home > Pastor’s Desk > 2024 > August 16th > Trust God, The Bible Tells Me So

​

HAVE YOU READ THE LAST PAGE?

The Bible is the all-time best-selling book for good reason. It is a book like no other. If you have a problem, the answer is in there -if not directly, it shows where the answer is found: God. He is the most powerful being in the world. He is able to split the sea (Ex 14:22), make hungry lions oblivious to the ‘righteous food’ in front of them (Dan 6:22), stop a storm mid-track (Luke 8:24), win un-winnable battles (such as 1Kings 20:26-30), overfill previous bare fishing nets (Luke 5:5-6), permit pregnancy in (very) old age (Gen 21:2) or even without a man (Luke 1:34-35), and, heal the sick and make demons flee (Matt 4:24). These were all answers to difficult problems. Each is a remarkable and exciting story in itself, but the repetition of such extraordinary and powerful works shows it was never just a fluke or a mere coincidence. He is a powerful God-able to make the impossible possible.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
Psalm 147:5

God creatively and with tremendous wisdom made a world with a variety of plants and animals that symbiotically live on a habitable planet in this huge cosmos. Even today God is creative and wise enough to have a solution for every problem we could possibly face. What’s more, His solutions are complete, not one of these half baked ideas that I come up with that then causes other problems to arise that need to be overcome. He is strong enough and wise enough that every attack that comes our way, He can work for good – not just for our good, but also for the good of others and Him also.

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Psalm 104:24

The Bible also shows us another super important and special thing. His love for each one of us individually is immense, so much that we can’t understand it. Even the cleverest of minds can’t understand the vastness and depth of His love, but we can be overwhelmed by the comparatively tiny portion of His love we can see. Whilst I was a filthy, dirty, rotten sinner, not just not-caring if there was a God, but actually mocking Him … at that point, He died for me, to pay the penalty my sins deserved. How shameful on my part, but how gloriously it shows His great love toward me.

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

He is immutable (unchanging character), eternal (always was is and will be), omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), omnipotent (has all power) and amazingly omniscient (knows all). He is wherever I am, and wherever you are at the same time and through centuries past and centuries future. He always will be. He hears our prayers, knows us more than we know ourselves – not just physically, but every dimension. He knows intricacies of your personality that you aren’t even aware of. He knows what makes you tick and why, what sets of abilities you have and what skills and experiences you go through and all your current circumstances.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
Psalm 139:1-2

…the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Ephesians 3:8b

In this amazing Bible we are asked to be like little children as we follow Him. I have pondered this concept for literally decades. A little child looks to its mother and tries to please her. He shows her new things, new words and new actions watching for her affirmation. He asks her to watch him do the same task a myriad of times, waiting further affirmation.

Even my own children would, for example, jump on the trampoline as high as they could and want me to watch them. After 5 minutes of jumping for yet another time in the day, yet another day in the week, when my interest had depleted significantly I would turn to do something else only to hear the cry again “Come back! Watch me, I can jump even higher!” “Seriously”, I would think, “you’ve been jumping as high as you could for the last 6 months. Do you, in all reasonableness, assume that in the past 3 seconds your legs have gained even an iota more strength”. They were enjoying themselves in the opportunity that was presented to them and wanted me to just show them my delight in their efforts. On other occasions my little children would see me come from a distance toward them crouching with my arms stretched wide and they would choose to run into my arms for a big, big cuddle. They would explore, create, enjoy and do things, ever mindful that I was watching and loving them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me … for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14

Andrew used to toss the children up really high and catch them, and Tyrone would respond with, “moooooore”. It was one of his first words. He loved it. He had no fear. He was, after all, with his Daddy. When either Andrew or I said something to our little children, there was no doubt, they just knew it was true. Walking along with them they would look any direction, because holding our hand they knew no obstacle could thwart their path.

This is the thinking I have when the Bible tells us to be like “little children.” I therefore love to imagine holding Jesus’ hand, totally oblivious to the spiritual warfare happening all around me as I create, explore, try new things and await His smile of approval. I live for the audience of just One. When life seems to have thrown me a curve-ball, I can trust Him. When I come across a problem, I chat with Him as to how WE are going to do this, now. When I feel unknown, I joke with Him on how I can’t ever scare Him with a ‘boo’ because He knows my every move even before I do it! When I feel the need for love, I reflect on just my puny understanding of what amazing love He has shown me and I call Him ‘Abba’ (Daddy). I imagine that He looks down to me as his ‘special girl’.

