the cross, the right understanding of who i am... and who God is. I shudder to think that God would even consider to use a wretch like me. God help me to be a good steward.
It says in James 3:1 "my breathren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall recieve a stricter judgement"
Let me say, we should aspire to become leaders, we should aspire to become greater influencers for God, however, the higher God raises us, the more we need to humble ourselves, and understand that we shall not glorify ourselves, but God alone.
Matthew Simpson in his Lectures on Preaching puts the preacher in his place;
"His throne is the pulpit; he stands in Christ's stead; his message is the word of God; around him are immortal souls; the Saviour, unseen, is beside him; the Holy Spirit broods over the congregation; angels gaze upon the scene, and heaven and hell awaits the issue. What associations, and what vast responsibility"
I... Ben Delaney... am meant to stand in Christ's position, and teach from the word of God? Heaven and hell hang in the balance. Immortal souls seated in front of me, and i...... i have the audacity to think about how 'interesting i am' or 'how good i am'... the right frame of mind is at the foot of the cross, the right understanding of who i am... and who God is. I shudder to think that God would even consider to use a wretch like me. God help me to be a good steward.
It says in James 3:1 "my breathren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall recieve a stricter judgement"
Let me say, we should aspire to become leaders, we should aspire to become greater influencers for God, however, the higher God raises us, the more we need to humble ourselves, and understand that we shall not glorify ourselves, but God alone.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
ARRRRRGGGG!!!!!!
-_-'
It's that time of the year again when all the students have exams and tests and essays, etc etc...
STRESS!!!!
I can't believe it, i have over 8 assignments to do in about 8 days... your probable asking 'ben... why in the world do you have so many assignments?'. The aweful truth is, 'ben is a huge procrastinator (probable misspelt)'. GOD! forgive me, please help me again.
God truely is a gracious and merciful God. Each time i get into this sort of situation, i pray and make all these declarations that it won't be the same next time, God comes and saves the day... and then.... i do it again.... doh!
And the really crazy thing is... God knew beforehand, that this was going to happen, yet He still decides to show me grace each time i honestly, humbly and prayerfully seek Him... HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!!!
Here are some quick verses to encourage those people who are studying!
Just a quick verse Philipians 4:6-7 says 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanks giving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understandings, will guard your hearst and minds through Christ Jesus' Amen!
Another great verse for studies is James 1:5 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him!' Amen!
Please keep all the students in your prayers and continue to encourage one another! Send people text messages! Cook for them if you can (lol i get excluded from this) and show them brotherly/sisterly love!
God bless all!!
It's that time of the year again when all the students have exams and tests and essays, etc etc...
STRESS!!!!
I can't believe it, i have over 8 assignments to do in about 8 days... your probable asking 'ben... why in the world do you have so many assignments?'. The aweful truth is, 'ben is a huge procrastinator (probable misspelt)'. GOD! forgive me, please help me again.
God truely is a gracious and merciful God. Each time i get into this sort of situation, i pray and make all these declarations that it won't be the same next time, God comes and saves the day... and then.... i do it again.... doh!
And the really crazy thing is... God knew beforehand, that this was going to happen, yet He still decides to show me grace each time i honestly, humbly and prayerfully seek Him... HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!!!
Here are some quick verses to encourage those people who are studying!
Just a quick verse Philipians 4:6-7 says 'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanks giving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understandings, will guard your hearst and minds through Christ Jesus' Amen!
Another great verse for studies is James 1:5 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him!' Amen!
Please keep all the students in your prayers and continue to encourage one another! Send people text messages! Cook for them if you can (lol i get excluded from this) and show them brotherly/sisterly love!
God bless all!!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ablaze Preaching
Tonight i was looking at different blogs from people in the Hope churches, and i came across one of the Ablaze leaders blogs Chris Bee. I was checking out all his posts and i am so blessed by this brother and his willingness to pour out his life for Christ and to really allow God to move through him and allow his life to be an offering. I believe this brother is one that i can truely advise other people around me to follow him, as he follows Christ.
I was listening to his preaching about committment, serving and Christ being the hope of the world. I was so blessed by it, and so humbled.
I am blessed because i can truely see Christ doing an awesome work in brisbane and the ablaze ministry.
I am also blessed because i understand and know that the same God that is doing an awesome work in Brisbane wants to do an awesome work HERE in ADELAIDE.
