Happy Feet

In Ephesians 6 we have a description of the Christian being asked to put on the full armour of God. It all sounds very exciting as we see the helmet and breastplate, the shield and sword. We imagine looking like a Roman soldier. The description ends with some basic footwear that almost seems unimportant when it states “having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” But maybe this is a missing accessory in our lives.

When it comes to sharing our faith we all know what we are expected to do, we know where we should be doing it and we know when. We are regularly reminded that we are Jesus’ hands and feet and that those in our lives are depending on us to tell them about their need for Jesus. We hear the success stories of the church evangelists who can boldly go where no man has gone before! No, they’re not doing this in Africa or China. Somehow they are bold enough to share the gospel wherever they go in their daily lives and win people for Christ.

Most of us listen in admiration to these “gifted” Christians and feel a little lower class. Maybe God will give us this gift. Maybe we need to be perfected in our faith and then we’ll be like them. Or maybe we’ve given up. It’s just too hard to live up to this expectation and we’ve decided to just let our lives shine for Jesus and we’ll see if anyone notices.

So as much as we know what we ought to do, we are not so willing to do it. Why? Maybe we’re missing our shoes. The shoes in Eph 6 are the preparation of the gospel. It’s the “how to do” rather than the “what to do” that seems to be missing. And this may well be the key to our willingness to share Jesus with those around us.

If we don’t have shoes on then we can’t go far at all on rough terrain and will not last the day even on flat ground. In fact I recently had a shoe wear out. Two things happened. I first noticed it when it rained and I got a wet sock. I then saw that the sole had broken and realized that I had been getting a sore foot the last few days but had not realized why.  The shoe was no longer providing adequate support but it took the rainy day to reveal the cause.

What’s interesting is that our feet decide where we will go. We’ll not tread into difficult terrain unless we are prepared or we won’t get far. If we think we can do a long bush walk without hiking shoes we’ll find out the hard way. Maybe this is what we’ve done with the gospel. We’re tried to go out with the wrong shoes on and got hurt. Now  we are reluctant to do it again. It’s not comfortable terrain and we know what happened last time.

So consider your feet. Do you think this might be true for you too? Maybe in reading this you’ve realized there is something missing. It explains why you are so reluctant to share the gospel. There is hope. This is actually the case for most Christians and the solution is much easier than you think. You don’t have to change into a “so called” evangelist to do this. You just need some basic tools at hand and you will be amazed at what the Lord can do through you. So like me with my broken shoe maybe you’ve got “wet feet” or simply sore feet but now it’s time for you to have “happy feet”. You know the gospel is not called “good news” for nothing. I’m sure you know the scripture that we used to sing: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news. Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness. Our God reigns.”

I have recently learnt that your personal testimony is one of your greatest ways of sharing your faith but many are not comfortable to start a conversation that would enable them to share it. So one effective way to be witnesses is to write it out, print it and then offer it to people you meet where you work, study, shop or see other people. Giving it at an appropriate moment is important to consider. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you. Maybe you are able to offer someone assistance or show care or understanding before you give them your story. You may feel comfortable to explain a bit about yourself and how your experience might help them.

Then, next time you see that same person, ask them what they thought! Check if they understood what salvation is and whether they feel they need to be saved. It’s as simple as that. Remember the verse in Revelation 12:11 where “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony”.

Jesus gave us the commission to witness of him and the result will be that others will also believe. How amazing is this freedom to share your faith knowing this result is possible! We need to be reminded that it is not our job to convert someone but this is the work of the Holy Spirit. We just need to explain salvation and look to see who is ready to receive.

By having a printed copy of your testimony always ready to use a strange thing happens. You are prepared! You are set free from time constraints. You are able to give people time and space to absorb the message of salvation. And most of all you are giving something extremely personal, your story.

