RuthRW

Jesus is a wonderful example of having total equality with the Father and yet there is no conflict ref submission and headship. It is a beautiful way to honour, love and trust. The world would never understand this, as equality means having the same power, same money, same rights etc. It is incredible how far culture and the scriptures are apart from each other now but I guess it is not surprising and I find we are in a constant battle in so many areas. One example in my life is 1Cor 11 and head covering for women. It was done until the mid 60s when our culture allowed it. But now it is very unfashionable and unpopular, I try to wear something that is culturally as appropriate as possible. It's not so easy but seeing how fiercely the truth about divine order, headship and submission is attacked by the enemy, I am grateful to be a quiet reminder to the truth of God's word.

If we read the bible and maybe a commentary and then rush away we are robbed of much. But if we take our bible reading as a gateway into the presence of Jesus and communicate with Him, wait on Him and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us, it deepens our relationship with the Lord and we hear His voice more and more. I think often problems with obedience and maybe more importantly giving the Holy Spirit TIME keeps many brothers and sisters from growing into a more intimate relationship with the Lord. The reason that hearing the voice of God is so rarely preached maybe stems from the fact that many preachers and ministers struggle in that area themselves. How important it is to faithfully pray for our leaders and preachers.

I very much enjoy reading the all thoughts and opinions of the forum and am learning much. I am thinking that the invalid most probably had such high hopes when he was put next to the pool and slowly over time lost more and more hope. Maybe at this point he was utterly discouraged and without any hope. Did he cry out to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in his desperation? Is that why Jesus singled him out and had mercy on him? For Jesus to find him in the temple might be an indication that he went there with a grateful heart to thank God.

I think when the man rushed to Cana he was driven by a faith which comes out of desperate hope, clinging on to the miracles he most probably heard about or witnessed. Him not giving up even when Jesus slightly rebuked the Galileans reminds me of the Syrophoenician woman and maybe indicates the man's humility when beseeching Jesus. I wonder when Jesus speaks with His calm voice of authority "your son lives" looking into the man's eyes, if that was the point, that deep down in his spirit, the man received the gift of faith and felt an assurance that Jesus healed his son.

It also makes me ponder about what an incredible difference Jesus' 2 day stay made for the woman at the well. As many more became believers, no doubt she was able to become part of the town community, no longer fearing the judgment of the people as they themselves understood that they are sinners. No more collecting water at the hottest time of the day:-).

If I get caught up in "doing" without keeping my main focus on Jesus I can easily slip into a wrong frame of mind. Often I have to seek the Lord, am I really hearing and doing what God wants me to do, then I can leave all the rest to Him. It must be hard for many pastors when they see some churches rapidly increase (often because only the "easy" parts of the scriptures are preached) I sense it can be easy for them to feel discouraged particularly when their congregation stays small in numbers. I have a real prayer burden for them.

When I started to not only read the gospels but after every sentence or two to meditate, giving the Holy Spirit time to show me Jesus, how He spoke, how He touched how He reacted, hearing His voice and then sharing and communicating with Him I found the Lord in a much deeper way . I see the profound words of the gospels as a framework and if I give the Holy Spirit time He will lead me deeper and deeper into the life of Christ. Getting up in the morning is much easier knowing what feast awaits me :-). I am finding this study and forum such a blessing and am learning much. Inviting new believers for a coffee or going for a walk with them is a valuable opportunity for discipleship. I feel encouraged.

When we realize that we are sinners and repent from the heart, wanting to make a uturn in our lives we are washed in the blood of Jesus.The Holy Spirit enters us and dwells in us as we seek to follow Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord of our life. Although we are in the world we are not of the world anymore but God "birthed" us into His kingdom. Amazing. The fact that the Lord calls it a new birth also reminds us that we start off as babes in Christ, it takes a long time for infants to walk and mature. A lovely reminder for us to be very patient and understanding, especially with new believers.

When I first became a Christian I was so excited to see that God is a God of miracles and does amazing things in our lives. I couldn't get enough books about people being healed, physically or from traumatic experiences, childhood traumas etc. or how God supernaturally touched their lives. I knew that Jesus died on the cross for me and that I was forgiven and I loved embracing my new Christian life. And yet the Lord needed to reveal to me that I didn't really know Him. Slowly I found Jesus through sitting at His feet, absorbing the gospels, finding Him in a deeper and deeper way. I get excited about the amazing "coincidences" God blesses my life with but nothing excites me more than the fact that we can know Jesus intimately, love Him, hear Him, lay our lives before Him and through Him have the incredible privilege of coming to the Father.