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
Psalm 139:4

Together, and only together, we can conquer the world. Alone, I have absolutely no chance. And alone, you have no chance. But have you checked the Bible’s last page? WE WIN!! With Jesus, we are on the winning team. As author, Johnny Enlow, puts it in his book, Kingdom Come, “Satan’s story has been written and he loses. We win.

And night will be no more. They [the redeemed] will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:5

If you haven’t yet, you can join the winning team. If you have, but you’ve been sucked into any worldly vortex of fear, apathy or sin, my Father’s arms are wide open for you, you can come running back (or crawling) and He will not just accept you back, but it will be with great joy. The angels in heaven will party over your choice to come home. We’ll all celebrate with you.

 

“Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. This is the end of the account”
Daniel 7:27-28.

Amen.

 

 

Your Executive Pastor,

 

Kim

Let me know what you think below in the comment section and feel free to share this someone who might benefit from this Pastor’s Desk.

3 Comments

  1. Gladys Parry
    Gladys Parry on 2024-08-16 at 12:47 PM

    It is the end that counts. I think Daniel 7.27-28 will be a new verse for me to remember. Thank you Kim

    Reply
  2. lee parish
    lee parish on 2024-08-16 at 6:12 PM

    Thanks Kim,

    There’s only one name, the name above all names.

    Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour.

    Reply
  3. Elkanah
    Elkanah on 2024-08-18 at 8:43 AM

    Alone I have no chance, together with Jesus we conquer. “We win with Jesus”, this has encouraged me.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HONOUR SOMEONE’S LIFE’S WORK?

by | 2024-10-04 | Pastor's Desk | 3 Comments

This is the question that’s been on my mind since I stepped into the role of Senior Pastor here at Legana Christian Church. I think we all know what it looks like to deface someone’s life’s work! Back in 2022, there were 38 “Art Attacks” staged by groups like Extinction Rebellion. They went into museums and threw food, paint, and sometimes even glued themselves to significant works of art. In the midst of it all, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t thinking about how I should save the world. Rather, I couldn’t help but think: What had the artist done to deserve such disrespect? What did vandalising art have to do with fossil fuels, cutting down rainforests or large-scale mining? Maybe I missed the point, but this seemed more like childish, attention-grabbing tantrums than meaningful protests.

Read

Looking Forward in Faith and Finishing Well

by | 2024-09-13 | Pastor's Desk | 6 Comments

Have you ever had one of those moments when you just know something significant is about to happen? That feeling where everything in your life has been preparing you for this moment? That sense that, through all the trials and struggles, God has been at work preparing you for ‘such a time as this’? That’s exactly how Bec and I feel as we step into this new season here at Legana Christian Church. From the moment we—Bec, the kids (Nissi, Otto, Mila and Bijou) and I—arrived, I’ve felt so welcomed by the congregation’s warmth and encouragement. The last few years have been a whirlwind for us, but already we feel like part of the family. So, before I say anything else, I’d like to say thank you to the congregation for embracing us wholeheartedly. It really means the world to our family.

Read

WHEN JESUS SPOKE, PEOPLE DID MORE THAN LISTEN

by | 2024-09-05 | Pastor's Desk | 4 Comments

William L. Thompson was born in Ohio in 1847. He studied music as a young and was talented enough to be invited to study music in Germany. After some time in Germany, he returned to America and became a popular song-writer for famous performing artists. But Thompson also began to experience rejections from music publishers. During this difficult phase of his life he turned to Christ. He had begun reading through the Gospels with fresh zeal and discovered that the Jesus described in those Gospels was deeply caring, very tender especially with women and children and anyone who truly turned to Him. Even though he had started his own music publishing company and also a music store in Ohio, his focus and priorities had now changed.
In the 1870s there were many people in the America and the United Kingdom who were coming to Christ under the evangelistic ministry of Dwight L. Moody. Thompson was certainly aware of the great evangelist. He had moved from writing popular songs to writing hymns. He wrote a hymn that he felt was appropriate for the type of evangelistic meetings that Mr. Moody was conducted. He called it, an invitation hymn. It was designed to come after the sermon and led to what had become referred to as ‘the altar call’ where people were invited to receive Christ and become a Christian. The invitation hymn was called, Softly and Tenderly. When D.L. Moody first heard it he insisted that they begin using it in their revival meetings. In fact, it almost became known  as D.L. Moody song! As the aged Mr. Moody was confined to what would be his death-bed, he called for Mr. Thompson and told him: 

