OzThoughts Friday 20th February 2009

OzThoughts Friday 20th February 2009

Yesterday the question was how would you answer “Who is Jesus?” Today’s reading really poses the question “who would you tell your answer to?” Do you let people know that Jesus is in control of your life?

I remember one Salvation Army Officer telling us that he found it quite amusing his daughter told her friends at school that her father was a cheese salesman. It makes me wonder about how we answer questions which would declare our faith.

Do we answer “what did you do on Sunday?” with “I spent time with the family” instead of “I went to Church with the family on Sunday”. How about “I wear this uniform as I play in a Salvation Army Band” rather than “I wear this uniform as a Soldier of Christ? The “Ss” on my uniform collar declare “Saved to serve”.

Jesus is talking about the “Big C”: Commitment.

Prayer: (Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book):

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1594.mp3 ]

Thou art the way, none other dare I follow;
Thou art the truth, and thou hast made me free;
Thou art the life, the hope of my tomorrow;
Thou art the Christ who died for me.
This is my creed, that 'mid earth's sin and sorrow,
My life may guide men unto thee.

Hold thou my feet, let there be no returning
Along the path which thou hast bid me tread;
Train thou my mind, I would be ever learning
The better way thy fame to spread;
Keep thou my heart ablaze with holy burning
That love for souls may ne'er be dead.

I would bring peace to lives now torn asunder,
Ease aching hearts with words that soothe and heal;
I would bring peace when, breaking like the thunder,
Men rise in war, and hatred feel.
Peacemaker, Lord! Now I am stirred to wonder;
O take me, and my calling seal!
Authors: Arch R. Wiggins (1893-1976)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 529

Mark 8:34-39 - Mark 9: 1

34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
38 "If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
Mark 9: 1 Then he drove it home by saying, "This isn't pie in the sky by and by. Some of you who are standing here are going to see it happen, see the kingdom of God arrive in full force."

Read a Christian book during Lent.

Lent in 2009 will start on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
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