I am humbled, as sometimes, i get so self obsorbed, so inward focused that i forget about the awesome and mighty works that God is doing in other places in the world, through other men and women of God.
Sometimes we need to step back, and fall on our knees and thank God that He chooses to use US, to use weak, sinful people. People that are so flawed, yet God chooses to use us, chooses to accomplish His plan through us.
*God, i pray that you use this small amount that i have, to accomplish your purpose. Lord, help me to use my talents for your works, help me not to focus on myself. God, it's not about my ministry, i am not building my kingdom, i am building the kingdom of God, which is eternal. Lord, help the young people in the youth group to grow in the faith, in their belief, in their trust in You. God give them passion, give them a desire and yearning for You. In the name of Jesus. Amen*
I was listening to his preaching about committment, serving and Christ being the hope of the world. I was so blessed by it, and so humbled.
I am blessed because i can truely see Christ doing an awesome work in brisbane and the ablaze ministry.
I am also blessed because i understand and know that the same God that is doing an awesome work in Brisbane wants to do an awesome work HERE in ADELAIDE.
I am humbled, as sometimes, i get so self obsorbed, so inward focused that i forget about the awesome and mighty works that God is doing in other places in the world, through other men and women of God.
Sometimes we need to step back, and fall on our knees and thank God that He chooses to use US, to use weak, sinful people. People that are so flawed, yet God chooses to use us, chooses to accomplish His plan through us.
*God, i pray that you use this small amount that i have, to accomplish your purpose. Lord, help me to use my talents for your works, help me not to focus on myself. God, it's not about my ministry, i am not building my kingdom, i am building the kingdom of God, which is eternal. Lord, help the young people in the youth group to grow in the faith, in their belief, in their trust in You. God give them passion, give them a desire and yearning for You. In the name of Jesus. Amen*
Thursday, June 5, 2008
FIGHTING to WIN against SIN.... yes it rhymes
I'm sitting here at 10:47 at night and although it is quite early, i feel like it's 2 am.
I was thinking about sin and the struggles we face during our christian lives. It would be great if our sin only affected us, only caused us to stumble, only made us to 'feel bad'.
But i believe the reality of 'who' our sin affects is vastly different. I can see how my sin affects not only my life, but the lives of all others that i'm involved with.
I will give you an example.
Lust is a good example because all guys struggle with this, yes even the ones who say they don't, yes even the geeky looking guys and the 'sweet' looking ones too. Let me point out, lust isn't just sexual, it can also be lust for anything that someone has that you don't... so girls, your included in this too!
I use to think that my lust was a sin that only affect me. However over the years of hard battling i have seen how it also affects others.
It affects how i view every girl in my life, how i interact with them, how i treat them. In turn, this will affect my relationship with my future wife. IF i do not have the courage to be a man of God and fight my sin, I will in fact inadvertantly affect my relationship with my wife.
How does Lust affect your marriage?
You see, the problem with lust is that it is SELF centred. You think about your own feelings, your own satisfaction, you become self centred and selfish. If you don't overcome your lust, when you do get married, you will still be selfish and instead of having a loving marriage where both partners look to pleasing one another, you will only look to pleasing yourself.
How else does it affect us?
It affects your ministry and your effectiveness as a witness for God to other people. The spirit of God is hindered by sin when you are ministering to other people. It is hard to feel the presence of the Lord and to properly respond to His Spirit and guidence. This will greatly decress how effective your ministry will be and how many people you can help lead to Christ.
Does it affect my salvation?
Simple answer is no, your sin does not disqualify you from entering heaven. If that was the case, no one would enter heaven. However, as a true Christian, there should be a strong desire in your heart to deal with your sin. If you do not have this desire you need to look closely at yourself, and make sure you are saved and know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Will this post ever end?
Yes soon :) but i wanted to cover a couple more points, mainly how do i address the sin in my life. What steps can i take to overcome my/your sin and be more affective for Christ!
a) Tell someone you can trust and be accountable
I can't stress how important it is to not try to fight your battles by yourself. Find someone who can hold you accountable and pray for you. In our church this means getting a shepherd!!!
