OzThoughts Friday 6th February 2009

OzThoughts Friday 6th February 2009

Yesterday, we considered how Jesus sent out his Disciples with the barest essentials. Today’s reading from the Letter to the Hebrews has advice for us. You can read the whole of today’s portion later but I was taken by the middle of the passage. :
5-6 Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
These are days in which the focus of the world’s politicians, financiers, journalists, and ordinary people like you and me are on the very much changed world financial situation. I am not sure how the leaders of various countries are handling their particular situation but ours has decided to throw money at it.
I listened briefly on Wednesday morning on the local version of our national broadcaster to a representative of the Australian Government telling people how much the government would give them. The people described their income and family size and they were told a dollar amount. You could hear the very wide smile on people’s lips as they said “That much! Wow! Thanks!” Then a member of the opposition political party came onto the program and said “You are telling people they are getting this money but the parliament has not even considered it yet”. I heard later programs on radio and TV asking people “How will they spend their money?”
Hmm… The advice in today’s reading is just what you read above.
I imagine the question is “How then as Christians should we live?”
Kneeling before thee, Lord, I am praying,
Claiming a closer communion with thee,
Longing to sever from selfish ambition;
Break thou each fetter and set my soul free.

Chorus
Into thy hands, Lord, take me and mold me,
E'en as the potter handles the clay;
Make me a vessel fit for thy service;
Cleanse me and fill me, and use me today.

Fruitless has been the way of my choosing;
Now I am leaving the future with thee;
Treading the pathway of joyful obedience,
Lord, see me ready thy servant to be.

Not in my own strength can I accomplish
An thou art planning for me, day by day;
Owning the limit of human endeavor,
Humbly I seek, Lord, the grace to obey.
Author: Jessie Mountain (1895-1981)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 501


Hebrews 13:1- 8 (The Message)
1-4Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.
5-6Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
7-8Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.

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