kingdome-come3

[kingdome-come3]

IMAGE

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

A person who doesn’t look anything like the fake magazine covers? or the false feed of images on our phones?

Or do you see an intricately-made Child of God?

According to the Telegraph, the average person spends 1 hour and 40 minutes on social media a day. This is 100 minutes of telling your brains that everyone else is perfect - except you. No wonder we feel insignificant.

We live in a broken world that is in constant examination and comparison of ourselves and others. It is as if everyone is trying to justify that they are valuable and loved. But no amount of likes on Instagram or attention from other people can change how loved and beautiful we are.

In an art gallery; each painting is unique, perfectly hand-crafted and incomparable. This is the same as how our Father, the master artist, created us. Ephesians 2v10 tells us “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” We are not a doodle that took two seconds to draw but a masterpiece carefully, lovingly, intricately designed for a unique purpose.

You are composed of the fingerprints of God’s workmanship. His artistic hands beautifully created you in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139v13); and He carefully chose your extraordinary combination of traits and features. The same ‘person’ who made the Giants Causeway and the Mourne Mountains made YOU. In fact, Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are so wonderfully made that our beautiful God made us in His very image. Also, in verse 28 that we have authority over all the amazing animals of the earth because of how proud He is of our creation.

He sees when we look in the mirror and feel insignificant. He sees us when we’re just out of bed in the morning. He sees our tear-stained-face, AND STILL He says you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139v14).

Sometimes our gaze is completely fixated in the mirror or on our social media profiles. We over-analyse every millimetre of ourselves; and try so desperately to adapt to the world’s mould of the perfect man/woman. This is one of Satan’s greatest tricks to attempt to deter us away from God’s love for us - from knowing our true worth and value.

We will never reach Christ’s perfection, but as followers we need to know these two very important things:

1.       Every tiny piece of your body was so carefully and intricately made for your perfect purpose. Psalm 139v13-18 illustrates God’s love and workmanship in our individual formation. We are incredibly special and uniquely wired. There is no one the same as us. Not even a twin.

2.       We (Christians) are not citizens of the world. Our residence is not on earth. Our citizenship is in Heaven. (Philippians 3v20). The broken world we live in proclaims thy shall not look anything less than perfection. But praise be to the Lord who breaks us from these earthly confines and gives us heavenly commands. Commands of love and life. Therefore, we do not need to be concerned about these standards as we are far more than enough for Christ.

Every negative thought we have about ourselves is bringing us farther from the truth of how valued we are as God’s people. This is battle. This is identifying when Satan is killing, stealing and destroying our peace. This is standing firm with the truth that we, men and women, are so precious and valued. “In fact, even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”-Luke 12v7.

Not to address the morbid elephant in the room, but our earthly bodies are slowly deteriorating by the day. By this we know we cannot ever find peace and satisfaction in our bodies - They are always changing and declining. But 1 Corinthians 15:51&53 reassures us;

“[Verse51] But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! [Verse53] “For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.”

We have this gift called hope. A gift given so sacrificially and freely to anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. Hope that we will reach heaven someday. A place where decay and self-consciousness don’t exist. Therefore, if we amend our gaze to be fixated on the glory of our perfect Saviour - we will be blinded by his love and salvation. Instead of Satan’s warped view of God’s creation.

“Our self-worth comes from who we are before God, not what we do before men.”

[kingdome-come3]

Lent

Why do we test ourselves this time of year to see how long we can go without something?

Why do we eat so many pancakes, give up something for 6 weeks and then eat so many chocolate eggs?

Pancakes were made to use up the rich household ingredients, so people weren’t tempted during their fast over lent. The weeks between Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) and Easter Sunday (Lent) are set aside in our calendar to symbolise the 40-day temptation Jesus faced in the desert (Matthew 4v1-11). Jesus’ time in the wilderness allowed him to endure Satan’s schemes and prepare Him for the beginning of His ministry.

For us followers in the 21st Century, we can look to Jesus’ example and use this period for repentance, self-examination and purification for the celebration of the resurrection. Whether you’re reading this in February or later in the year you can still open your heart and honour Christ in this way.

The majority of people fast off chocolate during lent. They cut unhealthy, addictive things out of their life and endure temptation; in order to break bad habits and live healthier lives.          

Well, what if we applied this to our lives?

What in your life is unhealthy and addictive?                                                  What is preventing your relationship with the Lord to grow deeper?                       What idols are you worshipping instead of the one who is WORTHY of praise? 

The Bible mentions many times how we should knock down idols, so we can draw closer to the Father. One of the ten commandments are “You must not have any other god but me”. The idols talked about in the Bible look very different to things we worship today, but nonetheless Satan is still tempting us to put things in front of God.                                          

                                                                                                                             Maybe you’re addicted to social media and can’t go 5 minutes without scrolling through a false reel of brokenness.                                                                         Maybe you’re addicted to going out clubbing and can’t miss a weekend without feeling that temporary high and attention.                                                                Maybe you are addicted to finding ‘the one’ and can’t rest in God’s perfect plan for you.

Whatever unhealthy battle is on your heart, I challenge you to repent, give it over to God, and put plans in place to free yourself for the next 40 days.

During this time, you will be tempted. However, James 1v3-4 says “Dear brother and sisters, when trouble of any kind comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. SO let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing,”

When the devil tempts us, we look to Jesus’ example and respond the same way He did in Matthew 4v10 – “Get out of here, Satan… For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him”.