Imagine the effect of just giving away the story of what God has done for you. To me this is the preparation that will set you free to share your faith every day. You will find yourself adding more to your preparation as people will open up with questions back to you. There are many tools that you may want to add as you see the need such as gospel tracts, CDs with messages, books etc. These tend to be more the followup of having connected with people rather than the introduction.

So I encourage you to put on your happy feet and share the good news. You will be amazed and never look back.

My Life in the Balance

I would like to share with you an important discovery that I have found in my life. I hope it is of help and encouragement to you. To explain what changed I now take you back to the time when I was much younger…

To all who knew me I was a “good” boy and I tried as best I could to be good – at least in front of others! I would pray regularly (I even tried to read through the bible), I went to church each week and I didn’t swear. But I always felt insecure with God (he knew my every thought and maybe my mum did too!).

I remember how I used to ride my bike to school along the road and some cars would get awfully close and I’d think my time was up. I would regularly pray to God, whenever I thought I might die, that God would forgive my sins. I was so scared of going to Hell because I had committed a “mortal” sin. For me, sin was the thing that bothered me the most – it seemed, the older I got the more I wanted things I could not have, the more I boasted of what I’d done, the more rude and stubborn I was becoming. I really felt like my life was on a balance scales with my good on one side for all to see and my bad mounting up on the other side, of course hidden by keeping a good appearance. But I knew the scale was tipping and it concerned me. Who will save me from myself?

I wanted to think I was good enough for Heaven. Why, if I compared myself to others, surely I would have to come out somewhere in the top half. That would be good enough, wouldn’t it? But still I was uneasy. I was brought up in the church. I knew that Jesus died on the cross for our sins but exactly how could I know that I was forgiven? I felt like it was a cycle of feeling guilty and then feeling forgiven. But all this was about to change for me as a series of “fortunate” events would unfold.

It all started with me locking the door of the house and leaving the key on the inside. I was stuck and all I could do was to wait until mum arrived home. So I sat there outside the door and along came a man to visit our neighbour. I explained that he wasn’t home but God was at work that day because that man felt something about me (I guess I was looking a bit lost!) and he began, from that day, to pray for me (as I would find out later).

Surprisingly, it wasn’t more than a week later than I met up with a young guy, Les, who really disturbed me. He had eyes that pierced me; he spoke gently but with such a genuine concern for me that I was drawn to know more and reminded of the precarious situation I felt in my relationship with God. He was very frank and seemed to know the Bible well. He spoke into the very concern I had but left me more desperate than before as he shared from the Bible how “men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil … and will not come into the light for fear that his  deeds will be exposed.” As he spoke and those deep loving eyes penetrated me I actually felt exposed – maybe he knew me and could see all my sins. And yet I was relieved and drawn – like it says “perfect love casts out fear.” I went from that chance meeting with a lot to think about …

During the next week I was given a school English assignment to interview someone and then compile the interview into a short article. I immediately thought of this guy whom I’d met – what I didn’t say earlier was that he had been a heroin addict and had only recently become a Christian. His was a remarkable story and I thought it would be an easy one to write on. I contacted Les (who was my neighbour’s brother) and a date was set. The interview was going well – I had lots of juicy material for my article but suddenly our conversation took a turn and got back onto me.

The question was asked whether, if I died tonight, I would go to Heaven? I could not say for sure; I only hoped so. Then it was explained to me that Jesus died to bring us to God; we cannot save ourselves. Just one sin is enough to separate us from God forever and nothing we do can ever pay for that. The only payment is death and this is why Jesus offered His life in our place on the cross. Now I’m sure I must have heard this before but somehow it was as if the clouds had just separated to reveal a glorious beam of light pouring into my soul. It was so strange and it seemed so simple to understand. I fell to my knees and was led in a simple prayer to make my salvation secure – I was filled with joy.

I am reminded now of the story in the Bible of a religious man named Nicodemus who came to Jesus at night and was told that unless he was born again he could not see the kingdom of God – that’s how it felt to me also.

