God Goggles

When you look at someone what do you see?

Perhaps you see an age group? Or a social scene? Or a character trait? It could even be as black-and-white as simply liking or disliking a person.

The thing is often how we view a person affects how we relate to them and how we interact with them. For example, you might find yourself thinking “I can’t say that to them, they’re too cool” or maybe “I’d rather not be seen talking to them” or possibly even “Yeah but that’s just X, he’ll always be like that”. You know what I’m saying.

I was challenged by this scripture the other day…

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.“
1 Corinthians 5:16

The boxes and categories we tend to put people in are man-made. They might be accurate in one sense, but from God’s perspective they are missing the point – we need to view people not as the world does but as He does, namely someone of significance who is loved and who he wants relationship with; someone worth dying for. And not only that, someone who He is working in; someone with bucket loads of God-given potential.

I wonder what it would look like if we got hold of that? Would we act the same towards them? Would we say or not say the same things to them? I wonder just how much more God might move through our lives if we grasped how wide, high, long and deep God’s love is for the people we encounter every day?

Try it this week. In every situation ask yourself “how does God see this person?” See what he says – it might surprise you.

Website of the Week – RELEVANT Magazine.

Relevant Magazine: God. Life. Progressive Culture. (as they put it)

This website is ace. In fact I haven’t even had a chance to find out just how good it’s going to be yet because I couldn’t wait to post it on here.

It’s got everything you’d expect from a “relevant” Christian website – there are artciles about Christian living in contemporary society, media content, forums etc etc. But there’s one big difference, the stuff on here is actually good (and consequently “relevant”)! For example, take music. Not only do they have videos and reviews of  “Christian” stuff but to good “non-Christian” stuff too because, you know, it’s what people are actually listening to. But culture doesn’t stop with music so they have film and technology features up there too (among other things). I really like the ‘Life’ section. It’s got articles about issues that, as Christians, we need to be a lot more clued up on – health care, evolution, politics and news in general.  I’m looking forward to reading a few. (But bear in mind it is American so the news and stuff will be American. But hey, they gave us Chuck Norris so we can probably have a bit of grace for them right?)

So make sure you check it out, and let me know if you find anything particularly good – www.relevantmagazine.com

In other news, I think it’s important to make sure that everybody has seen this:

Money, Money, Money

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Matthew 6.24

“Misfortune pursues the sinner,
but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.”

Proverbs 13:21

Sometimes we can get in a bit of a muddle when it comes to the Christian position on finances. Is it wrong to have money? Is it wrong to want it? If I do have it, am I allowed to spend it on myself? What does it actually mean to ‘serve money’?

Like with many things, it’s impossible to try and impose an ehaustive list of ‘dos and don’ts’. The best thing to do is get a clear understanding of the principals behind approaching and using money in a Godly way and then applying them as you go. In short:

1. Money is a gift from God – it’s His, he just lets us use it! (Psalm 24:1)
2. As with all gifts, we are called to use money in a way that pleases God. (Matthew 25:14-30)
3. It’s not a sin to be prosperous, so it’s ok to spend money on yourself. Don’t automatically feel guilty!! (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)
4. God isn’t ok with us having money as our goal. He wants us to be content with Him as our treasure, regardless of our circumstances. Money is a means to an end, not the end itself. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
5. Generosity is key. It shows you love God/someone/something else more than money. Jesus loves it, so will those around you. (2 Cor. 9:6-15)

Student Finance

It’s common knowledge that students, as a rule, tend to be short of a few quid – especially these days with sky-rocketing course fees and accomodation costs. The problem is you can get yourself stuck in a mindest of poverty in which you focus on what you don’t have rather than what you do have. This can lead to an “it’s mine” attitude where you hoard everything you have in fear that you will run out. The fact is Jesus tells us specifically in Matthew 6 not to worry about money because God will provide for us, all we need is a little faith. So don’t worry!

Now we’re not advocating frivoulously chucking your money away because the next Jesus-cheque is only a prayer away. No, what we’re saying is don’t let worries about money cause you to miss the chance to bless someone and see the Kingdom advance.

Practical Tips

Ok, so that’s some theory but what about some practical advice. You will be living on a budget and will need to be careful with what you have. We’re no financial experts but here are a few things you might find helpful:

1. Budget. Work out how much you have available to spend and try and stick to it. It’s really helpful to keep a record of everything you spend money on – it’ll help you to cut down unnecessary purchases.
2. Give. The bible says “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Cor 9:6). Sounds like good, practical advice to us.
3. Avoid credit cards if you can – your interest-free overdraft should see you right.
4. Look out for student deals and discounts – www.moneysavingexpert.com is a good place to try.
5. Don’t spend all your money on sweets.

In sounds stupid, but just remember that God is God. He’s Lord over everything, including your wallet. All you need to do is look at things with His eyes – every situation is either a blessing to be thankful for or a blessing to look forward to. Have faith and trust that he’s got you covered.

Under the Radar

“To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds… The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.”