We must also stand on the truth that we can fast of something through Christ’s strength alone (Philippians 4v13); and that the Lord has provided us armour to stand strong against temptation (Ephesians 6v10-18).

Let us stand strong against the devil’s schemes. Let us prepare and purify our hearts for the reminder of His death and resurrection.  Let us praise and honour Him for all He has done for us.

“Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and trust in God.

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.” 

[kingdome-come3]

Healing the Brokenness

Neglect. Betrayal. Harm. Hurt. Abuse. We live in a broken world and some of our hearts know these words far too well. Whatever storm you’ve endured, the effects of the wind, lightning and rain may still be present in your life. Naturally causing us to live in a continual cycle of brokenness, hurt, fear, anxiety, depression, anger. When this happens we tend to hide our hearts in a sealed box and lock it away so nothing can damage it further. Storing bitterness in our hearts is like holding onto a hot rock and expecting the hurtful person/situation to be burnt by it. Deepening the damage only to yourself. In our despair, God lovingly calls out to us and says, “Come out of hiding, you’re safe here with me”. Psalm 91:4a says ‘He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find REFUGE” Meaning that in our weakness we can crawl to our Heavenly Father and find comfort and peace. However, God doesn’t want us to spend our lives in refuge. He wants to redeem and restore our brokenness to give us the most fulfilled life. Because He loves us EVEN WITH our insecurities. Psalm 91:4b clarifies that “His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart (a defensive wall)”. This verse reveals God’s protective and empowering nature; giving us truth that when we give Him our ugly heart... It is SAFE. It is SECURE. It is STRENGTHENED. We think our scars and struggles are something to be ashamed of. That our weaknesses define us as a failure. The enemy highlights our weaknesses but God wants to use them as our strength. The bible has so many passages of how God used and strengthened imperfect people for amazing works through their weakness. For example, God called Moses to convince Pharaoh to let His people go. Moses used an excuse that his speech was his weakness; but still God provided and strengthened. In my mid-teens, I struggled with anxiety. I struggled to sit in a room full of people without having an anxiety attack. A few years ago I was on a weekend away with my youth group and Satan struck me with an anxiety attack during a service. I fled the room and found this girl (one of my now best friends Erin) in tears. She had no Christian background; but she felt so moved by everything she’d witnessed that weekend. We chatted and prayed about it and from that moment she decided to follow Christ. Even though I was in a season of distress, God still used my weakness to show His glory. We need to surrender that we will never be perfect. We need to toss our burdens to the cross. We need to ask for redemption in our broken areas. So that the glory of our perfect Jesus can shine through the cracks. Jesus’ greatest commandment is to love others as He has loved us (John 13:34). Jesus doesn’t just love the people who serve Him. He loves the people who betray Him also. No matter how hard it is to let your ‘pride’ down - we are COMMANDED to do the same. We are commanded to forgive and love those who have neglected, betrayed, harmed, hurt and abused us. Instead of having this bitter layer of self-protection and a desire to prove we are ‘worth it’. How about we walk with the knowledge that we are valued as children of God; and love them as brothers and sisters in Christ? John 13:35 says “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Our scars would look beautiful if we let Jesus shine through. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭147:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[kingdome-come3]

What Will Ever Satisfy?

Do you find yourself trying so hard yet only feeling emptier?

Do you find yourself addicted to a cycle of temporary happiness fuelled by worldly passions?

Do you find yourself simply not feeling enough?

Well,

God reaches down his loving hand and reassures our weary minds,

“My child, my grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

In these challenging moments in life, our limits remind us we need someone who is limitless.

Someone whose;

·         strength defeats all human and worldly strength

·         love is pure and unconditional.

·         joy runs far deeper than any worldly happiness could offer.

·         knowledge surpasses all human understanding.

That someone is CHRIST.

 How wonderful and marvelous is it that the chains of insufficiency are broken?

The search for satisfaction and acceptance is over.

From Matthew 6:33 we learn that we must seek FIRST the kingdom of God [not the kingdom of money, fame, sex, relationships, drugs, alcohol, gossip, careers, self-image, acceptance (insert your craving here)] and His Righteousness and all these things [our healthy hearts desires] will be given to us!

It’s very easy to put our earthly desires first; what we think is best.

However, we can desire what the outcomes of our choices may be; but we need God who knows our future and knows what is truly fulfilling for us.

As Christians, we are declaring that we belong to God and we pursue the perfect example of Jesus Christ. Jesus humbled himself to the nature of a servant and was obedient to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). As sinners, should we not humble ourselves to the nature of a servant also? Putting the needs of the Kingdom above our own desires? We are affirmed from Matthew 6 and Psalm 37:4 that if we do, the Lord will give us the desires of our heart.

The hole in our heart that we all feel is cross shaped. When we try to fill it with earthly things; not only are we clogging this hole with imperfection but we are still allowing gaps of emptiness. This cross shape signifies our freedom from sin, death and despair when Jesus died for us; and redirects our gaze to Christ’s perfection - the only thing that perfectly fits the void.

“Ask and it will be given to you;

Seek and you will find;

Knock and the door will be opened”

-Matthew 7:7  

When we don’t feel [attractive, smart, talented, brave etc.] enough; when we don’t meet the world’s unachievable standards.

 God reaches down his loving hand and reassures our weary minds.

“My child, my grace is sufficient for you.”