Monday, 25 February 2008
Separate Yourself
Today's Scripture
“So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself…be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes.” (II Timothy 2:21)
Today's Word:
Are there people or activities in your life that you know you need to separate yourself from? The Bible says that bad company will corrupt good morals. God wants you to constantly be growing and rising higher in life. That’s why this verse encourages us to separate ourselves from corrupting influences. And those influences are more than just the people in your everyday life. The influences are anything that influence your thinking. Be careful about what you are allowing into your mind. Be careful about what you read and what you watch. Don’t give your attention to things that are going to drag you down. Choose to separate yourself today. Remember. God wants you to live an abundant life. He wants you be separate so that He can work through you and fulfill his purposes in you life. As you cleanse yourself God will work in and through you so that you can live as an over comer the way God intends!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word which is the Truth that sets me free. Give me strength to separate myself from anything that does not honor You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Today's Scripture
“So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself…be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes.” (II Timothy 2:21)
Today's Word:
Are there people or activities in your life that you know you need to separate yourself from? The Bible says that bad company will corrupt good morals. God wants you to constantly be growing and rising higher in life. That’s why this verse encourages us to separate ourselves from corrupting influences. And those influences are more than just the people in your everyday life. The influences are anything that influence your thinking. Be careful about what you are allowing into your mind. Be careful about what you read and what you watch. Don’t give your attention to things that are going to drag you down. Choose to separate yourself today. Remember. God wants you to live an abundant life. He wants you be separate so that He can work through you and fulfill his purposes in you life. As you cleanse yourself God will work in and through you so that you can live as an over comer the way God intends!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word which is the Truth that sets me free. Give me strength to separate myself from anything that does not honor You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Weekly Column in Extra!
Hi, someone asked me last week if I could post my column somewhere on the web for them to access, now I think they meant just one in particular, but I thought it may be a decent idea to pop them up regularly - so watch this space, every Monday afternoon!
God bless, Ian Dredge.
12.02.08
http://www.lcmb.org/images/prayer.jpg
One of the most important things that our Chapel wardens, prefects and pretty much anyone in the school can be encouraged to do is to pray. Prayer can be light and joyous and song-full, yet it is not reserved for songwriters or those who do not experience hardship; it can be deep and mournful, but is never just for the weary of heart – it can be artful and beautiful in expression, but it is not reserved for the artistic...prayer, like forgiveness, is a gift – a gift that everyone has to offer. It is for everyone – and I want to encourage you to join us as a prayerful community. We have put together two simple ways of making this easier for you: the first is a simple email address: prayers@sthildas.qld.edu.au; a confidential email address. If you have a prayer request just send me an email, and be assured of my prayer. The 2nd is being managed and maintained by several students: sayalittleprayer.pbwiki.com, and will soon provide weekly meditations, a group prayer blog, and a service to keep you in touch with the school.
Who knows where a little prayer will take you: as Martin Luther King Jr said: “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Maybe today is a good day to start breathing!
19.02.08
A time to meet
Making time to meet with friends and family can be very difficult. We live in a society and often have lifestyles which present challenges in maintaining close relationships with one another – the paradox of course is that in such a society it is all the more important to do just the opposite, and keep your relationships alive and healthy, for the sake of our very sanity! Of course we use technology as a life line, and with mobiles and skype, ims and sms making contact easier, and while a quick conversation may not be the face to face that we so often yearn for, it can certainly plug the gap until time is made for that all important catch-up.
From the Christian perspective, comes the question of: How do we keep our relationships with God alive...? Of course there are many ways, such as thumbing through your Bible regularly, and of course there is prayer (see last weeks column), which can be tough on your own, especially if it is something new to our lifestyle. It can be made easier of course by meeting with friends or family and praying together regularly, something we are hoping to be able to offer everyone in the community in time. Remember, even Jesus took time out for prayer, for connectivity with God, prayer is an expression of an intimate relationship with our heavenly creator, who makes love available to us all, anytime we need it. Don’t be afraid to touch base with God, and certainly don’t be afraid to ask for help doing it!