Daniel 1:17,19-20

Daniel and his buddies achieved amazing things for God. During their time as exiles in Babylon they were selected to enter the service of the king and, because of the intellectual (and physical) gifts that God had given them, they were fast-tracked right to the top of the tree. In fact, so impressed was Nebuchadnezzar by Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah that he ended up renouncing the religion of his country and putting his trust in the God of Israel – even before the whole incident with the lion’s den!

The story gives us a fascinating insight into how God can use us to infiltrate even the most out-of-reach areas of society. Because of the natural talent and training that Daniel and Co. received they were invited into places that, say, an ordinary Israelite, even a priest, never would. Then from this position of influence they were able to live completely uncompromising lives for God that were so magnetic and impressive that God brought to repentence those whom they encountered.

You all have skills and talents, not just in the spiritual sense, but in the ‘traditional’ sense as well. In fact, that’s why most of you have come to university – to hone those skills. Now don’t hear what we’re not saying, there is definitely more to life than your degree, but it is also worth bearing in mind that the outcome of it will go a significant way to dictating where you go afterwards. And one thing’s for sure – we definitely need a lot more Daniels in the world. People who will use their God-given abilties to get to the highest points of influence in all areas of society, and then, having slipped in under the radar, influence them for the advancement of the Kingdom.

So next time you’re thinking about sleeping through your lectures or sacking off revision it might be worth thinking bigger than just scraping through your course by the skin of your teeth.

Time with the Father

God knows a lot about you. In fact, he knows it all. Right down to your follicle arrangements.

We know a lot about God – or at least we like to think we do. We know his commands, we know his words, we know stories about him. We even know the things we need to do and say to show others that we know about him (a particular favourite of mine unfortunately)

But how much do we really know God? And how much do we really let God know us? Really? For while God does know everything about you, he’s also a gentleman (to borrow a phrase from JMM) and wants you to make the first move ‘”Behold, I stand at the door knock”. He’s there, he even knows what’s inside already but he’s still waiting for us to let him in.

God has iniated relationship with us, but we still need to come and meet him in the middle – to pursue him as he has pursued us. James tells us how we need to make the first move: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4.8)

What I’m getting at is this. We can read all the books, listen to all the sermons, even follow all the blogs we want but none of it can substitute time spent in the presence of God. These things are great and help to strengthen our faith and firm-up our foundations, but we’re only going to be at our most effective when we are living out of communion with the Father – praying, worshipping and reading the Bible with him. And this is where we’re the most happy – where we’re the most satisfied. Doing ‘Christianity’ does not fulfil the longing in our hearts; having an active relationship with the living God does.

So this is my challenge: spend time with God. Simple. It could mean sitting down to read the Bible, or jumping around the room to some worship music. Whatever. Just open-up some space where he can come and directly touch your life, and where you can get to know each other and you can share you life – your desires, your dreams, your struggles – with Him. I often find this easier when things are going “well” with God. Utter rubbish. In fact, if you’re not “doing well” then that is absolutely the best reason to be chasing more and more time with God. Honestly, it’s so much better for you than whallowing in self-pity – and I can vouch for that.

Why waste time being distant from God? He opened up the road to relationship through the punishment, disgrace and ultimate restoration of his own Son. Now it’s your move…

Psalm 63:1-9

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

¹ O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

² I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

³ Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

⁶ On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

⁷ Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

⁸ My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

⁹ They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.

Testimonies

We want to hear from you!

“They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.”
Revelation 12:11

Testimony is so important. It literally means ‘to bear witness’ to something. So when we testify to something we are declaring that it really happened. And more often than not, the reason it’s necessary to declare it is because otherwise it would be in doubt. (Think about a court-room trial: a witness will testify to what they saw/know in order that truth be reached and a correct verdict be administered)

When it comes to testifying about our walk with God we are essentially doing the same thing: asserting God’s glory, goodness, and even very existence on account of what he has done or is doing in our lives. This has multiple benefits:

1. It gives God the glory he deserves for his work
2. It encourages faith – strengthening that of a believer, whilst creating it in a non-believer.
3. It helps us to overcome the enemy. By bearing witness to God’s goodness we negate the lies of the enemy and it is much easier to recognise God’s truth and so walk in his power.

The verse above says we defeat Satan by two things: Jesus’ sacrifice, and our testimony to it – including how it is impacting our lives right here, right now. We already have the ‘blood’, let’s throw the testimony in there too!

So what have you got to share?

What has God done in your life today, this week, this month, this year? What are you thankful for? What opportunities has he opened up for you? What have you learned? How has God shown his love for you?

What are your stories? We want to hear them. We want to create a culture of bearing witness to the glory of God – so much so that it becomes just a natural attitude; an involuntary reflex of praise.

So please share with us. You can leave a comment below, send me an email or facebook message, or better still use the Contribute page located on the bar at the top of the page ^ (or the link in the sidebar ->)

Anything that comes in I’ll put on here (unless you prefer if I didn’t) and we can share in each other’s blessings!