There is a song by Keith Green that also describes my experience:

Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky,

All my hopes would come tumbling down and I never knew just why.

Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes,

Well I’ve been blind all these wasted years and I thought I was so wise,

But then you took me by surprise…

Like waking up from the longest dream,

How real it seemed

Until your love broke through.

I’ve been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me…

Until your love broke through.

I look back now on what seemed like such a simple step I took that night and think a little more of what I was going though at the time. My parents had just separated and I was hurting and feeling a little lost. I was looking for answers and not sure which direction to take. I was so glad that God sought me out in my time of need and gave me a secure base for my life. I have struggled at times to understand God’s love for me but what really convinced me was the care and embrace I found when I met with other Christians who never gave up on me.

If you were to consider your own life how do you think you would measure up? None of us are good enough to earn our way to God “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” but Jesus paid the price to bring us back into relationship with God.

If you would like to know more about Jesus, meet with others who know him or speak to me personally then you can contact me any time

The Vaccine of all Vaccines

What if I told you there’s a vaccine out there that is so effective you’ll never ever need another one and that you will receive protection from all known diseases. Would you take it? Think about it, what I’m offering you is true freedom. You’ll be able to live life without any fear of death, you can enjoy a healthy abundant life and have this with your loved ones by your side.

As with any vaccine you’re probably wondering if there are any risks and what about those that don’t take it. What will happen to them? Well there are some risks with this one which might be worth considering carefully. Firstly, you’ll be changed as a person, you’ll be what some will call a new creation, others a freak, but don’t fear as it will be all good. There are no known side effects. But there is a catch, you will not be treated by others the same. You will be misunderstood, treated with suspicion and not considered loyal to the world. And as to those that don’t take the vaccine, they will sadly eventually all die whilst those with the vaccine will be the only ones remaining. Those with the vaccine will try to convince the unvaccinated that they are at more risk than the vaccinated and although this will be true many will simply ignore the warnings until it is too late.

So by now you must be thinking I’m telling some story or is this is for real! Believe it or not what I’ve just outlined is very real, more real than many will ever understand. However I’m describing something that is not natural but rather supernatural because the true disease we all have, without realising it, is “sin”. This is the cause of all that is bad in this world including the curse on nature which leads to viruses and all other diseases. So what then is sin and how did we get it? We’ve all inherited it as a fallen human race. Yes, we were made perfect and given free choice and our earliest ancestors chose a path that led to us all being bound to death and destruction. Most of us know the pain of this through our lives as we experience broken relationships, betrayal, arrogance, fear and frustration.

But we also know of love and kindness and so many other positive experiences that give us hope. What few of us understand is where this hope comes from. It’s beyond us, outside our human influence, it comes from above us where the only one that fully understands us offers us this new life. Who do you think this could be? It’s not just a God who’s up in heaven who doesn’t know how you feel. The true God is a loving father who sent his son Jesus to this earth to be born of a woman, lived amongst us and was rejected by his community for his radical teaching and died on a Roman cross as the ultimate death penalty. But he didn’t stay dead. After 3 days he rose out of the grave he was placed in and revealed to his followers that he had not died for no purpose but that he had now paid the penalty for our “sin”, he was in fact the “vaccine” that would set every person free. What we didn’t really understand is that, when our first ancestors chose with their freewill to not follow God, they had set us on a path of suffering which the world has been on ever since. But now we were being offered true freedom and to receive this the only requirement was to believe in Jesus and to turn away from our life of sin, to follow Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.