Read

DUMB PRAYERS THAT I HAVE PRAYED AND GOD HAS ANSWERED OVER THE YEARS

by | 2024-08-30 | Pastor's Desk | 5 Comments

Over the past nearly 29-years of pastoring Legana I have occasionally mentioned that one day I would write about “the dumb prayers that I’ve prayed.” It’s not really that they are all ‘dumb’ prayers, it’s that they are the kind of prayers that are guaranteed to be answered by God (because they are “surrendered” prayers) but have not been fully considered what God’s answer might entail. I do not consider the more well-known and obvious “dumb” prayers – such as praying for revival to bring in hundreds of lost/lonely/broken souls into the kingdom and then being surprised by God’s answer resulting in exhaustion, burn-out, over-stretched resources, spiritual attacks, and the inevitable pride. Neither do I consider the even more obvious “dumb” prayer for patience and humility and the resultant means (difficult people and obvious trials!) by which such a prayer can only be answered. Instead, I begin with a prayer I prayed as a teenager then others that I prayed down through the years which have led me to this unexpected point. What I hope, and pray, you might discover after you have read this is something which will might benefit you in your knowledge of God and how He often answers prayers.

Read

COMPEL THEM TO COME HOME

by | 2024-08-22 | Pastor's Desk | 0 Comments

Who is welcomed into your home especially if they are unexpected, unannounced and unknown? As Jesus travelled around Israel He often told a story which His disciples would have repeatedly heard. It was the story of a nobleman who was hosting a great banquet in his large home and had invited other nobles to be his guests. But one after another each made a weak excuse for not attending. The nobleman then told his servant to go and invite the outcasts to be his guests instead.

Read

WHAT DO YOU?

by | 2024-08-08 | Pastor's Desk | 2 Comments

home > Pastor's Desk > 2024 > August 9th > What Do YouWhat do you want? What do you want to do? What do you hope to achieve? What do you long to buy? What do you wish for your community? What do you need to change? What do you aspire to learn? What do you...
Read

Was Jesus Even A Christian

by | 2024-08-01 | Pastor's Desk | 1 Comment

AS my pastoral ministry at Legana rapidly draws to an end it is my hope that I leave a deposit in your soul that encourages you to also Love God with all your mind as well. It is my contention that with the increasing screen addiction to social media — where viewing “memes” and watching “celebrity YouTubers” — is being confused for factual information with even believers susceptible to deception. I want to offer some ways to guard what might be being allowed into your heart.

Read

HOW DID THEY UPSET MALACHI SO MUCH?

by | 2024-07-25 | Pastor's Desk | 0 Comments

Over the past twenty-nine years of pastoring Legana, I have generally preached through biblical books verse-by-verse. These biblical books series have been interspersed with various shorter topical series (which is why it took me eight years to preach all the way through the Book of Jeremiah). As I now commence my last biblical book teaching series, through Malachi, I hope to leave a deposit in your souls about the value and authority of God’s Word and how we need to worshipfully approach it. While we all want to “cut to the chase” and “get to the point” when we approach God’s Word we must do so carefully. This takes time. “Time” is what most people complain they do not have. This is why I am doing so much background work on this often-neglected book so that you can take advantage of my time investment on your behalf. In this series so far, I have introduced the context of this book, discussed who Malachi was, explored where Malachi was, and examined who was Malachi’s immediate audience. I am now considering why Malachi was so profoundly upset and what we can learn from his passionate love for God and His Table.

Read

FINDING JOY IN YOUR CHURCH THROUGH HUMILITY

by | 2024-07-18 | Pastor's Desk | 0 Comments

home > Pastor's Desk > 2024 > July 19th > FINDING JOYIN YOUR CHURCH THROUGH HUMILITY¶ For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body,though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.First Corinthians 12:12 What is a...
Read

YOU CAN DO IT!

by | 2024-07-12 | Pastor's Desk | 0 Comments

Both ‘adulting’ and letting kids really grow up can be too challenging for some! We generally don’t like change and tend to love comfort. Change is difficult. It is uncomfortable. On the other hand ‘comfort’ seems easy and familiar. But think about your life journey thus far. You began life literally being held by your mother. Then nine months or so – everything changed. And it changed because you had grown! In fact, ‘growth’ and ‘change’ are partners! One day you were in a basinet, then in a cradle, then in a cot, then in a bed – and were still not yet four years old! We are not meant to stay the same (although, as we get older staying the same in appearance would have been quite nice!!). You may have heard the saying that “God loves you just as you are, but loves you too much to leave you the way you are.” God knows that change will be rewarding and lead to you having a more fulfilling life. You may not like change, or even want to change – but you’re already an expert at it – and may not even realise it!

Read