26.02.08
Several grade 12 girls asked that the Boarder’s Chapel this week be themed on family. Family is so important to us social beings, they are so often our source of guidance and help, love and acceptance, forgiveness and hope. Now sure, families can also be hard work, challenging, even unbearable sometimes; but this is not a new conundrum – dealing with family is as old as the hills, and dealing with it is important, because when we need them for the love, acceptance, guidance and so on, we had better make sure we have dealt with the niggles which may otherwise get in the way.
The challenge placed on us by Jesus is to question not the value of family, but why perhaps we do not apply these same values to our entire world.
The words of Jesus himself are that his commandment to us as “his friends” was to love one another, as he loved us (John Chapter 4), and that anyone who does this, is His brother and sister (Matthew 12). Little niggle or big argument, brother, sister, mother, father; neighbour, workmate, employee or boss ~ it is our prerogative as leaders in our community (because that is what you are when you come to St Hilda’s), to take the command of love first, and show it to everyone! Need help working out how to do this? I am more than happy to, if I can!
P.S. Don’t forget – any prayer requests that you might have, please don’t hesitate to email them to prayers@sthildas.qld.edu.au!
God bless, Ian Dredge.
12.02.08
http://www.lcmb.org/images/prayer.jpg
One of the most important things that our Chapel wardens, prefects and pretty much anyone in the school can be encouraged to do is to pray. Prayer can be light and joyous and song-full, yet it is not reserved for songwriters or those who do not experience hardship; it can be deep and mournful, but is never just for the weary of heart – it can be artful and beautiful in expression, but it is not reserved for the artistic...prayer, like forgiveness, is a gift – a gift that everyone has to offer. It is for everyone – and I want to encourage you to join us as a prayerful community. We have put together two simple ways of making this easier for you: the first is a simple email address: prayers@sthildas.qld.edu.au; a confidential email address. If you have a prayer request just send me an email, and be assured of my prayer. The 2nd is being managed and maintained by several students: sayalittleprayer.pbwiki.com, and will soon provide weekly meditations, a group prayer blog, and a service to keep you in touch with the school.Who knows where a little prayer will take you: as Martin Luther King Jr said: “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Maybe today is a good day to start breathing!
19.02.08
A time to meet
Making time to meet with friends and family can be very difficult. We live in a society and often have lifestyles which present challenges in maintaining close relationships with one another – the paradox of course is that in such a society it is all the more important to do just the opposite, and keep your relationships alive and healthy, for the sake of our very sanity! Of course we use technology as a life line, and with mobiles and skype, ims and sms making contact easier, and while a quick conversation may not be the face to face that we so often yearn for, it can certainly plug the gap until time is made for that all important catch-up.
From the Christian perspective, comes the question of: How do we keep our relationships with God alive...? Of course there are many ways, such as thumbing through your Bible regularly, and of course there is prayer (see last weeks column), which can be tough on your own, especially if it is something new to our lifestyle. It can be made easier of course by meeting with friends or family and praying together regularly, something we are hoping to be able to offer everyone in the community in time. Remember, even Jesus took time out for prayer, for connectivity with God, prayer is an expression of an intimate relationship with our heavenly creator, who makes love available to us all, anytime we need it. Don’t be afraid to touch base with God, and certainly don’t be afraid to ask for help doing it!
26.02.08
Several grade 12 girls asked that the Boarder’s Chapel this week be themed on family. Family is so important to us social beings, they are so often our source of guidance and help, love and acceptance, forgiveness and hope. Now sure, families can also be hard work, challenging, even unbearable sometimes; but this is not a new conundrum – dealing with family is as old as the hills, and dealing with it is important, because when we need them for the love, acceptance, guidance and so on, we had better make sure we have dealt with the niggles which may otherwise get in the way.
The challenge placed on us by Jesus is to question not the value of family, but why perhaps we do not apply these same values to our entire world.
The words of Jesus himself are that his commandment to us as “his friends” was to love one another, as he loved us (John Chapter 4), and that anyone who does this, is His brother and sister (Matthew 12). Little niggle or big argument, brother, sister, mother, father; neighbour, workmate, employee or boss ~ it is our prerogative as leaders in our community (because that is what you are when you come to St Hilda’s), to take the command of love first, and show it to everyone! Need help working out how to do this? I am more than happy to, if I can!