So as much as this “vaccine” is risky and will set you apart as different, will you consider the good news that is really being offered to you? A life of abundant faith, hope and love now and into eternity. If you don’t, then you have the choice to continue your life as it is, and maybe for many, this will be a better life, one in which you don’t have to turn away from evil, turn the other cheek, accept ridicule or even potentially be put to death by those that hate you. But in the end the sufferings of following Jesus in this current world is nothing to be compared to the glory that will follow in eternal life. One day our lives on this earth will end but do not fear him who can kill the body but rather the one that will determine the fate of our souls and will not be able to welcome you into his future kingdom he has prepared for us because you didn’t accept the only cure that was available. It’s called salvation for a reason, so to be saved from the sting of death and hell is available to all of us through Jesus Christ, God’s son. And he stands at your door and knocks and if anyone opens the door he will come into your life and live each day with you. This is the experience of those that follow Jesus. A supernatural daily walk with God is possible and will give strength and hope throughout life until we all come into his eternal kingdom. I have taken the vaccine of all vaccines and I have never looked back.

Christians in the Workplace

Following a meeting with a fellow Christian today wanting to start a regular Fellowship meeting in his workplace I have provided the following guidelines in meeting in an office environment that we developed in our workplace.

Suggested Guidelines for Workplace Fellowships: 

  • Company premises are being used on basis that fellow employees wish to have a lunch discussion/learning session together
  • Respect the time allocated for lunch by the Company
  • Inviting colleagues to attend must be on the basis of it being entirely voluntary (even for Christians)
  • Those attending do so to enhance their understanding of Christianity/the origin of Christianity as applied to everyday workplace life
  • Any form of evangelism that imposes on other employees is not allowed – need to be sensitive to other colleague
  • Respect the rules of each individual workplace

Establising a Christian Fellowship in your Workplace:

I have a vision for seeing Christians being an amazing influence for good in their workplace and in their work community. It used to be enough to just be encouraged that there are other Christians at work and back 15 years ago for me this was true. But today I am seeing the opportunity for us to be the church in the marketplace. A dynamic and powerful force for good in an environment that is often tough and competitive.

If we are to see this vision fulfilled we need to consider what such an environment might look like and how it might be achieved. Also, in defining the work community, we need to consider those we come into contact with as a result of our working. To me this starts from the moment we leave our homes until we return again at night and opens up the door to the mode of transport, our work location, our lunch breaks, our travels, associates within and outside our company and  any other factors that define our work world. So depending on our interests and gifts we have an abundance of ministry opportunities.

In being an effective witness I see fellowship as a crucial component as we get significant encouragement from sharing this vision both in fulfilling our personal service and corporately as the body of Christ in the workplace. We are reminded that “where two or three are gathered in my name” Jesus is there in our midst. Also as a body we obtain effectiveness as we each contribute differently and our combined effort is so much greater than our individual.

So how do we become this body of Christ? A simple model is to start small and stay focused on the ultimate aim which is that we are each a living message being read by all who observe us daily. If you know of another Christian in your workplace or who works nearby why not meet briefly each week for prayer and include in this time any needs you have and any words or acts that might be of encouragement. You can achieve this level of fellowship with just a half hour meeting each week and generally this works well with three to six people as someone is usually unavailable but a weekly meeting means you get into a good routine and there is little confusion as to the next meeting. If the group desires more than the half hour some bible study or other activity can easily be added.

Having established regular prayer it does not take long before the group may develop a shared burden to do more to impact their workplace and so it might well be better to maintain the half hour prayer to enable a second meeting which might be a short course on discovering faith or a topical outreach meeting monthly. Depending on the maturity of those Christians in your workplace or because of new Christians it may well be that the focus moves away from outreach to growing in your faith. This is the wonderful flexibility we have to nurture the whole body until we all reach maturity in Christ.

All work environments are different and much prayer and wisdom is required if we are to sustain such ventures in a workplace. People change jobs and suddenly the momentum is lost. No matter how busy you are remember to keep the faith and maintain your personal integrity. In the same way do not give up meeting with each other for prayer. It is your foundation and you can always wind down the programs but these relationships are key.