This person doesn't come and find you... you go and find them when your struggling, call them up at 2am in the morning when your tempted to look at porn and say 'hey, i'm really struggling now, can you please pray for me'
b) Keep fighting even when you don't 'feel like it'
There will be a lot of times when you don't 'feel' like fighting and feel like giving into temptation. These are the times when you need to remember verses, and continue to fight. This is when you need to use the sword of the Spirit and pray!!! A great verse is 1 Cor 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
-From this verse you can deduct that no temptation will come to you that doesn't have a way of escape... that may include, leaving your computer and going for a walk, choosing to change subject when people are gossiping, or even getting on your knees and crying out to God for help.
c) Keep spending time with God
Out of all of them, this is the most important. It is the Spirit of God that changes us, it is the Spirit that gives us the strength to overcome. Without God, you can't win. You might be able to do it on your own for a little while, but you will eventually lose. This is why it's good to come to church, youth group, prayer meeting and to spend time with Christians as you are built up when you spend time with God and with others that can encourage you.
I wanted to finish by saying, YOU CAN BEAT YOUR SIN, not because we are special or we have enough strength to defeat sinful habits ourselves. But because the Spirit of God is in you and God's Spirit can and will enable you to over come! AMEN
Romans 8:37 'Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us'
I was thinking about sin and the struggles we face during our christian lives. It would be great if our sin only affected us, only caused us to stumble, only made us to 'feel bad'.
But i believe the reality of 'who' our sin affects is vastly different. I can see how my sin affects not only my life, but the lives of all others that i'm involved with.
I will give you an example.
Lust is a good example because all guys struggle with this, yes even the ones who say they don't, yes even the geeky looking guys and the 'sweet' looking ones too. Let me point out, lust isn't just sexual, it can also be lust for anything that someone has that you don't... so girls, your included in this too!
I use to think that my lust was a sin that only affect me. However over the years of hard battling i have seen how it also affects others.
It affects how i view every girl in my life, how i interact with them, how i treat them. In turn, this will affect my relationship with my future wife. IF i do not have the courage to be a man of God and fight my sin, I will in fact inadvertantly affect my relationship with my wife.
How does Lust affect your marriage?
You see, the problem with lust is that it is SELF centred. You think about your own feelings, your own satisfaction, you become self centred and selfish. If you don't overcome your lust, when you do get married, you will still be selfish and instead of having a loving marriage where both partners look to pleasing one another, you will only look to pleasing yourself.
How else does it affect us?
It affects your ministry and your effectiveness as a witness for God to other people. The spirit of God is hindered by sin when you are ministering to other people. It is hard to feel the presence of the Lord and to properly respond to His Spirit and guidence. This will greatly decress how effective your ministry will be and how many people you can help lead to Christ.
Does it affect my salvation?
Simple answer is no, your sin does not disqualify you from entering heaven. If that was the case, no one would enter heaven. However, as a true Christian, there should be a strong desire in your heart to deal with your sin. If you do not have this desire you need to look closely at yourself, and make sure you are saved and know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Will this post ever end?
Yes soon :) but i wanted to cover a couple more points, mainly how do i address the sin in my life. What steps can i take to overcome my/your sin and be more affective for Christ!
a) Tell someone you can trust and be accountable
I can't stress how important it is to not try to fight your battles by yourself. Find someone who can hold you accountable and pray for you. In our church this means getting a shepherd!!!
This person doesn't come and find you... you go and find them when your struggling, call them up at 2am in the morning when your tempted to look at porn and say 'hey, i'm really struggling now, can you please pray for me'
b) Keep fighting even when you don't 'feel like it'
There will be a lot of times when you don't 'feel' like fighting and feel like giving into temptation. These are the times when you need to remember verses, and continue to fight. This is when you need to use the sword of the Spirit and pray!!! A great verse is 1 Cor 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
-From this verse you can deduct that no temptation will come to you that doesn't have a way of escape... that may include, leaving your computer and going for a walk, choosing to change subject when people are gossiping, or even getting on your knees and crying out to God for help.
c) Keep spending time with God
Out of all of them, this is the most important. It is the Spirit of God that changes us, it is the Spirit that gives us the strength to overcome. Without God, you can't win. You might be able to do it on your own for a little while, but you will eventually lose. This is why it's good to come to church, youth group, prayer meeting and to spend time with Christians as you are built up when you spend time with God and with others that can encourage you.
I wanted to finish by saying, YOU CAN BEAT YOUR SIN, not because we are special or we have enough strength to defeat sinful habits ourselves. But because the Spirit of God is in you and God's Spirit can and will enable you to over come! AMEN
Romans 8:37 'Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us'
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