P.S. Don’t forget – any prayer requests that you might have, please don’t hesitate to email them to prayers@sthildas.qld.edu.au!
Saturday, 16 February 2008
Love Never Fails:
Today's Scripture:
“Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:8).
Today's Word:
We all have people in our lives that are difficult at times. Maybe it’s someone you are at school with, a family member or even close friend. Relationships can be complicated, but remember: love never fails. The Word of God clearly defines love in: 1 Corinthians 13. It says that love is patient and kind. It doesn’t seek its own way. Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. And most importantly, love never fails. Notice that this chapter doesn’t talk at all about how you feel. God’s love isn’t about feelings: It is a choice. You can choose to be patient, even when you don’t feel like being patient. You can choose to be kind, even when you don’t feel like being kind.
No matter what situation you find yourself in, you can choose love. You are never more like God than when you are walking in love. And when you are walking in love, you will never fail because love never fails. Open your heart to God’s love today. Ask Him to show you how to love others better. As you walk in love, you’ll find peace and live in victory all the days of your life!
A Prayer for Today :
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love which never fails. Thank You for loving me so that I can be free to love others. Empower me, by Your Spirit, to walk in love no matter what I may face today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Today's Scripture:
“Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:8).
Today's Word:
We all have people in our lives that are difficult at times. Maybe it’s someone you are at school with, a family member or even close friend. Relationships can be complicated, but remember: love never fails. The Word of God clearly defines love in: 1 Corinthians 13. It says that love is patient and kind. It doesn’t seek its own way. Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. And most importantly, love never fails. Notice that this chapter doesn’t talk at all about how you feel. God’s love isn’t about feelings: It is a choice. You can choose to be patient, even when you don’t feel like being patient. You can choose to be kind, even when you don’t feel like being kind.
No matter what situation you find yourself in, you can choose love. You are never more like God than when you are walking in love. And when you are walking in love, you will never fail because love never fails. Open your heart to God’s love today. Ask Him to show you how to love others better. As you walk in love, you’ll find peace and live in victory all the days of your life!
A Prayer for Today :
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love which never fails. Thank You for loving me so that I can be free to love others. Empower me, by Your Spirit, to walk in love no matter what I may face today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Friday, 8 February 2008
New Creation
Today's Scripture
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (II Corinthians 5:17).
Today's Word:
Everyone loves to get something new. But as a believer in Jesus, you’re not only getting something new, you are something new. You are a brand new creation! Your eternal being, or the spirit on the inside of you, is re-created in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come. The Bible says that we are to work out our salvation. That means you have to retrain your body and mind to act, think, speak and live according to the new spirit within you—instead of the old habits you used to have. Don’t ever get stuck in a rut thinking, “I’ll never change…that’s just the way I am.” No, the Bible says that the Spirit of God aids us in our weakness. He gives us strength to overcome. He empowers us to live as more than conquerors. Is there something you want to change in your life today? Remember, you are a new creation in Christ. You are empowered to overcome. You are equipped to walk in the new, abundant life the Lord has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in Heaven, thank You for making me a new creation. Thank You for empowering me to live as an overcomer. I give this day to You and ask You to help me fully understand the plan You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (II Corinthians 5:17).
Today's Word:
Everyone loves to get something new. But as a believer in Jesus, you’re not only getting something new, you are something new. You are a brand new creation! Your eternal being, or the spirit on the inside of you, is re-created in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come. The Bible says that we are to work out our salvation. That means you have to retrain your body and mind to act, think, speak and live according to the new spirit within you—instead of the old habits you used to have. Don’t ever get stuck in a rut thinking, “I’ll never change…that’s just the way I am.” No, the Bible says that the Spirit of God aids us in our weakness. He gives us strength to overcome. He empowers us to live as more than conquerors. Is there something you want to change in your life today? Remember, you are a new creation in Christ. You are empowered to overcome. You are equipped to walk in the new, abundant life the Lord has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in Heaven, thank You for making me a new creation. Thank You for empowering me to live as an overcomer. I give this day to You and ask You to help me fully understand the plan You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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