Partnering together may be one solution to enabling your little prayer group to extend their influence. Maybe you just cannot imagine having the energy to do anything beyond your weekly prayer gathering and even this is barely happening each week. Consider what other Christians might well be in the same situation in their workplace and find ways to connect with them in their broader initiatives. You may be surprised how close these others might be and combined you could be of great mutual encouragement. If you have no obvious way to find other Christians then first ask God to make these connections happen. You will be surprised how often these things come about when you watch and pray. Also consider asking around at church for others who work nearby and finally see if there are any marketplace ministries in your work area.

There are so many ways to be a witness for Christ both individually and as a group and if you’ve got to this point then the challenge is to know what God wants you to do. It is best to seek out the most suitable resources and tools for your current situation.

If you are interested in knowing more please refer to Australian Marketplace Connections How to Grow a Small Group in Your Workplace  http://www.marketplaceconnections.com/resources/newgroup.htm and Business Life Project http://www.businesslife.org.au/BusinessLifeProject.html 

References:

There are quite a few references on the AMC website linked above which you may find useful. Peter Kentley leads this ministry (based in Melbourne) and Tony McLennan leads the Business Life ministry which includes Business Alpha (base in Sydney).

http://www.marketplaceconnections.com

http://www.businesslife.org.au

http://www.businessalpha.org.au

http://godatwork.org.uk

http://www.24sevenfaith.comhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LcAu_Ftz-g

http://www.thewaycm.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfn5q_Y8Jc4&NR=1

Laverton. Where is your hope?

Laverton Village Shops. Barely one in this strip is still in business!

I walked the streets of Laverton Village today. Most shops were not open even though it was 9.30 am. More than half the shops had gone out of business! It was rather a depressing scene except that it felt peaceful and still looked clean. There wasn’t much graffiti, the park and public toilet were tidy and there in the very centre of this desolate place was the Lighthouse store shining a light of hope – faithfully still there as one of the very few places that has not changed in the last five years.

Laverton Village Park

As I walked away I began to pray but there were no words I could utter. All I could do was pour out a prayer in a language of heaven. I waited for the Holy Spirit to give me something that I could say in English but little came but “Lord have mercy”. I thought of all the people I have seen come to Christ in this place and then return to their old life. Why Lord? Where is the hope in this place gone? There is but a remnant to show for such love poured out in Jesus name.

I remembered the exciting days over ten years ago when a few of us prayer-walked this same street. We got words of hope and a future and sure enough amazing things did happen. The council upgraded the toilets and park, the first op shop began, we had small groups with many being set free from alcohol, drugs, depression and abuse. It was so exciting but also not easy. Then a church began and the store expanded. There were ups and downs as different ideas were tried and people came and went. Charity Computers was an exciting phase and the weekly Friday night barbecues were action packed.

Laverton Station looking toward the city

But things have not turned out how most of us expected. The glory has departed. Strangely the railway station and associated carpark has been upgraded to accommodate the hoards of city workers who simply come here to save a buck with little regard for the locals.

A song came to me as I thought about this which does bring a message of hope to Laverton and so we look to that day when God’s Spirit will brood again over the waters and bring new life to this place. So join me in praying this song for Laverton: “the hope of all hearts” by planetshakers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99-pP-Wzp0k

One final challenge for prayer is that the following 2006 council report paints such a bleak picture and although some this have improved it is obvious that the community has been abandoned. http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Files/Woods_Street_Laverton.pdf

Inception and The Matrix – Are you in Reality?

I guess almost everyone has watched one of the movies in “The Matrix” trilogy. I was one of those that sort of missed them at the time they were popular but years later decided to check them out on DVD.

I particularly liked the first one for it’s simplicity at the start in presenting the incredibly strange concept of being in a dream but thinking it was reality. The idea that we could in any way be deceived into living our whole lives this way was a staggering thought. But what was maybe even more startling was the realisation that the dream was induced from birth so that machines could tap us as an energy source in a world where sunlight was not available. How could we not know it was a dream?

Interestingly, a much more recent movie, “Inception” has also captured the same concept of a dream and added to it the idea of being able to share someone else’s dream and also think it was reality. Again the intent was to deceive someone but this time by embedding a thought that they would later think was their own and would then benefit others financially.

So let’s consider this a little more. Why do people think of these things? Do they wonder what life is about and whether they are in some sort of dream state and fear that if this were possible that somehow they have been deceived into thinking “this is it” when, in fact, it’s a fabricated lie they’re living. Maybe this explains why some people are so self-centred and making the most of every opportunity to live it up and have a good time, with little regard for others. Why, if we’re in a dream then there is no accountability for what we do and it doesn’t make any difference, or does it?

Let’s rethink this one. If we are in a dream then there is also a reality that we are not yet aware of. How can we know which is which. We need a compass to guide us. In “The Matrix” it was a single revelation offered in the form of a pill. Taking this pill would change your life forever by bouncing you out of the dream state and place you in the harshest of real worlds imaginable. But there was a choice. Taking a different pill would enable you to forget you ever challenged things and you could continue living the dream. Inception presented us with a much more complex scenario in that you could be in a dream within in a dream and that you needed to make yourself a token, like a spinning top, which proved you had moved back into reality. Without it you could find yourself lost in your dream!

So, I ask you now to consider – is life a dream or a reality? How can you know? What does your gut feelings tell you? Is this all that there is or is there much more? Do you really want to know, because maybe reality is nowhere near as pleasant as the dream state.

Now I’d like to offer you a pill that you can take that will reveal what life is all about. But do you want to take it? In “The Matrix” the result was freedom at a cost. You would be torn from a life of comfort, regulated by machines, and dumped into the sewer to fend for yourself! Why? Because you had rejected your life of slavery and were no longer useful to the system. The pill I want you to try is called the gospel (God’s pill) and it is God’s plan to save you from a bondage that, right now, you may not even know you are in. You’ve been tricked into thinking that the life you are living is all there is and maybe deep down you’ve sensed there is something not quite right. Well you are so right!

We have all fallen from our rightful place as children of God and we are living under the control of a fallen angel who rules this earth. His name is Lucifer, or the devil. He once lived in God’s presence with incredible authority but allowed pride to destroy him. He was cast down to Earth and managed to deceive our ancestors and so we also fell under his influence and control. We became slaves to sin (living independent of God and His ways) which we inherited. We have been blinded from seeing our own bondage.

God sent His son Jesus who became a man and lived among us. Lucifer recognized him, tried to tempt him into also rebelling, and because he remained faithful to God, incited the people to kill him! Then God raised him up to life again and through his own son’s sacrifice made it possible for us to be brought back to God’s side. Lucifer was tricked into assisting in our rescue. This was to meet God’s requirement to punish wrong doing.

So how do you take this “pill” that will set you free? It is simply by admitting that you have been deceived and rebelled against God but you now want to accept Jesus, as your rescuer, to bring you back to God. You understand that in doing so you will become an enemy of this world’s system and will join the fight to set others free.

Like in the movie “The Matrix” you will need lots of help once you make this decision and God will teach you himself his ways by providing you His own Holy Spirit to live within you. Other Christians will also be of great assistance and you should regularly meet with them to learn God’s ways.

So, are you willing to take a leap of faith and see what reality looks like? It’s not so glamorous right now because God’s rescue mission is not complete and we are at war still. But a day is coming when Lucifer’s time will end and those who have chosen God will be with Him forever to enjoy an amazing new life.

Back to the movie “Inception”, remember the token that people needed to show if they are in a dream or not? You have been given this very thing to help you. It’s called a Bible and contains God’s very words and will enable you to separate truth from lies and reveal the thoughts and intent of your own heart. You’ll always know what is real.

So, what are you waiting for? Take the pill and join those who are set free and know the truth.

Need some help, contact me.

The King’s Speech

Maybe you’ve watched the recent movie “The King’s Speech” and been touched by the emotion and humour of the remarkable real story of King George VI and his speech impediment. Here’s a quote from the movie highlighting the irony of such a predicament whilst being in such an important position as king:

“Queen Elizabeth: My husband’s work involves a great deal of public speaking.

Lionel Logue: Then he should change jobs 

Queen Elizabeth: He can’t.

Lionel Logue: What is he, an indentured servant? 
Queen Elizabeth: Something like that. “

How difficult it must have been to seek outside help in such a situation. Having taken that brave step the speech therapist then tries to get to the cause of this problem but here is the response:

“Logue: What was your earliest memory? 

King George VI: I’m not… -here to discuss… -personal matters 

Lionel Logue: Why are you here then? 

King George VI: Because I bloody well stammer”

What follows is a journey of discovery full of rich interpersonal exchanges as the king and the therapist become friends and at times enemies and the king overcomes his greatest fears. Why am I sharing this story with you? Like many who have seen the film I was touched by something that was not immediately obvious. Something in this story hit a nerve in me. Maybe you can relate but let me explain.

When I was growing up I struggled at times with insecurities. Sometimes these manifested in nightmares or incredible fear. They were triggered by scary movies or having done something that was not allowed at home but my inquisitiveness had got the better of me. But in the end I realised it was my relationship with my father that was my problem. I didn’t feel accepted. It was not something obvious that he had deliberately done but just the way many fathers tended to be in those days – not too expressive and quick to punish (a bit like how King George’s father treated him).

Strangely, these early childhood experiences grew into some teenage behaviour that limited my development. I became quite introverted and lacked confidence to put myself forward. I was extremely fearful of public speaking even in a small group and a simple thing like reading a book aloud in a classroom was a terribly nervous and embarrassing experience. Somehow I had lost confidence in my outward person but to compensate I’d become focused on study, hobbies and anything that was individual. On looking back this was in stark contrast to my primary school years when I showed few inhibitions.

Like King George I needed help if I was to be set free from my fears.  My turning point came when I was introduced to Jesus Christ in a personal way. I had always had a faith in God but I was not able to say I knew God. What I discovered in my new life in Christ was that God is a loving Father and he accepts us for who we are no matter what we’ve done. Not only that, he wants us to be set free from our fears, our failures and every insecurity. Having new confidence in a loving God moved me on a path to recovery to the point where I would share publicly what I was like and those listening would not believe me.

Although some of these changes were quite dramatic I still exhibited a few nervous traits and complex behaviours that took a number of years to overcome. I can say that the loving support of Christians around me were key to my growth and one person in particular who taught me how to come out of myself was to become my wife in future years.

Did you know there is something far more serious than any physical or emotional impediment, no matter how bad this may seem? Yes, it is our tendency to fall short of God’s standard (what the Bible calls sin) and at this point we are all equal. What do I mean, you may be asking? Well the Bible describes sin in many ways but in its simplest form it is rebelling against or disobeying God. The outward expression of sin is self-centred behaviour which limits our ability to be the person God wants us to be. How could you have sinned if you don’t even know God, you may ask? He has made us in his image and given us a conscience to know right from wrong.

Choosing to do wrong cuts us off from a relationship with God but God offers to restore it through his son Jesus who came to earth to reveal God as a loving Father and to fully compensate for our rebellion against God by offering himself in our place. That price was his own life that he gave by dying on a cross but God raised him up again breaking the power of sin and death. So what do you need to do to benefit from what Jesus has done? God is offering you a free gift of restored relationship with Him if you are willing to acknowledge you are a sinner, accept Jesus has paid for your sin and start doing whatever God asks you to do.

Remember that God is our loving heavenly Father who does not want us to have any impediment in life but to be restored, confident and free.

If you’ve taken that first step or would like help to grow in your relationship with God then please feel free to contact me on 0417 917 075 or ben@netmenders.info . I’d love to hear from you.

God Bless,

Ben.

www.netmenders.info